Crispy and Delicious Homemade Chakli: A Perfect Tea-Time Snack

Chakli, also known as Murukku in South India, is a popular Indian spiral-shaped snack known for its crunchy texture and savory flavor. Typically made during festivals like Diwali or as an evening tea-time snack, chakli is cherished across Indian households. While store-bought options are readily available, nothing beats the taste and freshness of homemade chakli. In this blog, we’ll walk you through an easy and traditional chakli recipe that you can try in your kitchen.
Ingredients You’ll Need:
●    1 cup rice flour (fine quality)

●    2 tablespoons urad dal flour (or roasted urad dal powdered)

●    1 tablespoon sesame seeds

●    1 tablespoon cumin seeds or carom seeds (ajwain) – as per taste

●    1 tablespoon butter (at room temperature)

●    1 teaspoon red chili powder

●    A pinch of asafoetida (hing)

●    Salt to taste

●    Water (enough to knead a soft dough)

●    Oil for deep frying

Instructions:
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
 In a large mixing bowl, combine rice flour, urad dal flour, sesame seeds, cumin or ajwain seeds, red chili powder, asafoetida, and salt. Mix all the dry ingredients well. Add the butter and mix it into the flour until it resembles breadcrumbs. Gradually add water and knead it into a soft, non-sticky dough. Make sure the dough is pliable and smooth.
Step 2: Shape the Chakli
 Grease the chakli/murukku press and fit it with the star-shaped nozzle. Fill the press with the dough and start pressing it into spiral shapes directly on butter paper or small pieces of parchment paper. This helps in easily transferring them to the oil without breaking.
Step 3: Fry the Chakli
 Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, gently slide 2–3 chaklis at a time into the oil. Do not overcrowd the pan. Fry them on medium heat, flipping occasionally, until they turn golden brown and crisp. Remove and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
Step 4: Cool and Store
 Let the chaklis cool completely before storing them. Store in an airtight container to maintain their crunchiness for several days.
Tips for Perfect Chakli:
●    The dough should be soft but not sticky; hard dough will make it difficult to press, and sticky dough will result in uneven shapes.

●    Do not fry on high heat, as the chaklis will brown quickly but remain uncooked inside.

●    You can add a bit of roasted gram flour (besan) for a slightly different flavor and texture.

●    Always taste one before frying in bulk to adjust salt and spice if needed.

Conclusion
Homemade chakli is not just a snack; it’s a nostalgic bite of festive warmth and family bonding. Making it at home allows you to control the ingredients and customize the flavor to your preference. So, the next time you crave something crispy with your evening tea, try this traditional chakli recipe and enjoy the wholesome goodness of homemade snacks.

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