Spicy Delicious Bites - Dhokla Muffins

Introducing a fun, fusion twist on a classic Indian snack! These Dhokla Muffins take the traditional steamed savoury cake and bake/steam them into single-serve muffin shapes that kids love. Packed with oats and hidden bottle gourd (lauki), it’s a brilliant way to get picky eaters to eat their vegetables without any fuss. They are soft, spongy, and perfectly portable.

Prep Time: 35 minutes (includes resting time)

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Servings: 4 to 5 servings (makes about 10–12 muffins)

Ingredients:

For batter

• 1 cup oats (lightly dry roasted and powdered)

• 3 cups grated bottle gourd

• 1/2 cup semolina 

• 1 tsp green chilli paste 

• A pinch of soda bicarbonate 

• Salt to taste

• 1 tbsp Fruit Salt

• 3 tbsp finely chopped coriander (dhania patta)

• 1 tsp lemon juice

• 2 tsp sugar

For the tempering 

• 2 tbsp oil

• 1 tsp mustard seeds 

• 1 tsp chopped green chilli 

• 1 tbsp finely chopped curry leaves (kadi patta)

• 1/8 tsp red chilli powder 

For the garnish

• 3 tbsp chopped coriander leaves (dhania)

• 1 tbsp lemon juice

Method:

• For the Batter: Combine the salt and bottle gourd and keep aside for 19 minutes. In a large bowl, combine all the remaining ingredients except the fruit salt. Keep aside for 20 minutes. Just before steaming, add fruit salt and mix lightly. Pour the Batter into greased moulds and steam in a steamer for 20 minutes. 

• For the tempering: Heat the oil in a pan and add the mustard seeds. When the seeds crackle, add the curry leaves, green chillies and red chilli powder and sauté on a medium flame for a few seconds, stirring continuously. 

• How to proceed: Pour the tempering over the steamed moulds and garnish with coriander and lemon juice. Serve hot with chutney of choice

Cooking Tips

• The Moisture Balance: Do not squeeze out the water from the grated bottle gourd. The recipe relies on this natural juice to bind the oats and semolina without needing extra water.

• The Fruit Salt Rule: Always add the fruit salt right before steaming. If you let the batter sit after adding it, the muffins will lose their airiness and become dense.

• Mould Alternative: If you don't have muffin moulds, you can use regular steel bowls (katoris) or steam it in a standard dhokla plate and cut them into squares.

Health Benefits

• Sneaky Hydration & Digestion: Bottle gourd (lauki) is over 90% water and incredibly easy on little tummies. It keeps kids hydrated and helps with smooth digestion.

• Brain & Muscle Power: Oats and semolina provide complex carbohydrates that deliver steady, long-lasting energy—perfect for active school days without the dreaded sugar crash.

• Immune Boost: The fresh coriander and lemon juice wrap-up provides a nice punch of Vitamin C to help support their growing immune systems.

Nutritional value [per dhokla muffin] 

Energy = 67 kcal

Carbohydrates = 10.4g

Protein = 2.1g

Fat = 2g

Dietary Fibre = 1.5g

Zinc = 0.4 mg

About Expert:

Ms. Jyoti Pachisia is a highly experienced Consulting Dietitian, Content Writer, Certified Diabetes Educator and Certified Renal Nutritionist. She currently serves as an Adjunct Faculty at the Institute of Management Studies, Mukundpur and as a Guest Faculty at the Dolphin School of Hotel Management, Kalyani.