Bhel puri has to be officially the most loved chaat throughout India. Ok, this might be a bit controversial as there are some serious pani puri and masala puri lovers. Let’s just say it is one of the easiest chaats to make at home. Of course a little preparation is required but then with chaats the fun is just doubled as you prepare for it. It, in infact can be a complete family affair bringing this chatpata chaat together!
Bhel puri across our country is made in different ways, there’s murmura, churmuri, beach style, Mumbai style, Delhi style and many more. Here I have made the most common type of bhel puri eaten with papdi. Obviously one can mix and match different things to make it their own! Some like it sweet, some like it really hot and spicy!
This bhel puri recipe is just one of the ways of making it and everyone at home loves it! Sometimes I use pudina chutney but here I have made a simple red garlic chutney for some extra heat. Adjust all seasonings as per your taste. Feel free to omit potato and/or boiled mung (see notes).
To counter the heat I also dot my bhel puri with some fresh sweet yogurt/curd, simply superb. And do not forget to dry roast the puri or puffed rice so they turn crisp and do not become soggy once all toppings are mixed in. Like any other chaat, serve as soon as you mix it. Try more chaat recipes from FOI:
Dahi Papdi Chaat
Girmitt
Sev Puri
Peanut Chaat
Masala Puri
- 2-3 Cups of puri or puffed rice
- 10-12 papdi
- 1 boiled potato
- ½ Cup boiled mung beans
- ¼ Cup yogurt/curd
- Tamarind chutney or sweet chutney as required
- Salt to taste
- 2 Tsp chaat masala
- 1 Tsp red chilli powder
- 2-3 finely chopped onions
- 2-3 finely chopped tomato
- ¼ Cup chopped coriander
- ¼ Cup roasted peanuts
- Fine Sev as required
- Juice of 1-2 lemon/lime
- 2-3 garlic
- 1 Tsp red chilli flakes
- 1 Tsp edible coconut/groundnut oil
- Soak ¼ Cup of dried mung for half hour, pressure cook with little water for 3-4 whistles or till soft
- Peel and lightly dice the boiled potato, sprinkle salt and pepper
- Prepare papdi with this method or use store bought papdi
- In a mortar, pound the chilli flakes, garlic and add a Tsp of oil. This is the red chutney
- Chop tomatoes, onions finely and keep aside
- Make sweet chutney and keep aside
- Roast the groundnuts till crisp and keep aside
- Squeeze lemon/lime juice into a small bowl and keep ready
- Keep some fine sev also ready in a bowl as required
- Some chaat masala and red chilli powder must also be kept handy to sprinkle
- In a deep pan, lightly roast the puffed rice for a few minutes till crisp
- Now we are ready to mix the bhel puri
- In a bowl, take the crisped up puri
- Break a few papdi into the bowl
- Add boiled mung and boiled potato dices
- Next add finely chopped onions and tomatoes
- Sprinkle red chilli powder and chaat masala as per your taste
- Add a few roasted groundnuts
- Next add a little red chutney and sweet chutney as per your taste
- Add a little lemon/lime juice
- Lastly add some (a lot) sev
- Mix all gently with a wooden spoon till the seasoning it mixed through
- Chatpata bhel is ready to serve
- Garnish with coriander, sev, some sev and groundnuts
- Dot with little yogurt/curd
- Serve immediately!
Use pudina chutney instead of red garlic chutney if you wish to
Sprouted mung may also be used instead of boiled mung
Bhel Puri Stepwise:
Soak 1/4 Cup of dried mung for half hour, pressure cook with little water for 3-4 whistles or till soft
Peel and lightly dice the boiled potato, sprinkle salt and pepper
Prepare papdi with this method or use store bought papdi
In a mortar, pound the chilli flakes, garlic and add a Tsp of oil. This is the red chutney
Chop tomatoes, onions finely and keep aside
Make sweet chutney and keep aside
Roast the groundnuts till crisp and keep aside
Squeeze lemon/lime juice into a small bowl and keep ready
Keep some fine sev also ready in a bowl as required
Some chaat masala and red chilli powder must also be kept handy to sprinkle
In a deep pan, lightly roast the puffed rice for a few minutes till crisp
Now we are ready to mix the bhel puri
In a bowl, take the crisped up puri
Break a few papdi into the bowl
Add boiled mung and boiled potato dices
Next add finely chopped onions and tomatoes
Sprinkle red chilli powder and chaat masala as per your taste
Add a few roasted groundnuts
Next add a little red chutney and sweet chutney as per your taste
Add a little lemon/lime juice
Lastly add some (a lot) sev
Mix all gently with a wooden spoon till the seasoning is mixed through
Chatpata bhel is ready to serve
Garnish with coriander, sev, some sev and groundnuts
Dot with little yogurt/curd
Serve immediately!