Namak Para Recipe (Namak Pare)

4.14 from 15 votes

Namak Para (Plural - Namak Pare) are deep-fried diamond-shaped Indian crackers that are a tea-time staple. Make them using my easy recipe.

Prep Time5

Cook Time30

Total Time35

Course: Snack

Cuisine: Indian

Diet: Vegetarian

Servings: people

Add flour, semolina, salt, carom seeds, and ghee to a large mixing bowl or a parat.
Mix the ingredients well using your fingers.
Add a few tablespoons of water at a time and knead to make a slightly stiff dough.
Cover the dough using a kitchen cloth and keep aside for 10-15 minutes.
Knead the dough again until it is soft and smooth. Divide it into 2 parts.
Take one part and make a ball from it. Roll the ball to make a 0.25 inch thick circle. Sprinkle little dry flour if the dough is sticking to the rolling surface. The dough should ideally not stick to the surface if kneaded stiff.
Cut the circle into long rectangles or diamonds using a serrated knife or a sharp pizza cutter. You can also use cookie cutters in different shapes. Remove the extra dough from the sides. You can roll it with the next batch.
Cover the cut namak para with a kitchen cloth until they are ready to fry.
Heat 3-4 cups of oil for frying in a heavy bottom pan over medium-high heat.
Once the oil is hot, reduce the heat to medium-low.
Transfer a few namak paras to the hot oil and fry until they are golden brown. Stir frequently using a perforated ladle.
Once browned, remove from oil on a tissue-lined plate. Cool completely, and store in an airtight container for up to 10-15 days.
Remember that these will continue to brown even after being removed from the oil.
Each batch will take 10-15 minutes to fry properly.