Andhra Pradesh, a vibrant state in South India, is renowned for its rich culinary heritage, especially its spicy and flavorful vegetarian snacks. These Andhra style veg snacks are perfect for anyone who loves bold flavors, crunchy textures, and aromatic spices.
Whether you’re looking for a quick teatime bite or an appetizer to impress guests, Andhra’s traditional snacks like Punugulu, Mirchi Bajji, and Garelu bring the authentic taste of the region right to your kitchen.
Packed with wholesome ingredients and bursting with taste, these snacks represent the perfect blend of rustic charm and culinary expertise.
In this blog post, we’ll explore three quintessential Andhra veg snacks recipes that are easy to prepare and guaranteed to delight your taste buds. From the tangy and spicy to the crispy and savory, these recipes celebrate the diversity of Andhra cuisine in every bite.
So, let’s dive into the world of Andhra style veg snacks and bring a taste of South India to your home!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Andhra style veg snacks are not just delicious but also incredibly versatile. They offer a perfect balance of heat, spice, and texture that keeps you coming back for more.
These snacks use simple, readily available ingredients and traditional cooking methods that preserve authentic flavors.
You’ll love how these recipes:
- Bring authentic Andhra flavors to your kitchen
- Are easy to make with straightforward steps
- Use fresh vegetables and spices for health and taste
- Make perfect snacks for family gatherings or festive occasions
- Pair wonderfully with chutneys and dips
Ingredients
Punugulu (Crispy Fried Lentil Dumplings)
- 1 cup idli/dosa batter (fermented rice and urad dal batter)
- 1 finely chopped onion
- 2 green chilies, finely chopped
- 1 tsp mustard seeds
- 10 curry leaves, chopped
- 2 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
- Salt to taste
- Oil for deep frying
Mirchi Bajji (Stuffed Green Chili Fritters)
- 6 large green chilies (mild variety)
- 1 cup gram flour (besan)
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- ½ tsp cumin seeds
- Salt to taste
- 1 tsp tamarind paste
- Water as needed
- Oil for frying
Garelu (Andhra-style Medu Vada)
- 1 cup urad dal (split black gram)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 green chilies, finely chopped
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- Few curry leaves, chopped
- 1 tbsp chopped coriander leaves
- Salt to taste
- Oil for deep frying
Equipment
- Mixing bowls
- Deep frying pan or kadai
- Slotted spoon
- Grinder or blender (for urad dal)
- Chopping board and knife
- Measuring cups and spoons
Instructions
Punugulu (Crispy Fried Lentil Dumplings)
- Prepare the batter: Use well-fermented idli/dosa batter. If batter is too thick, add a little water to get a thick but drop-able consistency.
- Mix the ingredients: In a bowl, combine the batter with chopped onions, green chilies, mustard seeds, curry leaves, coriander leaves, and salt. Mix well.
- Heat oil: In a deep frying pan, heat oil on medium flame for deep frying.
- Fry punugulu: Drop small spoonfuls of the batter into hot oil using your fingers or a spoon. Fry until golden brown and crispy on all sides.
- Drain and serve: Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Serve hot with coconut chutney or tomato chutney.
Mirchi Bajji (Stuffed Green Chili Fritters)
- Prepare batter: In a mixing bowl, combine gram flour, turmeric powder, red chili powder, cumin seeds, salt, and tamarind paste. Add water gradually and whisk to form a smooth, thick batter.
- Prepare chilies: Wash green chilies and slit lengthwise carefully to remove seeds. Keep them whole or stuff with a little spiced mashed potato for variation.
- Dip and fry: Dip each chili into the batter, coating it well. Deep fry in hot oil until golden and crispy.
- Drain and serve: Drain on paper towels and serve hot with mint or tamarind chutney.
Garelu (Andhra-style Medu Vada)
- Soak urad dal: Soak urad dal in water for 4-5 hours or overnight.
