Dhokla
Dhokla is a steamed Indian snack made from semolina and plain yoghurt, delicately spiced with fresh chillies, garlic and coriander. The Thermomix blends the batter to a silky consistency and steams it gently in the Varoma, giving a light, spongy texture. Ideal as a vegetarian starter or snack with minimal effort.
About this recipe
Dhokla Thermomix TM7 is a wonderfully light, steaved Indian snack that turns humble semolina and plain yoghurt into an airy, golden sponge. If you have been searching for an authentic dhokla recipe made in an all-in-one kitchen machine, this version shows exactly why the TM7 excels at it: the mixing blade whips the yoghurt batter to a lump-free, silky consistency in seconds, while the Varoma steaming system cooks the batter gently, keeping it moist and springy rather than dry. The fresh chillies, garlic and coriander are blended straight into the batter, distributing their fragrance evenly through every bite. With just 68 kcal per serving, dhokla makes a guilt-free vegetarian snack or starter that is perfect for Indian-themed dinners, afternoon tea or a healthy lunchbox. Serve it cut into squares with a tangy tempering of mustard seeds, or simply enjoy it warm from the tin.
Preparation tips
- Let the semolina and yoghurt batter rest before steaming so the semolina hydrates fully; this prevents a gritty texture and gives your dhokla its characteristic soft, spongy crumb.
- Add the bicarbonate of soda only just before pouring the batter into the lined cake tin, and steam immediately, as the rising action starts as soon as it touches the wet mixture.
- For a kid-friendly version, reduce or omit the fresh chillies and rely on the coriander and garlic for flavour; a pinch of sugar in the batter balances the tanginess of the yoghurt nicely.
Recipe variations
- Make a lactose-free dhokla by replacing the plain yoghurt with a plant-based coconut or soya yoghurt; the batter still steams into a lovely spongy snack with a slightly tropical undertone.
- For a festive variation, top the steamed dhokla with a tempering of mustard seeds, sesame seeds and curry leaves in hot vegetable oil, then finish with desiccated coconut and chopped fresh coriander.
Thermomix TM7 Benefits
- Weighing the semolina and yoghurt directly in the mixing bowl with gram accuracy takes all guesswork out of this dhokla batter. [Built-in Scale]
- Blending the fresh chillies, garlic and coriander in seconds creates a fragrant paste that spreads evenly through the batter. [Multi-Function]
- The Thermomix mixes the semolina and yoghurt into a lump-free, silky batter far faster than whisking by hand. [Time Savings]
- Steaming the dhokla in the Varoma keeps the sponge moist and springy without any dry edges. [Multi-Function]
- Whipping air into the yoghurt batter before steaming gives the dhokla its characteristically light and fluffy texture. [Multi-Function]
Ingredients
- vegetable oil
- fresh green chillies
- garlic cloves
- fresh coriander leaves
- semolina
- plain yoghurt
- water
- fine sea salt
- bicarbonate of soda