Healthy Chilla recipes | Healthy Indian pancakes |

Healthy Chilla recipes, Healthy Indian pancakes for Breakfast. Give breakfast a tasty twist with these unique pancakes and traditional chila recipes. Pancakes are often considered unhealthy as they are made of plain flour, eggs and fatty dairy products, but with a few tricks like using whole grains and low-fat dairy products, pancakes can be part of a healthy breakfast.

The Chilla is a popular, thin, savory pancake from the Indian subcontinent, often referred to as an Indian crepe or flatbread. Unlike dosas which rely on fermented rice batter, chillas are typically made from a batter of ground pulses (lentils), such as moong dal (split yellow moong beans) or besan (chickpea flour). To prepare a chilla, the soaked and ground dal or flour is mixed with water and spices like turmeric, ginger, green chili, and coriander to form a pourable batter. This batter is then spread thinly on a hot griddle and cooked with a little oil until golden and crispy. Chillas are traditionally eaten for breakfast, but their quick preparation and nutritional profile make them an excellent light meal or snack at any time of day, often served with green chutney or yogurt.

Chillas are considered a particularly healthy food choice, especially when compared to wheat-based pancakes or many fried Indian snacks. The primary reason for their health status lies in their main ingredient: lentils and chickpea flour. These ingredients make chillas naturally gluten-free and an excellent source of plant-based protein, which is crucial for muscle repair, satiety (feeling full), and steady energy release. Furthermore, they are rich in dietary fiber, which aids in digestion and helps to manage blood sugar levels by slowing down carbohydrate absorption, making them ideal for individuals with diabetes. When cooked with minimal oil, chillas are also low in fat and calories, supporting weight management and overall heart health.

High Fibre Chilas

Chilla, a form of traditional Indian pancake, is equally irresistible and healthy, with myriad tasty variants. The recipes in this section are loaded with only a little fat and calories, while providing a healthy dose of protein, fibre, and other nutrients. Power up your metabolism, regulate your blood sugar, and satisfy your craving for a delicious breakfast with one of these tasty pancakes or chilas.

Oats in healthy chillas and healthy pancakes

See why oats are perfect for healthy chilas and healthy pancakes.  Oats are a great source of protein for Vegetarians. It is rich in soluble fibre, which helps lower blood LDL cholesterol, the so-called "Bad" cholesterol. Whole Oats have an antioxidant called Avenanthramide (a polyphenol from oats) which helps lower blood pressure levels. The vegetable oats pancake recipe is a low calorie high fibre healthy snack option made with carrots and spinach. 

Spicy Oat Pancakes

For spice lovers, there is spicy vegetable oats pancake made with whole wheat flour and jowar flour and ginger green chilli paste. For South Indians, we have converted the adai recipe to oats adai spinach pancake recipe which is a slightly thicker pancake compared to dosa. This recipe is quick and has spinach added to it boosted with onions and green chillies.

Yellow Moong Dal in healthy chillas and healthy pancakes

See why yellow moong dal is perfect for for healthy chilas and healthy pancakes. The fibre (4.1 g in ¼ cup) present in yellow moong dal prevents the deposition of bad cholesterol (LDL) in the arteries which promotes a healthy heart in turn. Packed with nutrients like zinc (1.4 mg), protein (12.2 mg) and iron (1.95 mg), yellow moong dal helps to maintain the elasticity of your skin and help to keep it moist. Want to have a healthy snack or give your kids a healthy snack option which is without maida, then try this moong dal paneer chila recipe made with low fat paneer.

Moong Dal and Paneer Chilla

Green peas pancake recipe is another healthy option where the pancake is made with a base of yellow moong dal. Green peas are good for weight loss, good source of vegetarian protein, has insoluble fibre to relieve constipation. Legumes like green peas, cow peas, mung, chick peas and kidney beans have a cholesterol lowering effect.

Green Moong Dal in healthy chillas and healthy pancakes

See why green moong dal is perfect for for healthy chilas and healthy pancakes. Moong dal or green moong dal  is rich in Folate, Vitamin B9 or Folic Acid which helps your body to produce and maintain new cells, especially  red blood cells and is pregnancy friendly. Being rich in Antioxidants like Flavonoids, mung reduces the damage done by free radicals to the blood vessels and lowers inflammation. Moong Dal is heart and diabetes friendly.

Moong Dal Chilla, Stuffed Moong Dal Chila

Try this stuffed moong dal chila recipe which is stuffed with green peas and potatoes. To make it even healthier, drop the potatoes and replace with any cauliflower. The radish moong dal recipe is iron rich, uses low fat curds and high in fibre. The mini green moong dal chila recipe is stuffed with paneer and sprouts.

Moong Sprouts in healthy cheelas and healthy pancakes

See why moong sprouts is perfect for for healthy chilas and healthy pancakes. Moong sprouts is a nutri-dense sprout. It’s a good sources of several nutrients like B vitamins, potassium, magnesium, phosphorus. These sprouts are a protein boost. Sprouted moong is beneficial in relieving the symptoms of anaemia by building haemoglobin levels due to its high iron count.

Sprouted Moong and Methi Chillas

Imagine your cheelas without potatoes and plain flour. Instead there is a base of sprouts. Try the sprouted moong and methi chila recipe which is a great snack for kids. Then there is a pancake made with carrots, spinach, sprouts and methi called sprouts pancake.

Enjoy our other healthy breakfast articles below.

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Healthy Breakfast Dhokla recipes
Healthy Breakfast Dips recipes
Healthy Breakfast Idlis Dosas Appams recipes
Healthy Breakfast Khakhras recipes
Healthy Breakfast Quick breakfast recipes
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Healthy Breakfast Sandwiches recipes
Healthy Breakfast Upma / Poha recipes
Healthy Chutney recipes
Juices, Smoothies recipes
Oats and Steel Cut Oats recipes