33 Gluten-Free Indian Recipes

If you’re a fan of Indian food but need to avoid gluten due to an intolerance or celiac disease, it can feel tricky to navigate certain dishes. Luckily, there are plenty of delicious options that fit into a gluten-free diet.

In this article, we’ll dive into a range of gluten-free Indian recipes, covering breakfast, main meals, side dishes, and desserts so you can enjoy all the flavors of this cuisine without any worries.

Gluten-Free Indian Breakfast Recipes

While American and European breakfasts tend to lean heavily on wheat-based products such as bread and cereal, India has a more rounded approach.

Many of their breakfast dishes are rice-based which is good news for those with gluten sensitivity.

1. Poha

Poha is an everyday breakfast dish that has a few different variations. It is a staple dish and is made from flattened rice, spices and herbs.

When the name of the dish has khanda in it, that means it contains onions while if it has batata in the name it has potatoes in the recipe. 

This is a gluten free dish as there are no grains included except rice which contains no gluten. It takes just 10 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook. 

2. Idli

Idli is a popular Indian breakfast dish that is nutritious and filling. It does take a long time to prepare, soaking the rice and the urad dal for 4–5 hours and grinding both afterward. The mixed batter also needs to ferment for around 8 to 9 hours. 

Once it’s ready to cook the batter is poured into molds and steamed for 12 to 15 minutes. Any remaining batter can be stored in the refrigerator for 2–3 days. This is a completely gluten free breakfast.

3. Egg Bhurji

This recipe is suitable for veggies, but if you want to make it vegan, you can use vegan eggs instead.

Egg bhurji is like scrambled eggs but with the addition of green chili pepper, onion, tomato, cumin seeds and cilantro. 

Other spices added include turmeric, coriander powder, ground cumin, and red chili powder. 

It’s gluten free as well as being low carb and paleo. Preparation takes 5 minutes and cooking time is only 20 minutes. This is not just a breakfast dish and can be eaten at any time of the day. 

4. Indian Masala Oats

Masala oats are a savory breakfast dish, cooked in aromatic Indian spices with lots of vegetables. It is a delicious and healthy vegan breakfast dish which is also gluten free. 

Oats naturally contain no gluten but on occasion cross contamination can occur in manufacturing facilities. If you suffer from celiac disease you should make sure to check the packaging for this warning. 

The dish takes just 5 minutes to prepare if you use pre-prepared or frozen vegetables and can be cooked in 25 minutes in an Instant Pot. 

5. Quinoa Upma 

Quinoa Upma can be made as a breakfast or brunch dish. It’s vegan and gluten free while also being very healthy and nutritious. There are a lot of spices in the dish as well as plenty of vegetables, so it’s quite filling and will keep you going until lunchtime. 

The recipe calls for asafoetida which, while naturally gluten free, is often manufactured with added ingredients such as wheat flour. Check the ingredients before using it in the dish. If you are unsure you can always leave it out. 

6. Crispy Dosa

Dosa is like a thin, crispy crepe and a very popular street food in India. They are made from a fermented batter of ground black lentils and rice. 

Because of how they are made, preparation is typically done the day before the dosa is cooked, as it needs 14 hours to ferment. The fermentation process increases the volume of the batter and makes the dosa crispy. 

They are often served with a stew such as sambar and a side of homemade chutney. 

7. Sabudana Khichdi

Sabudana khichdi is a dish that can be eaten for breakfast, brunch or lunch. Apart from the great flavor it also has some wonderfully contrasting textures. Alongside the soft and chewy tapioca pearls you will enjoy crispy, creamy potatoes and crunchy roasted peanuts. 

You can make some simple swaps to this recipe to make it vegan-friendly!

As with many authentic Indian dishes, there is a lot of preparation involved, and this often includes soaking time for ingredients. This dish is no different and the sabudana or tapioca pearls need to be soaked for 6 hours. After that, the cooking time is just 20 minutes. 

8. Vegetable Paniyaram

If you’ve made idli for breakfast and have some batter left over then you can also make vegetable paniyaram. These are a mixture of sauteed vegetables which are mixed with leftover idli batter and grated coconut then cooked in a paniyaram pan. 

