Dalia khichdi & sweet daliya recipes with stovetop & instant pot instructions. Dalia is also known as cracked wheat, samba rava, godhuma rava, fada & broken wheat. Since it is made of Whole wheat grain, daliya is considered to be a good choice for those trying to reduce refined grains. In Indian cuisine it is used to make khichdi, puloa, upma, pongal and porridge. In this post I have shared 2 wholesome and nutritious dalia recipes that you can make for a meal.
The first one is a savoury version and the second one is a sweet one. The first recipe is made much the same way as the traditional rice khichdi using lentils, spices and quick cook veggies.
The second recipe is a sweet one made with milk, jaggery, cardamom powder and an optional ingredient dal. Both these can be had anytime of the day for breakfast, lunch or dinner.
In India, dalia is mostly eaten during the winters & monsoon as wheat helps to keep the body warm. However it makes a great food to enjoy all around the year.
Daliya makes a great food even for toddlers. Both my boys have grown up enjoying it. I have also shared a recipe for babies and toddlers at the end of this post.
I have included the instructions to make in a regular pot, pressure cooker & Instant pot.
Preparation
1. Rinse dalia and moong dal several times until water runs clear. Soak them for at least 30 mins. If you are using the large size broken wheat, i suggest soaking for at least an hour. You can also dry roast dal and daila first separately, then cool them and wash.
2. Heat ghee or oil in a cooker on a medium to low heat. Saute cumin until they begin to splutter. Add hing and ginger. You can also add bay leaf if you like the flavor.
3. Add tomatoes, chilli, turmeric and salt. Cook until tomatoes turn soft. If using onions, saute onions first until slightly golden, then add tomatoes. You can also skip tomatoes and just use onions.
4. Add red chilli powder, saute just for a min. You can skip chilli powder if using green chilli. You can also add garam masala if you like.
5. Add veggies. I had only capsicum. You can use beans, carrots and peas. Saute for 2 to 3 mins.
How to make dalia khichdi recipe
6. Drain off the water completely from broken wheat and dal. Add it to the pan.
7. Fry for about 2 to 3 mins.
8. Pour water and check the salt.
9. Cover and pressure cook on a medium to low flame for 2 whistles. Off the stove and leave it on the stove for a while.
10. When the pressure goes off. Open the lid and stir.
Serve hot with pickle or papad.
Recipe 2 – Sweet dalia recipe
I also have the Instant pot instructions below.
Ingredients
- 1 to 2 tablespoons ghee
- ½ cup daliya
- 2 tablespoons moong dal (optional)
- ½ cup grated jaggery or 3 to 4 tbsps sugar
- ½ teaspoon cardamom powder
- 2 cups water (1 ½ cups for Instant pot)
- 1 ½ cups milk (can use almond milk)
- 8 cashewnuts split or chopped
- 15 sweet raisins
Preparation
- This recipe is healthy if you use jaggery. There are 2 ways you can use them here. One is to add it directly to the slightly cooled dalia. The other way is to dissolve it first and boil for a few minutes. Then cool it completely, filter and stir it with your cooked sweet dalia.
- If your jaggery is not clean then, you have to melt it first with 3 tbsps of water, bring it to a good boil and cool completely. Set aside and use it later at the last step. Adding hot jiggery to hot dalia will split the milk or curdle it. So ensure it is cooled completely before adding.
- Add ½ cup dalia and 2 tablespoons moong dal (optional) to a bowl and rinse them very well a few times. Drain the water completely and keep aside.
How to make sweet dalia (stovetop)
1. Pour 2 tbsps ghee to a pot and heat it. Add 8 split cashews and fry until golden. Stir in 15 raisins too. When they turn plumpy, remove all of these to a plate. Set aside.
2. To the same pot, add drained daliya and moong dal.
3. Saute and fry until dalia turns golden and aromatic. Keep stirring to avoid burning or browning the dalia.
4. When you begin to get a nice smell, pour 2 cups water and bring it to a boil. To quicken this process, you can also pour hot water to the dalia.
