Crispy Punugulu Recipe: Savory South Indian Fritters

12 hours 15 minutes

879 reads

4.25 from 4 votes

About Crispy Punugulu Recipe: Savory South Indian Fritters

Punugulu are delightful South Indian savory fritters, perfect as a teatime snack or festive appetizer. These bite-sized dumplings are made from a fermented batter of urad dal (split black gram) and rice, creating a uniquely crisp exterior and soft interior.
Infused with aromatic onions, green chilies, and fresh coriander, each Punugulu bursts with flavor. The simple recipe comes together quickly, resulting in a satisfyingly crunchy treat that's sure to impress.
Serve these golden-brown beauties hot with your favorite chutney – coconut chutney, peanut chutney, or even a spicy tomato chutney are all excellent choices!
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Recipe Time & More

Prep12 hours
Cook15 minutes
Total12 hours 15 minutes
Calories137 kcal
Serves4
Served AsSnacks
Recipe TasteSaltySpicy

Ingredients
 

Batter Ingredients

  • 1 cup Gram black, split, urad dal
  • 1/2 cup Rice
  • 1 tsp Salt or to taste
  • 1/4 tsp Cumin seeds

Flavoring Ingredients

Other Ingredients

  • Water as needed, for blending and soaking
  • Oil as needed, for deep frying
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Instructions
 

Prepare the Batter

  • Wash the urad dal and rice thoroughly under cold running water until the water runs clear.
  • Soak the urad dal and rice in plenty of water for at least 7-8 hours, or preferably overnight.
  • Drain the soaked dal and rice completely.
  • Blend the soaked dal and rice into a smooth batter using a little water as needed. The batter should be thick, not thin.
  • Transfer the batter to a large bowl and let it ferment in a warm place for 7-8 hours or overnight. The batter should be slightly risen and fluffy.

Mix in Flavorings

  • Once fermented, gently mix the batter well to incorporate any air pockets.
  • Add salt, cumin seeds, chopped onions, green chilies, coriander leaves, and semolina to the batter. Mix everything thoroughly until well combined.

Fry the Punugulu

  • Heat oil in a deep pan or kadai over medium heat.
  • Once the oil is hot, drop spoonfuls of the batter into the oil, forming small, round dumplings.
  • Deep-fry the Punugulu on low-medium heat, ensuring they turn golden brown on all sides. This will take about 3-4 minutes per batch.
  • Remove the golden-brown Punugulu from the oil and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to absorb excess oil.
  • Serve hot with your favorite chutney.

Recipe Notes

Expert Tips for Perfect Punugulu

  • For extra crispy Punugulu, add a tablespoon of rice flour to the batter.
  • Don't overcrowd the pan while frying; this will lower the oil temperature and result in oily Punugulu.
  • Adjust the amount of green chilies according to your spice preference. Start with less and add more if needed.
  • For a smoother batter, you can strain the batter through a fine-mesh sieve after blending.
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4.25 from 4 votes

Recipe Nutrition

Calories: 137kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 1gFat: 13gSaturated Fat: 2gPolyunsaturated Fat: 3.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 6.6gSodium: 855mg

Neha Sharma
Neha Sharma
Articles: 8
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4 Comments

4.25 from 4 votes

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