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Recipe Index » Dals / Beans » Instant Pot Chana Masala Recipe

Instant Pot Chana Masala Recipe

June 17, 2019 By Kanan / 19 Comments

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4.73 from 11 votes

Instant pot chana masala recipe – White chickpeas are cooked with spicy onion tomato gravy. As the name says we are using Instant pot to make this chole masala, but the same can be made in regular pressure cooker too.

Instant Pot Chana Masala Recipe (How to make Chole in Instant pot)

I won’t say that this is quick to make in instant pot. It takes same time as the regular chole or chana masala recipe made on stove top. But the main advantage of using this gadget is you do not have to babysit it. Put the timer and do other things. No need to count whistles or no need to worry about sticking to the bottom of the pan. That’s good deal, right?

Now what about the taste of this Instant pot chana masala? Yes it tastes exact same, no difference. The gravy is spicy, slightly tangy and thick. The chana is cooked to the perfection that are soft and melt in your mouth.

Here I have used ready made chana masala powder just to make it quick. But if you want you can make freshly ground masala powder by following this chole recipe.

Other than this recipe, I have tried making a complete meal using instant pot. Meaning dal, rice, sabzi all in the one go using pot in the pot method. I just have to make roti separately. That is such a time saver. Please let me know if you want me to share this kind of meal recipes

Other Instant pot recipes
Instant pot black eyed peas curry


How to make Instant pot chana masala recipe (Step by Step Photos):


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1) Wash the dried chickpeas under running cold water till water runs clear.

2) Soak them in enough water for 8 hours or overnight. After the soaking time discard the water and keep chickpeas aside.
Soak kabuli chana chickpeas

3) Turn on the instant pot with saute mode. Add oil in it and let it get heat up. Once the oil is hot, add bay leaf, cloves and black cardamoms. Cook for 30 seconds.

4) Then add chopped onions, sprinkle pinch of salt to speed up the process.
Instant Pot Chana Masala Recipe (How to make Chole in Instant pot)

5) Cook till onions get soft and light pink in color. It may take around 2-3 minutes.

6) Then add ginger paste, garlic paste and green chili. Mix and cook for 40 seconds or till the raw smell of ginger garlic goes away.
Instant Pot Chana Masala Recipe (How to make Chole in Instant pot)

7) Now mix in tomato puree.

8) Let it simmer and cook till all the water dries up and it becomes like a thick paste. It may take around 5-6 minutes.
Instant Pot Chana Masala Recipe (How to make Chole in Instant pot)

9) Then add remaining salt, turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, chana masala powder and anardana powder.

10) Mix well and cook for 30-40 seconds.
Instant Pot Chana Masala Recipe (How to make Chole in Instant pot)

11) Then add soaked chickpeas.

12) Also add water and mix well.
Instant Pot Chana Masala Recipe (How to make Chole in Instant pot)

13) Close the lid, Keep the vent on sealing position. Now change the setting to Manual mode (high pressure) and set 25 minutes.

14) After that time, Once it beeps let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes only. Then manually release the pressure by changing the vent position. Once the pin drops, open the lid.
Instant Pot Chana Masala Recipe (How to make Chole in Instant pot)

15) Lastly add amchur powder.

16) Mix well and it is ready to serve.
Instant Pot Chana Masala Recipe (How to make Chole in Instant pot)

NOTE: if the gravy looks watery, you can turn the saute mode on and let the gravy simmer for few minutes or till you get desired consistency. But if you have followed the water ratio as mentioned, you won’t have watery gravy issue.

Serving suggestion: Serve with basmati rice or jeera rice. It can be served with paratha, poori or bhatura. Serve pickle and sliced onions w/ lemon wedges on side.

Instant Pot Chana Masala Recipe (How to make Chole in Instant pot)

Step by Step Photos AboveWant to make it perfect first time? Don't forget to check out Step-by-Step photo instructions and helpful Tips & Tricks !!
Instant Pot Chana Masala Recipe (How to make Chole in Instant pot)
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Instant Pot Chana Masala Recipe

4.73 from 11 votes
Tried this recipe? Leave a comment and give ★ ratings
US measuring cups are used (1 cup = 240 ml)
Servings 2 -3 servings
Prep Time 8 hours
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 8 hours 30 minutes