5. Give a good mix. Cover and cook on a low to medium heat until all the water is absorbed and dalia is soft cooked.
6. It will absorb all the water.
7. Pour 1 ½ cups of milk and give a good stir. Mix well and cook until the dalia turns slightly thicker yet is of pouring consistency.
8. When it reaches a desired consistency, add cardamom powder. If using sugar, add it as well and give a good mix until it dissolves. Turn off the stove. To know the consistency, you may check the video above in the recipe card.
If using jaggery, remove the pot from the stove and cool down a bit, then stir in the jaggery. I used jaggery here.
Add cashews and raisins. Serve sweet dalia warm.
Sweet daliya in Instant pot
- Press SAUTE button on the Instant pot and pour 2 tablespoons ghee to the steel insert.
- Fry 10 split cashews until light golden and stir in 15 sweet raisins. Quickly the raisins will become plump. Immediately remove them.
- Add half cup rinsed dalia and 2 tbsps moong dal. Saute for 2 mins.
- Then pour 1 ½ cups water and 1 ½ cups milk.
- Deglaze the pot by scrubbing the bottom with a wooden spatula.
- Press CANCEL button. Secure the Instant pot with the lid and position the steam release handle to sealing.
- Press PORRIDGE button & set the timer to 12 mins. If you use the larger cuts of dalia then it takes upto 16 mins.
- When the pressure release naturally give a good stir and cook on saute mode for a few minutes to bring it to the consistency you desire.
- Add cardamom powder and sugar.
- If using jaggery, remove the inner pot out and cool down for a while.
- Stir in the grated jaggery or cooled jaggery syrup. Serve sweet dalia hot.
Notes: I have tested this recipe in a 6 QT instant pot with the above mentioned quantities of water and milk. You can also skip the dal from the recipe. Using only milk may give a burn notice.
Tips (savory version – dalia khichdi)
Lentils: I prefer to use some moong dal to make dalia. Apart from adding some protein, it also gives a better texture & flavour to the dish. You may substitute moong dal with red lentils (masoor dal), toor dal or even pancharatan dal.
Veggies: You can use veggies like tomatoes, peas, carrots, beans, potatoes and bell peppers. You can also use any one of the veggies too. If you do not have any veggies, you can also just make it with dalia, moong dal and spices. Just squeeze in some lemon juice while serving.
Spices: Apart from cumin, chili powder and ginger I haven’t used any spices but still it tastes delicious. However you can also add more whole spices like bay leaf, cinnamon stick, cloves and cardamoms. Alternately you may also add some garam masala. But I really don’t feel the need.
Consistency: For a runny, porridge like consistency you may add more water.
More Khichdi recipes
Dal khichdi recipe
Oats khichdi
Sabudana khichdi
Dalia recipe | Dalia khichdi | Broken wheat khichdi
For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card
Ingredients (1 cup = 240ml )
Ingredients for dalia recipe
- ¼ cup broken wheat (dalia)
- ¼ cup moong dal (skinned mung beans)
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- ½ cup tomatoes (deseeded & chopped)
- ½ to 1 cup mix veggies (carrots, peas, beans) chopped optional
- ½ teaspoon chili powder or as needed
- 1 tablespoon ghee (adjust)
- ½ teaspoon cumin (or jeera)
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric or as needed
- ½ teaspoon salt (adjust as needed)
- 2 cups water
- 1 green chilli slit (optional)
Instructions
Preparation for dalia recipe
- Wash and soak broken wheat and moong dal together for 30 mins.
- Chop tomatoes & other veggies you prefer and set aside. Grate ginger and set aside.
How to make dalia khichdi
- Heat ghee in a pressure cooker or pot.
- Saute cumin until it sizzles, then fry ginger until it turns fragrant.
