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Chana Dal

Chana dal is split, hulled chickpea used in dals, curries, snacks, and batters.

Chana Dal — illustrative ingredient image

About Chana Dal

Chana dal consists of split, hulled chickpeas, usually made from small desi chickpeas rather than whole kabuli chickpeas. The pieces are yellow and lens-shaped, and are firm when dry. The flavour is mild, nutty, and legume-like, while the exact texture after cooking depends on how far it is cooked.

It is cooked as dal and used in curries, soups, savoury snacks, and batters. When boiled until separate it can remain relatively firm; cooking it further produces a softer, thicker preparation. Its distinct, slightly grainy texture is most evident when the cooked pieces retain their shape.

Dry chana dal is sold loose or packaged. Roasted or ground forms are related preparations that should be identified separately. Soaking and boiling soften the pieces, while grinding changes them into a batter or flour-like ingredient, altering both their texture and how they are used in cooking.

Ingredient type
whole food

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Where chana dal appears

1 linked foods

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Snacks

Ingredient connections awaiting review · Coverage is still growing, including packaged snacks.

Name examples awaiting language review. Confirm the specific food or product.

Local names for chana dal

Names and romanised forms to recognise on menus and labels.

English

chana dal

Available names only. Languages may be spoken in other countries; a name alone does not identify every ingredient in a dish.

Chana Dal nutrition & diet

Chana Dal nutritional value

Reference: Bengal gram, dehulled, split, dried, raw

Per 100 g of the edible portion of the stated reference food.

Calories
375kcal
Protein
20.2g
Carbs
59.2g
Fat
6.0g

Per 100 g edible portion. Shaheen et al., Food Composition Table for Bangladesh, University of Dhaka (2013), FAO repository. The energy cell reports (kcal) followed by kJ; these figures use kcal. Carbohydrate is available carbohydrate by difference. This reference describes the named food form, not every cultivar, brand or recipe.

Portions & preparation

Match the reference to hulled, split chickpea sold as chana dal, rather than whole chickpeas or chickpea flour. Preparation changes water content and texture; oil, coconut, dairy, salt, vegetables, and tempering ingredients belong to the finished dish. Consider the cooked dal portion separately from dry pulses.

Compare the right form: Use a reference for hulled, split chana dal, specifying dry or cooked form and whether the edible preparation includes oil, salt, or other ingredients.

Diet considerations

Chana dal is plant-derived, from chickpea, and is commonly compatible with plant-based patterns when prepared plainly. Ghee, butter, yogurt, meat stock, or other animal additions change compatibility. Batters and snacks may include cereal flours or coatings. Its carbohydrate pattern is portion- and recipe-dependent, especially in dense preparations.

AI-authored reading notes · Awaiting editorial review. Measured values, where available, have a separate source above.

Dietary compatibility

  • Vegan
    Typically compatible
  • Vegetarian
    Typically compatible
  • Pescatarian
    Typically compatible
  • Keto
    Depends on the version
  • Paleo
    Typically incompatible
  • Low-carb
    Depends on the version
  • Halal
    Not established
  • Kosher
    Not established
What these diet assessments mean
Vegan · Typically compatible
The plain ingredient profile is plant, fungal or mineral based. Added ingredients in a prepared product need a separate check.
Vegetarian · Typically compatible
The plain ingredient profile is plant, fungal or mineral based. Added ingredients in a prepared product need a separate check.
Pescatarian · Typically compatible
The plain ingredient profile is plant, fungal or mineral based. Added ingredients in a prepared product need a separate check.
Keto · Depends on the version
Compatibility depends on the portion and preparation. A sourced carbohydrate amount for a defined serving is not available.
Paleo · Typically incompatible
This profile falls outside the conventional paleo pattern used here (grains and pseudograins, legumes, dairy or refined sugar).
Low-carb · Depends on the version
Compatibility depends on the portion and preparation. A sourced carbohydrate amount for a defined serving is not available.
Halal · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish halal status.
Kosher · Not established
Sourcing, processing and any applicable certification have not been verified. A food name alone does not establish kosher status.

For the plain ingredient · Awaiting review. Diet compatibility is not allergy suitability or halal/kosher certification. Keto and low-carb depend on the portion.

Reviewed ingredient entryIngredient reference · Preparations vary

AI-generated illustration for visual context. It does not identify a particular product or establish allergen content.

Sources & review

Nutrition reference: Food Composition Table for Bangladesh (2013) — 02_0001 ↗. Values are scaled from 100 g of the recorded edible form. Individual portions have no assumed fixed weight.

Expanded overview, name examples and nutrition notes are database drafts awaiting editorial review. Numeric nutrition values, where shown, have their own source and food-form reference.

The ingredient description and dish connections come from the draft catalogue and may change after review.

Last recorded verification: .