Bhel Puri
A quintessential Mumbai street food, Bhel Puri is a delightful and quick snack mix featuring crispy puffed rice, crunchy sev (thin gram flour noodles), and a vibrant medley of tangy tamarind chutney, spicy green chutney, and aromatic chaat masala. It's a textural and flavor explosion, best enjoyed immediately.
🧂 Ingredients
- 200 g Puffed rice (murmura)(Ensure it's fresh and crisp. If stale, lightly toast in a dry pan for 1-2 minutes until crisp.)
- 100 g Sev (thin gram flour noodles)(Use fine sev for the best texture.)
- 1 medium Red onion(finely chopped)
- 1 medium Tomato(finely chopped, seeds removed to prevent sogginess)
- 2 tbsp Cilantro (fresh coriander leaves)(finely chopped, for freshness and garnish)
- 60 ml Tamarind chutney (sweet and sour)(Adjust to taste. Available at Indian grocery stores or can be homemade.)
- 60 ml Green chutney (spicy mint-coriander)(Adjust to taste. Available at Indian grocery stores or can be homemade.)
- 1 tsp Chaat masala(A key spice blend for chaat. Available at Indian grocery stores.)
- 1 tsp Lemon juice(Optional, for extra tanginess)
- 1/2 cup Boiled potatoes(Optional, small cubes, for added substance)
- 4-5 pieces Chaat papdi(Optional, crushed, for extra crunch)
👨🍳 Instructions
- 1
Prepare the base: In a large mixing bowl, combine the puffed rice and sev. Gently toss them together to ensure they are well mixed. If your puffed rice isn't perfectly crisp, you can lightly toast it in a dry pan over medium heat for 1-2 minutes until you hear it crackle, then let it cool completely before mixing.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 2
Add the aromatics and vegetables: Add the finely chopped red onion, finely chopped tomato (ensure seeds are removed to avoid excess moisture), and chopped cilantro to the bowl. If using, add the optional boiled potato cubes and crushed chaat papdi.
⏱️ 5 minutes - 3
Introduce the chutneys: Drizzle the tamarind chutney and green chutney evenly over the mixture. Start with the recommended amounts, and you can add more later if you prefer a stronger flavor.
⏱️ 2 minutes - 4
Season and toss: Sprinkle the chaat masala and optional lemon juice over the ingredients. Using two large spoons or your hands (clean!), gently toss everything together until all the components are evenly coated with the chutneys and spices. Be careful not to overmix, which can make the puffed rice mushy.
⏱️ 3 minutes - 5
Serve immediately: Bhel Puri is best enjoyed the moment it's assembled to retain its signature crunch. Divide the mixture among serving bowls or plates and garnish with a little extra sev or cilantro if desired.
⏱️ 5 minutes
💡 Pro Tips
- ✓For the best texture, assemble and serve Bhel Puri immediately. The puffed rice will lose its crispness quickly.
- ✓Balance is key! Adjust the amount of tamarind (sweet/sour) and green (spicy) chutney to suit your preference.
- ✓Chaat masala is essential for that authentic tangy and savory flavor profile.
- ✓Ensure all chopped ingredients are finely diced for a pleasant mouthfeel.
- ✓If you don't have access to pre-made chutneys, you can find many easy recipes online to make them fresh.
✨ Twist Ideas
Inspiration for your own version of this recipe
- Sev Puri: Uses small, crisp papdis as a base, topped with the Bhel Puri mixture and yogurt.
- Dahi Puri: Similar to Sev Puri but incorporates yogurt and sweet tamarind chutney.
- Add pomegranate seeds for a burst of sweetness and color.
- Include finely chopped raw mango (when in season) for an extra tangy kick.