The paniyaram only takes a couple of minutes to cook and is then turned over in the pan with a paniyaram skewer to cook the opposite side. They make a wonderful breakfast and go well with some tomato chutney. 

9. Paneer Uttapam

Uttapams are thick savory pancakes which are made from rice and lentils. They are eaten for breakfast mostly but can also be a lunch or dinner dish. The dish does take some lengthy preparation. The washed rice is added to the paneer after it has been made on the stove. 

The two are then mixed together and left to soak for 6 to 8 hours. Then, the washed poha is added, and the mixture is left to ferment for another 4 to 6 hours. Only then can the uttapams be cooked. 

Need to make it vegan? Just swap the milk for a plant-based alternative.

10. Mandakki Usli

Mandakki usli is a simple and healthy breakfast dish which is made from puffed rice (mandakki), spices, peanuts and vegetables. Although the puffed rice needs to be soaked, it doesn’t take hours but minutes. The recipe also uses roasted gram flour. 

The preparation time is just 5 minutes, and the dish takes only 15 minutes to cook. 

Gluten-Free Indian Main Meals

Now that you know you’ve got breakfast covered, what about gluten-free main meals for lunch and dinner? Don’t worry; we’ve found plenty for you to add to your weekly meal planner. 

11. Paneer Tikka Masala

Paneer tikka masala is a vegetarian version of chicken tikka masala from north India.

If you’re following a vegan diet, like us, you can see our suggestions for vegan paneer here.
Paneer is gluten-free, so it is safe for those who have a gluten intolerance or suffer from celiac disease. 

First, the paneer is put into a marinade made from Greek yogurt and spices, while the tikka masala sauce is made. Then the paneer is grilled and added to the masala sauce.

12. Kachumber Salad

Kachumber salad is a refreshing and crunchy salad that can be eaten on its own or with a curry. It’s made from cucumber, tomato, onion, and fresh herbs, so it is very healthy and completely gluten-free. 

When served alongside a spicy main course, this salad provides a cool contrast to the heat of a curry dish. It’s very easy to make and takes only 10 minutes to prepare and another 10 minutes to assemble. The spices add a little authentic zing to this salad. 

13. Aloo Gobi

Aloo gobi is the name of this potato and cauliflower dish. It is made with onions, tomatoes, and a range of different spices, including one you may not have come across before: amchur. This is a dry mango powder and imparts a fruity spice to the dishes it’s added to. 

Either as a side dish or main course aloo gobi is relatively easy to make, taking just 10 minutes of preparation time and only 20 minutes to cook. It is garnished with some fresh cilantro or some kasuri methi which is dried fenugreek leaves. 

14. Dal Makhani

Dal makhani is a popular recipe in north India and is a creamy dal dish made from black gram or urad dal. Although they are commonly referred to as lentils they are more closely related to mung beans and cowpeas. They’re also used in making dosa and papadum. 

There is quite a bit of preparation involved in this dish and overall it takes 8 hours to prepare, but most of this is soaking the urad dal. Cooking time for the dal makhani is 40 minutes. 

Don’t forget to swap the ghee for a vegan-friendly version.

15. Palak Paneer

Paneer is like an Indian cottage cheese and is made by adding lemon juice to hot milk.

This recipe uses an onion and tomato sauce over some paneer to make a gluten-free main course. Palak is spinach, and only young, tender spinach leaves should be used for this dish. 

Preparation time is just 15 minutes, and cooking takes only half an hour. Whole spices can be added as an option as they impart more flavor to the dish. This recipe makes enough for 2 to 3 servings.

This is a great recipe for veggies, but you’ll need to substitute the paneer to make it vegan – we like using tofu!

16. Aloo Rasedar

This recipe for aloo rasedar is for cooking in your Instant Pot, so you can make this dish very quickly. Preparation time is just 10 minutes, and cooking time is only 15 minutes, so you’ll have a flavorful, gluten-free meal in no time. 

Aloo rasedar is a potato curry which uses a lot of different spices including cumin seeds, ginger paste, kashmiri red curry powder and garam masala. The spices are cooked in the Instant Pot first on saute mode and then the potatoes are added. 

17. Kakdi Koshimbir

Kakdi koshimbir is also called khamang kakdi and is a spicy Indian cucumber salad. This refreshing salad is bursting with flavor and can be eaten on its own or as a side dish. It is completely gluten-free and is also vegetarian. 

