Bread Pakora Recipe: Bread Pakora, a beloved street food and teatime snack from Indian cuisine, is perfect for enjoying on a cool winter evening or a rainy afternoon, especially when paired with a cup of tea. Similar to bhajji, this deep-fried snack features a crispy outer coating made of besan (chickpea flour). There are two variations of bread pakoras: 1) with mashed potato stuffing, and 2) without potato stuffing. This recipe focuses on the first option, explaining how to prepare Bread Pakoda with Stuffed Potato Masala with detailed directions and accompanying photos for each step. Here’s a high-level overview of the process: bread slices are stuffed with potato masala, cut into triangle-shaped pieces, dipped in gram flour batter, and deep-fried until crispy. If you prefer bread pakoras without stuffing, simply skip the stuffing process and dip each bread slice in the gram flour batter, following the same steps.
Ingredients: Bread Pakora Recipe
- 6 Bread Slices
- Oil, for deep frying
For Stuffing:
- 2 medium potatoes (approx. 200 gm), boiled
- 1 Green Chilli, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons finely chopped Coriander Leaves
- 1/2 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
- 1 teaspoon Cumin-Coriander Powder (optional)
- 1/4 teaspoon Dry Mango Powder
- A pinch of Garam Masala Powder
- Salt to taste
For Outer Coating:
- 1 cup Gram Flour (besan/chickpea flour)
- 1 tablespoon Rice Flour (or gram flour, optional)
- A pinch of Baking Soda
- 1/4 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
- Water (1/2 cup + 3 tablespoons), or as needed
- Salt to taste
Direction: Bread Pakora Recipe
Directions for Stuffing:
- Step 1: Peel the boiled potatoes.
- Step 2: Mash or grate the potatoes and transfer them to a bowl. Add 1 finely chopped green chili, 2 tablespoons finely chopped coriander leaves, 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder, 1 teaspoon cumin-coriander powder, 1/4 teaspoon dry mango powder, a pinch of garam masala powder, and salt.
- Step 3: Mix well and taste for seasoning, adjusting as needed. The stuffing masala is now ready.
Directions for Outer Coating:
- Step 4: In a wide-mouthed bowl, combine 1 cup gram flour, 1 tablespoon rice flour, a pinch of baking soda, 1/4 teaspoon red chili powder, and salt.
- Step 5: Gradually add water (approximately 1/2 cup + 3 tablespoons) and mix well until a batter with a consistency like bajji/pakora batter is formed.
Directions for Pakora:
- Step 6: Take one bread slice and spread the stuffing mixture evenly over it, avoiding overfilling.
- Step 7: Place another bread slice over the stuffing and gently press down. Cut the sandwich diagonally into two triangle-shaped pieces.
- Step 8: Repeat the process for all bread slices.
- Step 9: Heat oil for deep frying over medium flame. Test if the oil is hot enough by adding a small drop of batter – it should gradually rise to the surface without changing color.
- Step 10: Dip each triangle-shaped piece into the batter, coating it evenly on all sides.
- Step 11: Carefully lift the coated bread pakora and slide it into the hot oil.
- Step 12: Deep fry until both sides are light golden brown and crispy, about 1-2 minutes per side.
- Step 13: Remove the fried pakoras from the oil using a slotted spoon and transfer to a plate lined with paper napkin to absorb excess oil.
- Step 14: Fry the remaining bread pakoras in the same manner and serve hot or warm.
Tips and Variations: Bread Pakora Recipe
- For additional flavor, add 1-2 cloves of crushed garlic to the stuffing mixture.
- Spread 1-2 teaspoons of green chutney or garlic chutney evenly on the inner side of bread slices before spreading the potato masala.
- Enhance the stuffing by adding boiled green peas, paneer, or sautéed onion mixture.
- Add salt while boiling the potatoes to enhance taste.
- Ensure the batter is of the right consistency – adjust with water or flour as needed.
- Deep fry the pakoras immediately after dipping them in batter to prevent them from becoming soggy.
Taste: Mildly spicy with a crispy outer layer.
Serving Ideas: Serve bread pakoras with tomato ketchup and tea as an afternoon snack, or at kids’ parties with green chili chutney and tomato ketchup.
Conclusion:
Bread Pakora Recipe is a versatile and delicious snack that can be enjoyed on various occasions, from teatime gatherings to parties. Whether stuffed with a flavorful potato masala or made plain, they are sure to be a hit with everyone. With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, you can whip up a batch of crispy and tasty bread pakoras in no time.
FAQs about Bread Pakora Recipe:
Can I make bread pakoras without potato stuffing?
Yes, you can make bread pakoras without potato stuffing. Simply skip the stuffing process and dip each bread slice directly into the gram flour batter before frying.
Can I use any type of bread for making bread pakoras?
Yes, you can use any type of bread for making bread pakoras, such as white bread, whole wheat bread, or multigrain bread, depending on your preference.
How do I know if the oil is hot enough for deep frying the pakoras?
To check if the oil is hot enough, you can drop a small piece of batter into the oil. If it rises to the surface gradually without changing color, the oil is at the right temperature for frying.
Can I store leftover bread pakoras?
While bread pakoras are best enjoyed fresh and crispy, you can store any leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1-2 days. Reheat them in an oven or toaster oven before serving to regain their crispiness.
Can I make bread pakoras ahead of time for a party?
While bread pakoras are best served fresh, you can prepare the stuffing and batter ahead of time and assemble the pakoras just before frying. This will help save time during your party preparation.
