Poha Dhokla Recipe

5 from 1 vote
Updated: Oct 22, 2025
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Poha Dhokla is an instant version of Gujarat’s popular farsaan, Dhokla. It is best enjoyed with green chutney, fried chilies, and masala chai. Here is a simple step-by-step recipe to make it.

If you like this recipe, also try Rajasthani Makki Ka Dhokla.

Poha dhokla served on a plate.

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We are not a snacking family. We have three meals a day and maybe a few cups of tea or coffee in between. That’s it. However, we are also very social, and I frequently invite friends and family over for tea, lunch, or dinner. It is then that I need new and unique snack and appetizer recipes. This poha dhokla has become my new favorite for breakfast or evening tea.

About Poha Dhokla

Poha Dhokla is a variation of Gujarat’s popular snack, Dhokla. It is soft, spongy, and comes together in under 30 minutes.

While the traditional dhokla is made with rice and dal and requires longer fermentation, this instant dhokla is prepared with poha (flattened rice), sooji (semolina), and besan (gram flour) and does not need fermentation.

Serve poha dhokla with Green Chutney and Masala Chai for breakfast or as a teatime snack. You can also pack it in an office or school lunch box. I like to eat Doodh Pheni with this dhokla for breakfast. Give this combo a try!

Ingredients

For The Dhokla

You will need the following ingredients: poha (flattened rice), sooji (semolina), besan (chickpea flour, gram flour), plain yogurt (dahi, curd), water, turmeric powder, ginger paste, sugar, salt, oil, green chili paste, and ENO fruit salt.

You can use any variety of poha. Since we are going to grind it, the thickness doesn’t matter. The same goes for sooji.

Skip sooji and increase the besan for a gluten-free version of poha dhokla.

You can also use buttermilk as a substitute for yogurt.

Adjust the amount of green chili paste as per your taste.

ENO fruit salt helps the poha dhokla rise, making it soft and fluffy.

For The Tempering

You will need oil, brown mustard seeds, cumin seeds, white sesame seeds (til), green chilies, curry leaves, and asafetida (hing).

Use any cooking oil to temper the poha dhokla.

How To Make Pohe Ka Dhokla

Make The Batter

Step 1: Grease a dhokla steamer plate with oil and keep it aside.

Greased steamer plate.

Step 2: Add the following ingredients to a grinder and grind until a coarse powder is formed.

  • ยฝ cup poha
  • ยฝ cup sooji
  • ยผ cup besan
Poha, sooji and besan added to a grinder.
Coarse powder made.

Step 3: Transfer the powder to a mixing bowl.

Powder transferred to a mixing bowl.

Step 4: Add ยฝ cup plain yogurt and ยพ cup of water, and mix well using a wire whisk.

Yogurt and water added to the bowl.

Step 5: Add the following ingredients to the bowl and mix until a lump-free batter forms.

  • ยผ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • ยฝ teaspoon ginger paste
  • 1 teaspoon granulated white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoon oil
  • 1 teaspoon green chilli paste
Turmeric powder, ginger paste, green chili paste, salt, sugar and oil added to the bowl.

Step 6: Whisk the batter for 1 minute using a wire whisk. This step is important as it fills the air in the batter, making the dhokla spongy.

Step 7: Cover the bowl with a lid and rest for 20 minutes.

Batter ready to rest.

Steam The Dhokla

Step 8: Add 1 cup of water to a steamer and bring it to a boil over high heat.

Step 9: In the meantime, add a few tablespoon of water to the rested batter and mix well to make an idli-like batter.

Rested batter.

Step 10: Add 1 teaspoon ENO fruit salt and mix well.

ENO added to the bowl.
Batter ready to steam.

Step 11: Pour the batter into the prepared steamer plate.

Batter poured in steamer plate.

Step 12: Sprinkle some red chili powder and black pepper powder over the batter. Keep the steamer plate inside the steamer and close the lid.

Chilli powder and black pepper powder sprinkled over the batter.
Dhokla steaming.

Step 13: Steam for 10-12 minutes on high heat or until a knife inserted into the center of the dhokla comes out clean.

Step 14: Remove the plate from the steamer and let the poha dhokla cool down for 10 minutes.

Step 15: Cut the poha dhokla into square pieces using a knife. Gently remove the pieces and arrange them on the serving plate.

Steamed poha dhokla.

Temper The Poha Dhokla

Step 16: Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a small pan over medium-high heat.

Oil heating in a pan.

