Whole30 Besan Cheela (Savory Gram Flour Pancake)

Elevate your breakfast or snack time with this Whole30 Besan Cheela, a savory Gram Flour Pancake that's as nutritious as it is delicious. Packed with clean, wholesome ingredients like gram flour, turmeric, cumin, and fresh cilantro, this gluten-free and vegan-friendly dish is bursting with flavor and fully compliant with Whole30 dietary guidelines. The addition of ginger, green chili, and tomato gives each bite a zesty, aromatic kick, while cooking it in ghee or coconut oil ensures a crispy golden exterior. Ready in just 25 minutes, this quick and easy recipe is perfect for a satisfying meal or a healthy, on-the-go snack. Serve your besan cheelas warm with a side of Whole30-approved chutney or a fresh salad for a balanced, guilt-free indulgence!

Nutriscore Rating: 68/100

Prep Time:10 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:25 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup gram flour (besan)
• 0.75 cup water
• 0.25 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 0.5 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 0.5 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 teaspoon ginger, finely grated
• 1 green chili, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped
• 0.5 tomato, finely chopped
• 2 tablespoons ghee or coconut oil for cooking

Directions

Step 1

In a mixing bowl, add gram flour, water, turmeric powder, cumin seeds, and sea salt. Mix well to form a smooth, lump-free batter. The consistency should be similar to pancake batter, slightly thick but pourable.

Step 2

Stir in the grated ginger, chopped green chili, cilantro, and chopped tomato into the batter. Mix well to ensure even distribution of ingredients.

Step 3

Heat a non-stick skillet or a cast-iron pan over medium heat and add a small amount of ghee or coconut oil.

Step 4

Once the oil is hot, pour a ladle full of batter into the center of the pan and spread it out gently using the back of the ladle to form a small pancake, about 4-5 inches in diameter.

Step 5

Cook the cheela on medium heat until the edges start to lift and the bottom is golden brown, about 2-3 minutes.

Step 6

Flip the cheela carefully using a spatula and cook the other side until golden brown and cooked through, about another 2 minutes.

Step 7

Transfer the cooked cheela to a plate and keep warm. Repeat the process with the remaining batter, adding more ghee or coconut oil as needed.

Step 8

Serve the besan cheela warm, either plain or with a side of Whole30 compliant chutney or salad.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(400.4g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	758.2

Total Fat 36.0g	0%
Saturated Fat 18.1g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0g
Cholesterol 71.7mg	0%
Sodium 1254.8mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 76.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 13.6g	0%
Total Sugars 14.4g
Protein 28.5g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 90.1mg	0%
Iron 7.8mg	0%
Potassium 1255.7mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 43.5%

Protein: 15.3%

Carbs: 41.2%