Crispy Besan Bread Toast: Your Go-To Quick & Delicious Indian Breakfast

Are you searching for a quick, delicious, and satisfying breakfast or snack that comes together in minutes? Look no further than Crispy Besan Bread Toast on Tawa! This delightful Indian specialty is a true culinary gem, offering a perfect blend of crispy texture and savory flavors. Prepared with humble ingredients like gram flour (besan), bread slices, and a medley of everyday spices, it’s a fuss-free recipe that delivers maximum taste with minimal effort. Often compared to a vegetarian egg omelet toast, its versatility makes it an ideal candidate for a hearty morning meal or a delightful evening tea-time snack.

This recipe is a frequent visitor in many Indian households, and for good reason! Its simplicity and incredible flavor make it an instant hit. The best way to enjoy this golden-brown toast is freshly made and piping hot, paired with your favorite condiments. Imagine the crunch of the besan coating giving way to soft bread, complemented by the tangy sweetness of tomato ketchup, the spicy kick of schezwan sauce, or the refreshing zest of a homemade coriander chutney. Each bite is a symphony of textures and tastes.

Why Crispy Besan Bread Toast is a Must-Try

Beyond its incredibly simple preparation, there are numerous reasons why Besan Bread Toast deserves a permanent spot in your recipe repertoire. It’s a dish that embodies convenience without compromising on flavor or nutrition.

• Effortless & Speedy: True to its reputation, this toast can be whipped up in approximately 15 minutes from start to finish. This makes it an ideal solution for busy mornings or when unexpected guests arrive.
• Nutritious & Wholesome: Gram flour (besan) is a good source of protein and fiber, making this dish surprisingly filling and nutritious. It’s a wonderful way to incorporate healthy ingredients into your diet without a lot of fuss.
• Budget-Friendly: Made with readily available and inexpensive ingredients, Besan Bread Toast is a very economical meal option, perfect for feeding a family without breaking the bank.
• Highly Adaptable: While delicious in its basic form, this recipe is incredibly versatile. You can easily customize it with your favorite vegetables, spices, or even different types of bread to suit your taste preferences.
• Vegetarian Delight: For those looking for a delicious vegetarian alternative to egg-based dishes, this toast offers a similar savory profile and satisfying texture, making it a popular choice.
• Kid-Friendly: The mild, savory flavors and crispy texture are often a hit with children, making it an excellent option for school lunches or a quick after-school snack.

Key Ingredients for Your Perfect Besan Bread Toast

The beauty of this recipe lies in its straightforward ingredient list. You likely have most of these items in your pantry right now! To achieve that signature crispy besan bread toast on tawa, I typically use a non-stick tawa or skillet, which ensures even cooking and prevents sticking. While I prefer brown bread for its texture and health benefits, white sandwich bread works just as wonderfully. Here’s a closer look at the core components:

• Gram Flour (Besan): This fine flour made from ground chickpeas is the star of our batter. It’s what gives the toast its distinctive flavor, golden color, and crispy coating.
• Bread Slices: Any standard sandwich bread will do. Brown bread offers a slightly nutty flavor and a chewier texture, while white bread will result in a softer interior.
• Aromatic Spices: A simple mix of turmeric powder, red chili powder (Kashmiri for color, regular for heat), salt, and a pinch of asafoetida (hing) creates a balanced and flavorful batter. These spices are common in Indian cuisine and add depth to the dish.
• Fresh Additions: Finely chopped onion, grated ginger, chopped green chilies, and fresh coriander leaves elevate the flavor profile, adding freshness and a subtle kick.
• Water: Essential for achieving the right batter consistency.
• Oil or Ghee: Used for toasting the bread on the tawa. While oil yields a crisp finish, ghee imparts a rich, nutty aroma and a more traditional Indian flavor. Feel free to use either based on your preference.

While the basic recipe is fantastic on its own, it’s also highly adaptable. I haven’t added any vegetables in the base recipe, but finely chopped carrots and capsicum (bell peppers) are excellent additions. If you’d like to incorporate them, simply add about 2 tablespoons of each, finely chopped or grated, to the batter. Other vegetables like finely chopped tomatoes, spinach, or even corn can also be wonderful additions, enhancing both flavor and nutritional value.

