Bhajias, East African Snack, enjoyed especially in Kenya and Tanzania, a cultural import from the Indians dipped in a thick gram flour paste of spices ,herbs and fried until crispy.
Quick, Easy and Utterly Addictive!!! Words can begin to describe these fried potatoes – paired with chutney and you will be singing for joy.
So, you want to make fries that are not bland, good for the taste buds and somewhat healthy? Obviously potato fries aren’t inherently a healthy dish, but the spices add some nutritional value to this “puff up potatoes”.
One of my readers requested these crispy-fried potatoes. Just a quick glance through the list of ingredients and I said No way! How can I make a recipe that most of the ingredients are not on my nice list? Yes, I do have a nice and naughty list. No, just kidding. I just wasn’t inspired to make it.
Then while browsing my neighborhood Indian market, I met a very sweet lady, who is from Kenyan. Our conversation naturally moved towards food, like most of my conversations do.
We spend about 30 minutes reminiscing about our favorite after school snacks in Africa, hers turned out to be Bjaijas. Before we parted ways she said I had to try it and so I did. And guest what? I can see why see it is such a beloved snack or side in Kenya.
These Bhajias are too die for- Crispy, spicy and flavorful. These are definitely not your average bland. Boring potatoes fries. NOOO. You’ve got to make it.
The spices are pretty generic except the seeds and gram flour, which you can find at any Indian super market or just adjust to suit your taste buds.
Enjoy!!!!
Bhajias
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Ingredients
- 2 large potatoes sliced thinly (I used russet)
- ½ cup gram flour
- 1 teaspoons minced ginger
- 1 tablespoon rice or corn flour
- 1-2 teaspoons spice cumin or coriander or carom seeds
- ½- 1 teaspoon hot pepper sriracha
- ¼ cup or more fresh herbs coriander, parsley or cilantro
- 1/3 cup water plus more
- 1/2 teaspoon salt or more adjust to taste
Instructions
- In a large bowl combine gram flour, rice flour, ginger spice, hot pepper, salt and herbs.
- Add water a little at a time- enough to form a thick paste that coats the back of a spoon.
- Put potatoes in the same bowl, a small batch at a time and make sure each slice is coated.
- Let it rest for about 5-10 minutes to absorb the flavor
- Heat up a large skillet or cast iron with oil up to ½ inch- medium-high heat.
- Fry the bhajias batches, turning once, until golden brown, about 3-4 minutes. Do not overcrowd the pan (it will cause the bhajias to be soggy and absorb excess oil.
- Repeat process until all the potatoes has been fried . Do add more flour to the batter as needed when it thins out. Adjust with spices
- Using a slotted spoon, transfer bhajias to pan lined with paper towels.
- Serve warm with this kachumbari, ketchup or chutney
Nutrition Information:
Evan says
Yum. A childhood favorite. My grandma used to make this and I wasn’t a fan of potato then so she would make sone with plantain.
Esther says
Hey Immaculate! Can I use plain flour instead of corn flour? If yes, should it be the same measurement? I already have gram flour but no corn flour. I want to make bhajias today for dinner
ImmaculateBites says
Yes you can. You might have to play with the flour start with a 1/4 less flour and see how it goes
Judy Edwards-Burrus says
Excellent! Thank you.
ImmaculateBites says
My pleasure!!!
April says
I had to pin this one. They look and sound so good! Can’t wait to try them out!
ImmaculateBites says
Do let me know how it works out for you. Thanks!
Kayleen Coburn says
Potatoes are not grown in Africa. This is an Indian recipe, not African. Love your website. However, please research your recipes before putting them on the Internet.
ImmaculateBites says
Really?????? My grandmother would have laughed at this. Please take the time to read my write up and then research about potatoes grown in Africa.
Justina Mancino says
Thank you so much!! I have been searching for a Bhajia recipe on Pinterest for quite some time. I found this recipe last night and am ready to make Bhajia for dinner. So very excited. Love the crunch & spice mixture. I grew up in Kenya and of course we grow potatoes!!!
