During the sacred festival of Hariyali Teej, it is traditionally considered very auspicious to prepare sweet dishes for worship and for the home table. If you want to prepare something very tasty, soft, and airy with minimal effort during this festival, fluffy wheat flour gulgule are an ideal choice. These gulgule are especially prepared during Teej and other festivals in North India.
Here is a simple recipe for making gulgule based on the advice of renowned chef Pankaj Bhadsore. These gulgule are crispy on the outside and very tender inside, and they are ready in just 10–15 minutes.
The following ingredients will be needed: 1 cup of wheat flour; 1/2 cup of cane sugar or regular sugar (cane sugar is better for traditional taste and color); 3/4 cup of water (for making the cane sugar syrup); coconut (optional); 1 teaspoon of fennel seeds (lightly crushed—this is the main secret to the flavor); 1 tablespoon of white sesame seeds (optional); 1/2 teaspoon of cardamom powder; a pinch of baking soda (to help the gulgule rise); oil/ghee for frying.
First, gently heat 1/2 cup of water and cane sugar in a saucepan until the sugar is completely dissolved. After the sugar melts, turn off the heat and let the solution cool completely.
In a mixing bowl, place 1 cup of wheat flour. Add the crushed fennel, white sesame seeds, and cardamom powder to the flour.
Next, strain the cooled cane sugar syrup and gradually pour it into the flour mixture, constantly whisking by hand or with a whisk in one direction for 2–3 minutes. The dough should not be too thick or too runny, like pakora batter.
Cover the resulting dough and let it rest for 10–15 minutes. Just before frying, add a pinch of baking soda and 1 tablespoon of water, and mix again.
Heat oil or ghee in a deep pan over medium heat. Wet your hands slightly with a little water, form small balls from the dough, and drop them into the hot oil. The gulgule will float and rise on their own. Fry them, turning them, over medium heat until golden brown.
The finished fluffy, airy, and delicious flour gulgule are ready to serve.


