Samosas Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2024)

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Craving some crispy, golden goodness? Look no further than these fried potato and pea samosas, seasoned to perfection with a savory curry blend. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you for trying this recipe!

Try your hand at making Indian food at home with a few more of my recipes: Butter chicken, garlic naan, and tomato chutney!

Samosas Recipe - The Recipe Critic (1)

Homemade Samosas

Samosas are a staple in Indian cuisine for good reason. These delicious savory pastries are made with a vegetable or meat filling, spiced to perfection and tucked inside a buttery dough. From there, the samosas are shallow fried until they’re golden brown and crispy on the outside. YUM!

This specific recipe for samosas is made with a potato, pea, and curry filling. You are going to love every flavorful bite! Make them to accompany your next Indian-inspired meal. Trust me, your taste buds will thank you.

Ingredients Needed

I know it looks like a lot, but the spices and seasonings in this samosa recipe are what make it so good! Exact measurements are in the recipe card below.

Dough:

  • All-Purpose Flour:The base of the samosa dough, providing structure and texture.
  • Thyme:A subtle herb adding a touch of earthy flavor.
  • Salt:Enhances all the flavors and balances the sweetness of the filling.
  • Ghee (Clarified Butter):Adds richness and flakiness to the dough.
  • Cold Water:Binds the dough together without making it tough.

Filling:

  • Russet Potatoes:The main filling ingredient, providing a creamy, hearty base.
  • Ghee:Adds richness and flavor to the sauteed vegetables.
  • Cumin Seeds:A warm, earthy spice.
  • Coriander Seeds:A citrusy, floral spice that complements the cumin.
  • Fennel Seeds:A sweet, licorice-like spice.
  • Ginger:Adds a kick of flavor to the samosa filling.
  • Green Chili:So the filling has a touch of heat and freshness.
  • Green Peas:Add pops of sweetness and texture to the filling.
  • Lemon Juice:Brightens the overall flavor a bit.
  • Turmeric:A warm, earthy spice that also adds a beautiful yellow color.
  • Garam Masala:A warming blend of spices like cinnamon, cloves, and cardamom.
  • Cilantro:Because you can never go wrong with fresh herbs. Especially for homemade samosas!
  • Salt:Enhances all the flavors. You only need a little bit.

Frying:

  • Oil:You will also need any high-heat oil like vegetable or peanut oil, used for shallow frying the samosas in.

How to Make Samosas

Homemade samosas take a bit of preparation and you need to keep a close eye on them as they cook, but it’s SO worth it! Here is every step to making this Indian staple at home, broken up into 3 parts:

Make the Dough

  1. Dough Mixture: To a bowl, whisk together the flour, thyme, and salt. Add the ghee to the four mixture and mix well with your fingers until all the ghee has been incorporated. You should have a shaggy dough that can hold its shape when pressed together.
  2. Adjust Consistency: Add the water, 1 tablespoon at a time, kneading the dough as you add it until you have a fairly stiff dough, it shouldn’t stick to your hands.
  3. Rest: Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes.

Make the Filling

  1. Boil Potatoes: Peel the potatoes and cut them into 2 inch chunks then boil them until they are just fork tender, you don’t want them to be too soft and mushy.
  2. Drain: Drain the boiled potatoes then roughly chop or crumble them, do not mash them. Set the potatoes aside.
  3. Heat Ghee With Spices: Heat the ghee in a medium size pan over medium high heat, add in the cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and fennel seeds and saute until they begin to sizzle.
  4. Add Veggies: To the pan add in the ginger, green chilis, and peas. Saute everything for about 2 minutes.
  5. Add in Remaining Ingredients: Lastly add in the lemon juice, turmeric, garam marsala, fennel powder, cilantro, salt to taste, and potatoes. Mix everything together well and saute for another 2 minutes.
  6. Cool: Remove the filing from the pan and then set it aside to cool. Once the filling has cooled nearly to room temperature it is ready to assemble.

