Besan Cheela: Indian Chickpea Flour Pancakes
At home or on the trail, these gluten-free flatbreads are ridiculously easy and die hard delicious
My recipe series puts the EAT back into Eat Sleep Wild! In this series I share recipes inspired by adventure that work well at home or on the trail. These Indian pancakes are a serious winner. You can prep the batter ahead to take with on adventures. Or cook them at home as part of an Indian Thali. They’re also vegan, gluten-free, and seriously delicious!
What the heck is a cheela?
Cheela (or Chilla) is a sweet or savory Indian pancakes typically made with lentil or chickpea flour. Besan is the Hindi word for chickpea flour. So a Besan Cheela is a chickpea flour pancake! You can make them plain or load them up with extra spices, herbs, and vegetables. I like mine with ajwain seeds, chopped chillies, and fresh coriander.
What makes besan cheela a great option for wild camping?
The batter can be made ahead and they can be cooked quickly in a skillet, just like a pacanke.
I recommend packing the batter in a small water-tight container like this plus a little coconut oil in a separate container for cooking with (coconut oil is great because it tastes delicious and travels well as opposed to olive oil which has a tendency to leak).
You’ll need a skillet for this - I highly recommend the Jetboil Summit Skillet which is lightweight, packable, and nonstick (read my full review here).
Nutritious and delicious!
Besan cheela primarily consist of chickpea flour which is a fantastic source of protein and packed with fibre, essential for muscle health and digestive happiness. Chickpea flour also contains complex carbohydrates which provide a steady release of energy as opposed to the quick spikes and drops associated with simple sugars. This slow release can help you maintain energy levels over time, a serious perk if you’re out on an adventure.
How to serve besan cheela?
I like to treat them as a wrap served alongside a yummy slaw and some chutneys and pickles. Again, mini leakproof storage containers are a great option for travelling with extra goodies to make your camp meal more satisfying. Of course, if you’re making these at home, you can be more elaborate!
If you like the sound of this, my friend
just published a similar recipe that can be made in an air fryer…
Recipe: Besan Cheela (Indian Chickpea Flour Pancakes)
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