Baked Bajra Chakli, Bajra Murukku recipe with step by step photos
If you like baked bajra chakli-
If you like baked bajra chakli, then also try other healthy snacks like
What is baked bajra chakli made of?-
Baked bajra chakli is made of 1/2 cup bajra (black millet) flour, 1/2 cup whole wheat flour (gehun ka atta), 1 tsp grated garlic (lehsun), 1 tsp green chilli paste, 1 tsp nigella seeds (kalonji), salt to taste, 2 tbsp butter and 1/2 tsp oil for greasing.
Tips for baked bajra chakli-
Ensure that the bajra flour is fresh. Old bajra flour has a nutty smell which can spoil the taste of the chakli.
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Nigella seeds can be replaced with sesame seeds.
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If the dough is breaking while forming the chakli, it means there is less moisture. Take the dough out of the chakli press, add a tablespoon of water at a time and knead again.
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If you are not getting a proper shape, it means the dough is too moist then add some flour and knead again.
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The size of the chakli can be your choice. Just ensure that the spirals are not spaced out but an intact coil.
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Ensure to seal the end of each chakli so that it doesn’t open up while frying.
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Use a flat ladle as shown in the image to transfer each chakli from the plate to the baking tray.
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If you are facing a lot of trouble while making the spiral coil then simply, make 2 -3 inch-long sticks or pipe them in a straight line like a rope and after baking them break them into pieces.
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Remember to cool them completely. Slight warmth can reduce the crispiness of chaklis and make them soggy.
How to select bajra flour-
Choose bajra flour which is greyish in colour.
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Smell it if possible. It should have a slightly nutty flavour. The smell should not be over powering; else it is an indication that the flour is not the best for use.
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Make sure you buy it from a shop which has a good turnover.
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The best way is to buy fresh flour from a local ‘chakki wala’.
For the dough of baked bajra chakli-
For the dough of baked bajra chakli recipe | healthy Indian bajra murukku | kambu murukku | non fried chakli, add 1/2 cup bajra (black millet) flour in a deep bowl. Bajra flour is high in protein and is a complete protein for vegetarians when combined with dal. So as a Vegetarian, include bajra in your diet. Bajra is a great option for those on a gluten free diet. Bajra is rich in Magnesium which improves insulin response by lowering insulin resistance which is good for Diabetics and healthy heart but to be had in restricted quantity and had with low fat curds or raita to minimise the carb impact. See here for the 18 benefits of bajra flour and why you should have it.
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Add 1/2 cup whole wheat flour (gehun ka atta). Whole wheat flour is excellent for diabetics as they will not shoot up your blood sugar levels as they are a low GI food. Whole wheat flour is rich in Phosphorus which is a major mineral which works closely with calcium to build our bones. Vitamin B9 helps your body to produce and maintain new cells, especially increase red blood cells. See detailed 11 benefits of whole wheat flour and why it's good for you.
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Add 1 tsp grated garlic (lehsun). Garlic has been proven to lower cholesterol. The active ingredient allicin present in garlic aids in lowering blood pressure. Garlic is also alleged to help regulate blood glucose levels for diabetics. Garlic is great for the heart and circulatory system. Garlic has an antimicrobial, antiviral and antifungal function and can help in relieving common cold and other viral infections. To boost your immune system have a garlic clove a day. Garlic is a top anti viral food. The thiosulphate compound, Allicin found in garlic acts as a strong antioxidant and protects our body from damage of free radicals. Read here for complete benefits of garlic.
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Add the green chilli paste. Here is the recipe to make the perfect paste at home. Antioxidant vitamin C in green chillies protects the body from effects of harmful free radicals and prevents stress. It is probably the high fiber which helps in controlling blood sugar levels. This it is a welcome addition to a diabetic diet. Suffering from anaemia? Add green chillies to your list of iron rich foods too. For complete details see benefits of green chilli.
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Add 1 tsp nigella seeds (kalonji).
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Add salt to taste.
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Add 2 tbsp butter. The butter has to be at romm temperature. So remember to remove the butter from the refrigerator at least 20 minutes in advance.
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Mix it well. Rub the butter into the flour mixture using your fingertips until the mixture resembles bread crumbs.
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Add water gradually for kneading. You may knead approx. 3 to 4 tbsp of water.
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Knead into a soft dough. Keep aside.
How to make bajra chakli-
To make baked bajra chakli recipe | healthy Indian bajra murukku | kambu murukku | non fried chakli, we need a chakli press.
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Grease a chakli mould and place a star shaped plate in the chakli press using ½ tsp of oil. This will prevent the dough from sticking to the mould.
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Shape the dough into a cylindrical roll.
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Put the dough in the greased chakli mould.
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Cover it with the lid. Ensure you fill only till 3/4 th of the press or else the dough will ooze out and you will face trouble in closing the lid.
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Press out 50 mm. (2”) diameter round swirls of chakli onto a flat plate or aluminium foil working closely from the centre to the outside of the whirl (approx. 50 mm. (2") diameter).
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Seal the end point of the chakli by pressing it lightly.
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Press out all chaklis like this. You will get approx. 20 chaklis in all. You can make them in 2 batches also. Keep them covered with muslin cloth so that they don’t dry out.
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Place all the chaklis on a baking tray. Use a flat ladle as shown in the image to transfer each chakli from the plate to the baking tray.
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Bake them in a pre-heated oven at 180°C (360°F) for 30 minutes. Turn all the chaklis and again bake for another 10 minutes.
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Cool baked bajra chakli recipe | healthy Indian bajra murukku | kambu murukku | non fried chakli and serve or store in an air-tight container. It will stay fresh for at least 7 days.
Health Benefits of baked bajra chakli-
Baked Bajra Chakli - a non-fried snack.
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This low calorie bajra chakli yields 118 calories per serving (4 chaklis).
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Bajra being a good source of iron helps to avoid fatigue setting in.
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Bajra flour and wheat flour are both rich in fibre and so these chaklis can be enjoyed by diabetics, weight watchers, heart patients and women with PCOS.
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Garlic is great for the heart and circulatory system. The compound ‘allicin’ in it is also known to improve gut health.