Potato Bajji: A Crispy and Delicious Indian Snack

Potato bajji, also known as aloo pakora, is a popular Indian snack made with potatoes dipped in a chickpea flour batter and deep-fried. It’s a simple recipe that can be easily made at home with readily available ingredients. The crispy exterior and soft, flavorful potatoes make it a perfect accompaniment to chai or as a standalone snack.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium potatoes
• 1/2 cup besan (chickpea flour)
• 2 tablespoons rice flour (optional)
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust to your spice preference)
• 1/4 teaspoon coriander powder
• 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• A pinch of hing (asafoetida)
• Oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Wash and peel the potatoes. Cut them into thin slices or wedges, about 1/4-inch thick.
2. In a large bowl, whisk together the besan, rice flour (if using), turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, cumin seeds, ginger-garlic paste, salt, and hing. Gradually add water, whisking until you get a thick batter that coats the back of a spoon.
3. Heat oil in a deep frying pan or kadai over medium-high heat. Dip each potato slice in the batter, making sure it is evenly coated.
4. Carefully drop the coated potato slices into the hot oil. Fry for 2-3 minutes per side, or until golden brown and crispy.
5. Drain the bajji on paper towels to remove excess oil.
6. Serve hot with your favorite chutney, such as coriander chutney or mint chutney.

Tips:

• For a lighter bajji, you can use half besan and half semolina in the batter.
• If you don’t have rice flour, you can use all-purpose flour instead.
• To test if the oil is hot enough, drop a small piece of batter into the oil. If it sizzles immediately, the oil is ready.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan when frying the bajji. Fry them in batches to ensure they cook evenly.
• You can adjust the spice level of the bajji to your liking.
• You can also add other vegetables to the batter, such as chopped onions or chilies.

Potato bajji is a versatile snack that can be enjoyed in different ways. You can serve it as an appetizer, as part of a main course, or simply as a snack. It’s also a great way to use up leftover potatoes. So next time you’re looking for a quick and easy snack to make, give potato bajji a try!

I hope this article helps you make delicious potato bajji at home. Enjoy!