Mini Crispy Samosas (Oil‑Free Style)
Mini Crispy Samosas (Oil‑Free Style) is a medium Indian recipe that serves 4. 80 calories per serving.
Prep: 1 hr 25 min | Cook: 45 min | Total: 2 hrs 30 min
Cost: $30.14 total, $7.54 per serving
Ingredients
- 2 cups All-Purpose Flour (sifted; can be 100% whole‑wheat flour or a 50/50 blend)
- 1 tablespoon Salt (adjust to taste)
- 1.5 tablespoons Desi Ghee (melted; can substitute with vegetable oil for a lighter texture)
- 0.5 cup Cold Water (use only half a cup; extra water will make the dough soft and less crispy)
- 1 teaspoon Fennel Seeds (large seeds, lightly toasted)
- 2 teaspoons Coriander Seeds (dry, whole)
- 2 teaspoons Cumin Seeds (dry, whole)
- 1 teaspoon Amchur (Dry Mango Powder)
- 1 teaspoon Kashmiri Red Chili Powder (mild heat, gives bright color)
- 0.5 teaspoon Garam Masala
- 0.5 teaspoon Turmeric Powder
- 0.5 teaspoon Milk Powder (helps bind the dry filling)
- 3 tablespoons Desiccated Coconut (unsweetened)
- 1 teaspoon Salt (for filling)
- 175 grams Namkeen Mix (e.g., Samriddhi Namkeen) (coarsely ground, about 1.5‑2 cups; can use any crunchy Indian snack mix)
- 0.5 teaspoon Asafoetida (Hing) (optional, adds depth)
- 3 grams Dried Tamarind Paste (small piece, adds tanginess)
- 7 pieces Long Pepper (Pippali) (optional, for extra warmth)
- 3 tablespoons Cashew Nuts (coarsely chopped)
- 3 tablespoons Raisins (seedless)
- 1 tablespoon Ghee (for tempering) (heated until hot, then cooled slightly before adding to spices)
- 2 cups Refined Cooking Oil (for deep frying; use a high‑smoke‑point oil like sunflower or canola)
Instructions
Prepare the Dough
In a mixing bowl combine the sifted flour, salt and melted ghee. Add the cold water gradually while mixing until a firm, non‑sticky dough forms.
Time: PT10M
Rest the Dough
Cover the dough with a clean dry cloth and let it rest for 30 minutes at room temperature.
Time: PT30M
Toast Whole Spices
Heat 1 tbsp ghee in a small pan over medium heat. Add fennel seeds, coriander seeds, cumin seeds, asafoetida, dried tamarind piece, and long pepper. Toast for about 1 minute until fragrant.
Time: PT2M
Grind the Toasted Spices
Allow the toasted spices to cool, then grind them into a fine powder using a spice grinder or mortar‑pestle.
Time: PT3M
Mix the Dry Filling
In a large bowl combine the ground spice powder, amchur, Kashmiri red chili powder, garam masala, turmeric, milk powder, desiccated coconut, salt, and the namkeen mix. Add chopped cashews, raisins, and the cooled ghee. Mix thoroughly until everything is evenly coated.
Time: PT10M
Divide and Roll the Dough
Pinch off about 30 g of dough (roughly the size of a golf ball) for each samosa. Using a rolling pin, roll each piece into a thin oval about 12‑14 cm long and 2 cm wide. The sheet should be almost translucent.
Time: PT20M
Shape the Mini Samosas
Lay a small amount of water on the edge of the rolled sheet, fold it into a cone, fill with 1‑1.5 tbsp of the spice‑nut mixture, then seal the top edge by pressing gently with your fingers.
Time: PT15M
Dry the Assembled Samosas
Place the sealed samosas on a tray, cover loosely with a dry cloth and let them rest for 1 hour. This dries the surface and prevents oil absorption later.
Time: PT1H
Heat the Oil
Pour the refined oil into the frying pan (enough for deep frying) and heat to about 150 °C (300 °F). Use a thermometer or test by dropping a small piece of dough – it should sizzle slowly.
Time: PT10M
Temperature: 150°C
Fry the Samosas
Gently lower the samosas into the oil. Fry on low heat for 30‑35 minutes, turning occasionally, until they turn golden‑brown and crisp.
Time: PT35M
Temperature: 150°C
Cool and Store
Remove the fried samosas with a slotted spoon, drain on paper towels, and let them cool completely. Store in an airtight container.
Time: PT10M
Nutrition Facts
- Calories
- 80
- Protein
- 1 g
- Carbohydrates
- 10 g
- Fat
- 4 g
- Fiber
- 1 g
Dietary info: Vegetarian, Can be made vegan by using oil instead of ghee in the dough and filling
Allergens: Wheat, Tree nuts (cashews), Dairy (ghee), Soy (if using soy‑based oil)
Last updated: April 11, 2026






