S08 · Snacks · Chhattisgarh
Bafauri (Steamed Chana Dal Dumplings)
Chhattisgarh's oil-free answer to pakoras: coarsely ground chana dal with onion and herbs, steamed into small dumplings, then tossed in a light tempering.
- Region
- Chhattisgarh
- Diet
- Strictly vegetarian, egg-free
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Time, as written
- Soak 4 h · Prep 15 min · Cook 20 min
- Serves
- 3 (about 8 pieces each)
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Status
- Traditional
- Good for
- Tea-time, tiffin, lower-fat snacking
Nutrition
Good source| Per serving | kcal | Protein | Carbs | Fat | Sat fat | Fibre | Sugars | Protein per 100 kcal |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Per serving | 205 | 12 g | 26 g | 5 g | 1 g | 9 g | 2 g | 5.5 g |
Tier: Good source — protein is 11.7 g before rounding, just under the 12 g mark. With 75 g hung-curd mint dip: 275 kcal, 16 g protein (High protein). Values checked against IFCT 2017 on 14 Oct 2026.
Values are estimates calculated from the listed ingredients and quantities (IFCT 2017 and product labels), not laboratory measurements. How the numbers were calculated.
Ingredients
Tempering (optional)
Method
Soak chana dal 4 hours. Drain well.
Grind coarsely with chillies and ginger, without water, to a thick, grainy paste.
Mix in onion, coriander, cumin, ajwain and salt.
Shape into small balls or flattened ovals, about 20 g each, with wet hands.
Steam on a greased plate or idli stand for 12–15 minutes, until firm and a skewer comes out clean.
For the tempering, heat oil; add mustard, sesame and curry leaves, then toss the bafauri for 1 minute. Serve with tomato or coriander chutney.
Protein optimisation
- Where the protein comes from
- Chana dal supplies 10.5 g per serving.
- Boost
- Serve with 75 g hung-curd mint dip (+4 g protein, +70 kcal), or replace 30 g chana dal with 30 g moong dal (similar protein, softer texture).
Variations, serving and storage
- Shape variation
- Roll into finger-length logs before steaming, then slice and temper with sesame and dry red chillies.
- Substitution
- Mixed chana and moong dal.
- Storage
- 2 days refrigerated; re-steam or toss in a hot pan.
- Food safety
- Refrigerate within 2 hours.
- Meal prep
- Excellent; freezes well for 1 month.
Allergens
Sesame
Labels: Good source · High fibre · Lower-fat · Dairy-free · Soy-free · Whey-free · Gluten-free* · No added sugar · Meal-prep friendly
Gluten-free* means gluten-free only when certified gluten-free hing is used; most hing contains wheat flour.