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On most weekdays, mornings feel nothing like a countdown, alarms ringing, work notifications already popping up on screen, and there is barely any time to breathe, forget about cooking something decent for the office tiffin box. This is when people start looking for recipes that ease their lives without having to compromise on taste or nutrition, and needless to say, cheelas fit perfectly into this role. Not only are they quick to make, familiar, and comforting, but they can be prepared with whatever you already have in the store. But most importantly, they are filled with nutritional power as they get proteins from lentils, fibre from the veggies, slow carbs from oats and ragi, and enough flavour to break the monotony of everyday meals.
These under-10-minute cheelas are not just easy recipes, but they are small morning routines that will help you begin the day feeling nourished and not deprived of hunger. Whether blended, whisked or stirred together in minutes, cheelas give you a warm, homemade meal that will travel well, stay fresh till lunch, and keep you full through meetings, deadlines and everything in between.
Moong Dal Spinach Cheela
This cheela is a lifesaver on most days when your brain is still waking up, but your tiffin needs to be prepared in 10 minutes or less. Blend some soaked moong dal with spinach, ginger and green chilli to get a batter that is naturally high in protein and of a beautifully green hue. Spread the batter thinly in circular motion over the pan and cook until it turns crisp from the edges while remaining soft in the centre, which is perfect to roll, fold and grab-and-go breakfast. Filled with iron and fibre that it gets from spinach, it remains fresh until lunchtime, feels light, and is savoury without being too heavy.
(Image credit: Freepik)
Besan Masala Cheela With Ajwain
Besan chilla is quick, comforting and can always be relied on. Besan, which is naturally protein-rich, requires nothing more than just onions, tomatoes, ajwain and coriander to change into a hearty cheela. Ajwain adds warmth that feels soothing on busy days. Simply mix all these ingredients with water, and the cheela will be cooked in under two minutes on both sides. Besan cheela remains soft when packed in the tiffin and can be paired beautifully when paired with green chutney or ketchup.
Oats & Paneer Cheela
If you are looking for something that feels fulfilling, but still fits your healthy mood, this is the best option. Simply grind some oats to flour, mix it with some grated paneer, cumin and some black pepper powder, and your batter is ready in minutes. When it is cooked, the paneer melts slightly, turning every bite creamy, whereas the oats give it a base. Oats cheela is extremely filling and gentle on the stomach, making it perfect for those rushed office days. Filled with slow carbs and protein, it holds up extremely well in the tiffin without drying out too much.
(Image credit: Freepik)
Ragi Moong Protein Cheela
Ragi and moong dal, when mixed, make a beautiful mixture. One delivers calcium and fibre, the other brings high-quality protein. Blend moong dal with a spoonful of ragi flour, ginger and a hint of pepper. The result is a deep, earthy batter that cooks into a wholesome, slightly nutty cheela. Ragi makes the texture of the cheela almost pancake-like, i.e soft, whereas moong adds required crispness from the edges. This cheela keeps hunger away at bay for hours and tastes even better with a squeeze of lemon on it.
Sprouted Moong & Capsicum Cheela
Sprouted moong is a powerhouse of nutrition that takes breakfast to another level. Blend some sprouts with a little water, cumin seeds and garlic for some flavour, and mix in finely chopped capsicum. The capsicum will give little bursts of sweetness and crunch in every bite. This cheela also cooks super fast because the sprouts blend into a light batter. Sprouted moong cheela remains bright-tasting even after hours, which makes it a perfect pick for office days when you desire something refreshing but also filled with protein.
(Image credit: Freepik)
