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    Home » Snacks » Homemade Indian Snacks » Instant Handvo

    Instant Handvo Recipe | Video

    Published: Mar 1, 2022 by Pavani · 17 Comments

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    Instant Handvo is a quick and easy version of popular Gujarati snack. This is a no-bake recipe made on the stove top. It is crispy on the outside and soft inside.

    Semolina or sooji forms the base of this recipe along with yogurt and vegetables. This is an easy to make dish that is perfect for snack or even a light meal.

    Top view of wooden board sliced suji handvo.

    Table of contents

    • About the Recipe
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Expert Tips
    • You might also like
    • Recipe Card

    About the Recipe

    Handvo aka ondhwa is a popular Gujarati snack. It is traditionally made with a batter of soaked rice, 3 kinds of lentils and veggies. The batter is then set aside for 6~8 hours to ferment. Then the batter is baked just like a cake until crispy on the outside and soft inside.

    This instant handvo on the other hand is made on the stove top. Semolina (sooji) and chickpea flour (besan) form the base of this quick version. I add a chock full of vegetables to make this wholesome.

    Brown plate with a slice of Ondhwa.

    This handvo batter comes together really fast. Yogurt and baking soda give it a nice fluffy texture without requiring long fermentation. All you need is 30 minutes of quick soak to ensure that the suji absorbs moisture and cooks quickly.

    I love to cook this in either a nonstick or cast iron skillet. Cast iron helps to get a nice crispy crust. Serve this instant handvo as a snack or as a light meal with green chutney.

    Wooden chopping board with sliced savory cake.

    Ingredients

    For the details of the exact quantities of each ingredient and the list of ingredients needed, check the printable recipe card below.

    Here are the ingredients you need to make this Ondhwa recipe:

    • Sooji rava or Semolina - Use fine suji available in Indian groceries. Semolina flour is a great substitute as well.
    • Besan or chickpea flour.
    • Yogurt - I recommend using whole milk or 2% low fat plain yogurt. You can also use Greek yogurt but might have to add some water to adjust the consistency of the batter.
    • Flavorings - Green chilies and ginger.
    • Spices - Ground coriander, cumin and turmeric.
    • Veggies - feel free to use your favorite veggies. Bottle gourd or lauki is the most common veggie used to make handvo. But you cabbage, carrot etc. I generally use store bought coleslaw mix which is nothing but a mixture finely shredded green & red cabbage and carrot. Using the store bought shortcut made making this dish even easier and quicker.
    • Baking Soda
    Ingredients needed - details in recipe card.

    Instructions

    For the detailed instructions on how to make the recipe with exact timings, check the printable recipe card below.

    Here is how to make this vegetable suji rava handvo recipe:

    Combine sooji, besan, ground cumin & coriander, ginger, green chilies and salt. In a mixing bowl, combine sooji, besan, ground cumin & coriander, ginger, green chilies and salt. Add vegetables and mix well.

    4 panel photo showing the addition of ingredients to a bowl.

    Stir in oil, yogurt and mix well. If the mixture seems too thick, add water little at a time to make a thick pourable handvo batter. Cover and set aside for 30 minutes.

    When ready to make the handvo, stir in the baking soda into the batter. Make sure to mix well until evenly incorporated.

    3 panel photo showing the addition of yogurt and baking soda to the batter.

    Heat oil in a 9" or 10"cast iron or other heavy base pan on medium heat. Add the mustard seeds, sesame seeds and curry leaves. Once the seeds start to splutter, pour the prepared batter into the hot pan.

    Cover and cook on low flame until the bottom is crispy and golden brown, will take about 10~12 minutes. Top of the handvo should be slightly firm at this point.

    5 panel photo showing the cooking of handvo in a skillet.

    Carefully flip over and cook till the other side is crispy and golden, about 3~5 minutes. Serve hot with green chutney.

    Wooden chopping board with Instant Handvo cake.