Crafting the Perfect Besan Batter: The Secret to Crispy Toast

The success of your besan bread toast hinges significantly on the consistency of the batter. It needs to be thick enough to coat the bread evenly but still flowing enough to spread smoothly. A perfectly mixed batter ensures that thin, crispy besan layer we all crave, adhering beautifully to the bread. This thin layer is precisely what makes each bite so incredibly satisfying. Let’s dive into the step-by-step process of making this irresistible dish.

Recipe: Crispy Besan Bread Toast On Tawa | Besan Bread Toast

Crispy Besan Bread Toast On Tawa | Besan Bread Toast

A no-messy yet delicious 15-minute breakfast or evening snack recipe that is prepared with gram flour, bread slices, and a few commonly available spices. It tastes very similar to egg omelet toast.

Course:
Breakfast, Snack

Cuisine:
Indian

Keyword:
Besan bread toast, Crispy besan bread toast on tawa, Indian Breakfast

Prep Time:

5 minutes

Cook Time:

10 minutes

Total Time:

15 minutes

Servings:

2-3 people

Author:

Geetanjali

Equipment

• Tawa or skillet

Ingredients

• 4 bread slices (sandwich bread)
• 1 cup gram flour/ besan
• 2 tablespoons onion finely chopped
• ½ teaspoon grated ginger
• ½ teaspoon green chilies chopped or more to taste
• 2 tablespoons fresh coriander leaves finely chopped
• ¼ teaspoon salt
• 1 pinch of hing/asafoetida
• 1 teaspoon kashmiri red chili powder (for color, non-spicy)
• ⅓ teaspoon turmeric powder
• Water as required
• 2 tablespoons oil or ghee for frying

Instructions

Preparing the Batter

1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the gram flour (besan) with turmeric powder, red chili powder, hing (asafoetida), and salt. Whisk everything together thoroughly to ensure the spices are evenly distributed.
2. Gradually add water to the mixture, stirring continuously to prevent lumps. Continue adding water until you achieve a smooth batter of thick, flowing consistency. It should be thick enough to coat the back of a spoon but still pourable.
3. Stir in the finely chopped onion, freshly chopped coriander leaves, chopped green chili, and grated ginger. Mix all the ingredients well into the batter. This is your flavorful coating for the bread!

Making the Besan Bread Toast

4. Pour a small amount of the prepared batter onto a wide, flat plate or shallow dish, spreading it slightly. Take one slice of bread and gently place it onto the batter, pressing lightly to ensure the bottom side is well coated. Flip the bread and use a spoon to spread a thin, even layer of batter over the top side, ensuring all edges are covered.
5. Heat a non-stick tawa or skillet over medium-low heat and add a teaspoon of oil or ghee. Once hot, carefully place the batter-coated bread slice onto the tawa. Cook over low to medium flame. After a few minutes, gently flip it over. Sprinkle a little more oil or ghee around the edges and on top. Continue cooking, flipping occasionally, until both sides turn a beautiful golden brown and become wonderfully crisp. Press down gently with a spatula in between flips to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
6. Repeat the same process with the remaining bread slices, adding a little oil or ghee to the tawa for each new slice as needed.
7. Finally, serve your crispy besan bread toast immediately with your choice of tomato ketchup, green chutney, or any dipping sauce you prefer. Enjoy!

Nutrition Disclaimer:

Nutrition information is a general estimate only. Actual values may vary depending on the specific ingredients and brands used. For the most accurate information, please consult a registered dietitian or use your preferred nutrition calculator.

Tips for the Crispiest Besan Bread Toast Every Time

• Batter Consistency is Key: The most crucial aspect is a thick, yet flowing batter. If it’s too thin, it won’t coat the bread properly and will simply soak in, making the toast soggy. If it’s too thick, it will be lumpy and not spread evenly. Aim for a consistency similar to pancake batter.
• Don’t Rush the Cooking: Cook the toast on a low to medium flame. High heat will brown the exterior too quickly, leaving the inside undercooked and potentially soggy. Slow cooking allows the besan to cook through and achieve that beautiful crispiness.
• Even Coating: Ensure the bread slice is fully and evenly coated with the batter. This ensures uniform cooking and a consistent crispy texture across the entire toast.
• Press Gently: While cooking, gently press the toast with a spatula. This helps in making sure all parts come into contact with the hot tawa, promoting even browning and crispness.
• Fresh Ingredients: Using fresh ginger, green chilies, and coriander leaves makes a noticeable difference in the overall flavor of the toast.
• Oil vs. Ghee: While oil works perfectly well, cooking in ghee will lend a richer, more aromatic flavor that many find irresistible. Experiment to find your favorite!

