Looking for a breakfast that’s not just tasty but also packed with nutrition? Meet Moringa Thepla a wholesome twist to the traditional Gujarati thepla, made using fresh drumstick leaves (sahjan ke patte). Known as one of nature’s most powerful superfoods, moringa is rich in iron, calcium, protein, and essential vitamins that boost immunity, improve digestion, and naturally detox the body.
This recipe beautifully blends the earthy flavors of whole wheat, jowar, and besan with the goodness of moringa leaves, creating soft, flavorful theplas that are both satisfying and nourishing. Whether you’re preparing it for a quick breakfast, a lunchbox meal, or travel food, Moringa Thepla stays fresh, soft, and delicious for hours — making it a perfect companion for health-conscious foodies.
Unlike regular methi or plain thepla, this version adds a powerful green boost, keeping you energized throughout the day. Serve it warm with white butter, curd, or spicy pickle, and enjoy the perfect balance of health and taste in every bite.
About the Recipe
Moringa Thepla, also known as Drumstick Leaves Thepla, is a healthy twist on the classic Gujarati flatbread. Traditionally, thepla is made using whole wheat flour and spices, but in this version, we’ve enhanced its nutritional value by adding fresh moringa (sahjan) leaves, jowar flour, and a touch of besan for texture and protein.
Moringa leaves are known for their slightly earthy, mildly bitter flavor — which beautifully complements the warmth of Indian spices like ajwain, hing, turmeric, and red chilli powder. The addition of curd and oil makes the theplas soft and pliable, while sesame and flaxseeds add crunch and healthy fats.
Each bite of this thepla brings a balance of taste and nutrition — soft, flavorful, and filling. It’s not just a breakfast dish but a complete meal in itself, rich in fiber, iron, calcium, and plant-based protein.
What makes this recipe special is its versatility — you can pack it in lunchboxes, take it on road trips, or enjoy it fresh off the tawa with butter, curd, or tangy pickle. Whether you’re a fitness enthusiast, a busy professional, or someone looking for traditional food with a healthy twist, Moringa Thepla is the perfect choice for your everyday meals.
Health Benefits of Moringa Thepla
Moringa leaves have long been valued for their medicinal and nutritional properties. Here’s why this recipe is a true “healthy treat”:
- Rich in Iron & Calcium: Helps strengthen bones and improve stamina.
- High in Fibre: Keeps digestion smooth and gives a feeling of fullness.
- Packed with Antioxidants: Detoxifies the body and builds immunity.
- Protein-Rich: A balanced meal for growing kids and busy adults.
- Good for Skin & Hair: Promotes glow and rejuvenation naturally.
Each bite of this thepla gives you a perfect mix of taste, texture, and nutrition.
Ingredients
Every ingredient in Moringa Thepla is thoughtfully chosen — not just to enhance flavor, but also to add health value and texture. Here’s how each one plays its role in creating this nutritious and delicious dish:
- Moringa Leaves (Drumstick Leaves) – The star of the recipe! Moringa leaves bring an earthy, mildly peppery taste and a vibrant green color. They’re loaded with essential nutrients like iron, calcium, and antioxidants that help boost immunity, improve energy, and support bone health.
- Whole Wheat Flour + Jowar Flour -The base of the thepla — these flours offer a balance of complex carbohydrates and dietary fiber, keeping you full for longer while maintaining steady energy levels. Jowar adds a light, nutty flavor and makes the thepla more wholesome and gluten-light.
- Besan (Gram Flour) – A protein-rich flour that enhances the texture and nutritional value of the dough. It also acts as a natural binder, ensuring your theplas roll out easily and cook evenly.
- Ajwain (Carom Seeds) & Hing (Asafoetida) – Tiny but mighty, these spices support digestion and reduce bloating. Their warm, aromatic flavor balances the slight bitterness of moringa leaves beautifully.
- Sesame Seeds & Flaxseeds – These seeds add a gentle crunch and a nutty aroma while enriching the thepla with omega-3 fatty acids, calcium, and fiber. They make the dish heart-healthy and more satisfying.
- Curd & Oil – The combination of curd and a small amount of oil keeps the dough soft, moist, and flavorful. Curd adds a subtle tanginess while also improving digestion, and oil ensures the theplas stay tender even hours after making.
- Spices (Turmeric, Red Chili Powder, Coriander Powder, Salt) -These everyday Indian spices bring the soul to the dish — adding warmth, color, and depth of flavor. Turmeric gives a beautiful golden hue and anti-inflammatory benefits, while red chili adds a gentle kick to every bite.
Serving Suggestions
Moringa Thepla is a versatile Indian flatbread that can be enjoyed at any time of the day — be it breakfast, lunch, dinner, or even a quick snack on the go. The best part is its earthy, lightly spiced flavor that pairs beautifully with a wide range of accompaniments.