- Grind dal: Drain water and grind urad dal to a smooth, fluffy batter adding very little water.
- Prepare batter: Transfer batter to a bowl, add chopped onions, green chilies, cumin seeds, curry leaves, coriander leaves, and salt. Mix gently.
- Heat oil: Heat oil in a deep frying pan on medium flame.
- Shape and fry: Wet your hands, take a small portion of batter, shape into a round vada with a hole in the center. Carefully slide into hot oil.
- Fry until golden: Fry until golden brown and crisp, flipping occasionally.
- Drain and serve: Remove with slotted spoon and drain excess oil. Serve hot with sambar or chutney.
Tips & Variations
For extra crispiness in Punugulu, add a tablespoon of rice flour to the batter.
Stuff Mirchi Bajji with boiled spiced potatoes or paneer to add a delicious twist.
For a healthier option, shallow fry Garelu instead of deep frying.
Fermentation is key: Using properly fermented batter for Punugulu and Garelu ensures soft interiors and crispy exteriors.
Nutrition Facts
Snack | Serving Size | Calories | Carbohydrates | Protein | Fat | Fiber |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Punugulu (per 3 pieces) | 100g | 180 kcal | 30g | 6g | 4g | 2g |
Mirchi Bajji (per 2 pieces) | 100g | 220 kcal | 28g | 5g | 10g | 3g |
Garelu (per 2 pieces) | 100g | 210 kcal | 25g | 8g | 7g | 2g |
Serving Suggestions
These Andhra veg snacks are best enjoyed hot and fresh with a variety of chutneys and dips. Traditional pairings include coconut chutney, tomato chutney, and spicy mint chutney.
For a wholesome snack experience, serve alongside a cup of hot masala chai or filter coffee.
If you’re planning a festive spread, combine these snacks with other Andhra dishes like Breakfast Wellington Recipe for a fusion twist or add a hearty touch with Braised Pork Ribs With Radish Recipe (for non-vegetarians).
For more unique recipes, check out our Bluebill Duck Recipes collection.
Conclusion
Andhra style veg snacks are a celebration of bold flavors, crisp textures, and traditional cooking techniques that make them irresistible. Whether you’re a seasoned cook or a beginner in Indian cuisine, these recipes offer a delicious way to experience authentic Andhra tastes in your own kitchen.
The combination of lentils, fresh vegetables, and aromatic spices create snacks that are perfect for any occasion—be it teatime, parties, or festive celebrations.
With simple ingredients and easy-to-follow steps, you can enjoy the rich culinary heritage of Andhra Pradesh right at home. So next time you crave something crunchy, spicy, and utterly satisfying, whip up these Andhra snacks and impress your family and friends with your cooking skills.
Happy cooking!
📖 Recipe Card: Andhra Style Veg Snacks
Description: A flavorful and spicy assortment of vegetarian snacks from Andhra Pradesh. Perfect for tea-time or as appetizers.
Prep Time: PT20M
Cook Time: PT30M
Total Time: PT50M
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice flour
- 1/2 cup chana dal (split chickpeas)
- 1/4 cup urad dal (black gram)
- 2 green chilies, finely chopped
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/2 tsp asafoetida (hing)
- 1/2 tsp red chili powder
- 1 tsp ginger, grated
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp oil
- Water as needed
- Oil for deep frying
Instructions
- Soak chana dal and urad dal for 2 hours and drain.
- Grind the dals coarsely with green chilies and ginger.
- Mix rice flour, cumin seeds, asafoetida, red chili powder, and salt in a bowl.
- Add the ground dal mixture and 2 tbsp oil to the dry ingredients.
- Add water gradually to form a thick batter.
- Heat oil in a deep frying pan.
- Drop small portions of batter into hot oil and fry until golden brown.
- Remove and drain on paper towels.
- Serve hot with chutney or sauce.
Nutrition: Calories: 250 kcal | Protein: 7 g | Fat: 15 g | Carbs: 22 g
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