Litti Chokha Recipe (Traditional Bihari Style)
About the Dish
Litti Chokha is a rustic and wholesome dish from Bihar, India. It consists of whole wheat dough balls stuffed with spiced roasted gram flour filling (sattu), baked until crisp, and served with a smoky mashed vegetable mix called chokha.
Ingredients
For Litti (Stuffed Dough Balls)
- 2 cups whole wheat flour
- 2 tbsp ghee or oil
- Water as needed
- Salt to taste
For Filling (Sattu Stuffing)
- 1 cup roasted gram flour (sattu)
- 2 tbsp mustard oil
- 1 small onion (finely chopped)
- 2–3 cloves garlic (crushed)
- 1–2 green chilies (finely chopped)
- 1 tsp grated ginger
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- 1 tsp nigella seeds (kalonji)
- Salt to taste
- Water as needed to bind
For Chokha (Roasted Mash)
- 2 medium eggplants (baingan)
- 2 medium tomatoes
- 2–3 boiled potatoes (optional variation)
- 2–3 cloves garlic (crushed)
- 1–2 green chilies
- 1–2 tbsp mustard oil
- Salt to taste
- Fresh coriander leaves (optional)
Instructions
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Mix whole wheat flour, salt, and ghee. Add water gradually and knead into a firm dough. Cover and let it rest for 20–30 minutes.
Step 2: Make the Filling
In a bowl, mix sattu with onions, garlic, ginger, green chilies, kalonji, mustard oil, lemon juice, and salt. Add a little water to form a crumbly but bindable mixture.
Step 3: Shape the Litti
Divide the dough into equal portions. Flatten each piece, add stuffing in the center, and seal it into round balls.
Step 4: Cook the Litti
Traditionally, littis are baked over coal or cow-dung fire until golden and crisp.
At home, you can bake them in an oven at 200°C for 25–30 minutes or cook in an air fryer. Brush with ghee after cooking.
Step 5: Prepare Chokha
Roast eggplants and tomatoes directly over flame or in the oven until charred and soft. Peel and mash them in a bowl. Add boiled potatoes if using. Mix in garlic, green chilies, mustard oil, salt, and coriander leaves. Combine well.
Serving Suggestion
Serve hot littis dipped in ghee alongside chokha. It is often enjoyed with pickles or curd for extra flavor.
