Effortless Spicy Indian Potatoes

Section: Perfect Complements to Your Main Course

Get these lively Bombay potatoes on the table in 25 minutes. Start by parboiling Yukon Golds in turmeric, toss them in a spicy blend with chickpea flour and a touch of Kashmiri chili, then let them sizzle in a pan with cumin and mustard seeds until they're perfectly golden.

These come out comforting and packed with so much flavor. You'll want to scoop them up with naan or pile them next to a bowl of rice. Super tasty and totally hits the spot.

A woman in a white shirt and apron smiles for the camera.
Rédigé par Barbara Barbara
Dernière modification le Thu, 26 Jun 2025 20:04:11 GMT
A bowl filled with potatoes and a slice of lemon. Épingler l'article
A bowl filled with potatoes and a slice of lemon. | tastefullyeats.com

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.
A bowl of food with a spoon in it.
A bowl of food with a spoon in it. | tastefullyeats.com

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.

A bowl of food with a lemon wedge on top.
A bowl of food with a lemon wedge on top. | tastefullyeats.com

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.

Effortless Spicy Indian Potatoes

Warm potatoes tossed with flavorful spices and light chickpea flour, then crisped in a skillet till they smell amazing.

Durée de préparation
15 min
Durée de cuisson
25 min
Temps global
40 min
Rédigé par Barbara: Barbara

Type de plat: Side Dishes

Niveau de difficulté: Modéré

Origine culinaire: Indian

Quantité obtenue: 4 Nombre de portions (6 medium potatoes)

Spécificités diététiques: Végétalien, Végétarien, Sans gluten, Sans produits laitiers

Liste des ingrédients

→ Spice Mix

01 2 teaspoons turmeric powder, split in half
02 1½ teaspoons Kashmiri chili powder, adjust for preference
03 2 teaspoons salt
04 4 tablespoons gram flour
05 4 teaspoons water to create a paste

→ Main Ingredients

06 6 medium-size Yukon Gold potatoes
07 1½ teaspoons cumin seeds (or ground cumin as an alternative)
08 1 teaspoon mustard seeds or ½ teaspoon grainy mustard
09 2 tablespoons cooking oil

→ Optional Garnish

10 Chopped cilantro or fresh curry leaves

Étapes de préparation

Instruction 01

Fill a large pot with water, tossing in half the turmeric. Cut the potatoes into quarters and drop them in. Once the water's bubbling, cook for 10-15 minutes till soft but not falling apart.

Instruction 02

Combine gram flour, leftover turmeric, chili powder, and salt in a bowl. Stir it all up until the mix looks uniform.

Instruction 03

After boiling, drain the potatoes in a colander and rinse under cold water. Once warm to the touch, peel off the skins easily. Move the potatoes into the spice mix bowl.

Instruction 04

Stir the potatoes into the seasoning mix so they’re coated evenly. Add 4 teaspoons of water a little at a time to help everything stick. Don’t make it too watery, though.

Instruction 05

Warm up the oil in a pan over medium heat. Once it’s hot, toss in mustard seeds and wait till they pop. Add the cumin seeds next and swirl them for about 20 seconds without burning.

Instruction 06

Place the seasoned potatoes into the pan, leaving enough space so they don’t pile up. Stir occasionally, cooking for 3-4 minutes each time, until they’re crispy and golden brown.

Instruction 07

Take the skillet off the heat once the potatoes are evenly browned. Sprinkle with fresh curry leaves or cilantro if you like. Serve warm with rice or flatbread.

Informations complémentaires

  1. Cumin powder can be swapped for seeds, but add it after tossing in the potatoes.
  2. Curry leaves and bay leaves are totally different and bring distinct flavors.
  3. Gram flour gives these potatoes their crisp coating that's loved in Bombay-style cooking.

Ustensiles requis

  • Big pot for cooking potatoes
  • Colander or strainer
  • Medium bowl for mixing spices
  • Whisk or spoon for stirring
  • Sturdy frying pan

Informations sur les allergènes

Examinez chaque ingrédient pour repérer la présence d'allergènes. Demandez conseil à un professionnel de santé en cas d'incertitude.
  • Uses chickpea flour, which may not be suitable for those with legume sensitivities.

Informations nutritionnelles (par portion)

Ces données sont fournies à titre informatif et ne sauraient remplacer l'avis d'un professionnel de santé.
  • Apport calorique: 187
  • Matières grasses: 7.2 g
  • Glucides: 27.5 g
  • Protéines: 4.8 g