Say, it's a rainy day, and while working from home you suddenly get the aroma of crispy, golden snacks sizzling from your kitchen. Well, that's not all! There’s a pot of steaming chai or coffee, waiting for you, and as you bite into a perfectly crunchy Murukku or Chakli, you’re transported to a world of flavors that tell stories of tradition and taste. Sounds tempting right?
In India, snacks aren’t just about filling your belly, they’re about bringing people together. Whether it’s your mother’s secret pakora recipe or your grandmother’s special Chakli, every bite is a journey through time, flavors, and memories.
Here, we`ll talk about Murukku and Chakli, the two iconic snacks that have won hearts across the country and beyond. Murukku, with its spiral twists and earthy flavors, hails from Tamil Nadu, Karnataka, Telangana, and Andhra Pradesh while Maharashtra claims Chakli, boasting its own unique blend of besan or gram flour and spices.
But wait, what’s the difference? It’s all in the ingredients! While Murukku leans on urad dal for its base, Chakli takes pride in the robust flavor of besan. However, despite their differences, both snacks share a common goal of delighting your taste buds with crunchy, crispy bites.
So, get ready to discover the secrets behind making the perfect Murukku and Chakli right in your kitchen. From ingredients to techniques, we’ve got you covered!
Mastering the Best Murukku Recipe for Unbeatable Flavor and Crunch
Making Murukku might seem like a daunting task, but fear not! With our easy-to-follow recipe, you’ll be whipping up these crispy delights in no time.
[Secret bomb: Did you know that Murukku is derived from a Tamil word which means twisted? It is also known by various names like dantakali in Odia, Murukulu in Telugu, and more.]
Now, let's jump back to the ingredient list and the recipe….
Key components:
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3 tablespoons of urad dal,
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1 cup rice flour,
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¼ teaspoon asafoetida (P.S: hing),
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¼ teaspoon red chili powder (P.S: check your spice tolerance level),
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½ teaspoon salt (P.S: Add as per your taste),
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1 teaspoon white sesame seeds,
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½ teaspoon carom seeds a.k.a ‘ajwain’,
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2 tablespoons of ‘desi ghee’ (P.S: preferably 40 grams),
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10 to 11 tablespoons of water or as the need be,
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oil as required for deep frying.
The Best Crispy and Flavorful Murukku Recipe
It might be daunting for you to make Murukku up till now. But, not anymore. This detailed recipe will guide you on every step, from making the dough to shaping the Murukku and frying it. Every step will be easy .
Here are the things you would need to make crispy and flavourful Murukku.
How to Cook the Crunchiest Murukku?
Step 1: Preparing urad dal flour for Murukku making.
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Heat a pan at low flame and add urad dal,
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Roast the dal until it becomes light golden. (P.S: Do not make it brown),
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Transfer the roasted ‘urad dal’ to a plate and let it cool,
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Next, grind it to a fine flour and keep it aside.
Simultaneously, oil the Murukku disc and on the part of the Murukku maker, where the dough will be placed.
Step 2: Making Murukku dough
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First, sieve the rice flour and ‘urad dal’ flour one after another,
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Then, add red chili powder, hing, and salt to taste and mix them well.
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Next, sift the dry ingredients again.
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Following this, add sesame seeds, carom seeds, and ghee to the sifted flour.
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Then, with your fingertips, evenly mix the ghee in the flour. Ghee should spread well in the flour and the flour should hold itself together when pressed in the palm.
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If it breaks or falls apart, then add 1 to 2 teaspoons more ghee. Mix again very well and then check.
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When the flour is ready, add water gradually and knead it well.
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Now, taste the dough and adjust the salt.
[Pro-tip: Ensure that the dough is soft, smooth, and slightly moist, but not too moist or wet to hold its shape].
Now, Murukku has to be made as soon as you knead the dough, so keep the oil heated and ready before you shape and fry them.
Step 3: Shaping Murukku
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Divide the dough into small balls and add one portion to the Murukku maker. [Tip: Cover the remaining dough to prevent it from drying up],
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Heat oil in a wok or pan. (Pro-tip: Keep it on a low flame),
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Now, spread parchment paper or any plain or a flat surface and sprinkle some flour on it. Then, sprinkle some flour on them to prevent the Murukku from sticking to them.
