The moment you hear atta, your mind goes to roti. Which isn’t wrong, just limited – especially when it comes to a protein-rich, nutrient-dense flour like the khapli atta. Khapli, or emmer wheat, is commonly used to make flatbreads, but it fits just as easily in low-sugar breakfast recipes. And you don’t have to try something new, just adapt existing recipes for low glycemic foods. Read ahead to know more.
Heritage grains and flours like khapli are gradually gaining popularity, as people discover their new uses and old benefits. Khapli atta works as an ingredient for many low-glycemic foods or low-sugar breakfasts, ranging from simple, savoury parathas to chillas, porridges, theplas, and more. Discover the recipes for these low-sugar breakfasts with khapli atta, and get experimenting!
Also called dalia, porridge is a sweet but simple breakfast item that comes together in under 30 minutes. Usually, it uses dalia (cracked wheat), semolina (Rava), or oats, but this version employs khapli atta as the base grain. The warm, hearty, and low-sugar porridge is a perfect low-GI breakfast.
How to make sweet porridge with khapli atta?
Dry roast ½ cup of Aashirvaad Chakki Khapli Atta in a pan until fragrant. Add 1 tablespoon of ghee and roast for another minute.
Gradually add 1.5 to 2 cups of hot water or milk, stirring constantly to avoid lumps.
Add a low-sugar sweetener like organic jaggery. Alternatively, skip the sweetener here and add mashed banana, cardamom powder, and nuts for natural sweetness.
Cook the mix on low heat until it thickens. Serve hot.
Kanji is one of the most easily customisable breakfasts – a savoury porridge which can be made from different types of grains. This recipe uses low-glycemic food like khapli atta. Khapli atta is known for releasing energy slowly, thus preventing a blood sugar spike. Thus, khapli kanji is an excellent low-sugar, high-fibre breakfast suitable for managing blood sugar levels.
How to make kanji with khapli atta?
Combine 1 cup of Aashirvaad Chakki Khapli Atta, 1/4 cup urad dal (optional, for protein), and 4-5 cups of water in a pressure cooker.
Add ginger, garlic, and fenugreek seeds (methi) for better digestion.
Pressure cook for 4-5 whistles, then simmer for 5 minutes.
Serve warm, seasoned with salt, black pepper, and a dash of ghee.
For low-sugar breakfasts that feel indulgent, try stuffed parathas or vegetable parathas with khapli atta. You can use low-glycemic foods like paneer, cauliflower, sattu, spinach, broccoli, etc., as a stuffing, or knead them into the dough. Since khapli is nutrient-dense and low GI, the combination makes for healthy parathas— however, moderation is still key. Keep to one small to medium-sized paratha to manage blood sugar, as even healthy parathas have a moderate GI.
How to make stuffed parathas with khapli atta?
In a bowl, knead 1 cup of Aashirvaad Chakki Khapli Atta with water, a pinch of salt, and 1 tsp oil into a soft dough. Let it rest for 10–15 minutes.
Prepare the stuffing using ½ cup grated paneer, seasoned with salt, chilli powder, and cumin.
Divide the dough into small balls, roll slightly, place 2–3 tbsp paneer stuffing in the centre, seal, and roll again gently.
Cook on a hot tawa with a little ghee until both sides are golden brown. Serve hot with curd or pickle.
For variations of stuffed paratha, swap paneer with finely grated cauliflower, chopped spinach, or broccoli—just sauté lightly to remove excess moisture before stuffing.
Chilla is another popular breakfast option, as far as low-glycemic foods in Indian cuisine are concerned. It’s a type of savoury crepe that can be stuffed or consumed as is, usually with a side of chutneys. Khapli atta suits chillas because it leads to a crispier crepe, with a nourishing, robust texture. The taste is distinct from usual chillas (made from gram flour, lentils, or semolina). While usual chillas have a slightly neutral taste, khapli adds a nutty, rustic flavour.
How to make chilla with khapli atta?
In a bowl, mix 1 cup of khapli atta with 1.5 cups of water to form a smooth, lump-free batter. Add salt, chopped onions, green chillies, and coriander.
Heat a tawa and lightly grease it. Pour a ladleful of batter and spread gently into a thin circle.
Cook on medium heat until the edges lift, then flip and cook the other side until golden and crisp.
Serve hot with chutney or curd.
Variations to explore:
Stuffed Chilla: Improve the protein quotient of your chilla by adding a stuffing of crumbled paneer. You can add chopped onions and green chillies to the mix and season the stuffing with oregano, salt, and chilli flakes.
Veggie-enriched chilla: This is different from stuffed chilla because here the veggies are grated and mixed into the dough. You can make a vegetable chilla with grated carrot, cabbage, and coriander; they offer high fibre and nutrients.
A Gujarati staple that doubles up as a breakfast and travel snack, methi thepla is known for its soft texture and spiced flavour. Using khapli atta makes it more fibre-rich and suitable for low-sugar diets.
How to make methi thepla with khapli atta?
In a bowl, combine 1 cup of Aashirvaad Chakki Khapli Atta, ½ cup chopped fresh methi leaves, 2 tbsp curd, and spices like turmeric, chilli powder, and salt.
Add a little water and knead into a soft dough. Let it rest for 10 minutes.
Divide into small balls and roll into thin discs.
Cook on a hot tawa with minimal oil until both sides are cooked through with light brown spots. Serve warm.
A highly nutritious breakfast, muthias are steamed dumplings that are lightly tempered before serving. They are already on most lists of low-glycemic foods because the addition of karela (bitter gourd) balances blood sugar and adds a distinct flavour. While usually made from wheat flour, this recipe uses khapli atta that further helps with managing blood sugar. Khapli atta is naturally coarse, which helps in making the muthia crispier than regular refined atta.
How to make karela muthias with khapli atta?
In a bowl, mix 1 cup of khapli atta with ½ cup grated karela (squeezed to remove excess bitterness), 2 tbsp semolina, and spices like turmeric, chilli powder, and salt.
Add a little water to form a soft dough and shape into small cylindrical logs.
Steam the muthias for 15–20 minutes until firm, then let them cool slightly and slice.
Lightly temper in a pan with mustard seeds and curry leaves, and serve warm.
If you thought upma was just kanji, or another savoury porridge, think again. While kanji is a soft, upma offers a drier, fluffier texture with distinct grains. This makes it a good option for those who prefer a more structured breakfast, while still keeping it low-GI with khapli atta. You can add chopped vegetables to the mix to turn it into a more satiating meal.
How to make upma with khapli atta?
Dry roast 1 cup of khapli atta on low heat until aromatic. Set aside.
Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan and add mustard seeds, curry leaves, chopped onions, and green chillies. Sauté till soft.
Add 2 cups of water and salt, and bring to a boil. Gradually add the roasted atta, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.
Cook on low heat, stirring until the mixture thickens and turns fluffy, not sticky. Serve hot with a squeeze of lemon.
There is a reason why breakfast is often considered the most important meal of the day; it’s because it plays a crucial role in starting the day on the right note. Low-glycemic foods with khapli atta prevent blood sugar spikes, and consequently, mid-day crashes without compromising on taste.
Yes, khapli atta releases glucose slowly, preventing sudden spikes in blood sugar levels, which makes it suitable for low-sugar and diabetic-friendly breakfast options.