Sooji Bread Recipe – Easy Indian Street Food Toast

Last Updated on 2 months by Neha Deshmukh

Sooji Bread Recipe – Easy Indian Street Food Toast

Hey everyone! If you’re anything like me, you love a good quick snack. And this Sooji Bread? It’s become a total obsession in my kitchen. It’s basically Indian-spiced toast, but so much more flavorful and satisfying. I first stumbled upon this at a little street food stall during a trip to Mumbai, and I knew I had to recreate it at home. It’s the perfect blend of crispy, savory, and just a little bit spicy – and it comes together in under 20 minutes!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Sooji Bread is seriously a game-changer. It’s unbelievably easy to make, even if you’re a beginner in the kitchen. Plus, it’s a fantastic way to use up leftover bread. But the best part? The explosion of flavors! The sooji (rava) gives it a lovely texture, and the veggies add a freshness that’s just chef’s kiss.

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this deliciousness:

• 6 bread slices (nos)
• ½ cup fine sooji (rava) – about 80g
• ¼ cup thick curd – about 60ml
• 1 tablespoon grated carrot – about 15g
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped onion – about 20g
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped tomato – about 15g
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped coriander leaves – about 7g
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped capsicum – about 20g
• 1 teaspoon red chilli powder – about 5g
• Butter or oil, as needed
• Water, as needed
• Salt, to taste

Ingredient Notes

Let’s talk ingredients for a sec, because a few little things can make a big difference!

Sooji (Rava) – Types and Toasting
Sooji, also known as rava, comes in different textures – fine, medium, and coarse. For this recipe, fine sooji works best. It gives the bread a nice, even coating. You can lightly toast the sooji in a dry pan for a couple of minutes before using it. This enhances its nutty flavor, but it’s totally optional.

Curd – Using Dahi vs. Yogurt
Traditionally, Indian recipes call for dahi (Indian curd). If you have it, fantastic! But plain, unsweetened yogurt works perfectly well too. Just make sure it’s thick – Greek yogurt is a great option.

Regional Variations in Vegetable Additions
Feel free to get creative with the veggies! My aunt always adds a sprinkle of finely chopped green chilies for extra heat. Some people also like to add a little grated ginger or even some chopped spinach.

Butter vs. Oil – Which to Use for Cooking
I personally prefer butter for that extra richness and flavor. But oil works just as well, especially if you’re looking for a lighter option. I usually use a neutral oil like sunflower or canola.

Step-By-Step Instructions

Alright, let’s get cooking!

1. First things first, gather all your ingredients. It makes the whole process so much smoother.
2. In a mixing bowl, combine the sooji, curd, grated carrot, chopped onion, tomato, coriander leaves, capsicum, red chili powder, and salt. Give it a good mix – really get everything incorporated.
3. Now, gradually add water, a little at a time, while stirring. You want to end up with a thick, spreadable batter. It shouldn’t be too runny, but it should be easy to spread.
4. Heat a dosa tawa (a flat griddle) or a non-stick frying pan over medium heat. Lightly butter or oil it.
5. Spread a generous layer of the sooji batter onto each bread slice, coating it completely.
6. Carefully place the bread slices, batter-side down, onto the hot tawa. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until the bottom is golden brown and crispy.
7. Spread a little butter on the top side of the bread.
8. Flip the slices and cook the other side until it’s also crispy and golden brown.
9. Serve immediately and enjoy!

Expert Tips

Here are a few things I’ve learned over the years to make this recipe even better:

Achieving the Perfect Crispy Texture
The key to crispy Sooji Bread is medium heat and a good coating of batter. Don’t overcrowd the tawa – cook one or two slices at a time.

Preventing the Bread from Sticking to the Tawa
Make sure your tawa is well-greased and hot enough before you start cooking. A non-stick tawa is your best friend here!

Adjusting Spice Levels
If you’re not a fan of spice, reduce the amount of red chili powder. Or, if you like things extra fiery, add a pinch of cayenne pepper!

Variations

This recipe is super versatile! Here are a few ideas to spice things up:

Vegan Sooji Bread
Swap the curd for plant-based yogurt (like cashew or soy yogurt). Use vegan butter or oil for cooking.

Gluten-Free Sooji Bread (Alternative Flours)
While sooji isn’t gluten-free, you can experiment with gluten-free flours like rice flour or jowar flour (sorghum flour) for a similar texture.

Spice Level Adjustment – Mild to Spicy
For a milder flavor, use Kashmiri red chili powder, which has a vibrant color but less heat.

Festival Adaptations – Navratri & Fasting-Friendly Version
During Navratri, you can skip the onion and garlic and use rock salt (sendha namak) instead of regular salt.

Serving Suggestions

Sooji Bread is fantastic on its own as a snack. But it’s also great with a side of mint chutney, tamarind chutney, or even a dollop of plain yogurt. My kids love it with a glass of cold milk!

Storage Instructions

This is best enjoyed fresh, right off the tawa. But if you happen to have leftovers (which is rare in my house!), you can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for a few hours. They won’t be as crispy, but they’ll still be tasty.

FAQs

What type of sooji works best for this recipe?
Fine sooji (rava) is the way to go! It creates a smoother coating and crisps up beautifully.

Can I make the batter ahead of time? If so, how long can it be stored?
You can make the batter ahead of time, but it’s best to use it within an hour. The sooji will start to absorb the liquid, and the batter will become too thick.

Is it possible to bake this instead of cooking it on a tawa?
Yes, you can! Spread the batter on bread slices and bake at 180°C (350°F) for 10-12 minutes, flipping halfway through.

What can I substitute for curd in this recipe?
Plain, unsweetened yogurt (especially Greek yogurt) works perfectly.

How can I make this recipe healthier?
Use whole wheat bread, add more veggies, and use minimal oil or butter. You can also air fry the bread slices instead of pan-frying them.