Crunchy Potato Balls Recipe | Easy and Tasty Bread Potato Balls Snack
Looking for a crunchy snack for breakfast or tea time? These potato balls are easy to make: a soft spiced potato filling inside bread, coated in a seasoned lentil batter, and fried until crisp. Note that the lentils need to be soaked overnight, so plan ahead the evening before.
Ingredients for Crunchy Potato Balls
For the lentil batter
- 1 bowl lentils (without peel), soaked overnight and ground in the morning
- 4 tablespoons gram flour (besan)
- 2 tablespoons curd
- 1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste
- A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
- Red chilli powder and salt, to taste
- Water, as required
For the potato filling and assembly
- 2 large boiled potatoes
- 2 tablespoons chopped coriander
- 1 teaspoon dry mango powder (amchur)
- 2 dry red chillies
- A pinch of black pepper, plus salt and red chilli powder to taste
- 4 to 10 bread slices
- Edible oil, for frying
How to Make Crunchy Potato Balls
1. Prepare the lentil batter
- Take the ground lentils in a bowl and add asafoetida, salt, ginger garlic paste and red chilli powder.
- Gradually mix in the gram flour while stirring continuously.
- Add the curd and mix well. Adjust the consistency with water if needed.
2. Prepare the potato filling
- Mash the boiled potatoes in a bowl.
- Add salt, red chilli powder, dry mango powder, chopped coriander and a pinch of black pepper. Mix thoroughly.
3. Prepare the bread
- Cut the edges off the bread slices.
- Lightly soak them in water, then squeeze out the excess water by pressing with your palm.
4. Assemble the potato balls
- Take a soaked bread slice and place a small amount of potato mixture in the centre.
- Fold and shape it into a round ball.
5. Fry the potato balls
- Dip the prepared balls into the lentil batter, making sure they are well coated.
- Fry them in hot oil until golden brown and crispy.
Serve these crispy potato balls hot with green chutney, tamarind chutney or tomato ketchup. They make an excellent snack for breakfast or tea time.
Tips for Crispy, Non-Soggy Potato Balls
- Squeeze the bread well. Too much water makes the balls fall apart and spatter in the hot oil.
- Seal the bread fully. Press the edges together so no filling escapes into the oil.
- Get the batter thickness right. It should coat the balls evenly without running off. Add water a spoon at a time.
- Fry on medium heat. If the oil is too hot, the outside browns before the batter cooks through; if it is too cool, the balls soak up oil. Fry a few at a time, and drain on paper.
- Be careful with hot oil. Slide the balls in gently, keep water away from the pan and keep children out of the kitchen while frying.
- Use less oil. You can bake the coated balls at 180°C for about 20 minutes until golden, or use whole wheat bread.
- Make ahead. Keep the prepared balls in the refrigerator for 2-3 days and fry just before serving. To freeze, spread them in a single layer on a tray, then move them to a bag and fry or bake straight from the freezer.
- Adjust the spice. Add more red chilli powder or chopped green chillies for heat, and add peas, carrots or corn to the filling for variety.
Watch the Crunchy Potato Balls Recipe Video
More Tea-Time Snacks
Potato Balls: Frequently Asked Questions
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What are Potato Balls?
Potato Balls are a delicious snack made by stuffing a seasoned potato mixture inside bread, shaping it into balls, and frying them until crispy.
Can I bake the Potato Balls instead of frying them?
Yes, you can bake the potato balls in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for about 20 minutes or until they turn golden and crispy.
How can I make Potato Balls healthier?
You can make them healthier by using whole wheat bread, reducing the amount of oil, or baking them instead of deep frying.
Can I make Potato Balls in advance?
Yes, you can prepare the potato balls ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for up to 2-3 days. Fry them just before serving.
What bread should I use for Potato Balls?
You can use any white or whole wheat bread. For a gluten-free version, you can use gluten-free bread.
Can I add other vegetables to the Potato Balls?
Absolutely! You can add vegetables like peas, carrots, or corn to the potato mixture to enhance the flavor and nutrition.
How can I make the Potato Balls spicy?
To make them spicier, add more red chili powder or chopped green chilies to the potato filling and batter.
What is the best way to serve Potato Balls?
Potato Balls can be served as a snack or appetizer with green chutney, tamarind chutney, or tomato ketchup.
Can I freeze the Potato Balls?
Yes, you can freeze the prepared and shaped potato balls. Just make sure to freeze them in a single layer on a baking sheet before transferring them to a ziplock bag. Fry or bake them directly from the freezer.
Can I use any type of lentils for the batter?
While yellow lentils (toor dal) are commonly used, you can try other lentils like masoor dal or moong dal for a different flavor and texture.
