Besan Chilla Recipe | Healthy & Easy Indian Pancake

The besan chilla recipe is the most beloved North Indian staple. This healthy & easy gram flour pancake is soft and crispy with a savory flavor. It is mostly eaten at breakfast and snack time. Besan ka cheela is a healthy pancake that is packed with nutrients. They are best eaten with tomato ketchup, chutney, or yogurt. It is perfect for busy mornings!

About the besan chilla recipe

Besan chilla is also known as a gram flour pancake. It needs some basic ingredients to prepare that can be found in your home easily. Batter of gram flour with a mixt of water, some spices, and vegetables, then roast on a skillet with ghee/oil.

Besan chilla recipe is good to eat in breakfast, but you can have it as a snack. They are quite healthy and packed with nutrients. It consists of fresh vegetables. I only use onion, tomato, and coriander leaves because my baby brother didn’t like any other vegetables in his chilla except these. But if you like, then add spinach and carrot also.

This besan chilla recipe is a substitute for suji chilla. The process of preparing both chillas is the same to prepare. But only one thing is replaced here, i.e., gram flour instead of semolina. You can also check out my suji chilla recipe. If you want sweet cheela then check my meetha cheela recipe.

This besan chilla is best served with tomato sauce, chutney, and yogurt. They are the best pack for school, office lunch boxes, or a trip.

I love this besan chilla very much, and I’m sure you also love it for sure. So let’s give a try to this delicious and yummy besan chilla. Follow the instructions below.

How to make a besan chilla recipe

Make batter

1.First, take one cup of besan (gram flour) in a mixing bowl. Add spices: 1/8 tsp of turmeric powder, 1/4 tsp of coriander powder, 1/4 tsp of fennel seed powder, 1/8 tsp of grama masala powder, and 1 tsp salt or as needed

2. Then add 1 to 1.5 cups of water to it.

3. Mix all of these ingredients well with a spoon.

4. After that, add vegetables: chopped onion, tomato, green chili, and coriander leaves.

5. Mix them well. The batter should not be very thin or thick. It should be a normal, smooth batter.

Make chilla

6. Heat a tawa/griddle on medium heat. Spread some oil on the griddle.

7. After that, take some batter with the spoon.

8. Pour the batter in the middle of the griddle in a round shape.

9. Then spread the batter with a spoon in a circle. When you spread the batter on the griddle, the flame should be low. Then, cook it on medium heat for a few minutes and pour oil all around its edges.

10. When the chilla is roasted on one side, then flip it carefully with a spatula to the other side. Drizzle some oil on it and its edges.

11. Then flip it again with a spatula and cook the other side. Press gently on it and its edges so that they cook properly until they have a golden texture.

12. When the golden texture comes on chilla, then remove it, or you can transfer it directly into the plate.

Serve this besan chilla recipe hot with tomato sauce, chutney, or yogurt. You can serve it with a cup of hot tea, which also tastes best.

Tips

• I used an iron skillet here, which you need to adjust from low to medium heat; otherwise, your chilla will burn if you roast it on high heat.

• When you spread the batter on the griddle, the flame should be low; you will not spread the batter properly.

• When you flip the chilla. First, pour oil all around its edges and turn it slowly and carefully; otherwise, your chilla will break.

• I use only onion, tomato, and coriander leaves in this chilla. But you can use other vegetables like grated carrots and spinach.

Variations

• Cheese Besan Chilla: Add grated cheese on top while cooking.

• Paneer Stuffed Chilla: Stuff with spiced paneer for a protein-packed.

• Spinach or Methi Chilla: Add finely chopped spinach and fenugreek leaves for extra green.

• Masala Chilla: Mix in finely chopped green chilies, coriander, and ginger for spicy chilla.

• Sweet Chilla: Add a pinch of sugar and cardamom, and serve with honey for a dessert version.

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