Muthiya Recipe | Methi Muthia (Steamed and Fried)

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There are a variety of snacks, both sweet and savory, when it comes to Gujarati cuisine. Gujaratis love their snacks as much as other dishes and ‘muthiya’ is one of those many. This Methi Muthiya recipe is a variant, made with fresh fenugreek leaves (methi) and the core ingredient gram flour (besan). In this Muthiya recipe, I’ve shown you both the steamed and fried versions.

steamed and fried methi muthiya served in bowls.

What is Muthiya

Muthiya or muthia is a fist-shaped dumpling, which is a traditional street food, snack or a side dish from Gujarat state in Western India. Primarily vegan in nature, the term muthiya has been derived from the word “muthi” which means fist – the ‘gripping action’ of our hands, which is also how this snack is made.

Also known as ‘velaniya’ or ‘vaataa,’ this famous Gujarati dish is considered filling and healthy as it is essentially steamed. But some may have a fried variant, like my Methi Muthiya recipe.

steamed methi muthiya in a bowl

The main ingredients used in the preparation of muthiya recipe includes gram flour, chili, turmeric powder, oil, sugar and other seasonings.

Additional veggie flavors may include fenugreek leaves (methi), grated bottle gourd (dudhi or lauki), spinach leaves (palak), other vegetables or leafy greens.

Other flours like whole wheat flour (atta), pearl millet flour (bajra atta) or sorghum flour (jowar atta) are also used. Once steamed, the muthia is cut into thick slices and tempered in oil with mustard seeds, sesame seeds, curry leaves and sometimes asafoetida too.

More on this Methi Muthiya

There are many ways of making muthiya. However, I always prefer using gram flour. This Methi Muthiya recipe also has this flour along with fresh fenugreek leaves and spices. Though, I have mentioned about the fried way as well, but I must say I’m always partial towards the steamed one. It is just so good!  

Methi Muthia can be made in advance and then added to any vegetable dish that you make at home. Typically, it is a part of the famous Gujarati dish ‘undhiyu,’ where it is cooked with an array of winter veggies and spices. The Undhiyu too is a must-try as its robust and packed with flavors in each bite.

fried methi muthia in a bowl

Another way of relishing this slightly sweet and mildly spiced Methi Muthiya is to pair it with some rotlas, which are thick rotis made with pearl millet or bajra flour. One more Gujarati special and my favourite too.

Tempering the steamed Methi Muthia just makes it all the more delicious. So, after adding the temper, you can have it as a snack with some sweet or spicy chutney or even tomato ketchup. Make sure to consume the muthiya hot or warm.

My Love for Gujarati Cuisine

It is quite obvious from the way I’ve mentioned about this Methi Muthiya recipe, that I really love Gujarati food. So, I always make it a point to spread more and more about the beauty of this very cultured and simple, yet delectable cuisine.

I was born in Bombay (now Mumbai), which is pretty much the hub of Marathi and Gujarati food. Even at home, my mother used to make a lot of dishes that would have a Gujarati touch. Thus, I have been feasting on Gujarati goodies till I left Mumbai.

steamed and fried muthiya in small bowls

After moving to Delhi, I did undergo a complete shift in my thought processes due to my experiences with Punjabi food. Though I loved the larger-than-life nature of the Punjabi cuisine, I used to cook and create a lot of Punjabi recipes for the family – but made healthier by cutting down on the copious amount of fat.

But while I was cooking a lot of Punjabi dishes, I also decided to create and document my love for Gujarati food through typical dishes like this Muthiya recipe.

I’ve had Gujarati thalis and buffets, been to Gujarati weddings and so on. All I can say is that my bond with this particular cuisine has only become stronger over the years. The simplicity and deliciousness of Gujarati food holds a special place in my heart.

