Dabeli Recipe: Kutchi Street Food at Home
Dabeli comes from Mandvi in Kutch.
In This Guide
Did You Know?
Dabeli is a street snack from Kutch in Gujarat, and the town of Mandvi is commonly credited as its birthplace. The filling is a sweet and spicy potato mix flavoured with a special dabeli masala, packed into a bun with peanuts, pomegranate and sev.
Dabeli Recipe Ingredients
- 3 boiled potatoes, mashed
- 2 tbsp dabeli masala
- 2 tbsp tamarind-date chutney
- 6 pav buns
- Roasted peanuts, pomegranate, sev
- Chopped onion, coriander, butter
- Green chutney
Method
- Heat a little oil, add dabeli masala and the chutney, and cook 1 minute.
- Add the mashed potato and mix well. Taste for salt and sweetness.
- Slit the pav, spread green chutney and fill with the potato mix.
- Add onion, peanuts, pomegranate and roll the edge in sev.
- Toast the dabeli in butter on a tawa until golden.
A Tip Worth Knowing
Roll the sides in sev for the signature crunch.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Skipping the dabeli masala. It is what gives the snack its flavour.
- Using cold buns. Warm them with butter on a tawa.
- Making the filling too dry. It should be moist and mashable.
Storage and Reheating
The filling keeps for 2 days in the fridge. Assemble and toast the buns just before serving.
Quick Answers
Can I make dabeli masala at home?
Yes. It is a blend of spices such as coriander, cumin, cloves, cinnamon and dry coconut. Ready-made masala is also available.
What chutneys do I need?
A sweet tamarind-date chutney and a green chutney are traditional.
Cookware Note
A cast iron tawa crisps the pav in butter evenly.
Shop Cast Iron Tawa →
Keep reading
Pajeon: The Korean Scallion Pancake for Rainy Days
A crisp, chewy Korean scallion pancake with a soy and vinegar dipping sauce, a favourite on rainy days.
Read the story
Undhiyu Recipe: Gujarat’s Winter Mixed Vegetable Speciality
Gujarat's winter dish of seasonal vegetables, green masala and methi muthiya, slow cooked.
Read the story
