Khaman Dhokla Recipe – Steamed Gram Flour Cake - BeExtraVegant (2024)

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Khaman dhokla is a steamed breakfast/snack item originating from Gujarat (a state in the west of India). Dhokla is originally made with a batter of rice and lentils, but this quick version became extremely popular due to its ease. Khaman dhokla is made with Bengal gram flour/chickpea flour and an evening agent. It is quick to whip up, healthy and oh so delicious!

Khaman Dhokla Recipe – Steamed Gram Flour Cake - BeExtraVegant (1)

How to steam Khaman Dhokla?

I used an electrical steamer but here are other ways you can steam the Khaman:

1) Steaming in a pan/pot

  • Place a small steaming platform/trivet in a large cook-pot that has a lid and also enough room to hold a round pan/cake mould. Pour enough water to cover the legs of the trivet and bring it to a boil.
  • Place the mould/pan with batter in the cook-pot as soon you mix in the baking soda. Cover with the lid (preferably with a tiny hole in it to let out excess steam).
  • Steam for up to 15 minutes on medium-high heat. The closer the pan to the boiling water, the faster the steaming.

2) Steaming in an Instant Pot

  • Pour enough water in the steel insert of the IP. Place an iron tripod/trivet and set to sauté function. Bring the water to a simmer.
  • Carefully place the pan with the khaman batter on the trivet but do not cover the pan with a lid.
  • Cover and IP with its lid and keep the vent position to steam release. Hit the steam button and steam on high pressure for up to 15 minutes.
  • Keep a track of the time using a timer to prevent the IP from steaming even after the time is elapsed. Let the pressure release until the valve falls down. Then open the lid carefully and serve.

3) Steaming in a pressure cooker

  • Place the tripod/trivet in a pressure cooker. Add enough water to cover the leg of the tripod. Bring the water to a boil. Carefully place the pan with batter with the help of tongs on to the trivet.
  • Remove the whistle (weight) from the lid and seal the lid tightly. Steam for up to 15 minutes on medium to medium-high heat.
  • Once it’s done, remove the side an carefully take out the pan/mould with the help of tongs.
Khaman Dhokla Recipe – Steamed Gram Flour Cake - BeExtraVegant (2)

Let me know if you try this easy Khaman Dhokla recipe and I would love to see what you paired it up with. Tag @beextravegant onInstagram.

Try other breakfast/snack items from the blog:

  • Paniyaram recipe- shallow fried, spiced rice and lentil balls
  • Vegan Yoghurt Toast – Spicy
  • Tofu masala sandwich
  • Baked Aloo Tikki – Crispy and Healthy

Khaman Dhokla Recipe – Steamed Gram Flour Cake - BeExtraVegant (3)

Khaman Dhokla

Thiskhaman dhokla recipegives you a light, soft and fluffy, sweet and savory cake that’s perfect to enjoy for breakfast or any other time of the day. It’s comes together quickly and is easily steamed in a steamer or on the stovetop.

5 from 1 vote

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Prep Time 5 minutes mins

Cook Time 15 minutes mins

Total Time 20 minutes mins

Ingredients

Batter

  • 1.5 cups gram flour besan, 180 grams
  • 1 tbsp semolina optional
  • 1 tsp salt or to taste
  • 1 tbsp sugar
  • A pinch of turmeric powder
  • 1 tbsp neutral oil
  • ¾ tsp baking soda or 1.5 to 2 tsp fruit salt
  • 1.5 tbsp lemon juice
  • 1 cup water or as per requirement

Tempering

  • 2 tbsp neutral oil
  • 1 tsp mustard seeds
  • 1 sprig curry leaves – about 10 leaves
  • 1 tsp chopped or 2-3 whole green chilies optional
  • 2 tsp sugar
  • 1/2 cup water

Garnishes

  • Freshly grated coconut
  • Chopped coriander

Instructions

Khaman Dhokla:

  • Grease a deep steamer pan or a cake mould with 2 to 3 tsp of oil.

  • In a mixing bowl, sift besan/gram flour/chickpea flour.

  • Add turmeric powder, lemon juice, sugar, and salt.

  • Add 1 cup water or as per requirement to get a thick but flowing batter consistency (water requirement depends on the quality of flour).

  • Mix well and add the semolina, if using.

  • If the batter is too thin, add 1 to 2 tbsp gram flour.

  • Bring to a boil 2 to 3 cups (or as required) of water in a steamer or a stove-top cook-pot.

