Baked Besan Papdi
Oct 05, 2019, Updated Oct 20, 2019
Baked crispy savory crackers made with gram flour (besan). This besan papdi is a great snack to make for Diwali. Enjoy with a cup of chai! Vegan.
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Crispy savory crackers made with besan (gram flour). This baked Besan Papdi makes a great snack with chai and is also vegan and gluten-free!
It would also make a great snack for Diwali and you can also pack them in little treat bags to gift your friends.
Diwali is the only time I don’t mind frying things.
Usually, I am not a fan of deep frying (scared + don’t know what to do with the leftover oil!) but I make an exception for Diwali.
However, even during Diwali if possible I try to come up with baked version of my favorite snacks.
Like, for sure I would fry my samosa (I like it better fried!) but I prefer making baked versions of methi mathri and this besan papdi.
This is a super simple snack to make with handful of ingredients!
What is Besan Papdi
Besan Papdi is a crispy savory snack made with besan.
It’s usually flavored with salt, turmeric and traditionally deep fried.
I remember mom getting big packets of besan papdi from the market during Holi and Diwali.
I always ate way too many. Yup, I have zero like literally zero self-control when it comes to deep fried savory snacks.
For this healthier version, I baked them and they turned out great!
This Baked Besan Papdi
✓ is an easy savory snack that gets done quickly
✓ is vegan and gluten-free
✓ pairs well with a cuppa chai
✓ will make great snack for Diwali
✓ requires only a handful of ingredients
My mom made besan papdi to which she added only salt. Nothing else was added.
However for this besan papdi, I have added spices to make it more flavorful.
These baked crackers have ajwain (carom seeds), cumin seeds, turmeric powder, chili powder and salt.
Baking the Besan Papdi
This basic process is pretty straight forward.
You make the dough with all the spices and oil. Don’t skip on the oil, you do need it for a nice crunchy papdi.
Once the dough is ready, you roll it and then cut into shapes. I cut them in square shape.
You can cut them into any shape you like.
The dough though is little difficult to roll since it only has besan in it.
From my experience, the best way to roll this dough is between two sheets of parchment paper.
I like to keep these besan papdi around 1/8 inch thick. If it’s thick, it will take a long time to bake and become crispy.
Once cut into shape, simply bake in the oven at 400 F degrees until they are crispy.
Hope you guys would enjoy making this easy snack during Diwali this year!
Method
1- To a large bowl add besan, ajwain, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, hing (optional), red chili powder and salt. Also add the baking powder.
Skip hing here if you want to keep this gluten-free.
2- Add the oil and mix with your hands.
3- Rub flour between your palms to incorporate the oil well into the flour. Mix until it resembles crumbs.
4- Start adding water, little by little to bring the dough together.
5- Mix until it all comes together and forms a dough.
6- Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper. Using a roller, roll the dough between the two sheets.
7- Roll the dough into 1/8 inch thick. Then cut into squares (or any shape you like). I used a cookie cutter and cut squares of 1.5 x 1.5 inch.
8- Transfer the papdi/crackers onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You can even pierce them with fork so that they don’t rise during baking.
Bake at 400 F degrees for 12 to 13 minutes until golden brown and crisp. I would keep an eye on them from 10 minutes mark, they can burn pretty quickly.
Let them cool down to room temperature and then store in an airtight container for 2 to 3 weeks.
Serve besan papdi as a snack with chai!
If you’ve tried this Baked Besan Papdi Recipe then don’t forget to rate the recipe! You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram to see what’s latest in my kitchen!
Baked Besan Papdi
Ingredients
- 1 cup besan 120 grams, gram flour
- 1/4 teaspoon ajwain carom seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/8 teaspoon hing asafoetida, optional
- 1/8 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
- 2 tablespoons oil 30 ml, I used avocado oil
- 2 tablespoons water 30 ml
Instructions
- Pre-heat oven to 400 F degrees. Line a large baking sheet with parchment paper and set aside.
- To a large bowl add besan, ajwain, cumin seeds, turmeric powder, hing, red chili powder and salt. Also add the baking powder.
- Add the oil and mix with your hands. Rub flour between your palms to incorporate the oil well into the flour. Mix until it resembles crumbs.
- Start adding water, little by little to bring the dough together. Mix until it all comes together and forms a dough.
- Place the dough between two sheets of parchment paper. Using a roller, roll the dough between the two sheets.
- Roll the dough into 1/8 inch thick. Then cut into squares (or any shape you like). I used a cookie cutter and cut squares of 1.5 x 1.5 inch.
- Transfer the papdi/crackers onto a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. You can even pierce them with fork so that they don't rise during baking.
- Bake at 400 F degrees for 12 to 13 minutes until golden brown and crisp. I would suggest keeping an eye on them from 10 minutes mark, they can burn pretty quickly.
- Let them cool down to room temperature and then store in an airtight container for 2 to 3 weeks.Serve besan papdi as a snack with chai!
Notes
- Adding hing (asafoetida) is optional in this recipe. Skip to make this besan papdi gluten-free.
- These can burn pretty quickly so keep an eye on them after 10 minutes in the oven.
Nutrition
Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.
Thank you for a wonderful recipe….
These 29 calories are for 1 such papdi right
right, please keep in mind this is an estimate only calculated automatically by a plugin so not 100% accurate.
How should the dough be? Like bhakri dough?
It’s a tight dough, exact measurements are given. If you follow it you will have the right dough.
Came out excellent
Came out well. Was looking for a healthy snack. Easy to make ?
great!
I haven’t ever made this, but I will try your recipe now. As this looks like the perfect addition to the Diwali snack list!