Step-by-Step Guide

How to make Muthiya

Prepare Muthiya Dough

Take the followising listed ingredients in a mixing bowl:

  • 2 cups besan (gram flour)
  • 2.5 cups finely chopped methi leaves
  • 1 teaspoon salt (or as required)
  • 2 teaspoons sugar
  • 2 tablespoons fine rava or sooji (cream of wheat)
  • 2 teaspoons white sesame seeds
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1 teaspoon cumin powder
  • ½ teaspoon red chili powder
muthiya dough ingredients in a bowl

2. Combine to mix the ingredients thoroughly.

mixing dough ingredients in the bowl

3. Add 2 tablespoons ginger-green chili paste, ¼ teaspoon baking soda and 2 tablespoons lemon juice.

Mix the ingredients and set aside for 15 to 20 minutes. The fenugreek leaves will release water in this time. So, you will know how much water to add later.

adding ginger-green chili paste, baking soda and lemon juice to muthiya dough ingredients in the bowl

4. Now, add 1 tablespoon water. Remember to add water as needed and knead to a smooth dough.

Note: Remember that the amount of water will vary with the water content in fenugreek leaves and how well they have been rinsed. Making a note of this add more water if needed.

When adding water, the cup fell from my hands and extra water went into the dough. So the dough became a little sticky as you can see in the picture. I let the dough rest for some time and it was fine later. There was no stickiness afterwards.

adding water or yogurt to dough mixture and kneading till smooth

Steam Methi Muthia

5. To make steamed muthia shape the dough into a length of 4 to 5 inches sausage type rolls. Place them on a greased tray.

Grease a baking tray or pan with neutral flavored oil. You can spread some oil in your palms while shaping the dough.

I portioned the dough in equal halves and made both fried and steamed muthiya.

shaping methi muthiya dough in sausage type roll and placing on greased tray

6. Heat sufficient water or about 2 cups of water in a deep pan with a trivet placed on it. When the water becomes hot, using tongs carefully place the greased tray on the trivet in the pan. Cover and steam the muthiya for 10 to 12 minutes.

steaming methi muthiya in a pan

7. The muthia should be perfectly steamed and cooked. Check with a tooth pick or knife to see for doneness. If its properly steamed, then the dough will not stick to the tooth pick and will come out clean.

steamed and cooked methi muthiya in a tray in pan

8. Let the muthia cool at room temperature. Slice the steamed muthia rolls as shown in the picture below.

slicing the steamed muthiya rolls

Temper Steamed Muthiya

9. Heat 2 tablespoons oil in a pan or kadai (wok). Add 1 teaspoon mustard seeds, 1 teaspoon white sesame seeds, 1 sprig of curry leaves and 1 pinch asafoetida. Stir and let the mustard seeds crackle.

preparing tempering for steamed muthiya in a pan

10. Add the sliced steamed muthia to the tempering and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes on medium heat.

adding sliced steamed muthiya to tempering in pan and frying

Make Fried Muthiya

11. Make small cylindrical or oval or rectangular shaped rolls with the dough. Spread some oil in your palms while shaping with the dough.

shaping remaining half of muthiya dough into cylindrical shape

12. Heat some oil in a pan or kadai and shallow or deep fry the steamed muthia till golden brown and crisp.

frying muthiya in hot oil in a pan

13. Drain the fried muthia on kitchen tissues.

draining fried muthia on kitchen tissues

14. Garnish with some coriander and grated coconut. Serve Methi Muthia hot or warm, with some spicy or sweet chutney.

collage of two photos of steamed and fried methi muthiya served in bowls

More Popular Gujarati Snacks To Try!

