Chole Bhatura or Chana Bhatura is an exquisite meal that you can usually find in north Indian roadside eateries called dhabas, or at Indian restaurants. A spicy, traditional chana masala or chole masala is served with a puffy Indian bread called a Bhatura. It is food to die for. Vegan, nut-free and soy-free, the chana masala is gluten-free.
Growing up in Bombay, it was hard to miss the delicious flavor of Udupi restaurants, which dot the city (and now other parts of the country and the world), serving fast food that is vegetarian, reasonably priced, incredibly tasty and even healthy. Udupi restaurants came to be known as such because they were, at least in the beginning, run by people from Udupi in Karnataka, a beautiful coastal state in the South of India. While the restaurants served a lot of popular south Indian dishes, like idli-wada sambar, masala dosa and uttapam, they also often catered to more diverse tastes with dishes like cheese sandwiches (slices of white bread around thick slabs of Amul cheese: remember that one?), vegetable pulao and ragda patties which are potato cakes served in a chunky, spicy pea sauce. Yum.
When we lived in India, Desi and I would meet friends after work at Kamat's, one of a popular chain of Udupi restaurants in the city. This particular restaurant, completely unpretentious with steel-topped, easy-to-clean tables and matter-of-fact waiters, sat close to the Sterling Cinema which always showed Hollywood movies. On Friday nights, we'd often combine a quick but hearty meal at Kamat's with a night show of whatever was showing at Sterling. At midnight, after the show, we'd dash to make it to one of the last local trains chugging out of Victoria Terminus.
Now, when I visit India, I make a beeline for Udupi restaurants when I eat out because I know for sure that's one place I can always count on to find a delicious vegan meal. One of my favorite meals at Kamat's was Chana Bhatura. Or maybe it was called Chole Bhatura on the menu.
This is actually a north Indian dish, usually found in roadside eateries called dhabas, but the Udupi restaurants, like I said, catered to every taste and had many north Indian dishes on the menu. Chana or chole would both refer to garbanzo beans or chickpeas. The beans would be served steaming in a red-brown sauce alongside a big, puffy puri, or a bhatura, which is a delicious deep-fried bread. When the piping hot plate of Chana Bhatura was put in front of you, it was bliss to poke a hole in the bhatura and watch it deflate before you could tear it with your fingers, dunk it into the chana, and bite into it.
If you have any familiarity with Indian breads, you probably know the fried bread called a "puri." A bhatura is not unlike a puri, except it's bigger and has some yogurt mixed into the dough. Bhaturas are also usually made with refined flour, like all purpose flour, for a crispier, flakier texture.
My bhaturas are smaller than what you'd find at a restaurant, partly because the cast-iron pan I use for all my deep-frying is rather a small one. But if you have a larger pan, roll them out bigger, by all means.
How to make Chole Bhatura or Chana Bhatura:
- I have various versions of Chana Masala on this blog, including a quickie version and a slow cooker version that's free of added oils, but when I make Chana Bhatura I love to stick with the traditional recipe for Chana Masala, which is perhaps the most popular Indian food anywhere in the world. This version, which is cooked at a more leisurely pace and with a few more spices, is Chana Masala as it's meant to be. And although it may sound like it takes much longer to make it, it really doesn't. If you start out with canned chickpeas, you'll be done in under 45 minutes.
- Canned chickpeas are the only canned product you want in this recipe. Your tomatoes should be fresh for the best flavor. If you want to cook your chickpeas from dry, make sure you soak them overnight and cook them until they are very, very tender.
- Caramelize your onions and slow cook your tomatoes until they break down thoroughly. Your gravy will thicken beautifully when the onions and tomatoes are cooked as they should be and your chickpeas are tender when you add them to the sauce.
- Take the trouble to find the chana masala spice mix either online or at your friendly, neighborhood Indian grocery store. Chana masala spice mix contains more ingredients than your average garam masala does, most importantly anardana, or pomegranate powder, and aamchur, or mango powder. These two spices add the depth and flavor you want in your chana masala, which an average garam masala will not bring.
- You might balk at a fried food, and you could just make or buy a naan, but if you are brave enough to make the bhatura, do. It's not difficult, and you'll never really taste ultimate deliciousness unless you've torn off a piece of the bhatura and dunked it into the Chana Masala.
- You need to add some yogurt in the bhatura dough. I use cashew yogurt, but any kind is fine. Don't skip it-- it's important for the flavor and texture.
