Chole Tikki is an iconic street food dish from India that combines the spicy, tangy flavors of chickpea curry (chole) with the crispy, golden potato patties (tikki). This vegetarian delight is a perfect blend of textures and aromas, making it a favorite snack or meal for many.
Whether you’re craving something flavorful for your evening tea or want to impress guests with authentic Indian cuisine, chole tikki offers a satisfying and wholesome option. The dish is not only a treat for your taste buds but also packed with protein and fiber, making it both delicious and nutritious.
This recipe will guide you through making the perfect chole tikki, from preparing the chickpea curry to shaping and frying the tikkis. With simple ingredients, easy-to-follow steps, and some helpful tips, you can recreate this beloved Indian street food right in your kitchen.
Ready to dive into a flavorful journey? Let’s get started!
Why You’ll Love This Recipe
Chole Tikki is a flavorful and filling dish that appeals to both vegetarians and non-vegetarians alike. The spiced chickpea curry is rich in taste and complements the crispy potato patties perfectly.
It’s an excellent source of plant-based protein thanks to the chickpeas, while the potatoes provide a comforting texture.
Moreover, this recipe is versatile and can be customized with different spices or chutneys. It’s also a fantastic way to impress friends and family with your cooking skills, offering a true taste of Indian street food at home.
Plus, if you love snacks that are both tasty and hearty, chole tikki is bound to become one of your favorites.
Ingredients
- For the Chole (Chickpea Curry):
- 1 cup dried chickpeas (or 1 can chickpeas, drained and rinsed)
- 2 large onions, finely chopped
- 2 large tomatoes, pureed
- 2 green chilies, chopped
- 1 tbsp ginger-garlic paste
- 2 tsp chole masala (available at Indian stores)
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp garam masala
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp oil
- Fresh coriander leaves for garnish
- For the Tikki (Potato Patties):
- 4 medium-sized potatoes, boiled and mashed
- 1/2 cup boiled green peas
- 1 tsp chaat masala
- 1 tsp roasted cumin powder
- 1-2 green chilies, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp finely chopped coriander leaves
- Salt to taste
- Oil for shallow frying
- Optional: 1/4 cup bread crumbs for binding
- For Serving:
- Sweet tamarind chutney
- Green mint-coriander chutney
- Yogurt (optional)
- Sev or chopped onions for garnish
Equipment
- Pressure cooker or large pot (for cooking chickpeas)
- Deep frying pan or skillet
- Mixing bowls
- Wooden spoon or spatula
- Masher (for potatoes)
- Knife and chopping board
- Blender or food processor (for tomato puree and chutneys)
Instructions
- Prepare the chickpeas: If using dried chickpeas, soak them overnight and pressure cook until soft (about 15-20 minutes). If using canned chickpeas, rinse and drain them well.
- Make the chole masala base: Heat 2 tbsp oil in a pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter. Then add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
- Add ginger-garlic paste and green chilies: Sauté for 2-3 minutes until the raw smell disappears.
- Add tomato puree and spices: Mix in the pureed tomatoes, turmeric, red chili powder, chole masala, and salt. Cook on medium heat until oil starts to separate from the masala (about 8-10 minutes).
- Add the cooked chickpeas: Stir in the chickpeas along with some water (about 1 cup) to form a gravy. Simmer for 15-20 minutes, allowing the flavors to blend. Sprinkle garam masala and garnish with coriander leaves.
- Prepare the tikkis: In a large bowl, combine mashed potatoes, boiled peas, chaat masala, roasted cumin powder, green chilies, coriander leaves, and salt. Mix well. If the mixture feels too soft, add bread crumbs to help bind.
- Shape the patties: Divide the mixture into equal portions and shape into small round flat patties.
- Fry the tikkis: Heat oil in a skillet on medium heat. Shallow fry each tikki until golden brown and crispy on both sides. Drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Assemble the dish: Place a few tikkis on a plate and ladle hot chole over them. Garnish with tamarind chutney, mint-coriander chutney, yogurt if desired, sev, and chopped onions.
- Serve immediately: Enjoy your chole tikki hot for the best taste and texture.
Tips & Variations
Tip: For an extra crispy tikki, coat the potato patties lightly with semolina (rava) before frying.
Variation: You can stuff the tikkis with spiced paneer or nuts for a richer flavor.
Tip: Use canned chickpeas to save time, but homemade cooked chickpeas give a fresher taste.
Variation: Add finely chopped veggies like carrots or bell peppers to the tikki mixture for added nutrition.
Nutrition Facts
Nutrient | Per Serving (2 tikkis + chole) |
---|---|
Calories | 320 kcal |
Protein | 12 g |
Carbohydrates | 48 g |
Fat | 8 g |
Fiber | 10 g |
Sodium | 420 mg |
Serving Suggestions
Chole tikki is best enjoyed with a variety of chutneys like sweet tamarind chutney and spicy mint-coriander chutney. You can also add a dollop of yogurt to balance the spices.
For a crunchy twist, sprinkle sev or crushed papdi over the top.
This dish pairs beautifully with a refreshing glass of masala chai or a cold mango lassi. For a complete meal, serve alongside a simple salad of cucumber, tomatoes, and onions tossed with lemon juice and chaat masala.
Conclusion
Chole tikki is an incredible vegetarian Indian recipe that brings together the best of spicy, tangy chickpeas and crispy potato patties. This dish is not only rich in flavor but also easy to prepare with everyday ingredients.
Whether you want a satisfying evening snack or a hearty meal, chole tikki fits the bill perfectly. By following this detailed recipe, you can enjoy authentic Indian street food from the comfort of your home.
If you love exploring diverse dishes, you might also enjoy trying other unique recipes like Thelma Sanders Squash Recipe for a wholesome vegetable delight or the comforting Bariatric Meatloaf Recipe. And for some tangy excitement, the Pickled Cherry Pepper Recipe is a great accompaniment.
Happy cooking!
📖 Recipe Card: Chole Tikki Veg Recipe of India
Description: A popular North Indian street food combining spicy chickpea curry (chole) with crispy potato patties (tikki). Perfect for a flavorful vegetarian snack or meal.
Prep Time: PT20M
Cook Time: PT40M
Total Time: PT1H
Servings: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried chickpeas (soaked overnight)
- 4 medium potatoes (boiled and mashed)
- 1 large onion (finely chopped)
- 2 tomatoes (pureed)
- 2 green chilies (finely chopped)
- 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 2 tsp chole masala powder
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- 2 tbsp oil
- Salt to taste
- Fresh coriander leaves (for garnish)
Instructions
- Cook soaked chickpeas in pressure cooker until soft.
- Heat oil, add cumin seeds and ginger-garlic paste; sauté until fragrant.
- Add onions and green chilies; cook until golden.
- Add tomato puree, turmeric, red chili, and chole masala powder; cook until oil separates.
- Add cooked chickpeas with some water; simmer for 20 minutes.
- Mix mashed potatoes with salt and shape into small tikkis.
- Shallow fry tikkis until golden and crispy.
- Serve hot tikkis topped with chole curry and garnish with coriander.
Nutrition: Calories: 350 kcal | Protein: 12 g | Fat: 8 g | Carbs: 55 g
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