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Crispy Karanji Recipe The Perfect Maharashtrian Sweet

Crispy Karanji Recipe: The Perfect Maharashtrian Sweet

Shubham Nimbalkar
Learn how to make the perfect crispy Karanji with our easy, step-by-step recipe. Get tips to make non-oily, delicious Maharashtrian Karanji at home!
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 45 minutes
Course festival Recipe, Snacks
Cuisine Indian

Ingredients
  

For the outer covering:

  • 500 g Maida All-Purpose Flour
  • 100 g Fine Rava Semolina
  • A pinch of Salt
  • 100 ml hot Oil or Ghee
  • Water as needed for kneading

For the filling Saran:

  • 2 large bowls of grated Dry Coconut
  • 1,1/2 tbsp Khaskhas Poppy Seeds
  • 100 g Fine Rava Semolina
  • 2 tbsp Ghee Clarified Butter
  • A mix of chopped Almonds, Cashews, and Pistachios
  • 1 cup Powdered Sugar or to taste
  • A handful of Raisins
  • 3-4 Cardamom Pods powdered
  • A small piece of Nutmeg grated
  • A pinch of Salt

Instructions
 

Making the Dough:

  • In a large bowl, mix the maida, fine rava, and a pinch of salt.
  • Add 100 ml of hot oil (or ghee) to the flour mixture. Mix it well with a spoon first, then use your hands to incorporate the oil evenly. The mixture should hold its shape when you press it in your fist.
  • Gradually add water and knead a firm dough. Don’t make it too soft.
  • Cover the dough with a damp cotton cloth and let it rest for at least 20-30 minutes.

Preparing the Filling (Saran):

  • Roast the grated dry coconut in a pan on medium heat for 1-2 minutes until it's lightly golden. This helps it stay fresh for longer. Remove it and keep it aside.
  • In the same pan, lightly roast the poppy seeds for a minute until they start to pop.
  • Next, dry roast the fine rava for 2 minutes on medium heat. Then add 2 tbsp of ghee and roast until the rava turns golden brown and aromatic.
  • Add the chopped nuts to the rava and roast for another minute. Turn off the gas.
  • In a large bowl, combine the roasted coconut, roasted rava mixture, roasted poppy seeds, powdered sugar, raisins, cardamom powder, nutmeg, and a pinch of salt. Mix everything well. Your delicious filling is ready!

Assembling and Frying the Karanji:

  • After the dough has rested, knead it again for a minute.
  • Make small, equal-sized balls from the dough.
  • Roll each ball into a thin, round puri. Don’t make it too thick or too thin.
  • Place 1-2 tablespoons of the filling in the centre of the puri.
  • Apply a little milk or water to the edges of the puri. Fold one side over to form a semi-circle and press the edges firmly to seal it.
  • You can use a fork to create a design on the edges or use a Karanji cutter for a perfect shape.
  • Heat oil in a pan on medium heat. The oil should not be too hot. To check, drop a small piece of dough; it should rise to the top slowly.
  • Gently slide the Karanjis into the oil. Fry them on a low-medium flame, turning them occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy on both sides.
  • Remove them from the oil and place them on a wire rack to drain any excess oil.
  • Let them cool down completely before storing them in an airtight container.

Video

Keyword Diwali, Diwali Recipe, Karanji Recipe