This crispy Chana Dal namkeen will become your next favorite tea time snack
It’s crunchy and super easy to make. You’ll need just a few minutes of prep time to put it together.
Best of all, this is one of those snacks that is actually rich in protein and is a healthy alternative to your chips and other packaged snacks.
Ready to give this recipe a try? Here’s all you need to know about it.
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Ingredients For the Recipe
You need just five simple ingredients to make this crispy chana dal namkeen.
- Chana dal (soaked): 1 cup
- Oil: For frying
- Salt: ½ tbsp
- Red chili powder: 1 tsp
- Chaat masala: 1 tsp
How to Make the Spicy and Crispy Chana Dal Namkeen
Once you have your ingredients ready, here’s what you’ll need to do.
Soak the chana dal for at least 30 minutes.
Next drain the water and lay out the soaked chana dal on a kitchen towel. Use another kitchen towel to dry the moong dal completely.
Heat oil for frying. Once the chana dal is completely dry, transfer to the oil.
Fry for 7-10 minutes or until the chana dal is crisp. Make sure they do not burn.
Transfer the fried chana dal to a kitchen towel and soak the excess oil.
Transfer the fried chana dal to a mixing bowl. Add the salt, red chili powder, and chaat masala.
Enjoy this delightful snack with a cup of tea.
Frequently Asked Questions
I have used a simple seasoning mix of salt, red chili powder and chaat masala to season and add flavor to the chana dal namkeen
You can use any other seasoning of your choice. Italian seasoning, Peri Peri seasoning and even some smoked paprika or some ranch can really add some extra flavor to the crunchy snack
To make this chana dal namkeen healthier, you can bake it in the oven or air fry it until it is nice and crispy.
Remember not to overcrowd, the baking sheet or the air fryer basket to ensure that the Chana Dal turns out crunchy, just the way you want it to be.
If you have any leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in a cool dark place at room temperature for up to 2 weeks.
If the chana dal namkeen has lost its crispiness, you can reheat it in the microwave for a few minutes and allow it to cool down before you serve it.
Tips & Tricks to Make the Spicy and Crispy Chana Dal Namkeen
Ready to give this spicy and crispy chana dal namkeen recipe a shot? Before you do, you might want to keep these little tips and tricks in mind.
- To lend some tanginess to the crispy chana dal namkeen, you can add a little sprinkle of dry mango powder.
- While this recipe calls for the chana dal to be soaked for just half an hour, I would highly recommend an overnight soak.
- Soaking the chana dal overnight helps draw in moisture and makes it easier to cook.
- Another important tip to take note of is to let the chana dal dry completely before you decide to fry it. Doing this will help keep the chana dal from sticking to each other and on the sides of the pot.
- You can soak the chana dal in water or in a mixture of water and some baking soda if you want it to be extra crunchy.
- If you have some leftover chana dal, you can mix it with some chopped onions, potatoes and tomatoes and top it with your favorite chutneys to turn it into a nice bhel.
- When frying the dal, keep an eye on the temperature of the oil. It shouldn’t be too hot, nor too cold.
- Once the dal starts to turn crisp, get it out and transfer it to a plate lined with paper towels to help soak up all the excess oil.
- Allow the chana dal to cool down completely before serving it. Doing this will allow the dal to become even more crispy.
Serving Ideas & Suggestions
This crispy chana dal namkeen can be served as a teatime snack when paired with some Indian masala, tea or some coffee.
You don’t need to team it up with any additional sauces or condiments.
If you enjoyed making this crispy and crunchy snack and are looking for some more easy snack recipes, here are a few good ones you might want to try out.
📖 Recipe
Spicy and Crispy Chana Dal Namkeen
Ingredients
- 1 cup Chana dal, (soaked)
- 1 cup Oil
- ½ tablespoon Salt
- 1 teaspoon Red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Chaat masala
Instructions
- Soak the chana dal for at least 30 minutes.
- Next drain the water and lay out the soaked chana dal on a kitchen towel. Use another kitchen towel to dry the chana dal completely.
- Heat oil for frying. Once the chana dal is completely dry, transfer to the oil.
- Fry for 7-10 minutes or until the chana dal is crisp. Make sure they do not burn.
- Transfer the fried chana dal to a kitchen towel and soak the excess oil.
- Transfer the fried chana dal to a mixing bowl. Add the salt, red chili powder, and chaat masala.
- Enjoy this delightful snack with a cup of tea.
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