Chana dal pakora (lentil fritters)

Kitchen Mai

Chana dal pakora (lentil fritters)

5 from 1 vote

A yummy deep fried, savory snack made of split chick peas along with onions, chilis and spices. These lentil fritters are absolutely perfect to go with your cuppa masala chai

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Prep Time 10

Cook Time 25

Soaking the dal/lentils 2

Servings: 3 people

Course: Appetizer, Brunch, Side Dish, Snack

Cuisine: Bengali, Indian

Ingredients Equipment Method Notes

Ingredients

2 cups chana dal or split chick peas
1 medium onion finely chopped
2-3 fresh green chilis finely chopped (optional)
½ inch ginger root finely chopped
3-4 tbsp fresh coriander leaves finely chopped
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 tsp red chili powder optional
2 tbsp rice flour
salt to taste
oil for frying

For garnishing

2 tsp chaat masala
1 tsp fresh coriander leaves chopped

Equipment

Shallow cooking pot

Method

Keep the chana dal soaked in water for around 2-3 hours
Drain and add it to a mixer jar. Grind to a coarse paste without adding any water
Add 2-3 tbsp of water and make a finer paste^*
Whisk the ground chana dal using your hands until the batter feels light^**
Add the remaining ingredients in the batter (except the oil and garnishing ingredients) and mix well
Heat oil in a pan. Once hot lower the flame to a medium and add the chana dal mixture in roundels to it
Fry well on both sides until golden brown
Sprinkle some chaat masala and chopped coriander leaves, and serve the chana dal pakoras (lentil fritters) hot with mint and tamarind chutneys! Enjoy

Notes

*Even if there remain a few unground lentils, it is fine
**Drop a dollop of the batter in a glass of water to check for lightness. If it floats it is perfect, otherwise whisk for some more time
tbsp - tablespoon
tsp - teaspoon