    Expert Tips

    • Use fine sooji available in Indian groceries. Semolina flour is a great substitute as well.
    • Traditionally bottle gourd or lauki is used in this dish. Use 1 cup peeled and grated bottle gourd instead of mixed veggies in the recipe.
    • You can also use any of your favorite veggies. Cabbage, carrot, green beans etc. will all work well. Make sure to finely chop or grate the veggies before using in the recipe.
    • I love using store bought coleslaw mix which is nothing but a mixture finely shredded green & red cabbage and carrot. Using the store bought shortcut makes this dish even easier and quicker to make.
    • I recommend using whole milk or 2% low fat plain yogurt. You can also use Greek yogurt but might have to add some water to adjust the consistency of the batter.
    • Make sure to add baking soda just before making the handvo. This helps to make it rise well and have a fluffy texture.
    • Use a cast iron or nonstick skillet to get a nice golden crust.
    • Store any leftover handvo in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Microwave until warm before serving.

    You might also like

    Here are a few Gujarati dishes that you might like:

    • Instant Pot Undhiyu Recipe | Gujarati Mixed Vegetables
    • Methi Muthia Recipe
    • Dabeli (Gujarati Street Food)
    • Mixed Fruit Shrikhand
    Wooden chopping board with crispy ondhwa.

    Recipe Card

    Wooden board with crispy instant handvo.

    Instant Handvo

    Instant Handvo is a quick and easy version of popular Gujarati snack. This is a no-bake recipe that is made on the stove top.
    Author: Pavani
    Print Pin Rate
    Prevent your screen from going dark
    Prep Time: 20 mins
    Cook Time: 30 mins
    Resting Time:: 30 mins
    Total Time: 1 hr 20 mins
    Course: Snack
    Cuisine: gujarati
    Servings: 8 servings

    Ingredients

    For Handvo Batter:

    • 1 cup Sooji/ Semolina flour
    • ¼ cup Besan (chickpea flour)
    • 2 ~ 3 Green Chilies, finely chopped
    • 1" Ginger piece, finely grated
    • 1 cup Veggies of choice, grated (I used shredded cabbage and carrot)
    • ½ teaspoon Ground Cumin
    • ½ teaspoon Ground Coriander
    • ¼ teaspoon Turmeric
    • To taste Salt
    • 2 tablespoons Oil
    • 1 cup Yogurt
    • As needed Water
    • ¼ teaspoon Baking Soda

    For Tempering:

    • 1 tablespoon Oil
    • 1 teaspoon Mustard Seeds
    • 1 tablespoon Sesame Seeds

    Instructions

    • In a mixing bowl, combine sooji, besan, ground cumin & coriander, ginger, green chilies and salt. Mix well.
      Add shredded vegetables, oil, yogurt and mix well. If the mixture seems too thick, add water little at a time to make a thick pourable batter. Cover and set aside for 30 minutes.
    • When ready to make the handvo, stir in the baking soda into the batter. Make sure to mix well until evenly incorporated.
    • Heat oil in a 9" or 10"cast iron or a nonstick skillet on medium heat. Add the mustard seeds, sesame seeds and curry leaves. Once the seeds start to splutter, pour the prepared batter into the hot pan.
      Cover and cook on low flame until the bottom is crispy and golden brown, will take about 10~12 minutes. Top of the handvo should be slightly firm at this point.
    • Carefully flip over and cook till the other side is crispy and golden, about 3~5 minutes. Serve hot with green chutney.