A dollop of white butter or homemade curd for breakfast.
Pickle or chutney for a spicy kick.
Pair with lassi or masala chai for a comforting meal.
You can roll them up with a little pickle or yogurt spread inside for a quick wrap-style snack that’s tasty and mess-free.
Variations
One of the best things about Moringa Thepla is how adaptable it is. You can easily tweak the ingredients based on what’s available or to suit your personal taste — each variation adds a new flavor twist and nutritional boost!
Add methi or spinach for a green power combo.
Mix grated lauki or carrots to make it softer and more colorful.
Add a pinch of jaggery to balance moringa’s slight bitterness.
Try gluten-free: Skip wheat flour and use jowar + besan mix.
Storage Suggestions
- Let the theplas cool completely before storing.
- Store in an airtight box at room temperature for up to 2 days.
- efrigerate for 4–5 days and reheat on a tawa before serving.
- For longer shelf life, skip ghee while storing and add it fresh before serving.
This Moringa Thepla is the perfect example of how traditional Indian recipes can be made healthier without losing their charm. It’s light, nourishing, and full of earthy flavors — a great choice for breakfast, travel, or snack time. Try it once, and it might just become your favorite way to eat greens!
Try it today — make, eat, and share the goodness of Moringa!
Moringa Thepla Recipe
- Total Time: 35 minutes
- Yield: 3-4 1x
Description
Here’s a natural and nutritious twist to your regular thepla — Moringa Thepla, made with fresh drumstick (sahjan) leaves. It is a superfood rich in Vitamin A, C, Iron, and Calcium — giving you energy, strong immunity, and detox power naturally. Soft, flavorful, and full of desi goodness, this recipe is perfect for breakfast, lunchbox, or even tea-time!
Ingredients
For the Dough:
- 2 cups finely chopped moringa (drumstick) leaves, सहजन की पत्तियाँ
- 1 cup whole wheat flour, गेहूं का आटा
- 1 cup jowar flour, ज्वार का आटा
- 2 tbsp gram flour, बेसन
- 1 tsp crushed carom seeds,अजवाइन
- ¼ tsp asafoetida, हींग
- 1 tsp white sesame seeds, सफेद तिल
- 1 tsp crushed, flaxseeds, अलसी
- 1 tbsp ginger-green chilli paste,अदरक-हरी मिर्च का पेस्ट
- Salt to taste, स्वादानुसार नमक
- ½ tsp turmeric powder, हल्दी पाउडर
- 1 tsp kashmiri red chilli powder, कश्मीरी लाल मिर्च पाउडर
- ½ tsp garam masala, गरम मसाला
- 2 tbsp curd, दही
- 2 tsp oil, तेल
¾ water (ज़रूरत अनुसार पानी)
For Cooking:
- Few drops oil (for roasting)
- Wheat Flour (for dusting)
- ½ tsp ghee per thepla
Instructions
- Pluck moringa leaves from stems, wash thoroughly, pat dry, and finely chop.
- In a large bowl, combine wheat flour, jowar flour, besan, chopped moringa leaves, ajwain, hing, sesame seeds, 1 tsp crushed, flaxseeds (ulsi), ginger-green chilli paste, salt, turmeric, red chilli powder, garam masala, curd, and oil.
- Mix well before adding water. Gradually add water to form a soft, smooth dough.
- Grease the dough with oil, cover with a damp cloth, and rest for 10-15 minutes.
- Divide the dough into equal portions. Roll each into a ball, dust with wheat flour, and roll out into thin theplas.
- Heat a tawa on medium-high flame.
- Add a few drops of oil, place the thepla on the hot tawa. Roast on both sides till light golden spots appear.
- Brush with ghee and cook quickly to retain softness. Avoid overcooking.
- Serve hot with white butter, curd, or spicy pickle.
Notes
- Always remove the stems and use only tender leaves as they have a milder taste and are easier to digest.
- Moringa leaves can be slightly bitter. Adding curd and a pinch of jaggery (optional) helps balance the flavor beautifully.
- Use curd and a little oil while kneading as this keeps the theplas soft even after a few hours.
- Allowing the dough to rest for 10–15 minutes makes it smoother and easier to roll.
- The mix of wheat + jowar + besan + moringa adds fiber, protein, and antioxidants — making this a perfect immunity-boosting meal.
- Once cooked, cool the theplas completely before storing. They stay soft for up to 2 days at room temperature and 4–5 days in the fridge.
- You can enhance flavor by adding crushed garlic, kasuri methi, or a pinch of amchur.
- Prep Time: 20 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Breakfast
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Indian