- Add tomatoes, salt, turmeric. Cook until mushy.
- Next add chili powder and saute for a minute. You can also add little garam masala if you like.
- Next add veggies and saute for 2 to 3 mins.
- Drain water completely from dal and broken wheat.
- Add to the pan and saute for 2 to 3 mins on a slightly high flame.
- Pour 2 cups water & mix well. Check salt. Cover and cook on a medium to low flame for 2 whistles. If cooking in a pot, keep adding more hot water as and when needed until the dalia is soft cooked.
- When the pressure releases naturally, open the lid and stir well. If you find the dalia to be too thick you may pour little boiling water and mix.
- Serve dalia khichdi hot or warm.
Instant pot Instructions
- Press the SAUTE button (medium) on the Instant pot and pour ghee or oil to the steel insert.
- Add cumin. When they begin to splutter, add ginger. Then stir in the tomatoes and salt.
- Saute for 1 to 2 mins until the tomatoes turn mushy. Add red chilli powder and turmeric.
- Mix and then add the vegetables. Saute for 30 to 60 seconds. Add the drained dalia and moong dal. Saute for 1 to 2 mins.
- Then pour water and add salt. Deglaze by scrubbing the bottom of the pot with a spatula to release any bits of food stuck there.
- Press CANCEL button. Secure the Instant pot with the lid and position the steam release value to sealing.
- Press PORRIDGE button and set the timer to 14 mins. Alternately you can cook for 12 mins on pressure cook mode. If you are using the fine dalia, it only takes 10 mins in both porridge mode and pressure cook mode.
- Let the pressure release naturally for 8 to 10 mins. Then release the rest manually. Give a good mix. If you like the porridge like consistency, you may add ½ cup hot water and mix the dalia.
Notes
Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.
For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips above the recipe card.
Video
NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)
© Swasthi’s Recipes
This post was first published in November 2015, Republished in June 2020
Dalia recipe for babies
I had few requests for a good dalia recipe for babies, so sharing it. My kids refused to eat dalia until they completed 2 years, the reason – the texture was not liked as it is not very smooth like the mashed rice.
When they turned 2, i started to pressure cook dalia and moong dal together with veggies. Then season with ghee, ginger, hing, turmeric and pepper cumin.
Over the years, the recipe under went so many changes and now i make it the way i described above in step by step pictures. Here are the proportions i used to make for them. Do try and share if your little one likes it.
The below quantity makes dalia khichdi good enough for the mum and toddler. For babies under 18 months, i do not suggest feeding this for dinner.
Avoid feeding this late in the night after 7.30 pm even to normal babies. Moong dal is not suitable to some babies during winters, so you can try with toor dal. Avoid using potatoes, tomatoes if your baby has colic.
Ingredients for dalia
- ¼ cup broken wheat
- ¼ cup moong dal or toor dal (can reduce to 2 tbsp)
- 2 cups of water
- ¼ to ½ cup veggies
for seasoning
- ghee 1 tbsp
- cumin or jeera powder as needed
- 1 tsp ginger paste
- pinch of turmeric
- pepper powder/ajwain (avoid in summer)
Steps to make dalia recipe
- You can dry roast dal and dalia separately in large quantity. Cool them and store in steel or glass jars. This step is optional but lends a good aroma.
- Soak them together for at least 1 hour. If your baby has colic i suggest soaking for 2 hours. Soaking helps to cook the dalia soft and baby will like the texture. It also helps to digest better.
- Drain off the dal and dalia. Add 2 cups fresh water and pressure cook on medium to low flame for 2 whistles.
- When you open the lid, you will find it gooey. The texture we often feed the babies. If you like to mash it further, you can. But for 2 whistles mine gets cooked very soft.
- Add salt and stir. You can skip the seasoning and add turmeric, ghee, cumin directly to the cooked dalia. Feed when it comes down to warm temperature. During winters you can also add a pinch of ajwain powder, dry ginger powder (saunt/sonti). Avoid if baby has constipation.
