Appetizer · Snack · Indian ·

Indian Dhokla with Mustard Seed Tempering

Name: Indian Dhokla with Mustard Seed Tempering
Prep time: 30 min
Cook time: 90 min
Total time: 120 min
Yield: 4 servings
Cuisine: Appetizer
Ingredients: Gram flour (besan), 1 cup; Semolina (rava), 1 tablespoon; Yogurt, slightly sour, 1 cup; Water, 1/2 cup; Ginger-green chili paste, 1 teaspoon; Turmeric powder, 1/2 teaspoon; Salt, To taste; Eno fruit salt, 1 1/2 teaspoon; Oil, 1 tablespoon; Mustard seeds, 1 teaspoon; Curry leaves, 10–12 leaves; Green chilies, slit, 2; Sesame seeds, 1 tablespoon; Finely chopped coriander leaves, 2 tablespoons; Fresh coconut, grated (optional)

A traditional Indian savory cake made from fermented rice and chickpea batter, known for its spongy texture and tangy flavor, accentuated with a mustard seed tempering.

4.1(958 reviews)

·By Ethan Brooks·October 16, 2025

Indian Dhokla with Mustard Seed Tempering — Appetizer served and photographed from above

Prep

30 min

Cook

1 h 30 min

Difficulty

Intermediate

Serves

Ingredients

Servings

For the Batter

For the Tempering

For the Garnish

Nutrition

Per serving

Calories: 185 kcal
Protein: 8.2 g
Carbs: 20.8 g
Fat: 8.3 g
Fiber: 3.33 g

Whole recipe

Total

Calories: 741 kcal
Protein: 32.8 g
Carbs: 83.2 g
Fat: 33.2 g
Fiber: 13.3 g

Breakdown by ingredient▾

Ingredient	Cal	P	C	F	Fib
Gram flour (besan) 1 cup	360	21	59	6	10
Semolina (rava) 1 tablespoon	35	1	7	0.2	0.4
Yogurt, slightly sour 1 cup	150	8	11	8	0
Water 1/2 cup	0	0	0	0	0
Ginger-green chili paste 1 teaspoon	5	0.1	1	0.1	0.2
Turmeric powder 1/2 teaspoon	4	0.2	1	0.1	0.4
Salt To taste	0	0	0	0	0
Eno fruit salt 1 1/2 teaspoon	0	0	0	0	0
Oil 1 tablespoon	120	0	0	14	0
Mustard seeds 1 teaspoon	5	0.3	0.8	0.3	0.4
Curry leaves 10–12 leaves	1	0.1	0.1	0	0.1
Green chilies, slit 2	10	0.5	2	0.1	0.5
Sesame seeds 1 tablespoon	50	1.5	2.1	4.5	1.1
Finely chopped coriander leaves 2 tablespoons	1	0.1	0.2	0	0.2
Fresh coconut, grated (optional)	0	0	0	0	0

These are estimates, not dietary advice.

Preparation

Get these tasks done before you start cooking.

Preparing the Batter

1
Combine dry and wet ingredients
In a mixing bowl, combine gram flour, semolina, yogurt, and water until smooth.
2
Add spices
Stir in ginger–green chili paste, turmeric powder, and salt.
3
Rest the batter
Let the batter rest for at least 1 hour for fermentation.
Tip: Allowing the batter to rest properly ensures a fluffier texture.

Preparing the Tempering

1
Heat oil
Warm the oil in a small pan over medium-high heat.
2
Temper spices
Add mustard seeds; once they crackle, toss in curry leaves, slit green chilies, and sesame seeds.
3
Finish tempering
Sauté for about a minute, then remove from heat immediately.

How to Make Indian Dhokla with Mustard Seed Tempering

Total time: 2 h · Yields 4 servings

1
Steam the Dhokla
After the batter has rested, gently fold in the Eno fruit salt and immediately pour into a greased steaming tray. Steam for 15–20 minutes until cooked through.
2
Apply the tempering
Evenly pour the prepared mustard seed tempering over the hot steamed dhokla.
3
Cool & cut
Let the dhokla cool slightly, then cut into squares or diamond shapes.