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The classic combination of chai and pakoras is unbeatable. Especially when it’s raining, and you can hear the pitter-patter on your window pane or smell the petrichor, the craving for crispy pakoras with a hot cup of chai comes naturally to every Indian. No matter which state you reside in, Punjabi pakore, Gujarati bhajiya, or Bengali chop, you would know the joy of eating fritters on a rainy day.
To celebrate and enjoy guilt-free eating, Chai Pakora Day is celebrated on the 30th of July across the nation. From the North Indian paneer pakora to Rajasthani mirchi vada, read on and explore the different types of fritters that you can enjoy with your evening chai. With air fryers, you can even make your Chai Pakora Day filled with guilt-free indulgence.
Paneer Pakora
Paneer pakora is a traditional North Indian snack. Popular in the streets of Punjab, it has now made its way across borders as well. Made with fresh paneer coated in a besan batter, these are just the right snack you want to pair with your tea. Just make a consistent batter by mixing besan with water and spices like red chilli powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, chaat masala, and salt. After coating the paneer cubes with the batter, you can deep-fry and enjoy with a chutney.
Fish Pakora
Fish pakora is one of the most famous non-vegetarian fritters. In coastal regions like West Bengal, Goa, or Kerela, fish pakoras are a staple with chai. They are made by marinating fish fillets in a batter made with besan and the go-to spices. Once the fish skillets absorb the flavours, you can deep-fry or air fry to get crispy pakoras.
Mirchi Vada
Mirchi vada is a popular Rajasthani snack. The street food favourite is now a staple beach-side or poolside snack in India as well as across the globe. These fritters are typically made by stuffing large green chillies with a potato-based filling. You can then coat the filled chillies with a spiced besan batter and deep-fry till they are golden brown. Now, all that’s left is to enjoy Chai Pakora Day with your hot mirchi vada and tea.
Bread Pakora
Be it in the streets of the national capital, Delhi or across Punjab, bread pakora is an all-time favourite fritter that you must make this Chai Pakora Day. Bread pakoras can be enjoyed in different variations. For example, you can add a potato or paneer filling between two slices or enjoy it as is with a chutney.
Moong Dal Pakoda
Moong dal pakodas are a staple in many parts of India, particularly in Gujarat and Rajasthan. These pakoras are often made during festivals and are a popular tea-time snack. You can make moong dal pakodas by grinding soaked moong dal into a paste. After mixing in ginger, green chillies, cumin seeds, asafoetida, and other spices, you can take small portions of the batter and deep-fry to perfection.
Banana Flower Pakora (Mocha Pakora)
The Bengal-special Banana flower pakora, also known as Mocha pakora is a traditional tea-time snack. Using nutritious banana flowers is pretty common in West Bengal. So, during monsoon, the banana flowers are typically chopped and mixed with spices in a consistent besan batter. Deep-fried to perfection, these fritters can be enjoyed with authentic Indian tea on Chai Pakora Day.
