Khaman Dhokla Recipe – The Fluffy Snack That Became the Talk of Our Kitty Party
If there is one Gujarati snack that has quietly become the universal favorite of kitty parties, it is Khaman Dhokla. Whether it’s a monsoon kitty in Delhi, a terrace brunch in Mumbai, or a traditional Saawan get-together in Jaipur – one soft, spongy bite of dhokla can melt every heart.
And today, I want to share a cute story behind it – something that happened in our kitty last month.
⭐ The Kitty Party Where Dhokla Won Hearts
We had our kitty at Ritu’s house. She is known for hosting the most elegant parties – perfectly coordinated cushion covers, subtle fragrances, and her signature “hi-tea style serving.”
But this time, the surprise wasn’t her setup…
It was her starter item.
While we were chatting, catching up, and sipping nimbu sharbat, she walked in with a big smile and served small plates with perfectly cute squares of yellow khaman, drizzled with tempered sesame seeds and coriander.
Someone took the first bite and froze:
“Ritu! Yeh ready-made hai ya ghar ka?”
She blushed and said:
“Bilkul ghar ka. Five-minute mix se nahi… proper homemade!”
Conversation stopped.
Compliments started.
And guess what?
By the time snacks were over, the dhokla was finished – and all of us were asking:
How to make khaman dhokla at home?
What ingredients to use?
How does it turn out so soft?
So here I am today, sharing that tried-and-tested, kitty party special khaman dhokla recipe with you.
⭐ Khaman Dhokla Recipe (Soft, Fluffy & Perfect for Parties)
Ingredients
For Batter:
1 cup gram flour (besan)
2 tbsp rava/sooji (optional but helps texture)
1 tbsp oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
½ cup curd
Salt to taste
Water as needed
1 tsp Eno fruit salt
For Tempering:
2 tsp oil
½ tsp mustard seeds
1 tsp sesame seeds
Few curry leaves
2 chopped green chilies
½ tsp sugar
½ cup water
🍳 How to Make Khaman Dhokla
Step-by-step method
Prep pan & steamer
Grease a tray or cake tin with oil.
Boil water in a steamer/large pot and keep it ready.
Make dry mix
In a bowl: sieve 1 cup besan + 2 tbsp semolina + 1/2 tsp salt + 1 tbsp sugar. Mix well.
Wet mix
Add 1 tbsp oil and 3/4 cup curd to dry mix. Whisk to a lump-free, thick-pancake-batter consistency. Add 1 tbsp lemon juice and ginger-green chili paste if using. Adjust with a tablespoon of water at a time if too thick.
Rest
Let batter rest 8–10 minutes (semolina softens).
Add rising agent
Just before steaming: sprinkle 1 tsp Eno fruit salt on the batter (or 1 tsp baking soda). Add 1 tbsp lemon juice if using baking soda. Whisk quickly — you’ll see it foam up. Pour immediately into the greased tray and level lightly.
Steam
Place tray in steamer, cover, steam for 12–15 minutes on medium heat. Check with a toothpick — it should come out clean.
Cooling
Remove and let cool 3–4 minutes (still warm). Do not overcool — tempering absorbs better when slightly warm.
Prepare tempering & syrup
Heat 2 tsp oil in small pan. Add mustard seeds; when they pop add sesame seeds, curry leaves, slit green chilies, and a pinch of hing. Add 1/2 cup water + 2 tbsp sugar; let come to a simmer and dissolve sugar. Pour this evenly over the warm dhokla so it soaks partly.
Garnish & cut
After syrup soaks, cut into squares. Garnish with chopped coriander, freshly grated coconut and sev if desired. Serve warm or room temperature.
💡 Why Khaman Dhokla is the Perfect Kitty Party Snack
It checks all boxes:
✔ Light and healthy
✔ No deep frying
✔ Budget-friendly
✔ Quick to make
✔ Looks elegant on the table
✔ Loved by kids and adults alike
And the biggest bonus?
It stays fresh for hours – perfect for serving even if your kitty timings get extended (which they always do! 😄)
Quick, budget-friendly and crowd-pleasing snack options perfect for any kitty party.
🌟 Different Ways to Serve Khaman Dhokla
Since searches show people ask:
difference between khaman and dhokla
how to make khaman dhokla
how to make dhokla at home
yellow dhokla variations
You can present it creatively in kitty parties:
🟡 1. Classic Khaman
With green chutney and sweet imli chutney.
🍅 2. Khaman Chaat
Top with onions, tomatoes, sev and chutneys.
🧀 3. Cheese Dhokla
Add grated cheese just before serving – kids love this!
🌶 4. Spicy Green Dhokla
Blend coriander and spinach into the batter for a vibrant green color.
Imagine serving a 3-flavor dhokla platter – your kitty ladies will be impressed!
🎀 Kitty Party Presentation Idea
Serve dhokla in a mini cake-stand or 3-tier tray.
Add a small card:
“Soft Khaman Dhokla – Gujarati Love on a Plate!”
Small touches like this make your snacks memorable and make your guests feel special.
If you want more tasty and easy ideas, also check out our kitty party snack list here
💭 Final Thoughts
Sometimes, the simplest dishes become the biggest stars.
Just like in Ritu’s kitty – where décor was perfect but khaman dhokla took all the compliments!
With this recipe, you too can prepare a soft, spongy, melt-in-mouth khaman that becomes the show-stealer of your next kitty party.
If you want more tasty and easy ideas, also check out our kitty party snack list here
FAQs
Q: Difference between khaman and dhokla?
A: In many places they’re used interchangeably; technically khaman often refers to the spongy besan-based version, while dhokla can be made with different flours. For readers, “khaman dhokla” usually means the soft besan steamed snack.
Q: Can I bake instead of steam?
A: Yes — bake at 180°C for 18–20 min. Keep an eye; texture differs slightly.
Q: How long does it stay fresh?
A: Best within 2–3 hours at room temperature. Refrigeration makes it dense; if needed, reapply warm tempering and steam lightly to revive.
Q: Why is my dhokla not spongy?
Q: What is the secret to making soft dhokla?
The secret to soft and fluffy dhokla is:
Right batter: Not too thick, not too thin.
Add Eno at the end: Mix Eno just before steaming and steam immediately.
Fresh Eno or baking soda: Old Eno won’t work.
A little oil in batter: Helps keep dhokla soft.
Steam on medium flame: Too high or too low heat makes dhokla hard.
Good tempering: Hot water tadka keeps dhokla moist.
Follow these simple tips and your dhokla will always turn out soft and spongy
Q: What are common dhokla mistakes?
Common dhokla mistakes (very simple):
Batter too thick or too thin → Dhokla becomes hard or flat.
Adding ENO too early → It loses effect, dhokla won’t rise.
Not preheating steamer → Dhokla turns flat.
Old ENO/baking soda → No softness.
Steaming too long → Becomes dry and rubbery.
Cutting immediately → It breaks. Let it rest 5 minutes.
No sugar-lemon water → Dhokla becomes dry.
If you want, I can also tell you easy tips for perfect dhokla.
Q. What should I serve along with dhokla in a kitty party?
If you want more tasty and easy snack ideas to pair with dhokla, check out this list of best snacks for kitty parties:
