Masala Bhutta
Charred sweet corn rubbed with lemon, salt, and warm spices is one of India’s favorite street snacks. It is smoky, juicy, tangy, and lightly hot, with every bite tasting best straight off the cob.
For 4 servings
- prep · ~3 min
Prepare the masala rub.
1.Mix red chili powder, chaat masala, black salt, and salt in a small bowl.2.Cut the lemons in half and keep them ready for rubbing over the hot corn.3.Melt the butter and set it aside. - grill · ~12 min
Char the corn.
1.Place the corn directly over a medium flame or on a hot grill.2.Turn every 1 to 2 minutes so the kernels roast evenly on all sides.3.Cook until the corn is tender and lightly charred in spots, about 10 to 12 minutes total.TIPKeep the heat at medium so the kernels roast and sweeten without burning too fast. - assemble · ~3 min
Rub the corn with lemon and masala.
1.Brush each hot corn cob lightly with melted butter.2.Dip a lemon half into the masala mixture.3.Rub the lemon all over each corn cob so the spice mix coats the kernels evenly. - serve
Serve the masala bhutta hot.
What to keep in mind.
7 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Roast on medium heat so the kernels blister and sweeten before the outside scorches.
- 2Turn the cob every minute or two for even char instead of one heavily burnt side.
- 3Rub the masala on while the corn is still piping hot so the butter and lemon cling better.
- 4Dip the cut lemon into the spice mix just before rubbing to make a juicy, even coating.
- 5If using very sweet corn, add a little extra chaat masala to balance the sweetness with tang.
- 6Serve immediately after rubbing; the spices taste brightest before the steam softens the coating.
- 7For stovetop roasting, use a wire rack over the flame to get a more street-style smoky char.
Adapt it for your goals.
Low-oil
Skip the butter and rub the hot corn only with lemon and masala for a lighter, sharper street-style finish.
extra spicyExtra-spicy
Increase the red chili powder or add a pinch more black salt for a hotter, bolder bhutta like roadside vendors often serve.
veganVegan
Replace butter with melted vegan butter or omit it entirely; the lemon-masala rub still gives plenty of flavor.
tandoori styleTandoori-style
Add a pinch of roasted cumin powder to the masala mix for a deeper, smokier North Indian flavor.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Corn Provides Fiber
Corn on the cob adds fiber and satisfying texture, making this snack more filling than many fried street foods.
Vitamin C From Lemon
Fresh lemon brings brightness along with vitamin C, which also helps balance the sweetness of the roasted corn.
Lower-Fuss Grilled Snack
Because the corn is fire-roasted instead of deep-fried, this dish delivers bold flavor with relatively simple ingredients.
Frequently asked questions
Yes. Roast the corn on a grill pan, under a broiler, or on a very hot skillet, turning until lightly charred in spots.
