Bihari Litti Chokha Recipe – Traditional Taste of Rural India at Home in a Tandoor

There’s something magical about the aroma of rustic Indian food wafting through the air, especially when it comes from a backyard tandoor. And if there’s one dish that instantly transports you to the heart of rural Bihar, it’s the humble yet iconic Litti Chokha. 

Traditional rural food which was traditionally prepared on mud stoves is now spreading across modern kitchens throughout the country.

Home tandoor from Glen India allows you to prepare Litti Chokha without needing a mud stove or village accommodations. The Glen India home tandoor enables you to make authentic Litti Chokha recipes directly in your kitchen area or balcony.

Let’s dive into this culinary adventure and learn how to prepare Bihari Litti Chokha the traditional way, enhanced by the convenience and precision of Glen appliances.

What is Litti Chokha?

Litti Chokha represents a traditional feast of Bihar together with Jharkhand and Eastern parts of Uttar Pradesh which delivers complete flavours within a single meal. The traditional dish of Litti includes round wheat flour balls filled with roasted gram flour and spices that are perfectly roasted under fire or in clay oven heat. The preparation of Chokha begins with roasted brinjals and tomatoes together with garlic and boiled potatoes that are mixed after adding mustard oil and herbs.

When paired together, Litti and Chokha offer a satisfying combination of smoky, earthy, tangy, and spicy flavours that define rural Indian cuisine.

Why Make It at Home with Glen Tandoor?

Credits: Glen

The homemade preparation of Litti Chokha creates havoc due to the traditional need for authentic charred texture. But not anymore. The Electric & Gas Tandoors from Glen India deliver traditional cooking instruments to contemporary Indian kitchens. Glen Tandoor stands out as the perfect choice for various reasons.

• Authentic Flavour: The Glen Tandoor allows for that smoky, roasted finish without the fuss of charcoal or open flames.
  
  
• Healthier Cooking: With oil-free or low-oil cooking options, it keeps your meal light and nutritious.
• Time-Saving: Fast heating and even roasting reduce your cooking time significantly.
• Compact and Stylish: Perfect for modern homes without compromising on traditional tastes.
  
  

Let’s get started with the recipe!

Ingredients You’ll Need

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For Litti (makes 8-10 pieces)

For the Dough:

• Whole wheat flour – 2 cups
• Ajwain (carom seeds) – ½ tsp
• Ghee – 2 tbsp
• Salt – as per taste
• Water – as required
  
  

For the Stuffing:

• Sattu (roasted gram flour) – 1½ cups
• Onion – 1 large, finely chopped
• Garlic – 5-6 cloves, minced
• Ginger – 1-inch piece, grated
• Green chilli – 1-2, finely chopped
• Lemon juice – 1 tbsp
• Pickle masala – 1 tbsp (from any Indian mango or mixed pickle)
• Mustard oil – 2 tbsp
• Fresh coriander – a handful, chopped
• Salt – to taste

For Chokha:

• Brinjal (eggplant) – 1 large
• Tomato – 2 medium
• Boiled potatoes – 2
• Garlic – 5-6 cloves (roasted)
• Green chillies – 1-2
• Mustard oil – 2 tbsp
• Salt – to taste
• Lemon juice – 1 tbsp
• Fresh coriander – a handful

Step-by-Step Preparation

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1. Prepare the Dough

Start by mixing wheat flour, salt, ajwain, and ghee in a large bowl. Rub the ghee into the flour until it becomes crumbly in texture. Slowly add water and knead into a smooth, soft dough. Cover with a damp cloth and let it rest for 20–30 minutes.

Tip: Glen’s multi-functional mixer can help with kneading if you want a quicker option.

2. Make the Sattu Filling

Mix the sattu powder with chopped onions and garlic, ginger, green chillies, mustard oil, lemon juice, coriander, salt along with pickle masala in a mixing bowl. Mix well. The mixture needs to maintain its form during tests with finger pressure. To prevent dryness in the mixture just add a few water drops or more mustard oil.

Why Sattu?
Sattu is packed with protein and has cooling properties, making Litti both nutritious and easy to digest.

3. Shape the Littis

• Divide the dough into equal-sized balls.
• Flatten each ball into a disc and stuff with 1-2 tbsp of the sattu filling.
• Carefully bring the edges together and seal to form a round ball again.
• Repeat with the rest of the dough.
  
