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    Whisk Affair » Recipes » Meal Type » Indian Snacks » Masala Papad

    Published: Jun 9, 2022 | Last Updated On: Jan 29, 2023 by Neha Mathur | This post may contain affiliate links. I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Masala Papad

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    Masala Papad is a delicious Indian snack made using roasted or fried papad topped with a tangy and spicy onion tomato mix. Here is how to make it (vegan).

    Here are some more snack recipes that you can try at home – Onion Pakoda, Veg Cutlet, Dabeli, Poha, Moong Dal Chilla, Khandvi, and Bread Upma.

    Masala Papad served on a plate.
    Jump to:
    • About Masala Papad
    • Ingredients
    • How To Make Masala Papad
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Serving Suggestions
    • You Might Also Like
    • Recipe Card

    About Masala Papad

    Masala Papad is a popular North Indian snack (appetizer) made using roasted or fried papad (poppadum).

    You will find it on the menu of most Indian restaurants and pubs and also street vendors selling it on the streets. I think that everyone who goes out to eat, orders at least a plate of this delicious appetizer to munch on while the main food arrives.

    The crispy papad is topped with a spicy and tangy mixture of onions, tomatoes, green chilies, cilantro (coriander leaves), salt, chaat masala powder, red chili powder, and lime juice.

    Papad has a crunchy texture, whereas the masala topped on it gives it a soft texture, a perfect combination that is enjoyed by everyone.

    This masala papad recipe is very customizable as well. Choose the papad that you like, adjust the spices as per your taste and skip or add the toppings that you like.

    Crispy, spicy, and tangy, this is surely one starter that will impress your guests. Make this perfect snack for casual gatherings, kitty parties, drink parties, or evening tea-time snacks.

    If you are making it for a gathering, you can make the topping and roast the papad and let your guests assemble their own masala papad. Instead of making the topping already, you can also arrange the topping ingredients on the table, and then the gusts can customize their own topping as well.

    This vegan snack recipe can be easily doubled or tripled.

    Ingredients

    Masala papad ingredients 1
    Masala papad ingredients 2

    You will get all the ingredients in Indian grocery stores near you.

    Papad (Poppadum, Thin Indian Wafer) – You can use any papad of your choice, there are many variations available in the market. I personally like to use Lijjat urad dal papad as they are sturdier and hold the toppings for a longer time.

    You can choose from plain papads, black pepper papad, cumin papad, spicy papads, or papad made using moong dal, rice, etc.

    I have deep-fried the papad because it adds a nice crunch and taste, but you can even roast them in a microwave or an air fryer too.

    Use gluten-free papad to make this recipe gluten-free.

    For The Masala – Crispy papad are topped with a spicy and tangy masala that is prepared with onions, fresh tomatoes, cilantro (fresh coriander leaves), green chillies, salt, red chilli powder, freshly squeezed lime juice, and chaat masala powder.

    I like to use red onions for their sharp taste but feel free to use any variety that is easily available.

    While green chilies and red chili powder add the much-needed spicy taste, lime juice and chaat masala add a nice tangy flavor that is hard to resist.

    Lime juice can be replaced with lemon juice too.

    You can adjust the green chilies and red chili powder as per your taste.

    My homemade Chaat Masala adds a lot of flavors but you can use store-bought masala too.

    If you like, you can also add some fine sev on the top. I am not a big fan and the North Indian style masala papad doesn’t have them, but it’s your personal choice.

    In summer, when green raw mangoes are in season, add some chopped raw mangoes to the topping mix.

    How To Make Masala Papad

    Fry The Papad

    Heat 2-inch oil in a wide pan. The pan must be wider than the papad to make sure they are flat after frying.

    Once the oil is hot, hold papad with a tong and fry it from both sides until crispy.

    Frying the papad in a pan.

    Drain on a plate.

    Fry all 4 papad in the same manner and set them aside.

    Note – You can also roast the papad in a microwave, over direct flame, or in an air fryer to make it healthier.

    Make The Topping

    Mix

    • 1 cup finely chopped onions
    • ½ cup finely chopped tomatoes
    • 1 teaspoon finely chopped green chilies
    • 2 tablespoon chopped cilantro
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon chaat masala powder
    • ¼ teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
    • 2 tablespoon freshly squeezed lime juice

    in a medium mixing bowl.

    Tip – Do not add salt at this stage if you are planning to keep the topping for some time. The salt will make the veggies release their water and the topping will become watery. Add salt just before assembling the masala papad.

    Topping ingredients added to a bowl.

    Your masala topping is ready. 

    Ready topping.

    Top The Papad

    Keep the papads on the serving platter.

    Papad kept on a serving plate.

    Top each papad with 2-3 tablespoon of the topping and serve immediately.

    Ready masala papad.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Which papad is best to make masala papad?

    I personally like urad dal papad the best but moong dal papad or papad made using a mix of moong dal and urad dal also works fine.

    You can also make it using South Indian rice papad (applams). Khichiya papad which is popular in Gujarati and Rajasthani households is also an option.

    Should I use roasted papad or fried papad to make masala papad?

    This snack tastes the best when made using deep-fried papad but to make it healthier, you can use roasted papad.

    How to roast papad in a microwave or an air fryer?