- I used to feed my toddlers without seasoning. You can make seasoning to the mum’s portion of dalia khichdi.
For complete baby food chart and recipes, you can check this post on
baby food chart for 6 months old and this one for
babies from 8 months.
Mrs Kumar says
Dalia kichidi recipe- very helpful today as I didn’t plan the breakfast menu yesterday
Shahana says
Lovely recipe, Swasthi! Nutritious and wholesome, not to mention, super easy. Thank you!
Elsi says
How long is “two whistles”? I live in the US and we pressure cook by time.
swasthi says
Hi Elsi
If you want to cook in instant pot, go with porridge mode – 12 mins. If the consistency is too thick, pour another half cup hot water after the pressure releases.
Sridevi says
Hi mam, how many times can we feed this in a week? my baby is 10 months and often she is having colic so can i take daal 1 portion and dalia 2 portions?
swasthi says
Hi Sridevi,
You can serve 2 to 3 times in a week. Soak dal and wheat rava both when you wake up in the morning. Rinse them well and then cook around 12 noon. This avoids gas. Yes you can also reduce dal to 1 portion and rava to 2. Avoid incompatible combinations, give more fruits (not acidic), avoid feeding solids after 8 pm and always soak lentils. This will help to manage colic better. Hope this helps
zarri says
hello,
i hv 2 yr old boy he still have gastric problem whenever i feed daal at dinner.i usually gave him rice n oats khichdi at dinner..will u please guide me what should i give him other then rice n oats at dinner because excessive use of these two grains are mucus producing.plz help me
swasthi says
Hi Zarri,
I am really sorry I took so long to reply you. If giving dal to small kids for dinner then you must feed before 7.30 pm. Eating dal late in the night creates lot of gas. We usually give the dal rasam for kids during dinner which is like thin dal not so thick. If you cannot feed early then soak the grains well for 2 hours and then discard the water then cook. Actually stomach gas or indigestion creates mucus especially in kids. So it is good to focus on the digestion to stop mucus. Actually mucus is not due to excessive use of rice or oats but it is because he has the tummy problem. Stop all processed foods including cookies etc & focus more of fresh fruits and veggies. Early dinner & lot of fruits & veggies should reduce the stomach gas. Also take him for a good walk in the evening. Hope this helps
zarri says
thnx alot for sharing such a valuable info
actually he takes dinner at 7 till 7:45.i usually avoid all kind of bakery stuff for him..i gave him sooji n u told me its processed so i usually gave him just twice in week or should i completely avoid
he has alot of digestion issue somtimes loose stools n smtimes constipation.most of the time he feel very uncomfortable n make faces like he will vomit although he dont vomit but i feel soo depressed as he grow up now that digestion issue must go now.i am following right timings as u mention in baby chart n giving him homemade food but still i hate to watch him suffer.i dont know where i am wrong
swasthi says
Hi Zarri,
For 3 to 4 days, try to keep him only on khichdi, vegetable porridges, soups, boiled veggies & 3 servings of fruits per day. Avoid any difficult to digest foods. Sometimes even milk, meat, cold foods & high fiber diet can cause digestive issues. Try to stop all of these for 7 to 10 days and check. You can give him yogurt (with cumin powder to avoid phlegm). Also try with a good probiotic powder or capsule for a month. Hope this helps. I am quite slow in replying comments. Sorry to keep you waiting.
zarri says
thnxx alot i will try this.hope it will work .thnx alot for guidance
Sunjula Daniel says
The seasoning in this recipe is unbelievably yummy! My little boy literally gulped it down in minutes.
swasthi says
Hi Sunjula
Thanks for trying. I am so happy your little one liked it.
