Dill Leaves Pakoda

If you like your pakoda crispy on the outside and moist but not soggy on the inside, then you’re going to LOVE these dill leaves pakoda! The trick for extra crisp texture is to add a little bit of rice flour.

This is a quick and easy dill leaves recipe that’s super delicious and perfect tea-time snack.

Dill leaves pakoda in a plate with ketchup on side

The English name Dill leaves known as Suva bhaji in Gujarati, Shepu in Marathi, Sabbasige soppu in Kannada, sathakuppi sompa in Tamil, Soya koora in Telugu and Sathakuppa in Malayalam. 

The word pakoda (fritter) usually conjures up something deep-fried and yes these dill pakoda are deep-fried but not heavy at all. See the frying tips below so you get light (not oily) pakodas.

You’ll need a handful of dill leaves, onion, besan, rice flour, and some basic Indian spices and end up with a plateful of golden crispy dill leaves pakora that is can’t-stop-eating-them delicious. It’s pretty amazing, right?

Trying dill leaves for the first time? You might love it or not like it. Dill leaves have strong taste and aroma. The first-timers, please start will lesser amount than mentioned, once your palate gets used to with this bhaji then keep increasing the amount.

The important step

In order to make the crispy pakoda, the most important step is to make the right consistency of the batter. The batter should be thick (not runny at all). 

The thin, runny batter will soak up so much oil while frying and end up with soggy, soft pakoda which no-one likes.

Another trick to make crispy dill leaves pakoda? The temperature of the oil has to be right. Keep the heat medium or medium-high. 

Oil has to be hot enough. Meaning: when you drop the spoonful of batter into the hot oil, it should sizzle and float on top within seconds. 

If it takes some time to float then the oil is not hot enough and pakoda will soak up extra oil and you end up with soggy pakoda.

How To Make Dill Leaves Pakoda? (Pics)

1) Take dry ingredients (besan, rice flour, salt, sesame seeds, red chili powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, fennel powder, garam masala, hing) in a bowl. Mix well.

2) Add chopped onions, green chili, and dill leaves.

3) Mix everything well so the flour is coated to veggies.

4) Now add little water at a time and make a thick batter.

Collage of making dill leaves pakoda batter pics

5) Heat the oil in a pan on medium heat for deep-frying. Once the oil is hot, add a spoonful of batter carefully into the hot oil (use two spoons or use your fingers and thumb as our moms do).

6) Do not touch them with a spatula for a minute then you can keep moving and turning around for even browning. While frying makes sure that oil does not get too hot. If so adjust the heat level otherwise pakoda will stay raw from inside. 

Once they are golden brown and crispy from all around then remove using a slotted spatula and keep them to a paper towel-lined plate.

Collage of frying dill leaves pakoda into hot oil pics

Serving suggestion: To feel the best texture and to get the best taste, pakoda should be served warm or hot. Serve them with a dipping sauce like green chutney or mint chutney and tomato ketchup.

Check out more pakoda Recipes
Aloo pakora
Palak pakoda
Rice pakora

Dill leaves pakoda on a plate with one pakoda is shown inside part

Did you try this recipe? I’d love to hear about it! Leave a review in the comment section below.

Dill Leaves Pakoda Recipe

5 from 4 votes
Dill leaves pakoda in a plate with ketchup on side
These dill leaves pakoda made crispy around the edges with soft inside. They are deep-fried yet light and not oily. Serve them as a tea-time snack or evening snack.
Kanan
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 30 minutes
Serving Size 2 servings

US measuring cups are used (1 cup = 240 ml)

Ingredients

  • cup Besan (gram flour)
  • 3 tablespoons Rice flour
  • a pinch Hing (Asafoetida)
  • 1 tablespoon Sesame seeds
  • ½ teaspoon Red chili powder
  • ¼ teaspoon Turmeric powder
  • ½ teaspoon Cumin powder
  • ½ teaspoon Fennel seeds powder
  • ¼ teaspoon Garam masala
  • Salt , to taste
  • 1 Green chilies, chopped finely
  • ¼ cup Red onion, chopped
  • ½ cup Dill leaves (sephu bhaji or suva bhaji), chopped
  • cup Water
  • Oil, for deep frying

Instructions

  • Take dry ingredients (besan, rice flour, salt, sesame seeds, red chili powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, fennel powder, garam masala, hing) in a bowl. Mix well.
  • Add chopped onions, green chili, and dill leaves.
  • Mix everything well so the flour is coated to veggies.
  • Now add little water at a time and make a thick batter.
  • Heat the oil in a pan on medium heat for deep-frying. Once the oil is hot, add a spoonful of batter carefully into the hot oil (use two spoons or use your fingers and thumb as our moms do).
  • Do not touch them with a spatula for a minute then you can keep moving and turning around for even browning. While frying makes sure that oil does not get too hot. If so adjust the heat level otherwise pakoda will stay raw from inside.
  • Once they are golden brown and crispy from all around then remove using a slotted spatula and keep them to a paper towel-lined plate.
  • Serve them hot or warm.

Notes

Batter consistency is the key to make good crispy (not soggy) dill leaves pakoda. The batter should be thick and not runny at all. The runny batter will soak up so much oil while frying and makes soggy, oily pakoda. If by mistake it becomes runny then add more besan.
Another trick to make crispy pakoda? The temperature of the oil has to be right. Keep the heat medium or medium-high. Oil has to be hot enough. Meaning: when you drop the spoonful of batter into the hot oil, it should sizzle and float on top within seconds. If it takes some time to float then the oil is not hot enough and pakoda will soak up extra oil and you end up with soggy pakoda.
What does it taste like? Dill leaves have prominent flavor, so if you are not a fan of dill flavor then start will lesser amount. Increase gradually as it suits your palate.
Storing & Reheating: These dill leaves pakoda are best cooked and eaten right away to get the crisp texture. But if you like you can store leftovers in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

Nutrition

Calories: 415kcal (21%) | Carbohydrates: 27g (9%) | Protein: 7g (14%) | Fat: 32g (49%) | Saturated Fat: 3g (15%) | Sodium: 689mg (29%) | Potassium: 304mg (9%) | Fiber: 5g (20%) | Sugar: 4g (4%) | Vitamin A: 1055IU (21%) | Vitamin C: 14mg (17%) | Calcium: 78mg (8%) | Iron: 3mg (17%)

Check Out More Dill Leaves Recipes

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5 from 4 votes (1 rating without comment)

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