• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Ministry of Curry logo

  • SHOP
    • The Essential Indian Instant Pot Cookbook
    • Amazon Store
    • eBooks
    • Cooking Classes
    • Meal Plans
  • RESOURCES
    • Instant Pot 101
    • Air Fryer 101
    • Indian Cooking Tools
    • Cooking 101
    • Essential Indian Spices
    • Guide to Beans and Lentils
    • Holiday Shopping Guide
  • RECIPES
    • Recipe Index
    • Air Fryer Recipes
    • Instant Pot Recipes
    • Oven Recipes
    • Stove Top Recipes
    • Appetizers
    • Breakfast
    • Lunch
    • Desserts
    • Dinner
    • Salad
    • Snacks
    • Drinks
    • Dairy Free
    • Gluten Free
    • Low Carb
    • Vegan
  • ABOUT
  • Nav Social Menu

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Shop
  • Resources
  • Cooking Classes
  • About
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Beans and Lentils

    Instant Pot Dal Dhokli | Lentil stew with homemade noodles

    Published: Jun 29, 2017 · Modified: May 10, 2022 by Archana · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 53 Comments

    1237 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    The ultimate comfort food, Dal Dhokli is a sweet, spicy, and tangy lentil stew with freshly made whole wheat noodles cooked in the lentils. A hearty one-pot meal from the Indian States of Gujarat and Maharashtra, where it is also called Chakolya or Varan Phal.

    Dal Dhokli served in a white bowl

    This finger-licking delicious and wholesome recipe has complex flavors from tamarind and jaggery,  soft melt in the mouth textures from the homemade wheat noodles, and nutty flavors from mustard seeds, cumin seeds, and peanuts.

    After overindulging from a vacation or while recovering from an illness, this easy daal dhokli recipe always makes a good detox meal.

    In India, pressure cookers are commonly used for cooking lentils and beans. So to make Dal Dhokli in the Instant Pot made perfect sense, with the added advantage of making it a one-pot dish. First make the tadka on the sauté mode, then add the aromatics and lentils and pressure cook the dal. Next, add the thinly rolled and cut pieces of the whole wheat dough and pressure cook it again for a perfectly cooked dal dhokli.

    Varan Phal served in a white bowl

    Variations

    1. Substitute any cooking oil instead of ghee to make this a Vegan Daal Dhokli
    2. Add 4 cloves and 1 cinnamon stick with the lentils to add warm flavors and aroma, this is especially a good idea during winter
    3. Stir in 2-3 big handful of chopped spinach just before adding the dhokli
    4. Traditionally this dish is made using Toor Dal but Mung Dal or Masoor Dal also makes a good substitute

    Instructions

    Step by step recipe to make Instant Pot Dal Dhokli:

    Step 1: Pressure cook dal

    • Turn Instant Pot to Sauté (more) mode and heat 2 tablespoons of ghee or cooking oil. Add mustard seeds and allow them to splutter. Next, stir in cumin seeds, asafoetida, and curry leaves. Add turmeric, ginger, and garlic. Mix well.
    • Add tomatoes, red chili powder, jaggery, tamarind paste, salt, peanuts, and toor dal. Mix well.
    • Pour 2 cups of water, give a quick stir and close the Instant Pot with the pressure valve to sealing. Pressure cook(Hi) for 8 mins followed by Natural Pressure Release.
    steps showing how to make dal dhokli

    Step 2: Make the dough, roll and cut into squares

    • While the dal is cooking, make the dough by mixing 2 cups of whole wheat flour, chickpea flour, salt, carom seeds, red chili powder, turmeric, and half a tablespoon of oil. Use water as needed to make a firm yet pliable dough. I used little more than ¾th cup of water. Add remaining oil and knead the dough well.
    • Make 5 balls from the dough. Using the extra whole wheat flour, roll the dough balls into 10-12 inch thin circles. Using a pizza cutter, cut each rolled tortilla into 1-inch squares or dhoklis. Put the cut dough pieces on a platter. Sprinkle a little bit of dry flour before layering the pieces on a tray to avoid them from sticking to each other.

    Step 3: Pressure Cook again with the dough squares

    • Open Instant Pot after the pressure has released naturally. Turn the Instant pot to saute mode and using an immersion blender (or back of the spoon), gently blend (or mix) the dal for 5 seconds. Stir in 3 cups of water, cook covered with a glass lid, and bring the dal to a gentle boil.
    • Add half of the dough squares to the daal and mix gently. Add remaining half dough squares, mix again. Close Instant Pot with the pressure valve to sealing. Pressure Cook(Hi) for 2 minutes followed by Quick Release. Mix the Daal Dhokli, add another tablespoon or two of ghee (recommended but optional), and garnish with chopped cilantro. Enjoy Piping hot!
    steps showing how to make dal dhokli in the Instant Pot

    Thanks to Mom, for making this recipe with me in the Instant Pot, it is always so much fun to cook with her! Here is my Mom, making the mouth-watering Daal Dhokli in Instant Pot:

    Did you enjoy this one-pot meal? Try Suva Ni Dhokli, a unique twist to the traditional Dal Dhokli recipe with the addition of Dill leaves also known as Shepu or Suva ni bhaji.

