• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
Easy Indian Cookbook
  • Recipes
  • Kitchen Basics
  • Collections
  • About
menu icon
go to homepage
search icon
Homepage link
  • Recipes
  • Kitchen Basics
  • Collections
  • About
×

Home » Mains » EASY Dal Fry in Instant Pot

EASY Dal Fry in Instant Pot

by Shilpa · 14 Comments

Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
Dal fry is a delicious and comforting lentils dish made with toor dal (yellow split pigeon pea). Also called arhar ki dal, making it in an Instant Pot is a breeze and it is ready in less than 30 minutes.
Instant Pot dal fry

Dal fry in Instant Pot step-by-step recipe with video and photos.

Jump to:
  • About this recipe
  • Ingredients
  • Step-by-step instructions
  • Useful tips to make dal fry
  • FAQs
  • Bonus
  • Recipe card
  • Comments

About this recipe

Dahl fry is a delicious and comforting lentils dish made with toor dal (yellow split pigeon pea). Also called arhar ki dal, making it in an Instant Pot is a breeze and it is ready in less than 30 minutes. This homestyle vegan yellow dahl can be paired with rice or roti/chapati.

It also pairs well with pulao or jeera rice. This dal tastes great with paneer pulao. Pair it with aloo gobi and masala roti for a wholesome meal. It also pairs very well with a side of Bombay potatoes.

Mildly spiced and creamy dhal is a staple in Indian kitchens and has several versions. In my recipe here, I am making this dal without tomatoes and using minimal ingredients. Read on for ingredients, useful tips, and step-by-step instructions to make this simple and comforting dal tadka.

Instant Pot dal fry

Ingredients

ingredients to make dal fry in an instant pot.

Toor dal: Or pigeon pea, this is the main ingredient of the dish.

Onion and garlic: They form the base of the dish. Red/pink onions work best for this dish; however, you can also use brown onions.

Spices: I use cumin seeds, turmeric powder, chili powder, and amchur (dried mango powder).

Step-by-step instructions

Set the Instant Pot in saute mode and add oil. Once it heats, add cumin seeds and let them splutter. Add onion and garlic. Saute until they are translucent, about 3-4 minutes (steps 1,2).

Add the toor dal, turmeric powder, chili powder, amchur, and salt (steps 3,4).

instant pot dal fry steps 1-4.

Add 6 cups of water and mix well. Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to pressure cook mode for 8 minutes (steps 5,6).

Do a natural release of pressure for 10 minutes, then do a quick release. Open the lid and mix the dal well. Top with coriander leaves (steps 7,8).

instant pot dal fry steps 5-8.

Useful tips to make dal fry

You may choose to add a tadka/seasoning just before serving. I have skipped it here.

If you are not vegan, you can also make this dal with ghee which makes it more flavorful.

I am not using tomatoes in this recipe. However, you may add chopped tomatoes and saute them before adding the dal and spices.

The amount of water I am using gives me a slightly thick dal. You can add or reduce the water content to adjust the consistency as per your liking.

If you don't have access to amchur, skip it and add lemon/lime juice along with coriander leaves once the dal is cooked.

You can follow this recipe using red lentils. In that case, reduce the cooking time to 4 minutes.

Click here to browse through my collection of Instant Pot lentil recipes.

vegan dhal recipe.

Click here for more Instant Pot recipes.

FAQs

What is the difference between dal fry and dal tadka?

Both these dishes are the same and there is no difference, although there are several variations of making it. Also, dal tadka is topped with a tempering/seasoning just before serving whereas it is skipped in dahl fry.

Can I make this dish in a stovetop pressure cooker?

Yes. Follow this recipe and pressure cook for 3 whistles.

How to serve dal fry?

Dal fry can be paired with both naan/roti and rice/jeera rice. Serve it with rice and a simple curry for a complete meal.

served with jeera rice.

Bonus

This Instant Pot dal fry is:
- very easy to make
- healthy, nutritious, and comforting
- good source of plant-based protein
- vegan and gluten-free

Easy yellow dal is ready to be served.

dal fry made in instant pot

Instant Pot dal tadka

Recipe card

Instant Pot Dal Fry

Dal fry is a delicious and comforting lentils dish made with toor dal (yellow split pigeon pea). Also called arhar ki dal, making it in an Instant Pot is a breeze and it is ready in less than 30 minutes.
5 from 14 votes
Print Pin Rate
Author: Shilpa
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Servings: 8
Prep Time: 5 minutes
Cook Time: 20 minutes
Total Time: 25 minutes

Ingredients

  • 2 cups toor dal pigeon pea
  • 2 tablespoon oil
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • ½ teaspoon hing (asafetida)
  • 1 large onion finely chopped
  • 3-4 cloves garlic finely chopped
  • 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • 1 tablespoon amchur (dried mango powder)
  • Salt to taste
  • 2 tablespoon coriander leaves chopped

Instructions

  • Wash the toor dal well. Drain the water and set it aside
  • Set the Instant Pot in saute mode and add oil
  • Once it heats, add cumin seeds and let it splutter
  • Add onion and garlic. Saute until they are translucent (3-4 minutes)
  • Add the toor dal, turmeric powder, chili powder, amchur, and salt
  • Add 6 cups water and mix well
  • Secure the lid and set the Instant Pot to pressure cook mode for 8 minutes
  • Do a natural release of pressure for 10 minutes, then do a quick release
  • Open the lid and mix the dal well
  • Top with coriander leaves and serve hot

