When life gets busy, but the craving for healthy, homemade food strikes, ready-to-use mixes are a lifesaver. Moong dal chillas, a traditional North Indian pancake made with split green gram, have always been a breakfast favorite in my family. Recently, I decided to explore the convenience of pre-mixed moong dal chilla packs available in the market. I tested six brands, focusing on taste, texture, ease of cooking, and nutritional value.
1. Conscious Foods Moong Dal Chilla Mix: Conscious Foods has an earthy, health-focused appeal, and their moong dal chilla mix didn’t disappoint. The preparation was straightforward—just mix with water, and the batter came together quickly. The texture was smooth, making it easy to spread on the pan.
Taste & Texture: These chillas were soft, with a nutty undertone typical of organic ingredients. The spices were mild, which worked well with chutneys or pickles. However, the subtle flavor might not appeal to those who prefer bold seasonings.
Nutritional Value: Rich in protein and fiber, it’s a solid choice for health-conscious eaters. The clean ingredient list is a big plus.
2. Tata Sampann Moong Dal Chilla Mix: Tata Sampann is known for delivering consistency and quality, and their chilla mix is no exception. The batter was easy to prepare, and the instructions on the pack were beginner-friendly.
Taste & Texture: The spices in the mix are perfectly balanced, giving the chillas a delightful flavor even without any accompaniments. The texture was crisp at the edges and soft in the center—just how I like it.
Nutritional Value: Packed with the goodness of moong dal and spices, it also contains added protein, making it ideal for a quick, nutritious breakfast.
3. Gladful Sprouted Moong Chilla Mix: Gladful stands out for its focus on plant-based protein, and their chilla mix is crafted to appeal to fitness enthusiasts. The mix included sprouted moong, which added a wholesome edge.
Taste & Texture: These chillas were hearty and had a slightly grainy texture due to the sprouted moong, which I enjoyed. The taste was mild but worked well with spicy chutneys or yogurt.
Nutritional Value: With added protein and fiber, this mix is great for post-workout meals or keeping hunger at bay for longer.
4. Graminway Moong Dal Cheela Mix: Graminway takes pride in offering preservative-free, natural products. Their chilla mix had an authentic homemade vibe, with a coarse texture.
Taste & Texture: The flavor was slightly spiced, but the mix left room for customization. I added grated veggies to the batter, which enhanced the taste and nutrition. The chillas were soft and light.
Nutritional Value: This mix is low in additives, making it a wholesome choice for anyone looking for clean, simple ingredients.
5. Foodstrong Sprouted Moong and Millet Dosa Mix: Foodstrong adds a twist by incorporating millet into the traditional moong dal mix. Millet not only boosts the nutrition but also gives these chillas a unique flavor profile.
Taste & Texture: The millet added a mild nutty taste, which complemented the moong dal beautifully. These chillas were slightly denser, but the crisp edges made up for it. Perfect for those who enjoy experimenting with flavors.
Nutritional Value: High in protein and packed with the goodness of millets, it’s a powerhouse mix for active individuals.
6. Burly Field Moong Dal Chilla Ready Mix: Burly Field’s offering is all about convenience without compromising on taste. The batter mixed effortlessly and had a smooth consistency.
Taste & Texture: The flavor was well-rounded with a hint of spices. These chillas turned out soft, with just enough crispness at the edges. Great for kids and adults alike.
Nutritional Value: Simple, wholesome, and free of artificial flavors, this is an excellent option for everyday use.
My Top Picks & Recommendations
Best Overall: Tata Sampann Moong Dal Chilla Mix for its perfect balance of taste, texture, and nutrition. It’s versatile and beginner-friendly.
Best for Health Enthusiasts: Gladful Sprouted Moong Chilla Mix, thanks to its protein-rich content and unique sprouted moong flavor.
Best for Flavor Variety: Foodstrong Sprouted Moong and Millet Dosa Mix brings a delightful twist with millet.
Exploring these ready mixes was a delightful experience. Each brand has its unique strengths, catering to different tastes and dietary needs. If you’re someone who craves the convenience of ready-to-cook meals without compromising on health, these mixes are worth trying. They bridge the gap between homemade and packaged food beautifully, making busy mornings and sudden hunger pangs much more manageable. Whether you’re a fan of crispy edges, soft textures, or protein-rich meals, there’s a mix here for everyone.
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I’ve tried Tata Sampann’s mix before and loved how easy it was to make, especially on lazy mornings. The Gladful one sounds interesting too might try that next since I’m trying to up my protein intake. Thanks for sharing this, definitely saving for my next grocery run
Tata Sampann is a solid choice for convenience and flavor, especially if you are new to ready mixes. If you focusing on protein, I think you will really enjoy the Gladful mix it has a wholesome vibe with that sprouted moong goodness. Let me know how it works out for you once you try it!
