Baked crispy lentils. There’s nothing I love more than a healthier version of classic deep fried snacks. If you’re looking for ways to eat healthy but love deep fried goodies, this recipe is for you. Less oil, but the same traditional taste and crunchy texture. It’s all about taking the flavors from the classic recipe and creating a healthier version. Brilliant!
Baked Crispy Lentils (Moong Dal)
A crunchy snack that can be stored for weeks for any time snacking, these lentils are utterly delicious. Traditionally, these goodies are made with split green gram that are yellow in color, and are the skinless, split version of green gram. When baked, the soft lentils get a crunchy texture, and are totally customisable with your favorite seasoning.
This recipe is a time saver when making homemade snacks that tend to come with too much mess and too much work. Make a big batch for guilt free, healthy munching.
Key Ingredients In Baked Crispy Lentils
Split green gram or moong (mung) dal - These are made from green mung beans that are skinned and split to make yellow colored lentils. Buy them from the Indian aisle of your local grocery store or your nearest Indian store.
Oil - Even though oil free is the way to go, a splash of oil is necessary to make them crispier.
Seasonings - A simple seasoning with salt and red chili powder or chat masala is the best.
How to Make Baked Crispy Lentils ( Moong Dal)
Rinse and soak lentils - Rinse the lentils thoroughly and then soak them for about 5-6 hours. Don’t be tempted to skip the latter step as it helps with cooking. Again, no prior cooking is required as these split lentils come with “quick cooking” feature.
Pat dry - This step is a must to ensure crunchy texture. Use a kitchen towel to gently pat dry without breaking the lentils.
Bake - In this recipe, we are going to steer clear of the traditional deep frying, and opt for healthier baking. Just make sure you give it a quick toss every now and then to ensure even browning. Also, arrange lentils in a single layer, and use two baking trays if needed.
Season & serve - Chat masala or red chili powder with a light sprinkle of salt makes it absolutely delish. To take this to the next level, make lentil chat with roasted moong dal (lentils), tomatoes, onions, green chilies, chat masala, and a splash of fresh lemon juice.
Healthier Baked Crispy Lentils | Crispy Moong Dal
Ingredients
- 1 cup split green gram or moong mung dal
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder or cayenne pepper
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Rinse lentils in cold water and soak for about 5-6 hours.
- Preheat oven to 200 C / 400 F. Line a baking tray with baking paper.
- Drain lentils. Pat dry with a kitchen towel.
- Add to the baking tray. Add oil. Toss.
- Arrange lentils in a single layer. Bake for about 20-30 minutes or until roasted and crunchy.
- Toss every 5 minutes to ensure even roasting. Season with salt.
- Add red chili powder or cayenne pepper. Toss.
Make this into a chat:
- Combine together roasted lentils, chopped onions, chopped tomatoes, chopped coriander (cilantro) leaves, green chilies, lemon juice, chat masala and salt.
Video
Notes
- Seasonings - Chat masala is a great addition. You can also try these lentils with your favorite seasonings.
- Add as toppings - These make for perfectly crunchy additions to soups and salads.
- Cook in air fryer - You can also make these in the air fryer.
Nutrition
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