The best Slow Cooker Chana Masala recipe. Dump everything in the crockpot and within a few hours you have a delicious, fragrant meal to sit down to. This recipe is free of any added oils, and it is also soy-free, gluten-free and nut-free. Serve the chana masala hot with rice or rotis, phulkas or naans.

Our weekends tend to be, perhaps not unlike yours, the busiest days of the week. Saturday mornings start with Jay's Saturday School, walking Opie, running errands, a trip to the Y for a workout, and then home for lunch. By the time we get home it's well past noon and I scramble to fix something real quick. But this time I was already a step ahead, with my Slow Cooker Chana Masala. And it's fat-free.

It took me just minutes to prep the ingredients for this classic Indian favorite and mix them all up in the slow cooker before running out the door. I peeked in on it a couple of times between errands, added a little more water once, and by the time we got home about six hours later, the house was filled with the amazing fragrance of the Slow Cooker Chana Masala. Better still, lunch was served, and it was delicious.

I love slow cooking because not only is it convenient, it can be really healthy. For one, it's easy to omit the fat when you don't have to saute things first, the way you do with most foods cooked on the stovetop. I do try to saute with water occasionally, but I prefer the crockpot method any day. And then, the slow cooking infuses so much great flavor into the food. Perfect for rich-tasting foods like this Slow Cooker Chana Masala.

Unlike some slow cooker recipes, this Chana Masala requires no cooking on the stovetop first. You make a puree of the tomatoes and onions along with some garlic and ginger, but all that really needs is some rough chopping and a push of the blender button. Oh, and you do need to open a can or two of chickpeas. 🙂

One quick note-- you might wonder why you need a full six hours when the chickpeas are already cooked, but trust me, you do. The long cooking helps the spices cook and meld with the chickpeas and mellows the tomatoes, onions, garlic and ginger, infusing them with a deep richness.

Slow Cooker Chana Masala Vaishali · Holy Cow! Vegan Recipes The best Slow Cooker Chana Masala recipe. Dump everything in the crockpot and within a few hours you have a delicious, fragrant meal to sit down to. This recipe is free of any added oils, and it is also soy-free, gluten-free and nut-free. Serve the chana masala hot with rice or rotis, phulkas or naans. 4.88 from 8 votes Print Recipe Pin Recipe Prep Time 10 mins Cook Time 6 hrs Total Time 6 hrs 10 mins Course Side Cuisine Fat-free, gluten-free, Indian, nut-free, Soy-free, Vegan Servings 8 servings Calories 187 kcal Ingredients 1x 2x 3x 1 29- oz can of chickpeas, drained

1 medium onion

2 large tomatoes

2 tbsp tomato paste (you can cheat with 2 tbsp of ketchup)

2 in large potatoes, cut in a small dice (optional. Chana Masala usually doesn't have potatoes, but I love how wonderfully tender they cook up in this recipe in the slow cooker)

4 cloves garlic

1- inch piece of ginger, finely chopped

2 leaves bay

1/2 tsp cumin seeds, powdered

1 tbsp coriander seeds, powdered

1 tbsp chana masala powder, can sub with garam masala

1/4 tsp turmeric

1 tsp chaat masala

1 tsp paprika

1 tsp cayenne, adjust to taste

1/4 cup chopped coriander for garnish

Salt to taste Instructions Puree the onions, tomatoes, garlic and ginger

Place in the crockpot along with the rest of the ingredients, except the salt and the coriander leaves

Add 3 cups water and set the slow cooker on high. (It is important to set this on high. Do not tweak to a low setting because the water won't cook off and you want the raw ingredients like the onions and tomatoes to cook thoroughly), I had originally suggested adding more water, but some readers say that's too much for them, so I suggest starting out with 3 cups and adding more if the mixture dries up. Six cups was just right in my cooker. Be sure to use drained chickpeas, and if you use the cooking water, factor that into the total amount of liquid used.

Let the chana masala cook for six hours. Check occasionally and add water if needed.

After six hours, add salt and coriander leaves and mix well.

Serve with rice or rotis. Nutrition Calories: 187 kcal Protein: 8 g Fat: 1.9 g Potassium: 746 mg Fiber: 8.1 g Vitamin A: 1200 IU Vitamin C: 38.8 mg Calcium: 40 mg Iron: 2.9 mg Tried this recipe? Let us know ! Or post a photo on Instagram and tag @HolyCowVegan



**

Here's my Chana Bhatura for Chana Masala with puffy pooris called Bhatura. This is a traditional recipe but with a surprising ingredient.

And this one's my quick and easy Chana Masala on the stovetop.

South-Indian style Chana Masala with coconut.

Not forgetting the awesome Chana Masala Burger. A huge kid favorite.