Ingredients

  • 1 cup Dried white chickpeas (Chole or kabuli chana or safed chana)
  • 2 tablespoons Oil
  • 1 bay leaf
  • 2 Cloves
  • 2 Black cardamom
  • 1 medium or ¾ cup Onion chopped finely
  • 2 teaspoons Ginger paste or freshly grated or crushed
  • 2 teaspoons Garlic paste or freshly grated
  • 1 Green chili finely chopped
  • 2 medium or 1 cup Tomato ,Pureed
  • Salt to taste
  • ½ teaspoon Turmeric powder
  • 1 ½ teaspoon Red chili powder
  • 1 teaspoon Coriander powder
  • 2 teaspoon Chana masala powder or ½ teaspoon Garam masala
  • 1 ½ teaspoon Anardana powder (dried pomegranate seeds powder)
  • 1 ¼ cups Water
  • ½ teaspoon Amchur powder (dried mango powder)
  • Cilantro or coriander leaves chopped for garnishing (optional)
  • Onion , Sliced for serving on side
  • Lemon juice , few drops to drizzle over sliced onions

Instructions

Making Instant Pot Chana Masala:

  • Wash the chickpeas and soak in enough water for 8 hours or overnight. After that drain the water.
  • Turn on the instant pot with saute mode. Add oil in it and once it gets hot add bay leaf, cloves and black cardamoms, cook for 30 seconds.
  • Now mix in onion with pinch of salt. Cook till onions are soft and light pink.
  • Then add tomato puree and cook till all the water evaporates and becomes thick paste.
  • Now add remaining salt and all the spice powders except amchur. Mix and cook for 40 seconds.
  • Then mix in chickpeas and water.
  • Close the lid, Keep the vent on sealing position. Now change the setting to Manual mode (high pressure) and set 25 minutes.
  • After that time, Once it beeps let the pressure release naturally for 10 minutes only. Then manually release the pressure by changing the vent position. Once the pin drops, open the lid.
  • Lastly mix in amchur powder and serve.

Nutrition

Calories: 295kcal | Carbohydrates: 40.9g | Protein: 12.1g | Fat: 10.4g | Saturated Fat: 1.3g | Cholesterol: 0mg | Sodium: 322mg | Potassium: 591mg | Fiber: 11.3g | Sugar: 8.9g | Calcium: 70mg | Iron: 4.3mg
*Nutrition information is a rough estimate for 1 serving
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: North Indian,Punjabi
Calories: 295kcal
Author: Kanan
Did you make this recipe?Snap a pic, mention @spice.up.the.curry or tag #spiceupthecurry. I would love to see.
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Comments

  1. Bhavi Vyas

    August 12, 2019 at 11:32 am

    Hi, i made the instant pot chole this weekend and it was DELICIOUS! My husband and I loved it, but it was a bit spicy for my little toddler kids and father in law. If I want to make a less spicy, but still tasty portion for the anti-heat family members, what should i be reducing? garam masala, red chili powder?

    Reply
    • Kanan

      August 14, 2019 at 10:10 am

      Reduce the red chili powder because it is spicy.
      Garam masala is not spicy but it is hot.
      So the spicy flavor one can feel as soon as he/she is chewing the food. But the hot flavor one can feel the heat once the food is swallowed.
      If they cannot tolerate the heat then reduce the garam masala as well.

      Reply
  2. Megha

    February 24, 2018 at 2:25 pm

    Going to try this – any difference in timing for canned chickpeas? Thanks!

    Reply
    • Kanan

      March 2, 2018 at 7:11 pm

      reduce the water amount and cook on manual for 10-15 minutes only.

      Reply
  3. Amy Patel

    November 30, 2017 at 5:51 pm

    Yes please post pot in pot recipe. Thanks Kanan. Your recipes are awesome.

    Reply
    • Kanan

      December 1, 2017 at 12:16 pm

      yes more IP recipes coming soon.
      Thank you Amy.

      Reply
  4. Michelle

    November 5, 2017 at 5:34 pm

    Hi Kansan,

    I have some Everest chole masala. Can I use this instead of the Chana masala powder and if so should I adjust the other spices?

    Thanks,

    Michelle

    Reply
    • Michelle

      November 5, 2017 at 5:36 pm

      Sorry- I meant Kanan. That was autocorrect 😂

      Reply
    • Kanan

      November 6, 2017 at 11:57 am

      No need to adjust. Actually both (chana masala powder and chole masala powder) are same. Different brands may use different name.

      Reply
  5. Sujana

    October 25, 2017 at 9:56 pm

    Also yes please post complete meals with instant pot recipes- I know many people who would love this!

    Reply
    • Kanan

      October 26, 2017 at 10:47 am

      sure.

      Reply
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KananHi, I am Kanan!

I share easy, delicious vegetarian recipes (mostly Indian), Eggless and vegan baking recipes that will make your life easy in kitchen.

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