Step-By-Step Guide: Make Delicious Moong Dal Chilla Today

Moong Dal Chilla is made by soaking yellow moong dal, blending it into a smooth batter, and adding spices and veggies. The batter is spread on a hot pan and cooked until golden on both sides. It's a healthy, protein-rich breakfast or snack served with chutney or curd.

Harpreet Kour Updated: Apr 17, 2025 10:40 PM IST

Soak yellow moong dal for 2 3 hours and blend it into a smooth batter with chilies and ginger. Mix in spices, chopped onions, and coriander leaves for flavor. Rest the batter briefly, then spread it on a hot pan. Cook both sides till golden and crisp, using a little oil or ghee. Serve hot with green chutney, ketchup, or curd for a healthy meal.

Ingredients:

  • 1 cup yellow moong dal (split yellow lentils)

  • 1 2 green chilies (finely chopped)

  • 1-inch piece ginger (grated)

  • 2 3 tablespoons coriander leaves (finely chopped)

  • 1 small onion (finely chopped) optional

  • teaspoon turmeric powder

  • teaspoon red chili powder

  • teaspoon cumin seeds

  • Salt to taste

  • Water (for soaking and grinding)

  • Oil or ghee (for cooking)

Preparation Steps:

1. Soaking the Moong Dal

  • Rinse 1 cup of yellow moong dal thoroughly in water 2 3 times.

  • Soak it in enough water for about 2 to 3 hours.
    (If you are short on time, soaking in hot water for 1 hour can work too.)

2. Making the Batter

  • After soaking, drain the water completely.

  • Transfer the soaked dal to a blender.

  • Add green chilies, ginger, and about cup water.

  • Grind to a smooth, thick batter (consistency like pancake batter).

  • Pour the batter into a bowl.

  • Add chopped onions, coriander leaves, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt.

  • Mix everything well.

  • Tip: The batter should not be too runny; it should coat the back of a spoon easily.

3. Resting the Batter (Optional but Recommended)

  • Let the batter rest for about 10 15 minutes.

  • This helps the flavors blend and the dal to ferment slightly, giving softer chillas.

4. Cooking the Chilla

  • Heat a non-stick pan or tawa on medium flame.

  • Grease lightly with oil or ghee.

  • Once hot, pour a ladleful of batter in the center and spread it gently in a circular motion to form a thin chilla.

  • Drizzle a few drops of oil around the edges.

  • Cook on medium flame till the underside turns golden brown and crisp (about 2 3 minutes).

  • Flip and cook the other side for another 1 2 minutes.

  • Once both sides are nicely cooked and golden, remove from the pan.

5. Serving the Moong Dal Chilla

  • Serve hot with green chutney, ketchup, curd, or even stuffed with paneer or veggies.

  • You can also roll them up like wraps for a healthy lunchbox option.