Shakarpara
Crisp, lightly sweet diamond-shaped bites made from a simple flour dough and fried until golden. This festive Indian snack keeps well for days and is perfect with a cup of chai.
For 64 servings
- mix · ~3 min
Mix the dry ingredients.
1.Add all-purpose flour and semolina to a wide bowl.2.Add powdered sugar, crushed cardamom seeds, and salt.3.Mix well so the sugar is evenly distributed. - knead · ~7 min
Rub in the ghee and make the dough.
1.Add ghee to the flour mixture.2.Rub it in with your fingertips until the mixture looks sandy and holds shape when pressed.3.Add water little by little and knead into a stiff, smooth dough.TIPA stiff dough gives crisp shakarpara. Soft dough makes them puff too much and lose crunch. - rest · ~10 min
Cover and rest the dough.
Cover the dough and let it rest for 10 minutes so the flour hydrates and the dough becomes easier to roll.
- prep · ~7 min
Roll and cut the shakarpara.
1.Divide the dough into 2 portions.2.Roll each portion into a thick sheet about 1/4 inch thick.3.Cut into small diamond or square shapes.TIPKeep the pieces a little thick so they stay crisp without turning hard. - fry · ~15 min
Fry the pieces on low heat.
1.Heat oil in a kadai over low to medium-low heat.2.Slide in a small batch of cut pieces without crowding the pan.3.Fry slowly, stirring occasionally, until they turn evenly golden and crisp.4.Remove with a slotted spoon and drain well.TIPLow heat cooks them through and gives an even crunch. High heat browns the outside too fast and leaves the center undercooked. - serve · ~15 min
Cool completely and store.
Let the shakarpara cool fully before serving or storing in an airtight container. They stay crisp for several days at room temperature.
What to keep in mind.
7 tips from the recipe — small details that make a real difference to the final dish.
- 1Rub the ghee into the flour until a squeezed handful holds its shape; that moyan is what gives shakarpara its flaky crunch.
- 2Add water very gradually and keep the dough stiff, or the pieces will puff like poori and lose their classic bite.
- 3Roll the sheet evenly to about 1/4 inch so all the diamonds fry at the same rate.
- 4Fry on low to medium-low heat only; the centers should dry out fully before the outside turns deep golden.
- 5Stir gently once they float so the edges color evenly without breaking the diamond shapes.
- 6Cool completely before closing the container, or trapped steam will soften the crisp texture.
- 7If they soften after storage, re-crisp them for a few minutes in a low oven and cool again before packing.
Adapt it for your goals.
Jaggery
Replace powdered sugar with finely grated or powdered jaggery for a deeper, caramel-like sweetness that feels more traditional.
bakedBaked
Bake the cut pieces instead of deep frying for a lighter version; the texture will be crisper-dry rather than fried and flaky.
attaAtta
Use whole wheat flour in place of some or all of the all-purpose flour for a nuttier taste and a slightly denser bite.
saunf cardamomSaunf-cardamom
Add lightly crushed fennel seeds along with cardamom for a more aromatic festive flavor often used in Indian tea-time snacks.
Why this is on our healthy list.
Energy-Providing Snack
The flour and sugar make these a quick source of energy, which suits festive snacking and travel-friendly munching.
Digestive Spice Aroma
Green cardamom adds fragrance and is traditionally valued in Indian sweets for its pleasant, digestive spice profile.
Long-Lasting Pantry Treat
Because the pieces are fried until dry and crisp, they store well without refrigeration, making portioned snacking easy.
Frequently asked questions
Usually the dough was too soft, the oil was too hot, or the pieces were stored before fully cooling. A stiff dough and slow frying are key.