    Curious to know how to use different lentils and beans?

    Check out this guide to Pulses, Indian lentils and beans with their different names and here are some of my go-to vegetarian recipes using dry beans and lentils:

    • EASY Spinach Dal
    • Black Eyed Peas Curry
    • Chana Masala
    • Dal Makhani
    • Shepu chi Bhaji
    • Sprouted mung misal

    ★ Have you tried this recipe? We love your feedback, Please click on the stars in the recipe card below to rate.

    Tried this recipe? We love your feedback.Please click on the stars in the recipe card below
    daal dhokli
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    4.84 from 31 votes

    Daal Dhokli - Instant Pot

    Daal Dhokli - Savory whole wheat noodles cooked in sweet, spicy and tangy lentil stew makes an ultimate comfort food!
    Prep Time20 mins
    Cook Time30 mins
    Total Time50 mins
    Course: Entree
    Cuisine: Indian
    Servings: 5
    Calories: 351kcal
    Author: Archana Mundhe

    Ingredients

    Part 1: Dal

    • 4 tablespoon ghee divided (or 2 tablespoons of cooking oil for vegan option)
    • ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
    • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
    • ¼ teaspoon asafetida
    • 12 fresh curry leaves
    • ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
    • 1 teaspoon ginger grated
    • 3 teaspoon garlic grated
    • 2 plum tomatoes diced
    • 1 teaspoon red chili powder
    • 2 tablespoon jaggery or brown sugar
    • 1 tablespoon tamarind paste
    • 2 teaspoon salt
    • 2 tablespoon peanuts skip for nut allergy
    • ½ cup toor daal rinsed and drained
    • 2 cups water
    • ½ cup cilantro chopped for garnish

    Part II: Dhokli

    • 2½ cups whole wheat flour divided
    • 1 tablespoon besan chickpea flour
    • 1 cup water or as needed
    • 2 teaspoons kosher salt
    • 1 teaspoon carom seeds
    • ½ teaspoon red chili powder
    • ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
    • 1 tablespoon oil divided

    Instructions

    Pressure Cook dal

    • Turn Instant Pot to sauté(more) mode and heat 2 tablespoons of ghee or cooking oil. Add mustard seeds and allow them to splutter. Add cumin seeds, asafoetida, and curry leaves. Add turmeric, ginger, and garlic. Mix well.
    • Add tomatoes, red chili powder, jaggery, tamarind paste, salt, peanuts and toor dal. Mix well.
    • Add 2 cups of water, give a quick stir and close Instant Pot with the Pressure valve set to sealing. Pressure Cook(Hi) for 8 minutes followed by Natural Pressure Release.

    Make the Dhokli

    • While the Dal is cooking, make the dough by mixing 2 cups of whole wheat flour, chickpea flour, salt, carom seeds, red chili powder, turmeric and half tablespoon of oil. Use water as needed to make a firm yet pliable dough. I used little more than ¾th cup of water. Add remaining oil and knead the dough well.
    • Make 5 balls from the dough. Using the extra whole wheat flour, roll the dough balls into 10-12 inch thin circles.
    • Using a knife or a pizza cutter, cut each rolled circle into 1-inch squares or dhoklis. Put the cut dough pieces on a platter. Sprinkle a little bit of dry flour before layering the pieces on a tray to avoid them from sticking to each other.
    • Open Instant Pot after the pressure has released naturally. Turn Instant pot to sauté mode and using back of a wooden spatula or an immersion blender, gently blend the dal for 5 seconds. Add 3 cups of water, mix well, cook covered with a glass lid and bring the dal to a gentle boil.

    Pressure cook Dal & Dhokli

    • Add half of the dough squares to the dal and mix gently.
    • Add remaining half dough squares, mix again. Close Instant Pot with the pressure valve to sealing. Pressure Cook for 2 minutes followed by Quick Release.
    • Mix the Daal Dhokli, add another tablespoon or two of ghee (recommended but optional) and garnish with chopped cilantro. Enjoy Piping hot!

