Moong dal chilla or pudla are savoury pancakes made all around India. They're perfect for breakfast or quick lunches.
These savoury pancakes are known as "chilla" or "cheela" in Hindi and "pudla" in Gujarati.
Moong dal chilla are savoury Indian pancakes made from soaked and ground yellow moong lentils, then lightly spiced. Chilla are pan-cooked until golden, then served hot with chutneys, pickles, yogurt or masala tea.
They are often enjoyed as a breakfast, snack, or light meal.
Chilla can either be prepared with split moong dal or besan (gram flour) - like these carrot chilla. They can even be used as vegan & gluten-free wraps. Just omit the spices!
These savoury zucchini pancakes are another favourite of mine, that are vegan and comes together in just 15 minutes.
Ingredients
Be sure to check out the full recipe and exact ingredient list below in the recipe card.
- Yellow Moong Daal - you need to use yellow moong dal (dhuli moong dal). Soak the dal for at least 3-4 hours or ideally overnight.
- Green chillies and ginger - fresh
- Turmeric powder and garam masala or cumin coriander powder
- Salt to taste
- Oil to fry
Optional:
- Veggies such as chopped spinach, methi (fenugreek leaves), chopped onion, grated carrots or grated courgette to add colour and texture.
- Minced garlic
- Dried fenugreek (kasoori methi)
Hayley's Tips
- Soak the dal overnight if you can as this will help the dal grind more smoothly.
- Grind the lentils with as little water as possible so this way you'll have a smoother batter.
- Aim for a batter that is a little thicker than dosa batter but still spreadable.
- If you have thinned yours out too much, add besan or rice flour to thicken.
- Make sure the pan is heated properly before pouring the batter to prevent sticking.
- You can also spread water over the tawa with a kitchen towel to prevent the batter sticking and easy spread.
- Use the back of a ladle to spread the batter and cook on medium flame. Too high and it'll burn, too low and it becomes chewy.
- Flip once the edges start lifting and turn golden.
Serving Suggestion
My Mum used to serve me and my brother these pudla for breakfast or lunch with plain yogurt or ketchup.
Now, I tend to eat them either with a pickle such as keri no chundo or with avocado and a finely chopped kachumber salad.
Tofu bhurji is a delicious and filling pairing with pudla.
Storage
Pudla are best eaten immediately after cooking as they tend to dry out and loose texture.
They can be stored in an airtight container for 1 day and reheated in the microwave.
You can store any unused batter in the fridge for 2 days. Give the batter a good mix and check consistency - you may need to add some more water to it.
As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!
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📖 Recipe
Pudla - Moong Dal Chilla
Equipment
- Blender
- Griddle
Ingredients
- 1 cup yellow moong dal
- 3 green chillies
- 1 inch ginger
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- ¼ cup spinach finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon salt to taste
- 4-5 tablespoon oil
Instructions
- Make a smooth batter by grinding soaked dal, chillies and ginger with little water in a grinder.
- Add the masala, veggies of choice, and salt.
- Mix well.
- Smear a large, wide, non-stick frying pan with 1 teaspoon of the oil and set over medium heat.
- When very hot, stir the batter and pour about one ladleful on to the centre of the pan.
- Using the back of a ladle quickly spread the batter to make a round pancake.
- Cook for 2-3 minutes or until the pancake is golden at the bottom.
- Drizzle a teaspoon of oil around the edges of the pancake.
- Turn the pancake over and cook, for a further minute or until golden on both sides.
- Remove from the heat. Repeat with the remaining batter. Remember to stir the batter before each ladle.
Video
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
Share on Facebook Pin This RecipeNote – This recipe has been updated from our recipe archives with new images and content, but the recipe remains the same. First published in January 2010.
Hayley Dhanecha says
These have been on breakfast repeat in our house for weeks now and I just cannot stop making them, the batter comes together so quickly and the way the edges go perfectly crispy in the pan while the inside stays soft is so good, served with green chutney they are honestly one of the best starts to the day.
Hema Krishnamohan says
Hi Jagruthi
Thanks for visiting my blog and ur encouraging comments.I love Gujrathi food and am glad i
have an authentic one to follow now.I wl closely follow ur blog and learn.
Hema
Hamaree Rasoi says
This is indeed a very healthy way to start the day. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Deepa
Rajani@eatwritethink says
hi jagruti, very nice recipe i make something similar but with green mung dal.
Unknown says
This is indeed a very healthy recipe and very nutritious with the addition of spinach. I will definitely try this combination 🙂
jcookingodyssey says
sorry weight
jcookingodyssey says
Thank you Vanilla, munch,Kalai,Kanchan, Rekha and Swapna...hope 2 c u again...
Munch; they are actually very healthy for loosing wait-low in carb(don't add rice flour)less calories(make without oil on non stick pan)or use oil sprayer. i make for myself like that way, and have vegetable juice with it..
Swapna Raghu Sanand says
I love pancakes and this is my first visit on your blog. I was delighted to see my favorite dish with a new twist!
Rekha A says
Simple and healthy dosas/pancakes... New variety of having spinach in diet...
Kanchan says
Loved your innovative way of using palak to the Moong Dal, Will surely give it a try !
Kalai says
Hi Jagruti,
thanx for visiting my blog and for ur lovely comments. Needless to say, you too have a wonderful blog with great recipes. I would love to try out some. Added u to my blogroll!
Anonymous says
hello jagruti,
thanks for ur lovely commnt, i followed u from my blog. is his pancake gud for weight reduction? then am defntly bookmarking it
♥Sugar♥Plum♥Fairy♥ says
Thanz a ton Jagruti-that was so sweet.You have an amazing world or recipes here and am so glad to hop by.
This is a great recipe-i love spinach and we had some for dinner today and ur recipe sounds like i wanna make it rite away....
jcookingodyssey says
Thank you ladies...