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Bread Pakora Recipe (Bread Pakoda)

Vegan Masala Recipe

Bread Pakora Recipe (Bread Pakoda)

Bread pakora sandwiches a lively potato-and-pea filling between bread, then wraps it in gram-flour batter and fries it crisp. It is joyful North Indian snack food, especially with green chutney.

Recipe by How our recipes are created

30 minPrep: 15 minCook: 15 minServes 3IndianVegan

From the kitchen

What to expect

This version keeps the filling simple and well seasoned, with crisp bread and a clean besan coating. Serve it soon after frying, while the edges are still firm.

Serving idea

Best served simply

Serve hot with green chutney and a cup of chai, or add ketchup if that is how your table likes it.

Cook the recipe

Method

  1. 1

    Steam or boil 1 ½ cups potatoes until just tender. If using, cook the ¼ cup green peas with them, then drain well.

  2. 2

    Peel and mash the potatoes in a bowl. Keep the mash fairly coarse so the filling holds its shape.

  3. 3

    Heat 1 tablespoon oil in a pan. Add 1 sprig curry leaves, 1 pinch asafoetida, 2 green chilies, and 1 teaspoon ginger paste. Cook briefly until fragrant.

  4. 4

    Add ½ teaspoon red chili powder, ½ teaspoon garam masala, and ⅛ teaspoon turmeric. Stir for a few seconds so the spices bloom in the oil.

  5. 5

    Add the mashed potatoes, ¼ cup green peas, ½ teaspoon salt, and 3 tablespoons coriander leaves. Mix well, then finish with 1 tablespoon lemon juice and adjust the seasoning if needed.

  6. 6

    Lay out 6 slices bread. Spread the potato filling on 3 slices, cover with the remaining slices, press lightly, and cut each sandwich into triangles if you like.

  7. 7

    In a bowl, mix ¾ cup gram flour, 2 to 3 tablespoons rice flour, ½ teaspoon red chili powder, ⅛ teaspoon turmeric, ½ teaspoon salt, and ½ to ¾ teaspoon carom seeds.

  8. 8

    Add water gradually to make a thick, smooth batter that coats the bread without running off too quickly.

  9. 9

    Heat oil in a pan for shallow or deep frying. Test a little batter first; it should rise steadily without browning at once.

  10. 10

    Dip each bread sandwich in the batter, let the excess drip off, and slide it into the hot oil. Fry a few at a time without crowding the pan.

  11. 11

    Cook on medium heat until one side is golden and crisp, then turn and fry the other side. Drain on a rack or paper.

  12. 12

    For air frying, make the batter slightly thicker, coat the sandwiches, and place them on parchment. Air fry at 200°C (400°F) for 8 minutes, turn carefully, then air fry for 6 to 7 minutes more until crisp and browned.

A few useful notes

Notes

  • A slightly coarse potato mash gives the filling better body and keeps the sandwiches from turning pasty. If the filling feels wet, cook it a minute longer before assembling.
  • The batter should cling in a thin, even layer. If it is too thick, the coating can feel doughy; too thin and it will not fry up well.
  • These are best eaten hot, when the bread is still crisp at the edges. They can be reheated in an air fryer or oven, though the coating will soften a little after cooling.
  • Keep leftover filling covered in the fridge for 1 to 2 days. Assemble and fry only when you are ready to serve.
  • Adjust the chilli to suit the bread and filling you use; plain white bread usually benefits from a little more seasoning in the potato mixture.

Gather everything first

Ingredients

  • 1 ½ cups potatoes (cubed, about 3 medium)
  • ¼ cup green peas (optional)
  • 1 tablespoon oil
  • 1 sprig curry leaves (optional)
  • 1 pinch asafoetida (hing)
  • 2 green chilies (chopped)
  • 1 teaspoon ginger paste
  • ½ teaspoon red chili powder
  • ½ teaspoon garam masala
  • ⅛ teaspoon turmeric
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 3 tablespoons coriander leaves (finely chopped)
  • 1 tablespoon lemon juice
  • 6 slices bread
  • ¾ cup gram flour (besan, can use coarse for added texture)
  • 2 to 3 tablespoons rice flour (or cornstarch)
  • ½ to ¾ teaspoon carom seeds (ajwain or vaamu)
  • 1 cup water
  • 2 tbsp oil

Learn the technique