Degchi
Puri is a deep-fried wheat bread that puffs into a golden balloon the moment it hits hot oil. It's the backbone of the classic halwa-puri breakfast, usually paired with spiced chickpeas or a sweet semolina halwa. The trick to a perfect puri is a firm dough, a short rest, and oil that's properly hot before frying.
Quick answer: 55 min in total · serves 4 · main ingredients: All-purpose flour, Salt, Cooking oil · amounts in metric and US
Ingredients
- 300 g 2.5 cup All-purpose flour, sifted
- 0.75 tsp 0.75 tsp Salt
- 750 ml 3 cup Cooking oil, for deep frying, plus 2 tbsp for kneading the dough
- 2 tbsp 2 tbsp Semolina, optional, adds extra crispness (Optional)
- 0.5 tsp 0.5 tsp Carom seeds, optional, for flavour and easy digestion (Optional)
Steps
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- In a bowl, mix the flour, semolina, salt and carom seeds.
- Add 2 tablespoons of oil and rub it into the flour until the mixture looks like coarse breadcrumbs.
- Gradually add water and knead into a stiff, smooth dough — firmer than roti dough.
- Cover and let the dough rest.⏱ Dough resting · 20 min
- Divide the dough into small balls and roll each into a small, slightly thick circle — don't roll puris too thin.
- Heat oil in a kadai/wok until it's shimmering hot.⏱ Heating oil · 5 min
- Slide a rolled puri into the hot oil, gently press with a slotted spoon so it puffs up, and fry until golden on both sides.⏱ Frying · 2 min
- Remove and drain on paper towels; repeat with the remaining dough.
- Serve hot immediately with chana masala, aloo bhaji or suji halwa.
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Frequently asked questions
How long does Puri take?
55 minutes in total: about 35 minutes of prep and 20 minutes of cooking.
Is Puri hard to make?
Degchi rates it easy. The method has 9 steps, and 3 of them have a timer you can start on this page.
How many people does Puri serve?
This recipe serves 4. Use the toggle above the ingredient list to see the amounts in metric or US measures. For more or fewer portions, scale every amount in the same proportion, or use the servings control in the Degchi app.
Is Puri halal, vegetarian or eggless?
It is marked halal in our recipe data. It is vegetarian. It has no egg. It has no beef. Check the labels on any packaged ingredients for your own needs.
What will I probably need to buy for Puri?
Everyday staples that Degchi counts as pantry basics: salt, cooking oil. Lentils, grains and other dry goods: all-purpose flour.
Any tips for making Puri?
Puris puff best when the dough is firm and the oil is properly hot — too soft a dough or lukewarm oil gives flat, oily puris. Puri is the bread half of the halwa-puri breakfast — it's usually served alongside chana masala and a sweet like suji halwa, which are worth making as their own recipes.
Notes and questions
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Cooking terms in this recipe: Ajwain (carom seeds) · Maida (refined wheat flour) · Sooji (semolina)