  

4. Roast in Glen Tandoor

Now comes the best part—roasting in Glen Tandoor.

• Preheat your Glen Electric Tandoor for a few minutes.
• Place the Littis on the grill tray or wired rack, depending on the model you have.
• Roast at medium-high heat, turning the littis occasionally for even browning on all sides.
• It takes around 10-15 minutes to get a perfect golden crust with a delicious smoky aroma.
  
  

Pro Tip: You can brush the Littis with a bit of ghee midway through roasting for a richer flavour.

If you're using Glen’s Gas Tandoor, the results are just as authentic—minus the soot or smoke hassle.

5. Dip in Ghee (Optional but Recommended)

Traditionally, freshly roasted Littis are dunked in desi ghee for added moisture and richness. You can either dunk them completely or lightly brush them before serving.

6. Prepare the Chokha

While the Littis are roasting, prepare the Chokha.

• Roast brinjal and tomatoes directly on the flame or in the Glen Tandoor for a smoky flavour. Let the skins char and the inside become soft.
• Once roasted, peel the skin off and mash the pulp with boiled potatoes in a bowl.
• Add minced roasted garlic, green chillies, salt, mustard oil, and lemon juice.
• Finish with fresh coriander.

Alternative: Use Glen’s mini chopper to mash and mix the chokha if you want a smoother texture with less effort.

Serving Suggestion

Serve hot Littis with a generous portion of chokha on the side. Don’t forget to keep a small bowl of ghee handy—people often love to break open the Litti and drizzle some extra ghee inside.

Pair it with freshly made curd, green chutney, or even a small bowl of jaggery for a traditional twist.

Why Litti Chokha is Making a Comeback

Credits: Glen 

This dish, once considered poor man’s food, is now enjoying its well-deserved fame across fine dining restaurants and home kitchens. It’s:

• Budget-friendly
• Nutritious and high in protein
• Comfort food with deep cultural roots
• Customisable—spice it up or down
• Vegetarian and sustainable
  
  

With a Glen Tandoor, you're not just cooking a meal; you're embracing an experience rooted in Indian heritage.

Litti Chokha – A Perfect Weekend Delight

Want to wow your guests at the next family get-together? Hosting a dinner with a desi theme? Or simply craving a taste of home on a lazy Sunday? Litti Chokha is your go-to. And Glen Tandoor makes the entire process clean, efficient, and enjoyable.

Whether you stay in a flat with no access to outdoor grilling or prefer a more eco-friendly way to cook—Glen brings the tandoor experience right to your countertop.

Why Glen Tandoor is Ideal for Traditional Recipes

Traditional Indian cooking is all about temperature control, consistent heat, and smart use of oil. Glen’s electric and gas tandoors are designed to replicate the traditional chulha effect without the associated hassle.

Benefits of Using Glen Tandoor for Indian Dishes:

• Adjustable temperature settings
• Easy-to-clean surface
• Compact size for home use
• Even heating across surfaces
• Energy efficient
• Minimal smoke release
  
  

Whether it’s Litti, stuffed parathas, kebabs, naan, or even tandoori veggies—Glen Tandoor handles it all with ease.

Some Extra Tips for First-Timers

• Don’t overfill the Litti or it may crack during roasting.
• If you don’t have sattu, roast chana dal and grind it in Glen mixer to make your own.
• Always preheat the tandoor to avoid undercooked centers.
• If you’re roasting brinjals and tomatoes in the Glen Tandoor, wrap them in foil for easier cleanup.
• For health-conscious folks, skip the ghee dunk and just brush lightly.
  
  

Final Thoughts: Taste of Tradition with a Modern Twist

Litti Chokha is more than just food—it’s a story of simplicity, of rural life, and of enduring Indian flavours. And thanks to Glen India, you don’t need to step out of your urban kitchen to enjoy this traditional delicacy. With Glen’s Tandoor by your side, every bite feels like a soulful trip to the heart of Bihar.

So the next time you’re looking to cook something different yet rooted in tradition, fire up your Glen Tandoor, gather a few humble ingredients, and make Litti Chokha. Delicious, nostalgic, and incredibly satisfying.

Discover the joy of traditional cooking with Glen India, where modern appliances meet India’s rich culinary heritage.