How to Make the Perfect Samosa
Indian · Medium · 60 min · 8 servings
Samosas are crispy triangular pastries filled with a savory spiced potato and pea mixture, deep fried to golden perfection. These iconic Indian street food snacks are irresistible served hot with mint chutney and tamarind sauce.
Why this recipe works
This Samosa recipe has been crafted to deliver restaurant-quality results in your home kitchen. At just 60 minutes from start to finish, it fits perfectly into a busy schedule without sacrificing flavor. Each serving comes in at 280 calories with 6g of protein, making it a balanced choice for any meal.
What you will need
This recipe uses 6 simple ingredients that you can find at any grocery store:
- 4 medium russet potatoes boiled and mashed
- 1 cup frozen green peas thawed
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 4 tbsp vegetable oil plus more for frying
- 2 tsp chaat masala
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
Step by step instructions
Step 1: Make the Pastry Dough
Combine flour, 3 tablespoons of oil, and a pinch of salt in a large bowl. Rub the oil into the flour with your fingertips until it resembles breadcrumbs. Gradually add cold water a tablespoon at a time, kneading into a firm dough. Do not over-knead. Cover and rest for 20 minutes.
Step 2: Prepare the Filling
Heat 1 tablespoon of oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them pop for 30 seconds. Add the mashed potato, peas, chaat masala, and salt. Stir everything together and cook for 3 minutes until the flavors meld. Remove from heat and let cool completely.
Step 3: Shape the Samosas
Divide the dough into 8 equal balls and roll each into an oval. Cut each oval in half to form two semicircles. Fold each semicircle into a cone shape, sealing the edge with a little water. Fill the cone with potato filling, do not overfill, and press the open edge firmly to seal into a triangle.
Step 4: Fry to Golden Perfection
Heat oil in a deep heavy pot to 170 degrees Celsius. Fry samosas in batches of 3 to 4 for 6 to 8 minutes, turning occasionally, until they are deep golden brown and completely crispy. Do not fry at high heat or the pastry will not cook through properly. Drain and serve immediately.
Easy substitutions
Missing an ingredient? Here are some swaps that work perfectly:
- all purpose flour → gluten-free flour blend for a gluten-free version though the texture will differ
- deep frying → brush with oil and bake at 200C for 25 minutes for a lighter version
Common mistakes to avoid
Watch out for these pitfalls that can affect your results:
- Frying at too high a temperature which browns the outside while leaving the pastry raw inside
- Adding too much filling which causes the samosas to burst open during frying
Nutrition facts
Per serving: 280 calories, 6g protein, 38g carbs, 12g fat, 4g fiber.
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