    Video

    Notes

    NOTES:
    • You can add 4 cloves and 1 stick of cinnamon to the dal for more warm flavors
    • Add 2-3 handful of chopped spinach in the dal before adding the dhoklis and stir well

    Nutrition

    Calories: 351kcal | Carbohydrates: 39g | Protein: 10g | Fat: 18g | Saturated Fat: 8g | Cholesterol: 30mg | Sodium: 1883mg | Potassium: 403mg | Fiber: 9g | Sugar: 8g | Vitamin A: 590IU | Vitamin C: 45.2mg | Calcium: 42mg | Iron: 3mg
    Tried this recipe?Share your photo and tag @ministry_of_curry or tag #ministryofcurry

    ♥ We LOVE to hear from you! Did you try this recipe? Please share your food photo with hashtag #ministryofcurry on Facebook or Instagram, so we can see it and our followers can enjoy it too! Thank you and Happy Cooking ♥ Subscribe to our Youtube Channel for tasty and easy video recipes. Looking for more Instant Pot recipes? Check out our delicious Instant Pot Recipe board on Pinterest.

    Author: Archana

    Hey there! I am a techie turned recipe developer, cooking instructor, and food blogger. I love food and enjoy developing easy and healthy recipes for busy lifestyles. I live in New Jersey with my husband and two sons.
    Twitter Facebook Linkedin

    More Beans and Lentils

    • Instant Pot Spinach Dal
    • Minestrone Soup
    • Pav Bhaji Khichdi
    • Vegetarian Enchilada Casserole

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Leave a Reply Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




      This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

    1. Archana says

      April 20, 2020 at 9:16 am

      Hi Nidhi, I am so sorry that you for the "burn". Did you deglaze the pot after you added water, to make sure that nothing was sticking?

      Reply
    2. Ajitha says

      July 11, 2020 at 12:04 pm

      Thank you for this recipe. The steps were easy to follow. I got burn message but luckily I got to it early enough so nothing really burnt.5 stars

      Reply
    3. Planetstar says

      October 01, 2020 at 12:22 pm

      Tried it & we love it 5 stars

      Reply
    4. Sarah says

      November 02, 2020 at 8:44 pm

      Can you freeze it after cooking it?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        November 03, 2020 at 9:22 pm

        Hi Sarah, I would not recommend freezing this dish. You can cook just the daal and freeze it.

        Reply
    5. Puj812 says

      November 25, 2020 at 3:36 pm

      Archana, I've made this three times and each time I'm getting better at perfecting Daal Dhokli! Thank you (and your mom!) for making one of my favorite dishes. This is just one of the many mouthwatering collection of recipes I've learned from you. THANK YOU.5 stars

      Reply
    6. Jayne says

      January 26, 2021 at 5:41 pm

      Your recipe looks fabulous!
      Can I use sprouted dal in this recipe? How long would it take to cook if I did?
      Thank you

      Reply
      • Archana says

        January 27, 2021 at 10:40 am

        Since the Dal has to cook soft and creamy for this recipe, you can follow the same cook time for sprouted dal too

        Reply
    7. Meera Boghani says

      February 24, 2021 at 11:35 am

      Enjoyed making Dal dhokali following your recipe. The recipe is overall accurate, a bit different than the Gujarati version that I make that does not use garlic or tomatoes. The only proportion I would adjust next time is to decrease the flour to 1 1/2 cups instead of 2 cups. The recipe as is makes the dish too thick, not like the one shown in the video.

      Reply
    8. Renuka says

      March 11, 2021 at 8:18 pm

      I have made this a couple of times using your recipe. Tastes really awesome. One pot dish, easy to make, and wholesome too.5 stars

      Reply
    9. Kavita says

      April 11, 2021 at 3:37 pm

      This is one of my 9 yo daughter’s fav comfort meals, and has become a permanent stay on rotation at our house. I do half the dhokli amount for a little more girth friendly meal

      Reply
    10. Joey says

      October 07, 2022 at 4:28 pm

      looks really easy... will try it out this weekend.

      Reply
    « Older Comments

    Primary Sidebar

    Hi, I'm Archana: a former software engineer, now a full-time blogger. I am a mother of two boys who share my love for food and cooking. Words I love to hear are, “Mom, what’s for dinner?” The same words I say to my mom every time we speak. I live in the greater New York City Area with my husband and sons.

    Learn More About Me!

    Archana's Essential Indian Instant Pot Cookbook

    SHOP

    Popular Posts

    • Mumbai Pav Bhaji
    • Instant Pot Chicken Biryani
    • Mushroom Masala
    • Homemade Pomegranate Juice

    Footer

    AS FEATURED IN

    ↑Back to Top

    Ministry of Curry

    Shop
    About
    Privacy Policy
    Accessibility
    Contact

    Food and Recipes

    Recipe Index
    Cooking 101
    Instant Pot 101
    Cookbook

    MOC Pro

    Dashboard
    Meal Plans
    Virtual Cooking Classes
    Tips & Tricks

    As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2022 Ministry of Curry

    1237 shares
    • 245