Okay, I have to admit whenever I see “healthy” ready-to-cook mixes, I always assume they’ll be bland or dry. But your review makes me want to give them a shot, especially the Tata Sampann one. I usually like my chillas crispy, though, so I’m wondering—do any of these mixes crisp up well on the edges, or do they all stay soft? Also, do you feel any of them need extra seasoning, or are they good to eat straight from the pack? I wouldn’t mind tweaking the flavors a bit if needed, but I don’t want something that tastes completely plain!
A lot of healthy packaged foods can taste bland, but some of these actually surprised me. If crispy edges are what you love, Tata Sampann and Foodstrong Millet & Moong Mix are the best picks. Tata Sampann gets that perfect crispy-soft balance as long as you spread the batter thin and cook on medium heat. The Foodstrong mix crisps up even more because of the millet—it gives it a slightly grainy but satisfying crunch. As for seasoning, none of them are completely plain, but if you love bold flavors, you might want to tweak them a bit. Conscious Foods and Gladful Sprouted Moong Mix have very mild seasoning, so I added a pinch of black salt and red chili powder to boost the taste. If you prefer a bit of zing, squeezing some lemon into the batter makes a huge difference too! Do you usually pair your chillas with anything spicy, or do you like them with yogurt? I found that a tangy tomato chutney worked really well with the Burly Field Mix.
i always made moong dal chillas from scratch at home but i won’t lie sometimes i just skip it because soaking and grinding dal takes too long in the mornings. Ive been meaning to try a ready-mix version but i always worry about whether they taste artificial or lack that homemade feel. Based on your experience, which one feels closest to a traditional homemade chilla in terms of taste and texture? do any of these mixes work well if you want to add in extras like grated veggies or paneer?
I totally get that homemade chillas are great, but the whole soaking and grinding process can be a bit much, especially on busy mornings. If you want something that tastes really close to homemade, I would say Tata Samann Moong Dal Chilla Mix is your best bet. It has a great texture, it doesn’t feel overly processed, and the spices are mild enough that you can tweak the flavor just like you would with a homemade batter.
As for adding extras – yes! I tried mixing in grated carrots and finely chopped spinach with the Graminway and Tata Sampann mixes, and they both held up really well. The batter consistency didn’t change much, and the veggies cooked perfectly inside. If you’re thinking of adding paneer, I would recommend crumbling it finely and mixing it into the Foodstrong Millet & Moong Mix the nuttiness of the millet complements the creaminess of paneer really well.
I usually skip premade mixes because they all end up tasting the same to me after a while mildly spiced and kind of meh. From your review though, it looks like there are actually some interesting variations. That Foodstrong one with millet sounds like it might have enough of a twist. Did any of these stand out enough that you’d actually keep using them regularly, or were they more like one-time experiments?
Fair question I totally relate to the fatigue of ready mixes that blur into one another. Foodstrong definitely stood out because of that millet twist. It is not just a flavor shift but a texture one too slightly denser and heartier, so you actually feel like you are eating something different. I also found myself going back to Tata Sampann more often than I expected. It just nails that balance of ease, taste, and consistency, especially when I want a quick meal without thinking too hard. The others were solid, but more like “good to try occasionally” rather than staples. If you are after something that feels distinct from the usual, Foodstrong is probably your best bet. Have you tried adding any of your own toppings or fillings to chillas, or do you usually eat them plain?
Never thought chilla mixes came with sprouted moong or millets now that sounds way better than the plain ones i got bored of ages ago usually make them fresh but these mixes might actually save me on gym mornings when time’s tight which one would you say is the most filling if i do not pair it with anything else
You nailed the use case those rushed mornings when you want something filling without doing the whole soak-grind routine. Based on satiety alone, I would pick the Gladful Sprouted Moong or Foodstrong Millet & Moong mixes. The sprouted moong in Gladful keeps you full longer it is got that slow-digesting, protein-heavy vibe that really works post-workout. Foodstrong, on the other hand, feels denser, so it naturally keeps you going for a while. If you do not want to pair it with anything else, I would say go for the Foodstrong one and maybe throw in some crumbled paneer or leftover veggies into the batter. That combo is pretty unbeatable on a tight schedule. Do you usually eat your chillas solo, or do you like rolling them with something inside?
I always worry that these mixes use a lot of additives to keep shelf life up. Did any of them feel overly processed or leave an odd aftertaste? I have tried a few store-bought dosa batters that smelled weird the moment I opened them. I do not mind convenience, but I just do not want something that feels too far from clean homemade food.
A really valid concern; some pre-packed mixes definitely go overboard with preservatives or have that slightly off-putting processed smell or aftertaste. From this list, I found Conscious Foods and Graminway to be the cleanest in terms of ingredient transparency. Conscious Foods in particular felt very close to something I might make myself—it had that mild, earthy smell and zero weird aftertaste. Gladful and Burly Field were also clean, but if you are really sensitive to artificial hints, I would skip Foodstrong it did not taste artificial, but the millet can give it a slight fermented undertone if left mixed for too long. Do you usually look for organic labels when buying these, or do you go by how short the ingredient list is?