Breakfast, Pancakes

Besan Methi Cheela | Gramflour and fenugreek Savory Pancake

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.

	Besan Methi Cheela is a Gluten Free + Vegan Savory pancake made with Fresh Fenugreek leaves and Chickpea flour.Pin

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

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Besan Methi Cheela is a high protein Gluten Free + Vegan Savory pancake made with Fresh Fenugreek leaves and Chickpea flour.Pin

Prep time – 10 mins, standing time -25 mins  ; Cook time – 15 mins, makes – 8 to 10 cheelas

Cuisine – Indian ; Course – Breakfast / Snack

Besan Methi Cheela is a Gluten Free + Vegan Savory pancake made with Fresh Fenugreek leaves and Chickpea flour.Pin

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
Besan Methi Cheela is a high protein Gluten Free + Vegan Savory pancake made with Fresh Fenugreek leaves and Chickpea flour.Pin

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How to make Besan Methi Cheela

  1. In a bowl, whisk together the flours, salt and spices incl the green chilly and ginger. 
  2. Then add the turmeric, chopped Methi leaves and slowly add water to make a thickish batter. 
  3. Whisk well. 
  4. Cover and keep for 20-25 mins
  5. At the end of the resting time, whisk once again to get a pouring consistency batter, add little more water if required. 
  6. Heat a cast iron skillet / Non stick pan 
  7. Mix and spread a ladle or two of the batter. 
  8. Do not spread too much 
  9. Drizzle 1/2 -1 tsp oil around the edges. 
  10. Cook and cover for 1 min
  11. Flip and again cook for 1-2 mins till done
  12. Serve hot as is or with any chutney or spice powder 
Besan Methi Cheela is a high protein Gluten Free + Vegan Savory pancake made with Fresh Fenugreek leaves and Chickpea flour.Pin

Besan Methi Cheela | Gramflour and fenugreek Savory Pancake

Kalyani
Besan Methi Cheela is a high protein Gluten Free + Vegan Savory pancake made with Fresh Fenugreek leaves and Chickpea flour.
5 from 8 votes
Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
resting time 20 minutes
Total Time 45 minutes
Course Breakfast, Snack
Cuisine Indian
Servings 8 servings

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
Keyword Besan, Besan Chilla, Breakfast, Cheela, Chilla, Gluten Free, Methi, Methi Cheela, Vegan
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18 Comments

  1. 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

  2. srividhya

    5 stars
    Adding fresh methi to cheela is really great. Love these quick and instant breakfast varieties.

  3. 5 stars
    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.

  4. Mayuri Patel

    5 stars
    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.

  5. Jayashree T.Rao

    5 stars
    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.

  6. 5 stars
    Adding methi is a great option. This is a quick recipe for sure, and a tasty one too!

  7. Preethi Prasad

    5 stars
    Besan methi cheela is a wholesome breakfast and easy to make too. Great idea to add methi leaves. Sounds so flavourful too.

  8. 5 stars
    Besan methi cheela is such a healthy breakfast option .I make cheela with tomatoes and corriander ,next time will try adding methi leaves.

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