Step 17: Once the oil is hot, add the following ingredients and let them crackle for 4-5 seconds.

  • 1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon white sesame seeds
  • 2 teaspoon chopped green chilies
  • 10-12 curry leaves
  • ยฝ teaspoon asafetida
Mustard seeds, cumin seeds, sesame seeds, chilies, curry leaves and hing added to the oil.

Step 18: Pour the tempering over the dhokla and serve.

Tempering poured over the ready poha dhokla.

Poha Dhokla FAQs

What can I use as a substitute for ENO fruit salt in this poha dhokla recipe?

Substitute 1 teaspoon of Eno Fruit Salt with 2 teaspoon baking soda and ยฝ teaspoon citric acid or 1 teaspoon lime juice.

How to store leftover poha dhokla?

Poha dhokla tastes best when served fresh, but if you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the fridge for 1-2 days. Reheat in a microwave or a steamer until hot and fluffy. If using a microwave to reheat the dhokla, splash a teaspoon of water before heating to bring back the moisture.
You can also freeze it for up to a month. Wrap each piece in cling wrap, then put them in a freezer-safe bag and seal the bag tightly. Thaw and reheat before serving.

Other Indian Snack Recipes We Recommend

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Poha dhokla served on a plate.
5 from 1 vote

Poha Dhokla Recipe

Poha Dhokla is an instant version of Gujarat's popular farsaan, Dhokla. It is best enjoyed with green chutney, fried chilies, and masala chai. Here is a simple step-by-step recipe to make it.
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 20 minutes
Resting Time: 20 minutes
Total: 45 minutes
Servings: 4 people

Ingredients 

For The Dhokla

  • ½ cup poha (flattened rice)
  • ½ cup sooji (semolina)
  • ¼ cup besan (gram flour, chickpea flour)
  • ½ cup plain yogurt (dahi, curd)
  • ¾ cup water (plus some more)
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
  • ½ teaspoon ginger paste
  • 1 teaspoon granulated white sugar
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 teaspoon green chili paste
  • 1 teaspoon ENO fruit salt

For The Tempering

  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 teaspoon brown mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon white sesame seeds (til)
  • 2 teaspoons chopped green chillies
  • 10-12 curry leaves
  • ½ teaspoon asafetida (hing)
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Instructions 

Make The Batter

  • Grease dhokla steamer plate with oil and keep it aside.
  • Add poha, sooji, and besan to a grinder and grind to make a coarse powder.
  • Transfer the powder to a mixing bowl.
  • Add yogurt and water and mix well using a wire whisk.
  • Add turmeric powder, ginger paste, sugar, salt, oil, and green chilli paste and mix well.
  • Whisk the batter for 1 minute using a wire whisk. Cover the bowl with a lid and rest for 20 minutes.

Steam The Dhokla

  • Add 1 cup of water to a steamer and bring it to a boil over high heat.
  • In the meantime, add a few tablespoon of water to the rested batter and mix well to make an idli-like batter.
  • Add ENO and mix well.
  • Pour the batter into the prepared steamer plate.
  • Sprinkle some red chili powder and black pepper powder over the batter. Keep the steamer plates inside the steamer and close the lid.
  • Steam on high heat for 10-12 minutes or until a knife inserted into the center of the dhokla comes out clean.
  • Remove the plate from the steamer and let the dhokla cool down for 10 minutes.
  • Cut the poha dhokla into square pieces using a knife. Take out the pieces gently and arrange them on the serving plate.

Temper The Dhokla

  • Heat oil in a small pan over medium-high heat.
  • Once the oil is hot, add mustard seeds, cumin seeds, sesame seeds, green chilies, curry leaves, and hing and let them crackle for 4-5 seconds.
  • Pour the tempering over the dhokla and serve.

Video

Notes

Adjust the amount of green chili paste as per your taste.
You can substitute 1 teaspoon Eno Fruit Salt with 2 teaspoons of baking soda and ½ teaspoon citric acid or 1 teaspoon lime juice.

Nutrition

Calories: 339kcal, Carbohydrates: 47g, Protein: 8g, Fat: 13g, Saturated Fat: 2g, Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g, Monounsaturated Fat: 7g, Trans Fat: 0.04g, Cholesterol: 4mg, Sodium: 612mg, Potassium: 250mg, Fiber: 3g, Sugar: 4g, Vitamin A: 135IU, Vitamin C: 50mg, Calcium: 66mg, Iron: 2mg
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