Vanela Gathiya is a popular Gujarati snack made with gram flour (besan) and spices. The word “vanela” in Gujarati means rolled. This gathiya is made by rolling and twisting the dough in a particular style before deep-frying it to achieve a crunchy texture on the outside and a soft texture on the inside. Since these are rolled, they are called vanela. In this recipe, I also share how to make lotiya (a besan-based chutney) and sambharo (a side dish made with raw papaya), both of which are easy to prepare and taste great with gathiya.
I provide the perfect ingredient ratio and a few fail-proof tips to help you make perfect vanela gathiya on your first attempt. Do try this!
For Vanela Gathiya
- Firstly, for the gathiya dough, use store-bought besan (gram flour) because it is sticky and easily starchy. To make soft gathiya, I used gathiya soda, which is readily available in Indian grocery stores. However, you can also use papad khar or regular baking soda as alternatives.
- Secondly, the vanela gathiya dough should be tight. Knead the dough for 4-5 minutes until it becomes smooth and starchy, making it easy to roll and twist.
- Lastly, fry the gathiya on a medium flame until it becomes crispy. Store the gathiya in an airtight container to keep it fresh for up to 1 month.
For Lotiyo and Sambharo
- For the lotiya mixture, the proportion of water should be double that of the besan. Also, cook the lotiya mixture on a medium-low flame so the besan cooks properly. The consistency of the lotiya should be medium thick and pourable. You can add water to adjust its consistency.
- For sambharo, grate raw papaya using a large-hole grater. Sambharo tastes great when it is prepared to be slightly spicy, sweet, and tangy.
Recipe video
Vanela gathiya with sambharo and lotiyo recipe | vanela gathiya | gathiya recipe
Ingredients
For vanela gathiya
- 500 grm besan - gram flour
- 1 tbsp ajwain
- 1 tbsp hing
- 1 cup water or as required
- 100 ml or ยฝ cup oil
- 6 grm or 1 tsp gathiya soda - soda ash
- 12 grm or 1 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp crushed black pepper or as required
- Oil for frying
For lotiya
- 1 cup besan
- 2 cup + ยฝ cup water or as required
- ยฝ tsp turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp oil
- ยฝ tsp mustard seeds
- ยฝ tsp cumin seeds
- Pinch of hing
- 2-3 chopped green chilli
Papaya sambharo
- 1 cup raw papaya
- 1 tsp red chilli powder
- ยผ turmeric powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- Salt to taste
- 1 tsp sugar
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- Coriander leaves
Instructions
Making vanela gathiya
- In a mixing bowl, sieve 500 grams of besan flour. Add 1 tablespoon of ajwain and 1 tablespoon of hing, and mix well. Make a well in the center.
- In another bowl, add 1 cup of water, 6 grams or 1 teaspoon of gathiya soda, and 1 teaspoon of salt. Whisk until the soda and salt dissolve in the water. Keep it aside.
- Add ยฝ cup or 100 grams of oil and the prepared soda and water mixture to the flour. Mix well and knead the dough tightly for gathiya.
- The dough needs good kneading; by the end, it should not be sticky. It should be soft, smooth, and slightly change its color.
- Take a lemon-sized ball of dough and place it on a wooden board or rolling board.
- Using your palm, make a nice long rope, twisting it every time you lift your palm. Follow the video to see the twisting method.
- Deep fry on a medium-low flame. They will puff up; remove them as soon as they are cooked.
- Sprinkle asafoetida on the hot gathiya.
- Serve vanela gathiya with lotiya, fried chili, and sambharo.
Making Lotiya
- In a mixing bowl, add 1 cup of besan, ยฝ teaspoon of turmeric powder, salt, and 2 cups of water. Mix well.
- In a pan, add 2 tablespoons of oil, ยฝ teaspoon of mustard seeds, ยฝ teaspoon of cumin seeds, a pinch of hing, and 2-3 chopped green chilies. Sautรฉ it.
- Add ยฝ cup of water to the tempering, mix well, and bring it to a boil.
- Add the prepared lotiya mixture and mix well. Keep the flame on medium and stir the mixture continuously until it becomes slightly thick.
- Cover the pan and cook the mixture for 2-3 minutes on a low flame.
- Add 1 teaspoon of lemon juice and some coriander leaves.
- Turn off the heat and serve lotiya with gathiya.
Papaya Sambharo
- Wash and remove the skin of the raw papaya. Grate it with a large-hole grater.
- Add red chili powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder, salt, sugar, lemon juice, and some coriander leaves. Mix well.
- Papaya sambharo is ready. Serve with vanela gathiya.
Notes
- Sieve the besan flour to incorporate air particles and make it slightly fluffy.
- Dissolve the gathiya soda and salt in water so they can easily incorporate into the besan.
- Knead a tight dough for the gathiya.
- Rub and stretch the dough between your palms until it slightly changes color and becomes smooth and stretchy.
- Fry the gathiya on a low-medium flame. Do not fry it on a high flame.
- Vanela gathiya taste great when it is serve with lotiyo and sambharo.