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A crunchy, savory Bengali snack made from fried flattened rice, peanuts, and aromatic spices. This addictive treat is ready in minutes and perfect with a cup of tea.
Fry the Poha
Prepare the Tempering
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A crunchy, savory Bengali snack made from fried flattened rice, peanuts, and aromatic spices. This addictive treat is ready in minutes and perfect with a cup of tea.
This bengali recipe takes 20 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 293.23 calories per serving with 7.52g of protein, it's a beginner-friendly recipe perfect for snack.
Combine and Season
Cool and Store
For extra crunch and flavor, add 1/4 cup of roasted chana dal (futana), 1/4 cup of thin dry coconut slices, or a handful of cashews along with the peanuts.
For a tangy twist, sprinkle 1/2 teaspoon of amchur (dry mango powder) over the finished Chire Bhaja after it has cooled slightly.
Add 2-3 tablespoons of raisins to the tempering in the last 30 seconds of frying for a classic sweet and savory flavor combination.
Flattened rice (poha) is rich in healthy carbohydrates, providing a quick and easily digestible source of energy, making it an excellent snack to beat midday slumps.
The addition of peanuts provides a good amount of plant-based protein and healthy fats, which contribute to satiety and are essential for muscle repair.
Poha is light on the stomach and easy to digest. When consumed, it can act as a probiotic in the gut, promoting the growth of healthy bacteria.
Thin or paper poha is essential for a light, crispy texture. Thick poha is better suited for dishes where it's soaked and will become hard and chewy if fried this way.
This usually happens for two reasons: the poha was not fried until completely crisp, or it was stored in an airtight container before it cooled down completely, causing condensation to form.
Chire Bhaja is a delicious snack that is best enjoyed in moderation as it is fried. Poha itself is a good source of carbohydrates and is easily digestible. Using minimal oil and adding nuts can enhance its nutritional profile.
A one-cup serving of Chire Bhaja contains approximately 250-300 calories, primarily from the carbohydrates in the poha, fat from the oil, and protein and fat from the peanuts.
Yes, for a healthier version, you can roast the poha. Dry roast the thin poha in a heavy-bottomed pan on low heat, stirring continuously, until it's crisp. Then, prepare the tempering with just 1-2 teaspoons of oil and mix everything together.