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Justina! Good to know you grow potatoes in Kenya. So glad you are here. Thanks for giving this recipe a try do, let me know how it works out for you.
Roy says
That is an unforrunate statement. Potatoes are definitely grown in Africa. And there are numerous potatoes centers of excellence in East Africa established to rival the growing demand. Seed potatoes are actually so rare during planting seasons.
We love our chips and bhajias. The fresh aroma of fried chips and bhajias fills the streets of Nairobi any time of the day from fast food outlets. In Dar-Es-Salaam and Zanzibar potato chips and its varieties rule.
Big up Immaculate, this recipe has been elusive.
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Roy! Really appreciate your input on this subject. Thanks for taking the time to share your thoughts with us.
Elizabeth says
Hi Kayleen, correction. I grew up on a farm in Embu, Kenya (in the slooes of Mt. Kenya) and my parents always grew, and still grow potatoes. Just like they do 5 soorts of banana, avocado, papaya, sweetpotatoes, cassava, beans, maize, oranges, lemons, passion fruit, macadamia nuts, all soorts of vegetables, spices and fruit trees. They also have chickens, cows, pigs, turkey and goats. Just like many others innKenya and elsewhere.
Bhajia was a gavourite snack growing up.
Immaculate bites, thanks for this item. Love it!
imma africanbites says
You’re always welcome, Elizabeth! Bhaijias bring so much childhood memories to me, too. 🙂
Coco says
Kayleen, these ARE Kenyan Bhajias, and yes the original recipe came from India. South Africans have their own version which they call Chilli bites. Please don’t school people on their own heritage. Just eat our food and enjoy.
Dada says
Potatoes were introduced to India by the Portuguese in the 18th century and in East Africa during the 19th century. Both regions cannot claim the potato. Bhajia found its way to Eastern Africa during the invasion of the colonizers along with other Indian cuisines. This was also around the 19th century.
Please research your claims before you put them on the internet. Cause I assure you, potatoes are widely grown in both eastern and Central Africa.
Once a recipe has been in a region for over 2 centuries, they have a claim and twist on it.
PK says
What a shameful comment. It shows how ignorant you are about Africa.
Please don’t comment about Africa if you’ve never been there. We grow a lot of potatoes everywhere in East Africa. These bhajias are as Immaculate says- “eaten in Kenya &Tanzania.
Chan says
Love the story behind them.
This was a win in my home.
Thank you
Another 5⭐ dish
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks Chan
Skyfaxa says
What kind of meat would fit with them?
Thanks for your answer 🙂
ImmaculateBites says
I like eating them with chicken or anything that rocks my boat.
Ela says
Can this be baked instead?
ImmaculateBites says
Yes, but it is not going to have the same texture
trude says
He tried them and loved them let me know if you try more recipes with Gram flour.
Student says
Can the regular flour be used in this recipe?
ImmaculateBites says
Yes, you can use regular flour. However, it is is not going to have that unique gram flour taste.
ajoke says
They look so yummy, I must try it out. thanks for the lovely recipe
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks Ajoke. Let me know how it turns out.
Philo says
We would eat Bhajias on the weekends I remember. My mom loves them. Thanks Imma…recipe looks good…
ImmaculateBites says
Hey Philo,so happy to hear you like them . Let me know how it works for you.
Nagi@RecipeTin Eats says
Gram flour? Off to check it out, I have never heard of it. I LOVE THIS!! Spiced potatoes? YUM!! If they sold these in packets at the stores, I would get these anyway of the week instead of ordinary chips. I can’t believe that you even make ordinary potato chips so much more interesting. YOU ROCK!! 🙂
ImmaculateBites says
Thanks Nagi- Gram flour is great – am starting to try more recipes with it. I would love to know what you make of it.
ImmaculateBites says
Glad you like them, let me know how this works for you. Thanks
Tiana says
Nicely done.This is one of my favorites too!! They taste delish. Will have to try this out.