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Among the crunchiest snacks that you can prepare at home, murukku tops the list. The dish has different names in different parts of the country, chakali in Karnataka and parts of North India, chakralu in Andhra Pradesh, thenkuzhal in Tamil Nadu, and more. The round snack is prepared by arranging the spiced batter in concentric circles and deep-frying them.
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It is predominantly a South Indian snack that has carved its special place in the North Indian namkeen market as well. Since murukku can be prepared from various flours, including rice, besan, and millet, it is considered a healthy option compared to maida and wheat-based snacks.
Millet Murukku
If you are trying to incorporate healthy snacks into your meals, millet-based murukku is a must-try. From ragi and jowar to bajra, you can prepare the spiced batter using your preferred choice of gluten-free flour. Make it healthier by using spices like carom seeds, cumin seeds, and sesame seeds. Shape murukku and deep-fry them. You can enjoy breakfast beverages or evening tea or coffee.
Butter Murukku
If you are looking to strike a balance between tasty and healthy, butter murukku is the way to go. Prepare the batter using urad dal flour, rice flour, butter, sesame seeds, cumin seeds, and water. It should easily pass through the machine used to make chakli. You can also add a few other spices to make the batter flavourful. After shaping murukku, deep-fry each chakli until crispy and golden brown.
Thenkuzhal Murukku
Thenkuzhal murukku (or arisi murukku) recipe is from Tamil Nadu where the base is rice flour. It gives the snack its slightly off-white hue and crispy texture. Rice flour and urad dal flour are combined with oil, water, and spices to prepare a mixture that can hold the chakli. Fry the snack until golden brown and store it in an airtight container to consume over weeks.
Multi-Grain Murukku
Taking inspiration from multi-grain bread, try your hands to prepare multi-grain murukku. Besan, wheat flour, millet flour, and rice flour are combined with spices to prepare a thick paste that can be easily passed through the machine. It is shaped into concentric circles and slipped into hot oil. It is a great snack to pair with coffee or tea. You can also serve it to your guests as a healthy alternative to store-bought bhujia.
Spinach Murukku
To add new flavour to murukku, you don’t just have to explore different flours and spices, you can also experiment with vegetables like spinach that could infuse the fried snack with minerals, vitamins, and a natural green hue. While making the paste for chakli, add thick spinach puree before adding water. If you make it with urad dal flour and rice flour ensure the crust remains crispy.
Besan Murukku
Besan or gram flour murukku is the most common you can find in shops across India. Chickpea flour and rice flour are combined along with a pinch of turmeric powder, carom seeds, asafoetida, and salt. Add some butter to enhance the notes of the snack and deep-fry in clean oil. You can serve this with evening tea or savour as a midnight snack.
Potato Murukku
Much like spinach, you can make potato murukku. It will be like crispy French fries that you can store in your kitchen. Prepare a mix of boiled potatoes, rice flour, hing, cumin seeds, and melted butter. If needed, add more spices. Shape the murukku and deep-fry them until golden brown. Similarly, you can make garlic murukku, corn flour murukku, and many other variants.
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