- Timing is important for a bhatura-- you need to eat it as it comes off the stove to ensure it tastes the best. So start frying your bhaturas after you finish making the chana masala.
Now that you're armed with the know-how, here are the ingredients for a fantastic Chana Bhatura:
- Chickpeas, cooked or canned
- Onions
- Tomatoes
- Ginger-garlic paste
- Vegetable oil
- Whole spices, including green cardamom pods, cloves, cinnamon and a bay leaf
- Turmeric
- Cayenne or other moderately hot chili pepper powder
- Chana masala spice mix
- Salt
For the bhatura:
- Whole wheat flour and all purpose flour, or just all purpose flour
- Salt
- Vegetable oil
- Vegan yogurt
- Sugar
Aren't you glad that other than the chana masala spice mix, there is really no exotic ingredient here? And you thought this was going to be hard.
It's time now for the recipe. Let's get cooking!
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Looking for more vegan Indian recipes?
Vegan Palak Paneer with Tofu
Masala Khichdi
Quick Masala Dosa
Indo-Chinese Garlic Fried Rice
Saag Chana
Punjabi Samosa
Tofu Tikka Masala
Basic Tomato Onion Sauce for Quick Indian Curries (Instant Pot recipe)
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Chana Bhatura
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- 1 dried bay leaf
- 5 cardamom pods
- 4 cloves
- ½- inch piece of cinnamon
- 2 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 large red onion (finely diced)
- 2 heaping tsp ginger garlic paste
- 3 medium tomatoes (finely chopped)
- ½ tsp turmeric
- ½ tsp cayenne (or any powdered red chili pepper)
- 4 cups chickpeas (use canned or cook them yourself. If you cook them, make sure they are very tender)
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp chana masala spice mix
- Juice of 1 lemon or lime
- Coriander or cilantro for garnish (optional)
For bhatura:
- 2 cups unbleached all purpose flour (or a blend of all purpose and whole wheat flour)
- 1 tsp vegetable oil
- ½ cup vegan yogurt
- 1 tsp sugar
- Salt to taste
- Oil for deep frying
Instructions
Make the bhatura dough:
- Place all the ingredients except the water in a food processor, bowl of a stand mixer, or, if kneading by hand, in a large bowl. Drizzle in the water and knead until you have an elastic but firm dough. Place in an airtight container and set it aside while you make the chana masala.
Make the chana masala:
- Heat the oil in a saucepan and add the whole spices -- the bay leaf, cardamom, cinnamon and cloves. Finally add the cumin and stir to mix. When the cumin sizzles, add the onions with some salt and cook until the onions turn golden-brown.
- Add the ginger-garlic paste and saute for a minute.
- Add the cayenne and turmeric, saute for another minute, then add the diced tomatoes. Mix well and let the tomatoes cook, stirring them frequently, until they are completely broken down and very pulpy.
- Add the chickpeas along with 2 cups of water and stir well. Add the chana masala spice mix. and stir it in.
- Bring to a boil, turn heat to low, cover and simmer about 15-20 minutes so all the flavors merge. You can use a potato masher to mash some of the chickpeas and thicken the sauce. If the chana masala looks too dry, add more water.
- Squeeze in the lemon juice and garnish with coriander leaves, if using.
Make the bhatura:
- Heat oil for frying in a pan large enough to hold the bhatura. Divide the dough into 12 pieces and roll each into a ball. Roll out into a circle about six to eight inches in diameter. Make sure you roll the dough evenly, without any spots that are too thick or too thin.
- When the oil is hot, about 360 degrees, place a bhatura into the pan, taking care not to splash the oil on yourself. Use a spatula to press the bhatura down as it puffs up -- this will ensure it cooks evenly and puffs into a ball.
- Remove the bhatura to a colander lined with paper towels. Serve hot with the chana masala.
Notes
- Nutrition information below is for the Chana Masala only.
Nutrition
(C) All recipes and photographs copyright of Holy Cow! Vegan Recipes.
Made this today and it was delicious. The chickpeas were perfect and the bhatura was so easy. Definitely making again!
How much whole-wheat flour should I use at most?
You can use all whole wheat flour if you wish, but the more whole wheat you add, the less crispy your bhatura will be. It'll still be tasty, though. 🙂
I chanced upon your blog when I ran a search for "whole wheat bhature." I've just finished making both the chole and the bhature, and they a delicious!! Thanks for sharing this recipe!
tried the cholay today...turned out very well...thanks for sharing the recipe 🙂
I can't get enough chana. I think I have some chipotles in my freezer too! Bwahaha!
