This masala papad recipe is bursting with savory flavors and makes an easy appetizer snack. Masala papad is a popular Indian street food snack perfect for entertaining , casual hosting or happy hour menu.
I am always looking to make an easy snack to get through that tough 3 pm afternoon slump. Typically I make a nice cup of kadak masala chai and have some savory munchies to snack along.
So , making a mason jar full of some easy Indian snacks is always on my weekly meal plan. Pumpkin seeds trail mix, Rice Krispies Chivada or Roasted Masala Chickpeas make excellent options... for adults tea time as well as for kids after school snack.
Indian Masala Papad Starter
And when it comes to making something in jiffy, we can never go wrong with this masala papad recipe. So easy, super customizable and light on calories yet super satisfying.
Masala papad is a super popular Indian starter served across pubs and restaurants. It is my family's favorite thing to order at the restaurant. My sisters, friends, hubby and colleagues all LOVE it.
I started making masala papad chat for my friends who were casually visiting . And as I realized how popular and nostalgic it was to munch on these crisp papads drizzled with delectable toppings, it needed to be included in our recipe repertoire.
So drum rolls please.. here is my favorite , ultimate plant-based afternoon snack, happy hour appetizer recipe of Masala Papad!!
Recipe Features
EASY and QUICK: Store bought papad can be roasted in minutes using a variety of methods.. in microwave, on the stove or even in the air-fryer. Then you top it off with chopped veggies, chat masala and red pepper.. you can make the entire batch in 10 minutes. Makes it a superb everyday recipe.
GREAT FOR ENTERTAINING: Just like breaking bread to start a conversation, breaking a masala papad is a great starter. With a chilled cold drink on the side, it will happily get your party rolling.
This recipe can be made in moments notice without much prep or planning. Most items are already in your pantry and easily available.
VERSATILE: There is no hard and fast rule on what you can put on your roasted papads to make this recipe. Anything easily available or anything you especially like can all be used.
INGREDIENTS
Exact measurements are listed in the recipe card below. Here's brief overview and notes about ingredients used:
Papads – I recommend using a sturdy variety of lijjat papads to make this recipe. You can use plain, spicy or Punjabi style. Dry urad dal papad packets in variety of different flavors are sold in most Indian grocery stores and are also easily available online. Adding my affiliate link for urad papad in case you want to buy it from Amazon.
Pro Tip : You can toast/ roast papad in the microwave instead of deep frying. You can also use air-fryer to roast papad. It tastes great and works perfectly in this recipe.
Tomatoes – use any red ripe tomatoes you have easily available. To avoid Masala Papad from getting soggy, remove the seeds and core of tomatoes and use the outer part only.
Onion – I use a red onion for sharp flavors, but you could use a sweet onion or even a yellow onion.
Seasoning mix – I highly recommend using store bought Chaat Masala Powder to season the papads. It is a great spice mix to have in your pantry. This Indian Street Snack Seasoning Blend instantly transforms ordinary dishes, fruits and vegetables to extraordinary with salty, spicy, and sour flavor notes.
I am listing my Amazon affiliate link for Chat Masala to buy this spice mix online.
Cilantro/ Coriander Leaves- Adds a pop of freshness to this appetizer. Use just the leaves.
Lime or lemon juice : fresh lime or lemon juice brightens the masala papad taste. The sour tangy flavor is surely tantalizing.
Sev : Sev is a popular Indian must have in street style snack food. It is a deep fried snack made with crunchy chickpea noodles seasoned with an array of Indian spices. Ready-to-eat varieties of sev also are easily available in Indian stores. My Amazon Affiliate link for Indian Sev is here.
Red Chili Powder: A dusting of red chili powder as a topping adds a good spicy taste. Use it per your spice tolerance.
Additions / Substitutions / Variations : chopped cucumber, raw mangoes, potato chips, shredded carrots, green chillies can be added besides the onions. You can use other variety of papads including moong dal papad, rice papad besides plain papads ( thin indian wafer made with lentils)
STEP-BY-STEP INSTRUCTIONS
Prep your veggies : Finely chop onion and cilantro leaves. Cut the tomatoes in half. Remove the core and seeds then finely chop them.
Roast the Papad : Slightly brush some oil on top of dry papad. Then pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds. See the doneness after 30 seconds and add another 30 seconds if needed. A properly roasted papad has small bumps on top and a good crispy crunch.
You can do multiple papads at once in the microwave. Adjust the time accordingly. ( use only 30 seconds intervals to avoid burning the papads )
Tip: you can chop the veggies and roast the papad simultaneously to save time.
Layer it up : Lay the roasted papad on a flat surface ( you need to handle it gently to avoid it from breaking). Layer spoonful of chopped veggies and sev on top. Sprinkle red chili powder and chat masala.
Now your delicious Masala Papad is ready to be enjoyed. To avoid it from getting soggy, eat it soon after making.
MY FAVORITE APPETIZERS FOR EASY PARTY PLANNING
I love hosting parties to celebrate simple events and things. And making a variety of easy appetizers helps ita rocking success. Here are some delectable appetizer ideas:
- Italian Bruschetta
- Air Fryer Corn Fritters
- Super Delicious Nachos
- Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms
- Spinach Artichoke Dip
SIMILAR INDIAN RECIPES FOR YOU TO TRY
RECIPE FAQS
Is this recipe suitable for vegan and gluten-free eating?
Yes. All the ingredients are suitable for vegan and gluten-free food choices. Check the papad ingredients for a certified GF option.
How far in advance can this be made?
Masala papad should be eaten crispy and crunchy and freshly made. So have your prep ready like roast the papads and prep and chop the veggies ahead of time. However, hold off on layering them just until ready to eat. That way you will avoid them from getting soggy.
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📖 Recipe
Masala Papad Recipe
Ingredients
- 4 Urad Papad
- 1 Red onion - finely chopped
- 1 Red tomato - finely chopped
- 1 Tablespoon Cilantro or coriander leaves- finely chopped
- 1 Tablespoon Chat Masala
- ⅛ teaspoon red chili powder
- ¼ cup thin sev
- 1 teaspoon lemon or lime juice
Instructions
- Prep your veggies : Finely chop onion and cilantro leaves. Cut the tomatoes in half. Remove the core and seeds then finely chop them.
- Roast the Papad : Slightly brush some oil on top of dry papad. Then pop it in the microwave for 30 seconds. See the doneness after 30 seconds and add another 30 seconds if needed.
- A properly roasted papad has small bumps on top and a good crispy crunch. You can do multiple papads at once in the microwave. Adjust the time accordingly. ( use only 30 seconds intervals to avoid burning the papads )
- Tip: you can chop the veggies and roast the papad simultaneously to save time.
- Layer it up : Lay the roasted papad on a flat surface ( you need to handle it gently to avoid it from breaking). Layer spoonful of chopped veggies and sev on top. Sprinkle red chili powder, lime or lemon juice and chat masala.
- Enjoy ! Now your delicious Masala Papad is ready to be enjoyed. To avoid it from getting soggy, eat it soon after making.
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