    Video

    Notes

    • Use fine sooji available in Indian groceries. Semolina flour is a great substitute as well.
    • Traditionally bottle gourd or lauki is used in this dish. Use 1 cup peeled and grated bottle gourd instead of mixed veggies in the recipe.
    • You can also use any of your favorite veggies. Cabbage, carrot, green beans etc. will all work well. Make sure to finely chop or grate the veggies before using in the recipe.
    • I love using store bought coleslaw mix which is nothing but a mixture finely shredded green & red cabbage and carrot. Using the store bought shortcut makes this dish even easier and quicker to make.
    • I recommend using whole milk or 2% low fat plain yogurt. You can also use Greek yogurt but might have to add some water to adjust the consistency of the batter.
    • Make sure to add baking soda just before making the handvo. This helps to make it rise well and have a fluffy texture.
    • Use a cast iron or nonstick skillet to get a nice golden crust.
    • Leftover handvo can be stored in an airtight container for up to 2 days. Microwave until warm before serving.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1Slice | Calories: 170kcal | Carbohydrates: 21g | Protein: 5g | Fat: 7g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 2g | Monounsaturated Fat: 4g | Trans Fat: 1g | Cholesterol: 4mg | Sodium: 90mg | Potassium: 150mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 42IU | Vitamin C: 5mg | Calcium: 59mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Mention @cooks_hideout or tag #cookshideout!

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    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Srivalli

      April 20, 2016 at 11:04 am

      Wonderful dish Pavani..I am still yet to make handvo and here you are making quick versions of that...btw I would have loved Qesar Shrikhand and let me assure you that its not weird at all..lol..

      Reply
    2. Usha Rao

      April 20, 2016 at 11:26 am

      This is been on my to try list as well. Quick version looks lot easier. Q was a challenging letter to come up with a regional dish.

      Reply
    3. Kalyani

      April 20, 2016 at 12:32 pm

      perfect pick for Q, Pavani... Handvo has been on my to-do list .. bookmarking ur quick version too :))

      Reply
    4. Srividhya Gopalakrishnan

      April 20, 2016 at 3:00 pm

      interesting version. Yet to try handvo.. Will give a try. Good pick for Q

      Reply
    5. Gayathri's Cook Spot

      April 20, 2016 at 3:04 pm

      I have made the authentic version of handvo and this seems like a really quick version. It looks awesome..

      Reply
    6. Suma Gandlur

      April 20, 2016 at 11:21 pm

      I have made the baked version a couple of times but this instant version is reminding me our dibba rotte. Going to try it later. Your quick version handvo sounds delicious.

      Reply
    7. Amara Annapaneni

      April 21, 2016 at 8:29 am

      Handvo has been on my to do list, love your quick version. Bookmarked the recipe:)

      Reply
    8. Priya Suresh

      April 22, 2016 at 9:17 am

      Thats a lovely pick for Q, handvo looks simply fabulous and you nailed this quick version prefectly.

      Reply
    9. Harini-Jaya Rupanagudi

      April 24, 2016 at 9:51 pm

      As Suma pointed out, it definitely reminds me of dibba rotte. A very handy recipe for a quick meal.

      Reply
    10. vaishali sabnani

      April 26, 2016 at 1:05 am

      Pavani excellent twist to the original handvo . The taste naturally will be very different , but you must try the original one , its delicious . And i amBookmarking this for variation 😀

      Reply
    11. Smruti Shah

      April 27, 2016 at 9:21 pm

      Handvo is a common dinner option at our place. I loved the way you made a quick version of it. Stunning clicks too!

      Reply
    12. Sapana Behl

      May 06, 2016 at 3:04 am

      Handvo looks so nutritious and filling.Love how beautifully you captured it.

      Reply
    13. Global Tastes & Travels Inc.

      May 11, 2016 at 12:40 am

      I've made the traditional version and it is time consuming but your instant version looks just as delicious

      Reply
    14. Global Tastes & Travels Inc.

      May 11, 2016 at 12:40 am

      I've made the traditional version and it is time consuming but your instant version looks just as delicious

      Reply
    15. Rafeeda - The Big Sweet Tooth

      March 22, 2020 at 3:01 am

      5 stars
      Love your version of instant handvos. This looks perfect for those chai time snack when nothing seems to register, yet you want something flavorful in less time. Beautiful clicks as usual...

      Reply
    16. Harini Rupanagudi

      March 28, 2020 at 4:37 pm

      5 stars
      Loving this instant version of the handvo. Shall try it out soon.

      Reply
    17. Srivalli Jetti

      April 02, 2020 at 6:10 am

      5 stars
      The new step by step pictures look awesome Pavani and I really like your new layout of writing recipes..very informative.

      Reply

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