Kitchen Recipe Collection
Indian Masala Papad
A classic Indian restaurant appetizer. A large, crispy roasted lentil wafer topped with a spicy, tangy, crunchy onion-tomato salad.
- Prep
- 5 min
- Cook
- 2 min
- Total
- 7 min
- Servings
- 2
- Difficulty
- easy
- Cuisine
- indian
Ingredients
Scaled for 2 servings
- large urad dal papad
- onions
- tomatoes
- green chilies
- fresh coriander
- lemon juice
- chaat masala
- red chili powder
- fine sev (optional)
Equipment
- Frying pan or open flame
Instructions
- 1
Prep Veggies
Finely chop onions and tomatoes. (Crucial: Remove the wet pulp and seeds from the tomatoes so they don't make the papad soggy).
- 2
Prep Aromatics
Finely mince green chilies and fresh coriander leaves.
- 3
Cook the Papad (Method 1: Roast)
For a healthy version, roast the dry Urad Dal Papad directly over a low open gas flame using tongs, flipping constantly until crisp and blistered.
- 4
Cook the Papad (Method 2: Fry)
For the true restaurant taste, shallow fry the papad in a wide pan with a little oil for 5 seconds until it expands and crisps. Drain oil well.
- 5
The Salad Mix
In a small bowl, lightly toss the chopped onions, tomatoes, chilies, and coriander.
- 6
Season the Salad
Do not add salt to the salad bowl (it releases water). Wait until assembly.
- 7
Assemble
Place the hot, crispy papad on a large flat plate.
- 8
Spread Toppings
Evenly scatter the onion-tomato mixture all over the surface of the papad.
- 9
Spice it Up
Sprinkle generously with chaat masala and a pinch of red chili powder across the whole papad.
- 10
Add Tanginess
Squeeze fresh lemon juice evenly over the toppings.
- 11
Add Crunch (Optional)
Sprinkle a handful of fine nylon Sev all over for an extra layer of crunch.
- 12
Serve Instantly
Masala Papad must be served and eaten the exact second it is assembled, before the vegetables turn the crisp wafer into wet cardboard.
Cooking Tips
- Never prep the papad in advance. The moisture from the tomatoes and lemon juice will ruin the crispiness in exactly 60 seconds.
- Urad Dal papads with black pepper built into them give the best flavor.
Variations
- Cheese Masala Papad: Grate processed cheese over the top before serving.
Chef's Notes & Storage
- The compulsory first order at any North Indian restaurant while waiting for the main course.
Nutrition Estimate
80 calories · 4g protein · 12g carbs · 1g fat · 2g fiber per serving