  • Now add the baking soda or fruit salt to the batter.

  • Stir quickly until evenly mixed into the batter (to prevent uneven levening).

  • Pour the batter in the greased pan.

  • Place the pan in a steamer cook-top and cover with the lid.

  • Let it steam for 15 to 20 minutes in an electric cooker on a medium to high heat.

  • Once steamed, do the toothpick test check doneness. If the toothpick comes out with uncooked batter on it, then steam a bit more.

  • When the khaman cools down a bit, then slide in a spatula gently sliding along the edges and invert the pan to slowly drop the khaman dhokla on a plate.

Tempering:

  • Heat oil in a small pan.

  • Add mustard seeds and when they crackle, add the curry leaves and green chilies (if using).

  • Saute until slightly browned and then add water. (Be careful here as the mixture can sizzle aggressively. Alternatively, you can switch off the heat and then add water)

  • Now add sugar, and mix well so that it's well dissolved and let the mix come to a boil again.

  • Then pour this mixture evenly on to the steamed and sliced khaman dhokla.

  • Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and grated coconut.

Serving and Storage:

  • Serve khaman dhokla fresh with a spicy or sweet chutney. You can also store in an air tight container. These can be stored in the fridge for up to 4 days.

  • If serving khaman after a long time, do not garnish with coconut and coriander leaves before storing. Do it right before serving.

Notes

Steaming instructions:

1) Steaming in a pan/pot

  • Place a small steaming platform/trivet in a large cook-pot that has a lid and also enough room to hold a round pan/cake mould. Pour enough water to cover the legs of the trivet and bring it to a boil.
  • Place the mould/pan with batter in the cook-pot as soon you mix in the baking soda. Cover with the lid (preferably with a tiny hole in it to let out excess steam).
  • Steam for up to 15 minutes on medium-high heat. The closer the pan to the boiling water, the faster the steaming.

2) Steaming in an Instant Pot

  • Pour enough water in the steel insert of the IP. Place an iron tripod/trivet and set to sauté function. Bring the water to a simmer.
  • Carefully place the pan with the khaman batter on the trivet but do not cover the pan with a lid.
  • Cover and IP with its lid and keep the vent position to steam release. Hit the steam button and steam on high pressure for up to 15 minutes.
  • Keep a track of the time using a timer to prevent the IP from steaming even after the time is elapsed. Let the pressure release until the valve falls down. Then open the lid carefully and serve.

3) Steaming in a pressure cooker

  • Place the tripod/trivet in a pressure cooker. Add enough water to cover the leg of the tripod. Bring the water to a boil. Carefully place the pan with batter with the help of tongs on to the trivet.
  • Remove the whistle (weight) from the lid and seal the lid tightly. Steam for up to 15 minutes on medium to medium-high heat.
  • Once it’s done, remove the side an carefully take out the pan/mould with the help of tongs.

Keyword dhokla, indian breaksfast, Khaman dhokla

Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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Comments

  1. Khaman Dhokla Recipe – Steamed Gram Flour Cake - BeExtraVegant (8)Jackie says

    Any advice on how to make this in my instant pot? X

    Reply

    • Khaman Dhokla Recipe – Steamed Gram Flour Cake - BeExtraVegant (9)Beextravegant says

      Hi Jackie! Thank you for the question. Instructions for instant pot have been updated on the post now. Good luck!

      Reply

  2. Khaman Dhokla Recipe – Steamed Gram Flour Cake - BeExtraVegant (10)Orla says

    Hey! Do you think I could make this in a rice cooker?
    Thanks!

    Reply

  3. Khaman Dhokla Recipe – Steamed Gram Flour Cake - BeExtraVegant (11)VB says

    Khaman Dhokla Recipe – Steamed Gram Flour Cake - BeExtraVegant (12)
    This came out amazingly and was very easy to follow! The flavours were really delicious together and I can’t wait to try it once I can get fresher ingredients. I’ll definitely make this again!

    Reply

    • Khaman Dhokla Recipe – Steamed Gram Flour Cake - BeExtraVegant (13)Beextravegant says

      Yay! This is great news!

      Reply

Leave a Reply

Khaman Dhokla Recipe – Steamed Gram Flour Cake - BeExtraVegant (2024)

FAQs

Why is my khaman dhokla not spongy? ›

Why is my dhokla not spongy? Here are some of the reasons for dhokla not being spongy – batter is not of the right consistency, keeping the batter for long time without steaming after adding eno or interrupting the steaming process midway. Why is my dhokla bitter? Too much of leavening agent can make the dhokla bitter.

