What is Besan Methi Cheela?
Cheela or Chilla is a quick Gluten Free and Vegan Crepe / Savory Pancake made in Gujarat and surrounding areas. Besan Methi Cheela is a high protein Gluten Free + Vegan Savory pancake made with Fresh Fenugreek leaves and Chickpea flour. Cheela comes in handy when there are unexpected guests or your breakfast / snack prep isn’t available or for a quick snack in the evening once kids come back from school.
It can also work when you are cooking for one, or a quick protein rich snack for those living in the hostel / dorm.
The besan (chickpea flour) and Fresh Fenugreek leaves help diabetics also have a LOW GI meal.
What all goes into this Besan Methi cheela / chilla?
Besan / chickpea flour – the main ingredient
Rice flour – sometimes added to give it crispness
Salt, spices – as per taste, of which I add ajwain (carrom Seeds) to aid digestion especially when using chickpea flour.
Turmeric – optional but recommended for curculio intake
Customisation – make it plain or add onions or tomatoes (makes a vegan tomato omelette), add greens (makes this Oats +amaranth cheela or this Besan Pudla with Dill).. the list in endless.
So tell me in the comments below what your favourite cheela is..
FAQs to make a good Besan Methi cheela
- Does it require standing time ? Although this is instant, a minimum standing time of 20/25 mins yields good results
- Is soda necessary – not at all, but you may add a teeny weeny pinch to make it fluffier as a personal option.
- I Can’t eat besan / chickpea flour? – simply sub with wholewheat (if not GF), or add millet flours for a gluten free version
- What are cheelas served with? Generally they are served with sauce / green chutney. We enjoyed our cheela with a spicy flaxseed molagapudi topped with a generous drizzle of sesame oil
Other quick breakfast recipes / Cheela recipes you might like
Prep time – 10 mins, standing time -25 mins ; Cook time – 15 mins, makes – 8 to 10 cheelas
Cuisine – Indian ; Course – Breakfast / Snack
What you need to make Besan Methi Cheela
- 225 grams chickpeas flour (besan)
- 1/4 cup rice flour (optional but recommended) – diabetics can skip this or sub with millet flour OR brown rice flour
- 1/4 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup fenugreek leaves (Methi leaves, washed and finely chopped)
- 1/2 tsp carrom seeds (ajwain, crushed between your palms)
- 1.25 cups water (or as required)
- 1 tsp ginger (finely grated)
- 1 tsp green chili (finely minced)- for kids you can skip or sub with red chilli powder
- 1 tsp oil (per chilla) to shallow fry them
Liked this recipe? SIGN UP FOR THE Sizzling Tastebuds Newsletter (No Spam, Promise!) for fresh, healthy and tasty recipes right into your inbox. Please consider leaving a star ???? rating on this recipe to encourage us . Do FOLLOW Sizzling Tastebuds ON Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest AND Instagram for fresh content, latest recipes and much more!
How to make Besan Methi Cheela
- In a bowl, whisk together the flours, salt and spices incl the green chilly and ginger.
- Then add the turmeric, chopped Methi leaves and slowly add water to make a thickish batter.
- Whisk well.
- Cover and keep for 20-25 mins
- At the end of the resting time, whisk once again to get a pouring consistency batter, add little more water if required.
- Heat a cast iron skillet / Non stick pan
- Mix and spread a ladle or two of the batter.
- Do not spread too much
- Drizzle 1/2 -1 tsp oil around the edges.
- Cook and cover for 1 min
- Flip and again cook for 1-2 mins till done
- Serve hot as is or with any chutney or spice powder
Besan Methi Cheela | Gramflour and fenugreek Savory Pancake
Equipment
- Bowl
- Whisk
- Spatula
- Tava / Skillet
Ingredients
- 225 grams Chickpea flour Besan, sifted
- 1/4 cup Rice flour optional but recommended
- 1/4 tsp Turmeric
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 cup Fenugreek leaves Methi leaves, washed and finely chopped
- 1/2 tsp Carrom seeds ajwain, crushed between your palms
- 1.25 cups water or as required
- 1 tsp Ginger finely grated
- 1 tsp Green Chillies finely minced- for kids you can skip or sub with red chilli powder
- 1 tsp Oil per chilla to shallow fry them
Instructions
- In a bowl, whisk together the flours, salt and spices incl the green chilly and ginger.
- Then add the turmeric, chopped Methi leaves and slowly add water to make a thickish batter.
- Whisk well.
- Cover and keep for 20-25 mins
- At the end of the resting time, whisk once again to get a pouring consistency batter, add little more water if required.
- Heat a cast iron skillet / Non stick pan
- Mix and spread a ladle or two of the batter.
- Do not spread too much
- Drizzle 1/2 -1 tsp oil around the edges.
- Cook and cover for 1 min
- Flip and again cook for 1-2 mins till done
- Serve hot as is or with any chutney or spice powder
Sending this Blogging Marathon #133 under “Breakfast Theme”
Can I just blend and sieve chickpeas to make the flour?
you can try, but gramflour / chickpea flour isnt just blended chickpeas.. if you are close to an Indian store, you should be able to find a pack of besan or chickpea flour
Adding fresh methi to cheela is really great. Love these quick and instant breakfast varieties.
thanks Vidhya!
Methi in Cheela is such a fab idea. I have tried spinach but never this. Going to be adding my last bunch and making some Cheela asap.
Thanks Anu! do try it and let me know how you liked it..
One of the most popular snack options in any Gujarati home as they are so easy and quick to make. I love having besan methi cheela with lemon pickle. Add some garlic next time, it really tastes good.
my elder one also loves cheela with lemon pickle ! I was makign this for mom who doesnt eat garlic therefore skipped it but will try next time mayuri
I love cheelas. So happy to see this easy version. My kids love them as rollups to take to school and uni.
rollups sounds fantastic – don’t they get cold though?
Besan Chilla is a quick breakfast or snack option. I usually make it with onion and tomatoes, next time I will add methi. A good way to include fenugreek.
yeah, this is a great way to include fenugreek
Adding methi is a great option. This is a quick recipe for sure, and a tasty one too!
yup. quick n tasty!
Besan methi cheela is a wholesome breakfast and easy to make too. Great idea to add methi leaves. Sounds so flavourful too.
thank you,Preethi
Besan methi cheela is such a healthy breakfast option .I make cheela with tomatoes and corriander ,next time will try adding methi leaves.
thanks, do try!