Besan Gatte Fry
Firm gram flour dumplings are simmered, sliced, and tossed with onions, tomatoes, and warm spices for a simple Rajasthani-style dry dish. It is hearty, comforting, and pairs beautifully with roti or plain rice.
For 4 servings
- mix · ~5 min
Make the gatte dough.
1.Add chickpea flour, carom seeds, asafoetida, half of the red chili powder, half of the coriander powder, a pinch of turmeric, and 0.25 tsp salt to a bowl.2.Add yogurt and 1 tbsp oil.3.Sprinkle in a little water at a time and mix into a firm dough.TIPKeep the dough firm, not sticky, so the gatte hold their shape while boiling. - prep · ~3 min
Shape the dough into logs.
Divide the dough into 4 equal portions and roll each one into a smooth log about 1 inch thick.
- boil · ~12 min
Boil the gatte logs.
Bring 4 cups water to a boil in a wide pan. Add the logs and cook on medium heat until they float and turn firm, 10 to 12 minutes.
TIPDo not overcrowd the pan. The logs need space so they cook evenly. - rest · ~5 min
Cool and slice the gatte.
Lift the boiled logs out and let them cool for a few minutes. Slice them into bite-size rounds.
- saute · ~8 min
Cook the masala base.
1.Heat the remaining 1 tbsp oil in a pan over medium heat.2.Add cumin seeds and let them sizzle for a few seconds.3.Add onion, ginger, and green chili, then cook until the onion softens and turns light golden.4.Add tomato and cook until soft and pulpy. - saute · ~1 min
Add the spices.
Add the remaining red chili powder, remaining coriander powder, the remaining turmeric, remaining 0.25 tsp salt, and garam masala. Mix well and cook for 30 seconds.
TIPIf the masala looks dry, add 1 to 2 tbsp of the reserved boiling water to keep the spices from burning. - fry · ~4 min
Toss the gatte in the masala.
Add the sliced gatte to the pan and toss gently so the masala coats every piece. Cook for 3 to 4 minutes, stirring carefully, until the edges are lightly fried.
- garnish · ~1 min
Finish with lemon juice and coriander leaves.
- serve · ~1 min
Serve hot.
Serve Besan Gatte Fry hot with roti, paratha, or plain rice.
What to keep in mind.
7 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Knead the besan dough firm and smooth; a soft dough can break apart while boiling.
- 2Roll all four logs to an even thickness so the gatte cook through at the same time.
- 3Once the logs float, cook just until firm; overboiling can make the sliced gatte dense.
- 4Let the boiled logs cool slightly before slicing, or the rounds may crumble at the edges.
- 5Save a little of the gatte boiling water to loosen the onion-tomato masala without diluting flavor.
- 6Toss the sliced gatte gently in the pan so they stay intact while still picking up light browning.
- 7Add the lemon juice only at the end to keep the finish bright and fresh.
Adapt it for your goals.
Low-oil
Use less oil in the masala and dry-roast the sliced gatte in a nonstick pan for a lighter version that still has some crisp edges.
no onion no garlicNo-onion-no-garlic
This recipe is already free of garlic; skip the onion and use extra tomato and a pinch more hing for a simpler satvik-style variation.
spicierSpicier
Increase green chili or red chili powder and fry the gatte a little longer for a bolder, more robust side dish.
gravy styleGravy-style
Add more reserved boiling water or whisked yogurt to the masala to turn it into a saucier gatte curry for rice.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Plant-Based Protein from Besan
Chickpea flour makes the gatte hearty and satisfying while contributing plant protein and staying naturally vegetarian.
Good Fiber from Chickpea Flour
Besan provides fiber that can make the dish more filling than many refined-flour dumpling preparations.
Digestive Spices Included
Ajwain, cumin, ginger, and asafoetida are traditional spices often used to support digestion in besan-based dishes.
Tomato and Herbs Add Freshness
Tomato, green chili, lemon juice, and coriander add freshness and useful plant compounds without making the dish heavy.
Frequently asked questions
The dough was likely too soft or the water was boiling too aggressively. Keep the dough firm and simmer the logs on medium heat until just cooked.