🙂
Meg says
Hey Swasthi a big thank you for this wonderful recipe, i am not a cook, but with your step by step instruction i could well manage it and it came out finger licking good, keep posting more for us, thank you once again
swasthi says
Welcome Meg
Glad to know it turned out good. Thanks for the comment. Yes will surely keep sharing.
Nisha says
I will be making this for my 15 month old. Can I add grated lauki to this recipe?
swasthi says
yes Nisha you can add lauki, carrots, peas, green capsicum a small piece, palak or methi
Lakshmi says
Can i give dalia daily for lunch or dinner( without dal) to my 1 year baby. Will u plz give jowar n bajra recipes for babies. Thank u for ur worderful recipes
swasthi says
Hi Lakshmi
Yes you can give dalia regularly for lunch. If you give her early dinner, then you can also give for dinner. But only wheat rawa constipates so do add a bit of dal and more veggies. For jowar and bajra only dosas are better or you can give in the form of porridge. You can try this jowar dosa. You can just replace jowar with bajra in the recipe.
Lakshmi says
Thanku swasthi. Porridge means wash jowar then dry n make the powder, make porridge r8 ? How much of veg (qty) in a day have to give to 1 year old baby ?
swasthi says
Welcome Lakshmi
You can buy organic jowar flour and make the porridge. It is very hard to make the powder at home. I usually dont consider potato to be a veggie. So other than that 1/2 to 1 cup of cooked veggies (cubes) you can serve.
Sushma rana says
Hello,
My brother is on diet suggested by doctor as he is a pateint.dietitian have suggested him to have Dalia bt spices any type of dal tomato potatoes is restricted so can u suggest me wid recipe which I can offer him.
Waiting for reply
Thank you.
swasthi says
Hi Sushma
You can try this dalia upma recipe. If any recipe has potato, tomato etc, just skip them and make.If any recipe has potato , you can replace with suran or sweet potato. Chana is also very good for ppl with diabetes. Hope this helps.
Niveditha Goswami says
Hi, I tried this for Lunch today, it turned out awesome…I think I can repeat this several times a week. Till now I was using Dalia only to make the sweet version, which my 2 yo doesn’t like much. This khichdi is a hit!! Thanks for sharing Swati
swasthi says
Welcome Niveditha,
Yes you can have it several times. You can also make it with mixed veggies and even with different kinds of dal.
Demella Chamy says
Tried this today..It was awesome..I never had dalia before , but looks like I can have it everyday.
swasthi says
Thanks for trying
Yes it can be had everyday
🙂
AjishaDipak says
Thankyou for all the recipes
swasthi says
Welcome Ajisha
Shobha rawat says
Veryy healthy and tasty recepie thanks for posting
swasthi says
Welcome Shobha
Ravi Kumar says
Hello,
My baby daughter is 15 months old, need to know that how long the fried dalia with ghee can be kept for preparing dalia khichdi in future. I want to fry full packet dalia at a time and kept into the box/bottle to prepare khichdi direct as per need or daily, so i can save my time.
Please reply.
Thank you
swasthi says
Hi,
Fried dalia keeps good for about a month or more. It depends on how well you handle it i.e moist free hands and spoons to use it. You can also dry roast it without ghee and rinse & soak it before cooking. Hope this helps
vani says
Thanks for sharing
swasthi says
welcome
Deepti says
Hi,
My son is 18 months old and he is low weight. 9 KGS. Problem is,he doesn’t eat rice and rice items at all.he just wants chapati all the time.many says chapati is heat.. I tried everything other than chapati,but no use. Drinks milk. And chapati that’s all..
So pls tell me there is no problem of eating chapati?and when he might start eating rice?
Waiting …
Ana says
chapati is best…….. then rice…
Pravallika says
Hi can I feed this for my one year baby at night time
swasthi says
Hi Pravallika,
Any foods made of dal may lead to colic if fed in the night for dinner. If your baby doesn’t have gas problem, then try with half the quanity of dal i mentioned in the recipe. Feed before 7.30 pm.