
Whenever I feel like having something bold and fast, these fiery Bombay Potatoes instantly take me back to the lively buzz of my grandma’s kitchen. That crunchy outside, the hot kick from the seasonings—they’ve always been a crowd-pleaser at mine. They’re awesome with some naan or a scoop of tangy yogurt.
I first whipped these up back in college. They were cheap, fast, and tasted like being home again. These days, if friends come for Sunday lunch, they beg me to make them.
Hearty Ingredients
- Yukon Gold potatoes: They stay together and stay soft inside, which is key for soaking up flavors. Hunt for firm ones without any green
- Chickpea flour: Earthy and helps the spices grab on. Fresh, bright yellow flour gives the best bite
- Turmeric powder: Adds that sunny color and some warm taste. Get the brightest you can find for the real deal
- Red chili powder: Try Kashmiri for a punch of red and gentle spice. The deeper the color, the better it tastes
- Salt: Makes everything pop and keeps things balanced. Sea salt works best
- Vegetable oil: Gets everything evenly cooked and crispy. Pick one that doesn’t have a strong taste and handles heat well
- Mustard seeds: Toss in nutty flavor and that standout South Indian touch. Go for black mustard seeds
- Cumin seeds or powder: Smoky, earthy, and super aromatic—whole seeds are ideal if you have them
- Throw on curry leaves or fresh cilantro: Curry leaves amp up the flavor, but a handful of chopped cilantro brightens things up, too
Easy Steps
- Finish Up and Dish Out:
- Once your spuds are golden, turn off the stove. Toss in a few curry leaves or sprinkle over cilantro if you’re feeling it. They’re best hot—eat right away tucked in naan, with rice, or make a wrap out of 'em.
- Get That Golden Crunch:
- Pop your coated potatoes into the hot skillet. Don’t jam too many in at once. Let them sizzle for about four minutes, stir gently, then let them get golden on the other sides for a few more. If you want them even crispier, let 'em cook just a bit longer.
- Sizzle and Bloom the Spices:
- Heat up the oil in a big frying pan. Once it shimmers, toss in mustard seeds—they’ll pop fast. Right after, dump in the cumin and give it maybe twenty seconds so you smell that toasty goodness, but keep watch so nothing burns.
- Coat the Potatoes:
- Peel off skins now if you want (they come right off after a rinse). Drop the cooked potatoes straight into your bowl of spices.
- Spice Toss:
- Mix up the warm potatoes with your seasoning blend. Dribble in just a little water so everything sticks, but don’t go overboard or it’ll get mushy.
- Spice Mix Ready:
- Grab a mixing bowl big enough for every potato. Throw in the chickpea flour, chili powder, a pinch of salt, and the rest of your turmeric. Stir it up so everything’s nice and even.
- Boil & Chill the Spuds:
- Cut potatoes into big chunks, plop 'em in water with half your turmeric, and set it to boil. After about ten minutes, start poking with a fork. When they’re just soft, pull them out and give them a cold rinse to stop the cooking.

The chickpea flour is what really excites me with this one. It takes a plain cupboard find and turns it into magic, giving those potatoes the best crunchy shell. My nephew actually thinks these are better than fries—which basically means they have to show up at every family picnic now.
Keeping It Fresh
Leftovers? Just stash any extras in a tight container in the fridge and they’ll still be good for up to three days. Pop them back in a hot pan for a couple minutes to bring the crispness back. Don’t use the microwave, though—they’ll just get soggy.
Ingredient Swaps
If you can’t find Yukon Golds, any waxy potato is fine—just steer clear of russets since they break down too fast. Out of chickpea flour? Try rice flour or coarse cornmeal instead for the coating.
How to Enjoy
You can have these with dal or a cool raita for that classic match. They’re also awesome stuffed into wraps or pitas. Don’t forget to squeeze a lemon and pack it with fresh greens.
Local Story
Bombay potatoes (also called batata nu shaak) are a staple in Indian kitchens. Folks eat them for festive breakfasts or quick suppers, especially in the western part of India. Families tweak them with things like garam masala or amchur. For me, they bring back memories of noisy get-togethers with everyone fighting for the last scoop.

To me, these Bombay potatoes are one of the fastest ways to bring homey happiness to your table. Enjoy them sizzling hot while that shell is still crispy and the middle is all fluffy. Honestly, you won’t want to miss a bite.
Foire aux questions sur la recette
- → Can I prep Bombay potatoes the day before?
Sure can! Parboil then coat the potatoes in your seasonings the night before. Chill them in the fridge, covered. When it's time to eat, just fry them up with the spices for that crisp finish.
- → Which potatoes should I use?
Yukon Golds work great since they keep their shape and turn fluffy inside. If you want, you can try red or fingerling potatoes. Russets will get mushy, so skip those.
- → Is chickpea flour a must?
If you can't find chickpea flour, swap it for rice flour or even cornstarch. The texture changes a little, but it gets the spices to stick just fine.
- → Are these potatoes super spicy?
Not too much! Kashmiri chili is mild and mainly for color, but you can tone down the heat by using less chili or crank it up with a pinch of cayenne if you like it fiery.
- → How should I serve these potatoes?
You’ve got options! Pile these next to naan or rice with other Indian dishes. They're awesome at brunch, and you can even toss them in wraps for a fun twist.
- → Can I make them vegan?
Yup, they're already plant-based and cooked with veggie oil. No swaps needed.