If you’re someone who loves to snack mindfully, these Savoury Jowar Cookies might just become your new favourite. Crispy, loaded with nourishing ingredients, these cookies are a delicious departure from the usual sugary treats. These cookies are also a great way to include millets in your diet.
Perfect as a tea-time snack or a lunchbox addition, these cookies bring together the rustic nuttiness of jowar, the richness of paneer, and the warmth of Indian spices — all baked into golden rounds that feel comforting yet clean. And the best part? They’re eggless, gluten-free, and made with real, recognisable ingredients.
Ingredients + Why They Work
Jowar Flour (Sorghum Flour)
A gluten-free, ancient grain flour rich in fiber, protein, and essential minerals like iron and magnesium. Jowar adds a nutty flavour and a hearty, rustic texture to these cookies — far more nutrient-dense than refined flour and suitable for those avoiding gluten.
Paneer (Indian Cottage Cheese)
Paneer adds protein and a subtle creaminess to the cookies, helping bind the dough and give it a tender bite. Unlike butter alone, it lightens the texture while keeping the cookies rich and satisfying.
Butter or Ghee
Fat is key to creating that melt-in-mouth texture. Butter adds a mild richness, while ghee offers a more earthy, — both enhancing the flavour and crunch of the final cookie.
Powdered Jaggery
Used in just a small amount, jaggery adds a hint of caramel-like sweetness to balance the spices.
Salt + Baking Powder
Salt enhances all the other flavors while baking powder ensures a slight lift, preventing the cookies from becoming too dense.
Flaxseed Gel (Flaxseed + Water)
A plant-based egg substitute, ground flaxseed mixed with water acts as a binder. It also brings in omega-3 fatty acids and fiber, adding a subtle nutty taste and structure to the dough.
Spices and Seeds (Optional: Crushed Black Pepper, Cumin, Ajwain)
These are your flavor enhancers. Add warmth, digestibility, and depth — tailor the mix to your mood or what’s in your spice rack.
Fresh Thyme (or any herb)
A touch of fresh thyme adds both visual elegance and herby fragrance. Totally optional, but a small detail that makes the cookies feel gourmet.
If you love baking savoury cookies and crackers, check out these recipes!
These savoury jowar cookies are proof that wholesome eating doesn’t have to be boring. They’re fuss-free to make, easy to customize, and genuinely nourishing. Serve them with chai, dip them in hummus, or enjoy them straight off the cooling rack — they’re addictive in the best way.
Ready to bake? Here’s the full recipe for you to try and fall in love with.
1 cup (120 g) - Jowar Flour 1/2 cup (90 g) - Crumbled Paneer 3 tbsp (40 g) - Butter/Ghee 1/2 -1 tbsp - Powdered Jaggery 1/4 - 1/2 tsp - Salt 1/4 tsp - Baking Powder 1 tbsp (6 g) - Ground Flaxseed 1 tbsp (15 ml) - Water In a mixing bowl, combine jowar flour, paneer, butter or ghee, jaggery, salt, and baking powder. Mix until crumbly and even. In a small bowl, mix flaxseed powder and water. Let it sit for 5 minutes until it forms a gel. Add the flax gel to the flour mix and knead into a dough. ing, add crushed spices like pepper, cumin, or ajwain for flavour. Shape the dough into a firm log. Wrap in plastic and refrigerate for 1 hour. Preheat oven to 180°C (350°F). Line a baking tray with parchment paper. Slice the chilled dough into 3-5 mm thick discs. Place on the tray. Dab each cookie with water and press a few thyme leaves on top (optional). Bake for 25–30 minutes until golden and firm to touch. Cool completely on a wire rack before storing in an airtight container.
Ingredients
Instructions
