Weekend Brunch Delight: Crispy Pakwan with Spiced Moong Dal

Written by Sarah Gardner

When it comes to lazy weekend mornings that blend right into lunchtime, few things hit the spot like a traditional Dal Pakwan platter. A beloved part of Sindhi food culture, this dish is more than just a breakfast recipe—it’s an experience. Crispy, golden pakwan served alongside a hearty, flavorful moong dal spiced just right is comfort food at its finest. Whether you're a fan of sindhi recipes or exploring new breakfast recipes Indian families swear by, this is one indulgent, spicy snack that’s bound to win hearts. Think of it as a cousin of dal chawal, but with a festive twist—perfect for slow weekends and cozy family brunches.

Crispy Pakwan with Spiced Moong Dal

Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Course Main Course
Cuisine Indian
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Pressure cooker or heavy-bottomed pot (for boiling dal)
  • Mixing bowls
  • Rolling pin and board
  • Deep frying pan or wok
  • Skimmer spoon
  • Slotted spoon
  • Ladle

Ingredients
  

For the Dal (Moong Dal)

  • 1 cup moong dal yellow split moong
  • ½ tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 green chili finely chopped
  • 1 tsp ginger grated
  • Salt to taste
  • 1 tbsp oil or ghee
  • 1 tbsp tamarind pulp optional for tanginess
  • Chopped coriander for garnish
  • Chopped onions and tomatoes for topping optional

For the Pakwan (Crispy Flatbread)

  • cups all-purpose flour
  • 2 tbsp semolina sooji
  • 1 tsp carom seeds ajwain
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 tbsp oil for dough
  • Water as needed
  • Oil for deep frying

Instructions
 

Prepare the Moong Dal

  1. Wash the moong dal thoroughly and pressure cook it with turmeric and salt for 2–3 whistles, or until soft but not mushy. In a pan, heat oil or ghee, add cumin seeds, green chili, and ginger. Let them sizzle, then pour this tempering over the cooked dal. Stir in tamarind pulp if using. Simmer for 5 minutes. Garnish with coriander.

Make the Pakwan Dough

  1. In a mixing bowl, combine flour, semolina, carom seeds, and salt. Add oil and rub it in until the mixture feels sandy. Slowly add water to make a stiff dough. Rest it for 15 minutes.

Roll and Fry the Pakwan

  1. Divide the dough into small balls. Roll out into discs about 6 inches wide. Prick with a fork to prevent puffing. Heat oil and deep fry each pakwan on medium heat until golden and crisp. Drain on paper towels.

Plate it Up

  1. Serve a generous scoop of warm moong dal in a bowl, topped with chopped onions and tomatoes if desired. Place crispy pakwan on the side. Traditionally, people scoop up the dal with pieces of pakwan—messy, satisfying, and oh-so-delicious.

Perfect Pairings

This dal pakwan recipe shines solo, but you can elevate your brunch with a chilled mango lassi or a glass of masala chai on the side. If you’re making it part of a larger spread, it goes well with spicy snacks recipes like aloo tikki or even something from kerala food traditions like coconut chutney for contrast. Want to turn it into a full dinner recipe? Serve the dal with a warm bowl of jeera rice or chapatis as a twist on a classic mix dal recipe.

FAQs

1. Can I use other dals?

Absolutely. While moong dal is traditional in daal pakwan recipe, you can mix in toor dal or even urad dal for different textures—great for experimenting with urad dal recipes or a mix dal recipe.

2. Is this only a breakfast dish?

Nope! It’s one of those breakfast recipes Indian homes often enjoy at any hour. It works wonderfully as a brunch or even a light dinner—especially when you want something hearty but not too heavy.

3. What’s the secret to crispy pakwan?

The trick is in the dough consistency and frying temperature. Keep the dough firm and fry on medium heat for even crispness. Pricking the rolled dough ensures no puffing.

4. Can I make this ahead?

Yes! Dal can be made a day in advance and reheated. Pakwan stays crisp for a couple of days if stored in an airtight container.

5. Is this gluten-free?

The dal is naturally gluten-free. For pakwan, substitute all-purpose flour with a mix of rice and chickpea flour—but expect a slightly different texture.

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