Preparation takes 10 minutes and the salad takes only 5 minutes to assemble. Despite being a salad there is some cooking involved. 

The cumin seeds, hing, green chili and curry leaves are sautéd and then poured over the chopped cucumber. Salt, sugar, peanuts, lime juice and cilantro are then added. 

18. Vegetable Korma

A vegetable korma made from scratch in your own kitchen is better than anything that you could order in a restaurant as you’ve made it all yourself. It is a very easy recipe to make and is ideal for anyone just starting out cooking Indian food. 

This is a completely gluten free dish and is also vegetarian. With a few plant-based swaps, you can also make it vegan.

Preparation is minimal with just the vegetables to peel and chop and the spices to be measured out. Cooking time is only 25 minutes and this recipe makes enough for four people. 

19. Chana Masala

Chana masala is a plant based meal and is also gluten free. Chana means chickpea and masala is a type of sauce made from a particular combination of spices and used extensively in Indian cuisine. 

The recipe can be made in just one pot and so saves on cleaning up afterward. Starting with onion and cumin, a paste of garlic, ginger, chili and fresh cilantro is added and then the turmeric, coriander and chili powder. Preparation is 5 minutes and cooking takes 25 minutes. 

Gluten-Free Indian Side Dishes

If all of these delicious main courses are making you crave Indian food just wait until you check out our list of gluten free side dishes. 

20. Mango Chutney

Mango chutney is de rigueur when it comes to eating Indian cuisine. It is one of the most popular side dishes to serve alongside spicy stews and curries. The sweetness of the mango chutney is a good counter to the heat of many Indian dishes. 

A homemade mango chutney is also going to be packed with flavor and can be used with other foods as well. Preparation for this recipe is just 15 minutes and cooking takes an hour. If you don’t have fresh mango, frozen works too. 

21. Onion Bhaji

Another ubiquitous side dish to any Indian meal is the onion bhaji. These delicious balls of crispy onion in a chickpea flour batter are so flavorful that you will have to stop yourself eating them all. 

Onion bhajis also work well as a starter, but beware of filling yourself up with them because they really are that good. Make sure the oil for cooking them is at the correct temperature, too cool, and they’ll be soggy, too hot, and you’ll end up with burned bhajis.

22. Gluten-Free Samosas

Most samosas are made with all purpose flour, but these are made with gluten free plain flour and xanthan gum. These are one of the most popular and well known Indian side dishes.

Samosas are filled with potatoes, peas and carrots in a mix of aromatic and flavorful spices. They are then deep-fried and served with a dipping sauce made from tamarind paste, garlic, cumin, cayenne powder, and brown sugar.

Make a few plant-based swaps if you want this to be vegan.

Preparation for the samosas takes 2 ½ hours, and cooking time is 40 minutes. 

23. Bhindi Pakora

Bhindi pakora are okra fritters coated in a batter that is made from gram flour or besan. As okra contains a lot of water you need to wipe them down before chopping to remove any moisture. 

When you add the rest of the ingredients, including the besan and rice flour, you should squeeze the okra to moisten the dough and not overwash the mixture with water. Then the pakora should be deep fried until golden brown and crispy. Serve with green chutney. 

24. Turmeric Rice

Although rice is a grain, it does not contain gluten so is suitable for a gluten-free diet. This colorful and vibrant rice dish will liven up any meal and be the perfect accompaniment to a whole host of main dishes including tandoori chicken or grilled vegetables. 

It’s not a complicated dish and only takes 5 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook. The result is a tasty and colorful side dish for any weeknight or looks great for special occasions. 

25. Bombay Potatoes

A popular side dish, Bombay potatoes are an easy recipe to include in your repertoire of classic Indian dishes. Preparation is minimal and only takes 5 minutes while cooking is done in just 15 minutes. This recipe can be made in your Instant Pot. 

The spices included in this dish are coriander powder, ground cumin, turmeric, and kashmiri red chili powder. Garam masala, amchur, and lime are added at the finish, and a garnish of fresh cilantro leaves is the final touch. 

