Dabeli
Photo: Aditya Mara on Pexels
Gujarati Street FoodVegetarian

Dabeli

દાબેલી

Dabeli is Gujarat's legendary street food — a luxuriously spiced potato filling sandwiched in a soft, butter-toasted pav (bread roll), topped with sweet pomegranate seeds, sev, and a tangy-sweet special dabeli masala paste. Invented by Keshavji Gabha Chudasama in Mandvi, Kutch in the 1960s, the word "dabeli" means "pressed" in Gujarati — referring to the technique of pressing the pav shut after stuffing. The filling combines boiled potatoes with the signature dabeli masala spice mix (made with dried coconut, coriander, cinnamon, cloves, and red chilli), plus sweet chutney and sev stuffed inside. Served at every railway station and street corner in Gujarat, it's a festival of sweet, spicy, and tangy in a single bite.

Total
40 min
Serves
4
Level
Easy

Prep 20 min · Cook 20 min

Ingredients

4 servings

Method

  1. Make the dabeli filling: Heat oil in a pan. Add dabeli masala and fry for 1 minute until fragrant. Add the mashed potatoes and mix well to combine. Add 2 tbsp of the sweet tamarind chutney to the filling and mix. Cook for 3–4 minutes. Remove from heat and let cool slightly. Taste and adjust seasoning — the filling should be moist, spiced, and slightly sweet.

    About 15 min

    Tip: Dabeli masala is available at Indian grocery stores. If making your own, it includes dried coconut, coriander seeds, red chilli, cinnamon, cloves, and black pepper.

  2. Prepare the toppings: Mix together the pomegranate seeds, crushed roasted peanuts, and about half the sev in a small bowl. Set aside. Have the sweet chutney and garlic chutney in small bowls. Slice the pav rolls open horizontally without separating them completely.

    About 10 min

    Tip: Add the sev to the topping mix only just before assembling so it stays crispy.

  3. Assemble and toast: Spread a thin layer of garlic chutney on the inside bottom of each pav roll. Spread sweet chutney on the inside top. Generously fill each pav with the spiced potato mixture. Top the filling with the pomegranate-peanut-sev mix while the pav is still open. Press closed gently. In a hot pan with butter, toast each assembled dabeli for 1–2 minutes per side until golden. Serve immediately with extra chutneys.

    About 10 min

    Tip: The butter toasting is essential — it makes the exterior lightly crispy while keeping the inside soft.

Nutrition per serving (estimate)

Calories
520
Protein
14 g
Carbs
78 g
Fat
18 g
Fibre
7 g
Sugar
15 g
Sodium
740 mg

Contains: gluten, dairy

All Indian recipes

Recipe by Boon Tools.