Gujarati Handvo Recipe (Gluten-Free) Tawa Handvo

Handvo is a traditional, healthy, and incredibly comforting savory cake from Gujarat. Made with a mixture of lentils and rice, fermented, packed with grated vegetables (specifically bottle gourd), and spiced just right—this dish is the perfect blend of crispy, soft, savory, and tangy.

Whether you enjoy it as a nutritious breakfast, a snack with evening tea, or a light dinner, this Handvo recipe will become a staple in your home. It is one of the popular Gujarati recipe. Usually there is a special handvo cooker that is used in making handvo. But it can be baked even in an oven, pan or pressure cooker. Here, I will show the ways to make Gujarati Handvo in Non stick Pan. Traditionally Handvo is made in sand cooker or pot. After moved in states, i always make Handvo in oven which is baked handvo. Today i am going to show you quick and easy way to make handvo which is Tawa Handvo. Some people call Dangela too.

I have posted quite a few Gujarati cuisine recipes till now in my blog, but personally, I feel handvo recipe is the most healthy recipe. basically, the recipe is full of nutrients particularly a protein-packed filling spicy bread.

Handvo is made of Rice and lentils. I am showing you how to make Handvo by soaking Rice and lentils and make batter from this. You can easily find ready made Handva flour in any grocery store too. I have used Instant Pot for fermentation. You can place in any warm place or under Oven light if you are living in cold weather.

What are the Ingredients For the Handvo?

• Rice: For Handvo we need rice. You can take any rice. Sona masoori or basmati rice would be preferrable.
• Lentils: In lentils we are using chana dal, toor dal, moong dal and urad dal.
• Fenugreek Seeds: Fenugreek seeds will help in natural fermentation.
• Spices: for spices we are using here salt, cumin coriander powder, garam masala, sugar, ginger chili paste, red chili powder.
• Vegetable: Usually handvo is made of bottle guard (dudhi) but you can add carrots, peas or any veggies of your choice.
• Yogurt: Yogurt is used to ferment the batter. It gives batter savory taste.

• Moong Dal Vada – GF & V
• Gujarati Khandvi Or Khandvi Rolls – Flavorsofmykitchen
• About Me
• Veg Manchurian Street Style
• Instant Veggie Paniyaram Or Appe

How to Make Handvo in Oven ?

Baking handvo in the oven is a popular, healthier, and hands-off alternative to the traditional stovetop method, producing a golden-brown, crispy-edged, and savory Gujarati lentil cake. 

Step-by-Step Oven Instructions

1. Prep: Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C) and liberally grease your baking dish with oil.
2. Batter: Ensure your fermented batter is thick (like cornbread or thick idli batter) and mix in the vegetables (bottle gourd, carrots, peas), spices, and Eno (fruit salt) right before baking for maximum fluffiness.
3. Transfer & Top: Pour the batter into the greased pan, tapping it to even out the surface. Top with sesame seeds (and optionally, more tempering oil).
4. Bake: Bake in the middle rack for 35–45 minutes.
5. Check & Broil: A toothpick or knife inserted into the center should come out clean. To achieve a signature dark, crispy top, broil for 2-5 minutes, watching closely to prevent burning.
6. Rest: Allow the handvo to cool for at least 15 minutes before cutting to avoid a crumbly texture. 

Tips:

• Avoid Raw Center: If the handvo seems raw inside, keep it in the oven for an extra 5–10 minutes. Covering with foil for the first 20 minutes and then uncovering can also help.
• Add More Oil: For a more traditional, rich, and crispy result, do not skimp on oil for greasing and drizzling on top.
• Reheating: Reheat slices in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes.
• Serving: Serve warm with coriander-mint chutney, peanut oil, or chai. 

How to make Handvo in Pan?

Making Handvo in Pan is a quick and easiest to make. You can make small small and perfect for busier day.

• Step 1: Take non stick pan. Add some oil into this. When the oil heated, add mustard seeds, sesame seeds. when it starts popping, add asafetida and curry leaves.
• Step 2: Pour batter in medium thick consistency. Pour oil in edge of handvo and on top of handvo. Keep the flame low medium. Cover it.
• Step 3: Let cook Handvo in one side. You will see from the top of Handvo color changes, you can see the bottom part has cooked. Flip the handvo and cook the other side.
• Step 4: Once the handvo cooked both side you will see the gold brown and crispy Handvo has ready.
• Step 5: You can serve this with tea, chutney or ketchup.

These 2 methods are the easiest way to make handvo. I have never made Handvo in Sand cooker as i don’t have in US.

Cooking Tips

• Make sure to use enough oil. Oil gives it moisture, helps brown the top, and keeps it from sticking to the pan.
• You can also make this in cupcake pans. It creates wonderful individual servings that each have their own crust. It’s like getting a corner piece every time. These have more of a tendency to stick, so be sure your cupcake tin is greased well.
• You don’t have to temper the seeds in hot oil separately. Some people will bake and then add a vaghar on top, then bake it some more. The way my mom taught me to make this, there is no need for it. When you add enough oil and bake it correctly, the tempering will happen during the baking process.

Variations

1. Using whole rice and lentils. Handvo is traditionally made with rice and lentils that are soaked overnight and ground separately. The rice, coarsely, and lentils smooth. Then fermented overnight or up to 24 hours, depending on the weather (warmer weather accelerates fermentation).
2. Handvo Flour: you can make your own or buy it from the store. See this recipe for handvo flour, which is helpful for many other dishes as well, such as Muthiya and dhokla.
3. With a leavening agent – I use Eno as a leavening agent. Eno is made from a mix of sodium bicarbonate (baking soda) and citric acid. When it gets wet in the batter, the acid combines with the baking soda and bubbles up. You can substitute baking soda and lemon juice or citric acid if you like.

Let See The Written Recipe in Detail too:

If you like any of my recipes please leave the stars and comments. You can tag me on Instagram as well on @flavors_ofmykitchen.