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Press the Murukku maker and move in rounds to get the concentric circles or spiral shapes on the paper.
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Break the dough towards the end and press it to the last concentric circle of the spiral.
Step 4: Frying Murukku
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First, add a small piece of the Murukku dough to the oil, and if it comes up gradually, then the oil is ready.
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Now, take a small to medium-sized wooden flat spatula and place it gently under the Murukku.
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Then, gently tilt or place the spatula in oil so that the Murukku slides in the oil.
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Similarly, add the remaining murukku and fry them on medium heat.
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Flip them when they are golden on one side and fry the other side.
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Fry the Murukku till the oil stops sizzling or till it becomes crisp and golden.
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Take them out of the oil and transfer them to kitchen paper towels to soak extra oil.
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Once cooled, store the Murukku in an air-tight container at room temperature.
What next? Dive in and enjoy crispy Murukku with your favorite chai or dip!
Your Go-To Recipe for mastering the Art of Instant 'Chakli' is here!
For those craving the flavors of Maharashtra, our instant Chakli recipe is a must-try. It’s simpler than you think!
Ingredients for Crispy Instant Chakli:
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1 cup rice flour
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½ cup besan (gram flour)
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2.5 tablespoon oil or softened butter
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⅔ to ¾ cup water – as required
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¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
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½ teaspoon carom seeds (‘ajwain’)
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½ teaspoon cumin seeds
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1 teaspoon red chili powder or add as required
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1 generous pinch asafoetida (hing) – optional
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1 tablespoon sesame seeds – white or black
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salt as required
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Groundnut oil or mustard oil for deep frying (or any high smoke point oil)
Cooking Instructions:
Step 1: Making Chakli dough
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Take the rice flour, besan, carom seeds, cumin seeds, sesame seeds, turmeric powder, red chili powder, hing, and salt and mix them well.
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Now, add ghee to the dry flour mix and spread it well into the flour. The flour should hold itself together when pressed in the palm.
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When the flour is ready, add water gradually and knead it well.
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Now, taste the dough, adjust the salt, and knead again.
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Cover and let the dough rest for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Shaping Chakli
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Now, heat oil in a wok over a low flame.
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Apply some water to the chakli/murukku maker and place a portion of the dough inside it.
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Tighten the lid and press the 'chakli' maker to prepare the chakli. Move-in rounds to get a spiral shape. Make the 'chakli' in the same way as Murukku, so that it is easy to remove them).
Step 3: Frying Chakli
Follow the same process as described for frying Murukku to fry the Chakli. However, make sure that you are frying them in small batches.
Well, that's all and your yummy chaklis are ready to binge on!
Still in doubt? We`re here to troubleshoot your worry traps!
9 Tips for Mastering Murukku and Chakli
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Adjust dough consistency with rice flour or water to achieve the perfect texture.
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Keep oil temperature moderate for even frying and crispiness.
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Add green chili or garlic paste for a spicy twist in your snacks.
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Store Murukku and Chakli in an airtight container to maintain freshness.
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For further tips, read on in our FAQs section!
All Your Burning Questions Answered
How can I keep my Murukku crunchy?
Ensure the oil is sufficiently hot and fry at the correct temperature for optimal crispiness.
Is Chakli a healthy snack?
Chakli is made with protein-rich besan (gram flour) and rice flour, making it a nutritious snack when consumed in moderation.
How long can I store Chakli?
Store Chakli in an airtight container at room temperature so that it stays fresh for up to a month.
Let’s Crunch Together!
Here, we’ve shared not just recipes but a taste of tradition and a slice of nostalgia. Whether you choose Murukku or Chakli, each bite is a journey through the vibrant flavors of India. So, gather your ingredients, fire up your kitchen, and create some delicious memories together!
Come let's explore the world of authentic snacks with Two Brothers Organic Farms, where every ingredient is nurtured with care and tradition. Order your organic essentials today and bring home the flavors of India with every crispy, flavorful bite.
Happy snacking!