    Slightly brush some oil on top of dry papad. Keep it on the microwave plate and micro on high for 30 seconds. See the doneness after 30 seconds and add another 30 seconds if needed. A properly roasted papad has small bumps on the top and a good crispy crunch.

    To roast it in an air fryer, lightly brush some oil on top of the dry papad. Keep it on the air fryer basket and air fry at 360 F (180 C) for 2 minutes or until crispy.

    What else can you add to the topping?

    You can add finely chopped green raw mangoes when they are in season.

    You can also add finely chopped cucumber, carrots, beetroot, and mint leaves. Crushed potato chips are also a great addition.

    For a twist, you can also spread some Coriander Mint Chutney on the papad and then top it with the topping.

    Can you make it ahead of time?

    No, you cannot. However, you can fry the papad and keep them in an airtight container and make the topping, and refrigerate it. Once ready to serve, just assemble and serve. Make sure to not add salt to the topping until ready to serve otherwise the veggies will leave water making the topping watery.

    Serving Suggestions

    Masala Papad can be served on its own as a delicious snack, appetizer, or starter or can be served as a side dish with your Indian meals.

    There is one more interesting way of serving this papad. Make a cone with roasted papad and fill it with this spicy onion-tomato mixture.

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    Recipe Card

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    Masala Papad is a delicious Indian snack made using roasted or fried papad topped with a tangy and spicy onion tomato mix. Here is how to make it.

    Masala Papad Recipe

    Masala Papad is a delicious Indian snack made using roasted or fried papad topped with a tangy and spicy onion tomato mix. Here is how to make it.
    4.15 from 7 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Snacks and Appetiser
    Cuisine: Indian
    Diet: Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 10 minutes minutes
    Servings: 4 people
    Calories: 25kcal
    Author: Neha Mathur

    Ingredients 

    • 4 medium-sized papad
    • oil for frying the papad
    • 1 cup finely chopped onions
    • ½ cup finely chopped tomatoes
    • 1 teaspoon finely chopped green chilies
    • 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro (fresh coriander leaves)
    • ½ teaspoon salt
    • 1 teaspoon chaat masala powder
    • ¼ teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
    • 2 tablespoons freshly squeezed lime juice
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    Instructions

    Fry The Papad

    • Heat 2-inch oil in a wide pan. The pan must be wider than the papad to make sure they are flat after frying.
    • Once the oil is hot, hold papad with a tong and fry it from both sides until crispy.
    • Drain on a plate.
    • Fry all the 4 papad in the same manner and set them aside.
    • Note – You can also roast the papad in a microwave, over direct flame, or in an air fryer to make it healthier.

    Make The Topping

    • Mix onions, tomatoes, green chilies, cilantro, salt, chaat masala powder, Kashmiri red chili powder, and lime juice in a medium mixing bowl.
    • Tip – Do not add salt at this stage if you are planning to keep the topping for some time. The salt will make the veggies release their water and the topping will become watery. Add salt just before assembling the masala papad.

    Top The Papad

    • Keep the papads on the serving platter without overlapping each other.
    • Top each papad with 2-3 tablespoon of topping and serve immediately.

    Video

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GPOpqsmirX8

    Notes

    You can top the papad with some fine sev as well.
    You can use any papad of your choice, there are many variations available in the market. I personally like to use Lijjat urad dal papad as they are sturdier and hold the toppings for a longer time.
    You can choose from plain papad, spicy papad, or papad made using moong dal, rice, etc.
    I have deep-fried the papad because it adds a nice crunch and taste, but you can even roast them in a microwave or an air fryer too.
    Use gluten-free papad to make this recipe gluten-free.
    This snack recipe can be easily doubled or tripled.
    You can adjust the green chilies and red chili powder as per your taste.
    You can add finely chopped green raw mangoes when they are in season.
    You can also add finely chopped cucumber, carrots, beetroot, and mint leaves. Crushed potato chips are also a great addition.
    For a twist, you can also spread some green chutney on the papad and then top it with the topping.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 25kcal | Carbohydrates: 6g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 16mg | Potassium: 143mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 258IU | Vitamin C: 14mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg
    Pin this recipe for later use!I LOVE to see your creations so pin and mention @WhiskAffair!
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    More Indian Snacks

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    • Veg Hara Bhara Kabab is a delicious North Indian appetizer or snack made using spinach, potatoes, and a few spices. Serve them with a cup of masala chai, green chutney, and ketchup (vegan, gluten-free).
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    • Indian Style Masala Macaroni Pasta is a pasta dish with a desi twist. This Indian-style pasta is spicy, loaded with cheese, and is perfect to serve for breakfast, lunch, or evening snacks (vegetarian).
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      Recipe Rating




    1. Divya Shivaraman

      July 09, 2013 at 9:56 pm

      wow…all time fav. for me this is like a appetizer when i go to restaurants in india…you have wonderful clicks

      Reply
    2. Thetopofindia.com

      August 02, 2013 at 10:43 am

      wow really beautiful!! thanks for sharing my fav Masala Papad. Nice click!!

      Top Of India

      Reply
    3. Gauri

      April 18, 2022 at 12:29 pm

      great blog, thanks for sharing

      Reply

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