Why my dhokla turns red? ›

Cause: Dhokla has turmeric which turns red when it interacts with a solution that is basic in PH. If the dhokla has red spots, it indicates that there are pockets of baking soda in the batter that weren't mixed together properly. Solutions: Mix baking soda with water before adding it into the batter.

What makes dhokla fluffy? ›

To make the dhokla spongy, add in fruit salt, eno or baking soda this helps in adding a fluffy texture.

Why do we add baking soda while preparing dhokla? ›

The key to dhokla is Eno, an Indian antacid, which also happens to be a raising agent. It can easily be found online or at an Indian grocery store. Without it, the cake may not rise as high, but you can make do by substituting baking soda and citric acid for it.

Why is dhokla unhealthy? ›

Consuming dhokla more than three times per week may cause bloating, constipation, and symptoms resembling those of irritable bowel syndrome. Instead of using rice flour in dhokla, those with diabetes should use besan or dal dhokla, which are healthier options.

Why cake and dhokla become light and spongy? ›

When this baking powder is added with water, then sodium hydrogencarbonate ( N a H C O 3 ) reacts with tartaric acid to evolve carbon dioxide gas. This C O 2 gas causes the cake to rise and become soft and spongy.

Why does turmeric react with baking soda? ›

Turmeric is a natural indicator that turns red in alkaline medium. Baking soda is alkaline in nature, and will turn the turmeric paste red.

Why is dhokla watery? ›

Water content in the dhoklas is due to the presence of sugar syrup and lemon juice. After seasoning mustard seeds,sesame seeds,slit green chillies and curry leaves heat is turned off. Sugar and lemon juice is mixed with water and added over the seasoning.

Which bacteria is used in dhokla? ›

The lactic acid bacteria (LAB) are responsible for the development of the characteristic dhokla flavour, while the yeasts produce folic acid, raise the batter volume and give sponginess to the product (Ray et al. 2016). The fermented batter is poured into a steamer and steamed until soft to obtain a spongy cake.

Why butter milk is used in the dhokla? ›

Buttermilk contains the Lactobacillus bacteria which bring about the fermentation of gram flour necessary for the preparation of dough for dhokla. The bacteria acts on sugar content and leads to the production of alcohol and carbon dioxide. Was this answer helpful?

What is dhokla called in English? ›

The Hindi word “Dhokla” in English is a food, visually similar to cake and compositionally similar to Khaman, made from a batter of gram floor (from chickpeas), cooked by steaming and typically eaten in India. A portion or serving this food.

Which method is used for preparing dhokla? ›

It is traditionally steamed, but can also be prepared in a microwave, oven or pressure cooker. There are several varieties of Gujarati Dhokla, and Khaman Dhokla is one of them. In contrast, the other Dhokla varieties are white and are prepared using rice flour mixed with chickpea flour.

What to use instead of Eno in dhokla? ›

This instant dhokla recipe without Eno makes soft and spongy khaman dhokla. An excellent tea time snack, besan or gram flour is the star ingredient here along with baking soda (raising agent in place of Eno). It comes together quickly and easily and tastes great with green chutney.

What to eat with khaman dhokla? ›

Serving: Allow the Khaman Dhokla to cool for a few more minutes before slicing it into squares or diamond shapes. Serve the Khaman Dhokla with green chutney or tamarind chutney for a delightful snack or appetizer.

What happens when baking soda is added to curd? ›

(c) For curdling milk, an acidic medium is required. When small quantity of baking soda is added, the medium becomes slightly basic. All the acids present are neutralised with baking soda. Baking soda reacts with acids to produce carbon dioxide gas.

What is the difference between Khaman and Khaman dhokla? ›

Khaman is often referred to as just “dhokla” in a few places, however the traditional dhokla is made very differently. Dhokla is made by a fermented rice and lentil batter (like idli). Khaman on the other hand is made with besan and uses leavening agents to make it fluffy and spongy.

Does Khaman dhokla increase weight? ›

Khaman dhokla is manufactured from besan fermentation and contains beneficial bacteria for your intestines. Foods that have been fermented are also easier to digest. Unlike other fried snacks, dhokla is steamed. It's ideal for individuals on a weight-loss programme.

What is the difference between white and yellow dhokla? ›

Dhoklas, or khatta (khaa- ta) dhoklas are what Gujaratis call dhoklas, are white in colour. Yes you read that right. The yellow ones are 'khaman' and have gramflour in them.

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