Your chana bhatura looks perfect...I used to enjoy my visits to Kamats in Bombay too..you brought back good memories 🙂
Hi Vaishali, I enjoyed reading your piece. I don't think I've tried the chipotle in adobo but can imagine, somewhat, the smoky taste and how it must affect your channa. Thanks for the entry!
thats a lovely combo and one of my fav....how much fun having it
I love channa bhatura but never make them since the making bhatura has been a disaster to me 🙁 Your method looks easy, will definitely try this one. I like the idea of using chiptole chili in channa masala.
I make this rarely as bhatura takes in lot of oil but you make me miss it so much!! The one time that I did I used yeast and it was perfect - you could also use two slices of white bread instead of yogurt and it usually works well!
BTW, the Udupi restaurants are still run by Shettys so that's a consolation:)
I know what you meant about missing these little things - BMC had evicted khao gali and it is no longer there - can you imagine Churchgate without that one landmark!! I still miss the bookshops on the platforms - they had such good collection available at bargain rate!!
oh yaaah, the channa is really tempting... Its mouthwatering wonderful belnd of colors...
We have two Udupi restaurants (that I know of) in the NY area. I've been to one, and I must say the food is, of course, impossibly creative, considering the "limitations" of a non-meat diet. It is incredibly difficult for me to choose something - worse on weekends when they bring out the specials.
A beautiful recipe. My English husband will not know the difference between puri and bhatura. ; ) He will just eat and enjoy.
chana batura looks deleciousssss
Thanks for this great recipe
my bhatura rarely puffs....nothing can beat this combo! always a hit
Ahh...so the secret to the spicilicious chana is the chipotle chili...looks delicious
Vaishali dear, tell me how did you manage to get a perfect shape of bhatura :)??
It is tempting me again to make this. mouthwatering pics.perfect.
Oh yes when i was a teenager we used to order this when ever we went out. Brings back lot of wonderful meories.
Even now when i go back to India i order them when ever i can
Gosh...i m seriously craving for some now...i feel like kicking myself,about not saving some cholay when i made ragda pattise,so that i wud have enjoyed it with some hot bhature too....double fun missed:-(
I generally make bhautras from refined flour(yours is the healthier option) and i don't add boiled potatoes coz they take up lot of oil,and if i have to add potatoes,i add them just when i am about to fry bhautras,tht makes dough bit easy to handle..and yeah i add pinch of baking powder too..well one can follow any recipe..the end result will be sinfully delicious treat....yummmmmmmmmmmmmm
i love the cholay....yummy and soft and wonderful looking gravy....
ooh! it mouthwatering me...we make it every sunday as breakfast...
Choley Bhature are definitely in my all time fav list.
However I have never heard of potatoes being added to the Bhature dough. Just the addition of Dahi, and letting the dough to rise for 3-4 hours should give out perfect Bhatures
Mouthwatering Chana n Bhatura..love them like anything..amazing clicks..
Chana Bhatura looks soooo inviting and delicious...
wow!! wow!! fabulous...i wish i could have a plate of that!! the channa looks awesome...
Hi Vaishali, wonderful memories indeed. Love your recipe, and though the bhatura is smaller, it looks like a perfect mini-bhatura. Chole Bhatura is something that both R and I enjoy a lot, and my first meal after moving to Mumbai before my kitchen was set up was at the very nearby local Kamat's!
wow, I can't take my eyes off that puffed up bhatura! Perfect shape! And chana bhatura looks super delicious.
The channa looks appetizing..Lovely color Vaishali..
My eyes are feasting on that lone single fried batura, looks so tempting.
I love love love chana bhatura! Here in Portland, I've only seen it one place: at this awesome all vegetarian Indian food cart downtown. Nobody ever knows what I'm talking about when I mention how delicious it is! Yours looks equally delicious 🙂
Biryani Corner out in Hillsboro makes them too.
oh wow, that looks so delicious! I'll have to try to get my bread to puff again. I failed the first time but it was still yummy.
this is one of my fav combo's too Vaishali. Our family outing was also heading out to Kamat, in Hyderabad. And I would always, and still do, order chole bhatura. I thought the difference between puri and bhatura is that the latter is made from maida. Will try out the mashed potato tip when I make them.