Delicious Variations and Serving Suggestions

This besan bread toast recipe is a fantastic canvas for creativity. Here are a few ideas to customize it:

• Vegetable Boost: Enhance the nutritional value and flavor by adding finely grated carrots, finely chopped capsicum (bell peppers), corn kernels, or even a pinch of finely chopped spinach to the batter.
• Spice It Up: For an extra layer of flavor, consider adding a pinch of garam masala, a dash of chaat masala, or a tiny bit of cumin powder to the besan batter. Adjust green chilies according to your spice preference.
• Cheesy Twist: For a delightful treat, sprinkle some grated cheese (cheddar or mozzarella) on top of the toast immediately after flipping it for the last time. Cover the tawa for a minute to let the cheese melt.
• Bread Choices: While sandwich bread is standard, you can experiment with other types like whole wheat bread, multi-grain bread, or even sourdough for different textures and flavors.
• Make it a Meal: Serve besan bread toast not just as a snack, but as part of a larger breakfast spread alongside a glass of fresh juice or a cup of hot chai. It also pairs wonderfully with a simple salad for a light lunch.

As for serving, while tomato ketchup, schezwan sauce, and fresh coriander chutney are classic accompaniments, don’t hesitate to explore other options. Mint chutney, tamarind chutney, or even a simple raita (yogurt dip) can provide a refreshing contrast. Some people also enjoy it with a side of plain yogurt or a squeeze of fresh lemon juice for a zesty kick.

Frequently Asked Questions About Besan Bread Toast

1. What is besan?

Besan is the Hindi name for gram flour, which is flour made from ground chickpeas (chana dal). It is a staple in Indian cuisine, used in a variety of dishes from savory snacks like pakoras to sweets and main courses.

2. Can I make besan bread toast without a non-stick tawa?

Yes, you can use a regular cast iron skillet or tawa. However, you might need to use a little more oil or ghee to prevent sticking and ensure the toast crisps up nicely. Make sure the tawa is well-seasoned and adequately heated.

3. How do I prevent the bread from becoming soggy?

The key to preventing sogginess is two-fold:

1. Batter consistency: Ensure your batter is thick enough to coat the bread without soaking into it.
2. Cooking temperature: Cook on low to medium heat. This allows the besan coating to cook and crisp up before the bread gets too soft from moisture. Also, don’t overload the tawa; cook one or two slices at a time.

4. Can I prepare the batter in advance?

You can prepare the besan batter a few hours in advance and store it in the refrigerator in an airtight container. However, for the best texture, it’s ideal to add the fresh ingredients (like onions, ginger, green chilies, and coriander) just before you’re ready to make the toast. The vegetables can release water over time, making the batter thinner.

5. Is this recipe gluten-free?

The besan (gram flour) itself is gluten-free. However, the bread slices typically contain gluten. To make this recipe completely gluten-free, use your preferred gluten-free bread alternative.

6. What kind of bread is best for besan bread toast?

Standard white or brown sandwich bread works best as it has a good balance of softness and structure. You can experiment with other types, but very thick or dense bread might require longer cooking times to become crispy.

Conclusion: A Staple You’ll Adore

Crispy Besan Bread Toast is more than just a quick meal; it’s a testament to how simple ingredients can create something truly extraordinary. Its irresistible crunch, savory flavor, and incredible versatility make it a beloved dish across India and beyond. Whether you’re a seasoned chef or a kitchen novice, this recipe is incredibly forgiving and guarantees delicious results every time. So, go ahead and give this fantastic recipe a try. It’s perfect for those busy weekdays, lazy weekends, or whenever you crave a comforting, flavorful bite. Enjoy the delightful experience of making and savoring your very own homemade crispy besan bread toast!

More Indian Breakfast Recipes:

• Chutney Stuffed Ragi Idli
• Rava Upma
• Rava Uttapam
• Bread Upma