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muthiya in a bowl

Muthiya Recipe | Methi Muthiya (Steamed and Fried)

Muthiya or muthia is a fist-shaped dumpling snack from Gujarat state in Western India. This Muthiya recipe is made with fresh fenugreek leaves and gram flour. I share two ways to make methi muthia – steamed and fried.
4.69 from 16 votes
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 30 minutes
Total Time 50 minutes
Cuisine Gujarati, Indian
Course Snacks
Diet Vegan
Difficulty Level Moderate
Servings 4
Units

Ingredients

For making muthiya dough

  • 2 cups gram flour (besan)
  • 1 tablespoon water add more if required
  • ¼ teaspoon baking soda
  • 2.5 cups chopped fenugreek leaves (methi leaves)
  • 2 teaspoon sugar or as required
  • 1 teaspoon salt or as required
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 2 tablespoons rava or sooji, finer variety (cream of wheat or semolina)
  • 2 teaspoon white sesame seeds
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder (ground turmeric)
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder (ground coriander)
  • 1 teaspoon cumin powder (ground cumin)
  • ½ teaspoon red chili powder or cayenne pepper
  • 2 tablespoons lemon juice
  • 2 tablespoons ginger-green chili paste

For tempering steamed muthia

  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
  • 1 teaspoon white sesame seeds
  • 1 pinch asafoetida (hing)
  • 1 sprig curry leaves or 10 to 12 curry leaves

Other ingredients

  • oil – for shallow or deep frying, as required
  • water – as required, for steaming methi muthiya

For garnishing muthia

  • 2 to 3 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves
  • 1 to 2 tablespoons fresh grated coconut

Instructions
 

Preparing muthiya dough

  • Thoroughly mix all the ingredients listed for the dough except for water.
  • Set aside for 15 to 20 minutes.
  • Add water and make a smooth dough.
    Do note that the addition of water will depend on the water content in the fenugreek leaves. So keep this in mind and if needed add more water.

Steaming muthiya

  • From half of the dough, make sausage shaped rolls and place them in a greased tray or container.
  • Steam these rolls for 17 to 20 minutes or till done.
  • Once lukewarm or cooled, slice the steamed rolls.

Making tempering

  • For the tempering, heat oil in a frying pan or kadai (wok). Add the mustard seeds, white sesame seeds, curry leaves and asafoetida.
  • Stir and fry until the mustard crackles.
  • Add the sliced steamed muthia. Mix and sauté for 2 to 3 minutes.
  • Switch off heat and serve warm garnished with chopped coriander leaves and grated coconut

Making fried muthia

  • Make small elongated cylindrical rolls from the remaining half of the dough.
  • Heat oil for shallow or deep frying in a kadai or frying pan.
  • Shallow or deep fry the muthia rolls till golden brown and crisp.
  • Drain them on kitchen tissues to remove excess oil.
  • Serve hot with some spicy or sweet chutney of your choice.

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This Muthiya Recipe post from the archives first published in August 2012 has been republished and updated on 26 May 2022.

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Welcome to Dassana's Veg Recipes. I share vegetarian recipes from India & around the World. Having been cooking for decades and with a professional background in cooking & baking, I help you to make your cooking journey easier with my tried and tested recipes showcased with step by step photos & plenty of tips & suggestions.

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105 Comments

  1. Hey…big follower of ur recipes, always refer your recipes when in doubt..thank you..
    Just one question, can I carry muthiyas or kottumbari vada for 10 hour flights???will they sustain???

    1. Yes you can. They will remain good provided when serving them you use clean spoons. If touched by hand, then they can get spoiled.

  2. Hi Dassana,
    I was just trying to get some gluten free recipe for muthiya and saw this recipe. Wondering if I can skip rava from this recipe or what else I can use instead rava as I know rava is not allowed in GF diet plans!
    As my daughter recently diagnosed with Celiac, I also need to try some GF rotis. In one of your blog I found you are trying rotis with different flours. Can you make some suggestions to make soft GF rotis as my daughter is very young and she would not like much hard rotis.

    1. Bilal, you can skip rava. no need to add anything in place of rava. i have shared bajra, jowar, amaranth, water chestnut flour roti and pooris also. you can check them on blog.

  3. I made fried muthiya, and deep freeze them couple weeks back. Can I still keep them in deep freeze for longer time, say a month? What is your recommendation for storing them?

    1. yes you can. freezing works very well for many food products. so you can freeze the muthia.

  4. Hi, your recipes are always hit at home. They never go wrong. I love your recipes
    Thanks

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