Rajasthani Dahi Gujiya Recipe: A Refreshing Holi Special to Try in 2026

When you hear the words Holi and gujiya together, chances are you imagine sweet, deep-fried dumplings packed with khoya and nuts. That is the classic treat many Indians enjoy during Holi season. However, in Rajasthan, there is a lesser-known celebratory dish that surprises many food lovers. Enter Dahi Gujiya , a festive snack that blends savoury elements with cool, spiced yoghurt for a flavourful Holi spread.

What Makes Rajasthani Dahi Gujiya Special

Unlike traditional sweet gujiyas, Dahi Gujiya is a savoury lentil dumpling served with spiced, sweetened yoghurt. This dish takes inspiration from the classic dahi vada but gives it a festive makeover by shaping each dumpling into the iconic gujiya form. What starts as a batter made from urad dal and moong dal ends up transformed into golden, pillowy pockets filled with cashews, almonds, raisins, ginger, and green chillies.

Once fried, the gujiyas are soaked in hot, aromatic hing water to become soft and spongy, then layered generously with chilled, spiced yoghurt. At serving time, flavours get another boost with tamarind chutney, green chutney, roasted cumin powder, chaat masala, and juicy pomegranate arils.

Ingredients You Will Need

Here is a breakdown of the ingredients used to make this Rajasthani Dahi Gujiya recipe:

Lentil Batter

• Urad dal and moong dal soaked for 4–5 hours
  
  
• Green chillies, ginger, cumin seeds, black peppercorns, hing, salt
  
  

Stuffing

• Finely chopped cashews and almonds

Raisins

Ginger and green chillies

Soaking Mix

• Hot water with salt and hing
  
  

Spiced Yoghurt

• Thick yoghurt whisked smooth
  
  
• Water, sugar, roasted cumin powder, red chilli powder, black salt
  
  

For Serving

• Tamarind chutney and green chutney
  
  
• Roasted cumin powder and chaat masala

Pomegranate arils and fresh coriander

These ingredients come together to create a dish that delivers tangy, spicy, and sweet flavours in every bite.

Step-by-Step Preparation

1. Prepare the Lentil Batter

Drain the soaked lentils and grind them with chillies, ginger, spices, and minimal water to a slightly grainy paste. Whisk the batter well to make it light and fluffy.

2. Shape and Fry the Gujiyas

Place portions of batter on greased parchment paper and add stuffing in the centre. Cover with more batter, press into shape, and slide into hot oil to fry until golden.

3. Soak in Hot Water

Submerge the fried gujiyas in hot water mixed with salt and hing for about 20 minutes so they puff up and soften.

4. Whisk Spiced Yoghurt

Smoothly whisk thick yoghurt with water, sugar, and spices until pourable. Chill until ready to assemble.

5. Layer and Chill

In a deep dish, pour spiced yoghurt, arrange the gujiyas in a single layer, and add more yoghurt on top. Refrigerate for a few hours so the flavours meld.

6. Garnish and Serve

Before serving, drizzle chutneys and sprinkle spices, pomegranate arils, and fresh coriander for beautiful colour and taste.

Why This Dish Works for Holi

Dahi Gujiya is ideal for Holi because it is refreshing on a warm afternoon, festive in presentation, and deliciously different from the more common sweets on the table.