26. Kala Chana Chaat

Kala chana chaat is a healthy and gluten free dish that is also vegan. It’s made with black chickpeas, tomato, onion, spices, and fresh herbs. This is a refreshing and tangy salad that contains no oil, no sugar, and is packed full of protein. 

For the best results, you need to soak the black chickpeas overnight, but if you only soak them for a couple of hours, you can cook them on high pressure for 40 minutes. When they are cooked you just need to assemble the ingredients. 

27. Dahi Vada

Dahi vada are deep fried lentil balls which are then covered in a creamy yogurt sauce. Dahi means yogurt and vada are deep fried fritters. They are enjoyed as a snack or side dish and are topped with tamarind chutney and green chutney and garnished with ground spices. 

You’ll need to make a few swaps to make this completely vegan, though.

These lentil fritters are often made for special occasions such Diwali, holi, Navratri or family occasions. Preparation time is only 5 minutes and cooking time is just half an hour. This recipe makes 26 individual dahi vada. 

28. Gobi Tikka

Gobi tikka are also called tandoori gobi or tandoori cauliflower. As you may have guessed they are cauliflower florets which are marinated and then grilled in the oven or in a tandoor. They are often served as an appetizer. 

Preparation time is 30 minutes, but that doesn’t include the marinating time, which is an hour. Cooking then takes another 30 minutes. 

These delicious snacks are completely gluten-free and vegan. You can use your own hung curd to make the tikka marinade if you want to make everything from scratch. 

Gluten-Free Indian Desserts

Now that you have all these wonderful savory and spicy side dishes to add to your menu, it’s time to start thinking about some gluten-free Indian desserts. 

29. Kheer

Kheer is an Indian rice pudding made from milk and any kind of rice, but usually basmati. It is a dish that will require all your attention while it is cooking so as not to let the rice burn. The milk is brought to the boil, and the rice is added along with the sugar.

Swap the milk for a plant-based alternative if you’re following a vegan diet, like us.

Once it begins to thicken, you can add the rose water, nuts, and cardamom powder. It should be slightly runny when cooked and can be garnished with extra nuts. Preparation is 10 minutes, and cooking takes 45 minutes. 

30. Badam Halwa

Badam halwa is a popular dessert from the south of India. It is a rich and luxurious dish made from almonds, saffron, ghee and sugar. Ghee is a clarified butter which means it has been simmered and strained to remove all water and is used extensively in Indian cuisine.

Swap the ghee for a plant-based version if you need to.

Preparation does take 45 minutes as you need to soak, blanch, and blend the almonds. Cooking time is only 20 minutes. 

31. Sabudana Kheer

Sabudana kheer is a sweet food that is sometimes served on fasting days in India. It is made from small sago pearls and is very easy to make. Preparation can take a while as you need to soak the sabudana for a couple of hours.

When they have absorbed all the water, the sabudana are put into hot milk and cooked with sugar.

You can switch out the milk for a plant-based alternative if you need to.

Cardamom powder and some saffron is added. Once the sabudana is transparent and soft they are cooked, this takes around 20 minutes. 

32. Zarda Sweet Rice

Zarda sweet rice comes from Mughlai cuisine, which arose from the Mughal rule of India from 1426 to 1857. It is made from fragrant rice, sugar, dry fruits, and saffron. Preparation takes a while as you need to soak the rice, cook it, and let it cool down. 

Cook the nuts and fruit in the ghee (or a vegan alternative) and add the sugar and water. Then mix it with the rice. The dish is cooked in about 30 minutes. 

33. Coconut Ladoo

This recipe offers you three different ways to make coconut ladoo. The first uses fresh grated coconut and milkmaid or sweetened condensed milk. 

The second uses desiccated coconut and sweetened condensed milk and the final method uses desiccated coconut and sugar syrup. Preparation time for each of the methods is only a couple of minutes and cooking time takes less than 15 minutes. 

Each of the three methods is gluten-free and vegetarian, but you’ll need to make some swaps for it to be vegan-friendly.

Final Thoughts

We hope that our guide to gluten free Indian recipes has given you some inspiration to add to your meal planner and that you enjoy making some of these dishes. 

A lot of these delicious dishes can be tweaked to your taste or your dietary requirements, too, making them even more accessible.

Frequently Asked Questions