Published: January 30, 2016 Last Modified: June 12, 2019 Freda Dias

Besan Chilla | How To Make Besan Cheela | Chickpea Flour Pancakes

Name: Besan Chilla | How To Make Besan Cheela | Chickpea Flour Pancakes
Prep time: 10 min
Cook time: 25 min
Total time: 35 min
Ingredients: 1 cup besan (chickpea flour); 1/2 cup finely chopped onion; 1/4 cup finely chopped tomatoes; 3 tbsp bell peppers; 2 tbsp shredded carrots; 1 stalk of scallion greens, (finely chopped); 1 tsp finely chopped green chilli; 1/4 tsp turmeric powder; Handful of cilantro/coriander leaves, (finely chopped); 3/4 tsp cumin seeds; 1/4 tsp of ajwain (carom seeds); 1/2 tsp chaat masala, (optional); Pinch of asafoetida; Salt and pepper, (to season); Approx 3/4 cup water, (as required to make the batter); Oil, (as required)

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Besan chilla | Gujarati puda or a vegetarian omelette as it is also known is an Indian savory chickpea flour pancake. It is quick to prepare, delicious, vegan, nutritious and can be easily customized as per your preference. Learn how to make besan chilla with this easy recipe.

Hello folks! How is everyone doing? It’s been a while since I posted something. My in-laws have returned to India, and I haven’t really been cooking a lot, simply because I have been so lazy. Blame all the over-pampering, huh? To top it all of, the hubby is out on an official trip for a couple of weeks as well!!

I try to prepare quick fix meals, that don’t really take up much time, and yet are delicious and nutritious. One such meal is this besan chilla | besan cheela.

Table of Contents

WHAT IS CHILLA?

Chilla is a savory Indian pancake. It is also known as tomato omelette or a vegetarian omelette. An eggless omelette? Yes, it is for real! You must definitely try to see how fascinating it is, an omelette without eggs!

DIFFERENT TYPES OF CHILLA RECIPES

Chilla is not only limited to besan flour/chickpea flour, but it can also be made with practically any kind of flour.

Here are some varieties that I prepare often-

Oats chilla
Moong dal chilla
Rava (Semolina) chilla
Stuffed chilla with paneer
Mixed dal chilla

Today lets talk about this besan ka cheela with vegetables aka vegetable omelette recipe without egg.

HOW TO MAKE BESAN CHEELA?

For this besan cheela recipe, you will need Indian gram flour, i.e besan flour, few spices like turmeric powder, cumin, and carom seeds, and water to make a thick, flowing batter similar to a dosa batter. I’ve added veggies to add more nutrition.

The batter is ready, all you have to do now is cook it like regular pancakes or spread it like a dosa with the back of a ladle.

In India, carom and cumin seeds are added for a reason in dishes that call for chickpea flour. Besan can easily make you gassy, and bloated. Although it is healthy, packed with proteins and several other things, it is a little difficult to digest. Addition of carom seeds and cumin seeds aids in digestion. So, I highly recommend you use it! These are easily available at any Indian store.

BESIDES THESE INDIAN PANCAKES, WHAT IS GRAM FLOUR USED TO MAKE?

There are so many besan recipes in the Indian cuisine. Besan flour is added to curries. You can make pakoras (fritters), Rajasthani gatha kadhi, muthia, dhokla, cookies like nankhatai (Indian shortbread cookies) or combine it with dahi/yogurt to make the ever-popular kadhi.

I’ve shared a Punjabi kadi pakora, that uses besan for the pakora and the kadhi. You may want to check that out, it is absolutely delicious!

I hope you guys will give this garbanzo bean flour pancakes | besan ka chilla a go. They are great for breakfast or as a snack.

The whole prep for this besan chilla recipe hardly takes about 10 minutes. For those who are on a vegan and gluten-free diet, I’m sure you guys will love this.

Customize this to adapt to your taste buds, add any veggies, herbs or greens of your choice, or use it as stuffing in sandwiches and wraps, and you will have yourself a wholesome yummy meal in under 20 minutes apt for breakfast or brunch.

I had a funny incident whilst making these. My curious toddler wanted to know what I was preparing, so I had to carry him to let him have a sneak peek. I asked him what’s this? And he retorts in his sweet little voice, “eggie”… lol 😀

DID YOU ENJOY THIS BREAKFAST BESAN CHILLA RECIPE? THEN YOU MAY ALSO LIKE THESE EASY BREAKFAST RECIPES

Rava sheera

Homemade vegan granola

Paneer paratha

Aloo paratha

Soft spongy idli and sambar

And many more here

STEP BY STEP INSTRUCTIONS TO MAKE BESAN CHILLA | CHEELA

1.In a mixing bowl, add sifted besan flour, turmeric powder, chaat masala, cumin seeds, and carom seeds. Mix well, now add water little at a time to make a smooth, lump-free batter.

2.Add the ingredients listed and mix well. The batter should not be too thick nor too thin. Keep it to a dropping consistency. Add more water if the batter is too thick.

3.Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat, once the skillet is hot enough, drizzle oil, pour about 1/3 cup of batter and swirl it around the pan to spread it out, or spread the batter with the help of a ladle in circular motions.

4.Cook until it turns golden brown. When you see tiny bubbles on the surface and the edge of the chilla leaving the pan, drizzle few drops of oil, flip it over and cook it on the other side until golden brown, generally takes about 2-3 minutes. Serve hot with any accompaniment of your choice (yogurt/cilantro chutney/ lime pickle/ tomato ketchup).

HOW TO MAKE BESAN CHILLA | BESAN CHEELA?