If you’re looking for a gluten-free snack that’s light, crispy, and packed with flavor, these vegan Lentil Crackers are perfect for you! Made with a blend of moong dal and rice flour, these delicious crackers are air-fried to perfection.
Whether it’s for family gathering, or just your evening chai, these crackers are bound to impress. In this post, I’ll walk you through how to make these lentil crackers, whether you’re using an air fryer or an oven. Plus, they’re a guilt-free snack that everyone in the family will love. Ready to try something new and healthy?
Why You’ll Love This Recipe:
- Healthy & Gluten-Free: Made from moong dal and rice flour, these crackers are naturally gluten-free and packed with protein.
- Minimal Oil: By using an air fryer, you can make these with very little oil, making them a guilt-free snack.
- Festive & Versatile: Whether it’s Diwali, Holi, or just a cozy evening with chai, these lentil crackers fit perfectly.
- Easy to Make: With simple ingredients and quick cooking time, you can whip these up in no time.
- Perfect with Chai: These crispy crackers are the ultimate pairing for your favorite cup of evening tea.
Ingredients:
- Moong dal: The base of our crackers, moong dal adds a protein-packed crunch to the recipe.
- Green chilies & ginger: These bring a subtle heat and fresh flavor to balance out the savory crackers.
- Coriander: Fresh coriander adds a burst of color and a slightly citrusy note.
- Rice flour: Gluten-free and light, rice flour gives the crackers their crispy texture.
- Oil: Just a small amount of oil is needed to bind everything together, keeping the recipe low in fat.
- Cumin seeds, red chili powder, asafoetida: These spices enhance the flavor profile, adding warmth and complexity to the crackers.
- Salt: A must for flavor, you’ll season the crackers perfectly to taste.
See recipe card for quantities.
How to Make Lentil Crackers:
- Soak the Moong Dal: Start by soaking ¼ cup of moong dal for about 2-3 hours. This softens the lentils, making them easier to blend into a smooth paste.
- Make the Paste: In a mixing jar, add the soaked dal, 4 green chilies, a small piece of ginger, 3 tbsp chopped coriander, and ½ tsp salt. Grind it into a smooth paste, adding a little water if needed.
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup rice flour, 2 tbsp oil, salt ½ tsp cumin seeds, and ½ tsp red chili powder. Mix everything uniformly between your palms to ensure even distribution of the oil and spices. Add the dal paste and mix thoroughly.
- Knead the Dough: Slowly add water as needed to the mixture and knead it into a stiff dough. The consistency should be firm enough to roll out into thin circles.
- Shape the Crackers: Roll the dough into a log and divide it into equal pieces. On a greased surface, roll each piece into a thin circle using a rolling pin. You want them to be thin and even for a crispy texture.
- Air Fry the Crackers: Preheat your air fryer to 180°C. Place the rolled-out crackers in the air fryer basket and cook for 5 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure both sides are crispy.
- Baking Method (If You Prefer): If you’re using an oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the rolled crackers on a baking tray, brush them lightly with oil, and bake for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Enjoy! Take the crackers out once they’re golden and crispy. Serve them in a bowl with a cup of chai for the perfect snack experience.
Tip: The thinner you roll the dough, the crispier the crackers will be. Thick crackers may turn out too soft.
Substitutions You Can Make:
- Rice Flour Substitute: You can swap rice flour with chickpea flour for a different flavor and texture.
- Spice Level: If you’re not into spicy food, feel free to reduce or omit the green chilies and red chili powder.
- Moong Dal: If you don’t have moong dal, try using urad dal or chana dal for a similar texture.
- Oil: You can replace oil with ghee for a richer flavor, especially during festive times.
Creative Variations to Try:
- Herbed Lentil Crackers: Add dried herbs like oregano or thyme to give the crackers a more Mediterranean twist.
- Cheesy Crackers: Sprinkle some grated parmesan or cheddar into the dough for a cheesy, savory snack.
- Sesame Seeds: Add sesame seeds to the dough for a nutty flavor and extra crunch.
- Flavored Crackers: Mix in turmeric and black pepper to give your crackers a vibrant color and a bit of heat.
- Sweet & Spicy: Add a little sugar to the dough along with red chili powder for an interesting sweet and spicy contrast.
Storage
Store these lentil crackers in an airtight container at room temperature for up to a week. If they lose their crispness, simply pop them back into the air fryer or oven for a minute or two to restore their crunch.
How to serve
These lentil crackers are best enjoyed as a chai-time snack or paired with chutney. You can also serve them alongside a light salad or yogurt dip for a healthy snack option. For a festive twist, they can be a crunchy addition to your Diwali snack platter!
FAQ
Can I use any other flour instead of rice flour?
Yes, you can substitute with whole wheat flour or almond flour for different textures, though the results may vary.
Can I make these crackers without an air fryer?
Yes, you can bake them in an oven, and they will turn out just as crispy.
Can I add other spices to the dough?
Absolutely! Feel free to customize the spices to your taste.
Can I store these crackers?
Yes, these crackers store well in an airtight container for up to a week.
Are these crackers vegan?
Yes, this recipe is completely vegan-friendly!
More Such Recipes
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- Air Fryer Ragi Methi Pakoda
- Air Fryer Rice Paper Pop Chips
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Lentil crackers
Ingredients
- ¼ cup Moong dal yellow lentils
- 4 Green chilies
- Small piece of Ginger
- 3 tbsp coriander chopped
- ½ tsp Salt
- 1 cup Rice flour
- 2 tbsp Oil
- ½ tsp Cumin seeds
- ½ tsp Red chili powder optional
- Asafoetida a pinch
- Salt to taste
- Water as needed to knead the dough
Instructions
- Soak the Moong Dal: Start by soaking ¼ cup of moong dal for about 2-3 hours. This softens the lentils, making them easier to blend into a smooth paste.
- Make the Paste: In a mixing jar, add the soaked dal, 4 green chilies, a small piece of ginger, 3 tbsp chopped coriander, and ½ tsp salt. Grind it into a smooth paste, adding a little water if needed.
- Prepare the Dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup rice flour, 2 tbsp oil, salt to taste, ½ tsp cumin seeds, a pinch of asafoetida and ½ tsp red chili powder . Mix everything uniformly between your palms to ensure even distribution of the oil and spices. Add the dal paste and mix thoroughly.
- Knead the Dough: Slowly add water as needed to the mixture and knead it into a stiff dough. The consistency should be firm enough to roll out into thin circles.
- Shape the Crackers: Roll the dough into a log and divide it into equal pieces. On a greased surface, roll each piece into a thin circle using a rolling pin. You want them to be thin and even for a crispy texture.
- Air Fry the Crackers: Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). Place the rolled-out crackers in the air fryer basket and cook for 4 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure both sides are crispy.
- Baking Method (If You Prefer): If you’re using an oven, preheat it to 350°F (175°C). Arrange the rolled crackers on a baking tray, brush them lightly with oil, and bake for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Enjoy! Take the crackers out once they’re golden and crispy. Serve them in a bowl with a cup of chai for the perfect snack experience.
Notes
- Keep the dough stiff: Ensure the dough isn’t too soft, as it will make the crackers chewy instead of crispy.
- Roll thinly: The thinner you roll the dough, the crispier the crackers will be. Thick crackers may turn out too soft.
- Flip halfway: Whether using an air fryer or oven, always flip the crackers halfway to ensure even cooking.
- Don’t overcrowd the tray: Give the crackers space in the air fryer or oven for proper air circulation and crispiness.
Can I use Ragi flour in this?