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| How to Make Samosa Recipe |
A samosa is a deep-fried Indian snack with a crisp, flaky crust and a savory filling –usually spiced potatoes and peas. Flaky and crunchy, samosas are among the most beloved street food snacks in North Indian cuisine.
They have a pastry-like shell and a comforting, spiced potato and green peas stuffing that makes them incredibly satisfying.
What makes this the best homemade samosa recipe? As a trained pastry chef who’s worked with everything from laminated doughs to shortcrusts, I can tell you that achieving that golden, flaky crust comes down to the right balance of fat and water.
In this Samosa recipe, I use slightly less water than usual to create a firmer, flakier dough. This is the same trick I use when making samosa pie which is a baked, non-fried version that’s just as delicious.
The filling is hearty, gently spiced, and easy to prepare in a pressure cooker, Instant Pot, or stovetop pan. It’s based on a version from my old cooking school notes and has become a favorite at home.
You’ll find a video included that shows exactly how I shape, fill, and fry the samosas; perfect if you’re making them for the first time and need a visual reference.
Crispy on the outside, soft and spiced within, this step-by-step guide will help you master the art of making authentic Punjabi samosas from scratch.
Step-by-Step Punjabi Samosa Recipe
Below is my complete step-by-step guide with photos for making the best Punjabi Samosa recipe from scratch.
You start by making the savory filling and pastry dough. Then assemble the Aloo Samosa, fry, and enjoy with your favorite dipping sauces and chutneys!
Boil Potatoes & Cook Peas
1. The first step is to cook the potatoes and peas for the savory and spiced filling.
To cook the potatoes and peas in a stovetop pressure cooker: Place 3 medium-sized whole potatoes (300 to 450 grams) and 2 to 2.5 cups water in a 3 or 4 litre pressure cooker. On top of the potatoes carefully set a small trivet and pressure cooker-safe bowl with ½ cup green peas. Pressure cook for 5 to 6 whistles or 7 to 8 minutes on medium to medium-high flame.
If using an Instant Pot: Place 3 medium-sized whole potatoes in the steel insert of a 6 quart IP. Add 2 cups water. Place a trivet on top of the potatoes, and on top of the trivet set a bowl with ½ cup of green peas. Pressure cook on high for 20 to 25 minutes.
2. For the stovetop pressure cooker, remove the lid after all the pressure falls in the cooker.
For the Instant Pot, do a quick pressure release after 5 to 7 minutes. Check with a knife or fork to see if the potatoes are cooked well.
The knife or fork should be able to slide through easily if the potatoes are cooked properly.
If the potatoes are undercooked, then cook them for a few more minutes using the pressure cook function. Once done, drain the potatoes and peas in a colander and set aside to cool.
3. Next, roast or toast the spices. This will help to release their flavors and should not be skipped!
4. Remove the spices from the heat and allow to cool completely. Then, put them in a spice grinder or small mixer-grinder jar.
5. Grind the toasted spices to a semi-fine powder, and set aside.
In a Hurry? Use This Quick Spice Blend Instead
Mix together:
- 2 teaspoons coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon fennel powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
Add this spice blend in step 9, along with the green peas and other ground spices.
6. Peel the skin off of the cooked potatoes, and chop them in ½ to 1 inch cubes.
7. In a small skillet, heat 1 tablespoon oil. When the oil becomes medium hot then reduce the heat to low.
Crackle ½ teaspoon cumin seeds until fragrant. I used mustard oil as it really adds a punch in the stuffing.
You can use neutral oil like sunflower oil, safflower oil, grapeseed oil or canola oil.
8. Keep the heat on low and add 1 teaspoon finely chopped or minced ginger and 2 teaspoons finely chopped green chillies.
Sauté for a few seconds until the raw aroma of ginger goes away.
9. Now either switch off the heat or reduce it to low, then add:
- Cooked green peas
- ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
- 1 pinch of asafoetida (hing)
- The prepared dry spice mix
- 1 to 2 teaspoons dry mango powder (amchur)
The mango powder is what gives the Punjabi Samosa filling its signature tangy flavor that balances so well with the savory, spicy flavors of the other stuffing ingredients.
10. Stir together and sauté for a minute. You can add less or more dry mango powder depending upon personal taste.
I added 2 teaspoons as just 1 teaspoon was not quite enough sour flavor for me.
11. Next add potato cubes, salt as required and 1 to 2 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves (cilantro) to the skillet.
12. Mix very well and sauté for a minute. Check the taste, and add more of the spices, salt or dry mango powder if needed.
Cover and set the filling aside while you make the dough.
13. In a large mixing bowl combine 2 cups all-purpose flour (250 grams), 1 teaspoon carom seeds, 1 teaspoon salt and 6 tablespoons ghee (50 grams).
14. With your fingers, mix the ingredients together until they make a breadcrumb-like texture that holds its shape when you press a portion of the mixture.
15. Then, working just a bit at a time, add in 7 to 8 tablespoons water in parts and knead.
You can add 1 to 2 tablespoons extra water if needed if the dough looks floury or dry.
16. Continue kneading to form a firm, tight dough. It should not be soft or sticky. Cover the dough with a moist kitchen towel and let rest for 30 minutes.
In case if your dough becomes too moist or sticky then add a few tablespoons of flour. Mix and knead again to a firm dough.
17. After the dough has rested, divide it into 6 to 7 even pieces. Take each piece and gently roll in your palms first to smooth and soften. Place it on your work surface or on the rolling board.
18. Then roll it with a rolling pin, being mindful to keep the thickness even at 1 mm and not too thin.
19. Cut the with a knife or a pastry cutter, right through the center of the rolled pastry dough.
20. Use a rolling pin to gently flatten the half moon shape to make even.
21. Use a pastry brush to lightly brush the dough with water around all of the edges.
22. Next, fold to join the straight edged side together to form a cone, like shown in the photo below. Be sure to press the edges well so that they are sealed!
The cone is now ready to be stuffed with the potato and pea filling.
23. Carefully spoon and lightly pack the prepared potato and pea stuffing into the cone.
Make sure to not over or under-fill to prevent the samosa from bursting during the frying process.
24. Crimp and pinch the edges to close as shown in photo below. This helps the samosa to stand once made.
25. Evenly press all of the edges, making sure there are no cracks in the dough. The edges should be sealed very well so that the stuffing does not come out while frying.
Prepare all the samosa this way as described above, and cover with a moist kitchen napkin to keep them from drying out.
Deep Fry Samosa
The final step to making the best samosa is to fry them to a perfectly crisp golden brown.
Use any neutral flavored oil to deep fry – sunflower oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, safflower oil, grapeseed oil are some options.
26. Heat the oil for deep frying in a kadai or pan. Test the oil by adding a small piece of dough – it should come up quickly if the oil is hot enough for frying.
Once the oil becomes medium-hot, gently slide 3 to 4 of the prepared stuffed samosas into the oil, and then immediately reduce the heat to low.
Do not overcrowd the pan to ensure each one of them fries evenly!
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