Video

Notes

See the tips section above for useful recipe tips.
Nutrition Facts
Instant Pot Dal Fry
Amount per Serving
Calories
167
% Daily Value*
Fat
 
4
g
6
%
Saturated Fat
 
0.3
g
2
%
Trans Fat
 
0.01
g
Polyunsaturated Fat
 
1
g
Monounsaturated Fat
 
2
g
Sodium
 
36
mg
2
%
Potassium
 
49
mg
1
%
Carbohydrates
 
26
g
9
%
Fiber
 
7
g
29
%
Sugar
 
2
g
2
%
Protein
 
8
g
16
%
Vitamin A
 
85
IU
2
%
Vitamin C
 
2
mg
2
%
Calcium
 
31
mg
3
%
Iron
 
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

More Mains

  • South Indian Chana Masala
  • Hakka Noodles / Veg Hakka Noodles
  • Bread Omelette / Indian Omelet Sandwich
  • Cabbage Palya / Cabbage Poriyal (South Indian Cabbage Stir-fry)

Reader Interactions

Comments

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




  1. Jeannie says

    November 29, 2021 at 7:31 am

    5 stars
    Perfect pair with rice! Love all the flavors and super easy to make.

  2. Emily Flint says

    November 29, 2021 at 8:52 pm

    5 stars
    I love that I can make this in my Instant Pot! Thanks for the unique recipe!

  3. Addie says

    November 29, 2021 at 10:47 pm

    5 stars
    So hearty and flavorful!

  4. Bobbie says

    November 30, 2021 at 7:06 am

    5 stars
    I love how you show and explain all of the ingredients! This really helps someone who isn’t familiar enough make the recipe!

  5. Julia says

    November 30, 2021 at 10:44 am

    5 stars
    Delicious. Loved this Dal ... we ate it with naan bread. This is definitely a recipe we'll be trying again. Thank you.

  6. Natalie says

    December 01, 2021 at 4:20 am

    5 stars
    This looks warming and delicious. Perfect dinner for colder winter days. I will add this to my menu. Have to give this a try. Thanks!

  7. nancy says

    December 01, 2021 at 3:31 pm

    5 stars
    what a easy and tasty Instant Pot recipe!

  8. Cindy Mom the Lunch Lady says

    December 01, 2021 at 5:31 pm

    5 stars
    Dahl is one of my favourite Indian dishes. Paired with roti, it always warms me from head to toe. I am loving this recipe!

  9. Jean says

    December 01, 2021 at 7:17 pm

    5 stars
    Very nutritious and high in protein. Thanks for this easy meal.

  10. Joanna says

    December 01, 2021 at 11:56 pm

    5 stars
    This dal looks so yummy and healthy. My stomach is very sensitive to onion. Do you think I could omit it?

  11. Giangi Townsend says

    December 02, 2021 at 8:58 am

    5 stars
    Love anything lentils and your recipe is now bookmarked to be made. Easy and sounds so delicious too. Cannot wait to make it.

  12. Marita says

    December 02, 2021 at 12:21 pm

    5 stars
    Looks delicious! I love Dahl and cannot wait to try this. Thank you.

  13. Mihaela | https://theworldisanoyster.com/ says

    December 02, 2021 at 12:29 pm

    5 stars
    I am really learning how to cook Indian food from your recipes! I love lentils for their health benefits, taste and texture, and I always look for new ways to cook them. Thanks for another great recipe and step by step instruction!

  14. Shilpa says

    December 25, 2021 at 4:54 pm

    Onion adds flavor and the dal may not taste as good without it. You can try cabbage dal instead which does not use any onions. Recipe here: https://easyindiancookbook.com/instant-pot-cabbage-dal/

Primary Sidebar

Hello! My name is Shilpa. Welcome to Easy Indian Cookbook. Easy Indian Cookbook is all about simple and delicious cooking that is quick, healthy, and nourishing. This is a tool that will help you eat real food while enjoying the process of cooking. Read More…

South Indian chana masala.

South Indian chana masala step-by-step recipe with video and photos. About this recipe Chana masala or chole masala is a Punjabi dish made using chickpeas or garbanzo beans. The Punjabi chickpea curry is hugely popular and also a part of restaurant menus. But if you go to a South Indian restaurant (like the popular Saravana...

Read On →

chicken tangdi kabab,

Chicken tangdi kabab step-by-step recipe with photos. About this recipe Kabab or kebab is a meat dish that is believed to have originated in the Middle East as meat cooked over an open fire. But it is this cooking style that when combined with the Indian spices and yogurt gave birth to the modern-day kababs...

Read On →

Indian onion salad.

Laccha pyaz step-by-step recipe with photos. About this recipe Laccha pyaz is an Indian-style onion salad made using red onions, herbs, and a few spices. Lacha pyaz is served as an accompaniment to North Indian meals and is very flavorful and easy to make. It is also popularly called masala pyaz in dhabas or streetside...

Read On →

Footer

  • Privacy Policy
  • Disclaimer
  • About
  • Contact

COPYRIGHT © 2023 EASYINDIANCOOKBOOK.COM