Assorted snack platter with chutney dip.
Chili bites are deep-fried, tasty morsels of Indian origin, where they are referred to as ‘bhajias’. They are also popular in Cape Malay cuisine, where they are called ‘dhaltjies’.
Chili bites are often made with pea flour and shredded spinach, chopped green onion (spring onion), shredded potato, or even shredded Granny Smith apple is sometimes added to the batter for color and flavor.
Our simplified recipe can be served as is or with a chutney dip, and is a popular addition to any happy hour gathering.
Our recipe for Chutney dip is in our book on page 20.
Chili bites
Prep time:
Cook time:
Total time:
Serves: 20-30
Ingredients
- 1 cup flour
- 1 teaspoon baking powder
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 green chilies, seeded and diced
- ½ cup packed cilantro leaves, chopped
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon hot chili powder
- ¾ teaspoon salt
- ½ cup water, approximately
- oil for frying
Instructions
- Mix the flour, baking powder, onion, chilies, cilantro, cumin, chili powder and salt in a bowl.
- Add water to form a dropping batter.
- Pour oil into a heavy-based saucepan, to a depth of about an inch, and heat.
- Drop small spoonsfull of the batter into the hot oil and fry until lightly browned on all sides.
- Drain on paper toweling.
- Skewer with toothpicks and serve hot or at room temperature, as is, or with Chutney dip.
Notes
Keep the chili bites small and control the oil temperature so that they are lightly browned by the time that they are cooked through.
Saira says
What flours do you mix together to make nice homemade bhajiyas mix please I have tried but it never comes like the ready made bhajiya mix that we purchase in the shops
Aileen says
Saira, chickpea flour would be the traditional/authentic one to use. Spices are then mixed with this to taste.
marge says
Chick pea/Gram flour & self raisin flour 1 1/2 gram flour to 1/2 cup self raising ratio ok 1ts baking powder hope this helps Saira
Aileen says
Thank you Marge!
Frank says
What is Cilantro
Aileen says
Frank, cilantro is what we call dhania in South Africa. It is also known as Chinese parsley and is the leaves of the coriander plant.
The seeds of the coriander plant are known as coriander.
Cilantro (dhania) would be found in the fresh produce department of supermarkets where the parsley is kept.