Moong Dal Namkeen

Love crunchy snacks

We all love to munch on a crispy and crunchy snack every once in a while. Especially when we are binge-watching something on TV or enjoying an evening drink like tea or coffee. 

That is why I always like to make and stock up on such snacks. I also try to make healthier versions of them so that I can enjoy them guilt-free.

If you are privy to Indian packaged snacks, you would know that Haldiram's moong dal namkeen is a very popular savory snack.

But ever since I made it at home, I have stopped buying this crispy snack from the stores. I have made this so often that I almost have a fail-proof recipe for this!

Crispy crunchy moong dal mixture is made by roasting lentils in the microwave and then seasoning it with mild spices.

Store-bought ones are fried. I prefer the microwave version over it. It's way healthier. It's a great snack to munch on.

Why make this

• A better alternative to Haldiram's moong dal
• Made in a microwave
• Needs just 4 ingredients
• Uses very little oil
• Can be made in just 10 minutes
• Is vegan and gluten-free
• Healthy, low-calorie and protein-packed
• Very simple and easy recipe
• A light and tasty snack

Moong Dal - Protein-rich skinned split mung gram is amongst one of the most commonly used lentils in Indian cuisine and is considered a superfood.

There are two kinds - one is green with the husk, and the other is yellow when dehusked. We will need yellow moong dal for this recipe.

They are easy to cook, need little soaking, and are easy to digest. You can easily find it in any Indian grocery store or on Amazon.

Spices - Chilly powder, and turmeric powder are the only two spice powders that you will need to make this snack.

Baking Soda - It helps with cooking the moong dal mixture.

1. Soak moong dal with baking soda for at least 2 hours.
2. Drain the water and dry the dal completely using a kitchen towel. Spread on a plate and let it dry for 45 minutes to one hour.
3. Place the dried dal in a microwave-safe flat dish (I used a flat glass dish). Add oil and mix it well. Microwave it on high for 8-10 minutes.
4. The moong dal will get crunchy after 8 minutes. (Continue cooking it in the microwave till it gets crispy. Every microwave is different, so monitor the cook time)
5. Now add salt, chilly powder, and turmeric powder to it.
6. Mix it well.

Serving suggestions 🍽

Cool it down completely and store it in an airtight container. Enjoy this guilt-free moong dal namkeen snack at any time of the day. It stays good for months.

Now you don't need to purchase Haldiram's moong dal at all! Just make them at home. Enjoy with a cup of Masala Chai or Coffee/Dalgona Coffee.

You can make this moong dal namkeen over the weekend and store it in an airtight container for the upcoming busy week. Let me warn you, it is super addictive!

To give it an upgrade, add some chopped onions, jalapenos, lemon juice, and cilantro. Mix and enjoy it as a light chatpata snack.

You can also pack this moong dal mixture as food gifts during the holidays. it's also the perfect midnight snack when you are binge-watching your favorite show on Netflix!

Top recipe tips 💭

Soak the lentils in water that is at room temperature. It's important to dry the moong dal as much as possible. Pat them with a kitchen towel to soak the excess water.

Drying the moong dal so it has no moisture content is an important step in this recipe. It helps to give a nice crunchy texture to the moong dal. You can even leave it in the fridge for a couple of hours.

Avoid crowding the moong dal and spread it around in a single layer. Keep checking the lentils after every minute. If lumps are being formed, then break and mix them.

Keep stirring the dal at regular intervals to avoid the moong dal getting burned. When the lentils change color and become crisp, stop the microwave.

Every microwave is different. The timings could vary. Check the contents every minute. Add the seasonings as per your taste preference. Make in small batches. 

For extra seasoning, add black salt or Kala namak, chaat masala, and amchur powder. Substitute yellow split moong dal with any other lentils like chana dal.

Recipe FAQs 📖

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