Assemble Samosas / Fry

  1. Divide Dough: Divide the dough into 6 equal portions, form into balls, cover and let them rest about 10 minutes.
  2. Roll Out: Roll each ball into flat disks, about 7 inches across. Press them between two pieces of parchment paper to roll flat.
  3. Cover: Keep the flattened dough sections covered to avoid drying them out, work with one dough section at a time.
  4. Create a Cone Shape: Cut the round in half, wet the flat edge of one half of the round and press the ends together to form a cone.
  5. Fill and Seal: Fill the cone with about 2 tablespoons of the filling, gently pack it in. wet the inside edge of the open side and press it closed.
  6. Repeat: Repeat with the other half of the round and then with the rest of the dough. This will yield 12 samosas.
  7. Heat Oil: Heat 2 inches of oil in a large heavy bottom pan over medium heat, a toothpick or wooden skewer inserted into the oil should sizzle when the oil is hot enough.
  8. Fry: Add enough samosas to the pan to leave some room between, you will need to work in batches. Fry the samosas for about 1 minute on each side, they should be golden and crispy but not develop dark brown spots.
  9. Transfer to Plate: Remove the fried samosas from the pan, place them on a paper towel lined plate to allow any excess oil to be absorbed.
  10. Enjoy: Once all the samosas are finished frying, serve them fresh with Mango Chutney or tamarind sauce.
Samosas Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2)
Samosas Recipe - The Recipe Critic (3)

Tips and Variations

  • Ghee Substitute: If you don’t have ghee, you can use oil in it’s place in both the dough and the filling.
  • Using Ground Spices: You can use ground spices in place of the whole spices if you prefer.
  • Use Canned Chilies: Replace the fresh diced green chiles with canned diced green chiles if needed.
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Storing Leftovers

Samosas are super easy to reheat and enjoy later! I like to use the air fryer to keep them nice and crispy.

  • In the Refrigerator: Store leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 5 days.
  • Reheating: It’s best to reheat your samosas in an air fryer or oven to maintain the crispy exterior. To reheat in the oven, bake at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 5-8 minutes. Air fry at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for 3-5 minutes.
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More Delicious Recipes Inspired By Indian Cuisine

Looking for more ways to spice up dinnertime? Check out my full list of tried and true, Indian-inspired recipes.

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Crispy Potato and Pea Samosas

By: Alyssa Rivers

Craving some crispy, golden goodness? Look no further than these fried potato and pea samosas, seasoned to perfection with a savory curry blend.

Prep Time: 45 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 1 hour hour 5 minutes minutes

Servings: 12 samosas

Ingredients

Dough

Filling

Instructions

Make the dough

  • To a bowl, whisk together the flour, thyme, and salt. Add the ghee to the four mixture and mix well with your fingers until all the ghee has been incorporated. You should have a shaggy dough that can hold its shape when pressed together.

  • Add the water, 1 tablespoon at a time, kneading the dough as you add it until you have a fairly stiff dough, it shouldn’t stick to your hands.

  • Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes.

Make the filling

  • Peel the potatoes and cut them into 2 inch chunks then boil them until they are just fork tender, you don’t want them to be too soft and mushy.

  • Drain the boiled potatoes then roughly chop or crumble them, do not mash them. Set the potatoes aside.

  • Heat the ghee in a medium size pan over medium high heat, add in the cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and fennel seeds and saute until they begin to sizzle.

  • To the pan add in the ginger, green chilis, and peas. Saute everything for about 2 minutes.

  • Lastly add in the lemon juice, turmeric, garam marsala, fennel powder, cilantro,salt to taste, and potatoes. Mix everything together well and saute for another 2 minutes.

  • Remove the filing from the pan and set it aside to cool. Once the filling has cooled nearly to room temperature it is ready to assemble.

Assemble samosas

  • Divide the dough into 6 equal portions, form into balls, cover and let them rest about 10 minutes.

  • Roll each ball into flat disks, about 7 inches across. Press them between two pieces of parchment paper to roll flat.

  • Keep the flattened dough sections covered to avoid drying them out, work with one dough section at a time.

  • Cut the round in half, wet the flat edge of one half of the round and press the ends together to form a cone.

  • Fill the cone with about 2 tablespoons of the filling, gently pack it in. wet the inside edge of the open side and press it closed.

  • Repeat with the other half of the round and then with the rest of the dough. This will yield 12 samosas.

  • Heat 2 inches of oil in a large heavy bottom pan over medium heat, a toothpick or wooden skewer inserted into the oil should sizzle when the oil is hot enough.

  • Add enough samosas to the pan to leave some room between, you will need to work in batches. Fry the samosas for about 1 minute on each side, they should be golden and crispy but not develop dark brown spots.

  • Remove the fried samosas from the pan, place them on a paper towel lined plate to allow any excess oil to be absorbed.

  • Once all the samosas are finished frying, serve them fresh with Mango Chutney or tamarind sauce

Nutrition

Calories: 162kcalCarbohydrates: 25gProtein: 4gFat: 5gSaturated Fat: 3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.3gMonounsaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 13mgSodium: 198mgPotassium: 222mgFiber: 2gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 105IUVitamin C: 8mgCalcium: 16mgIron: 2mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Appetizer, Dinner, Side Dish

Cuisine: Indian

Tried this recipe?Mention @alyssa_therecipecritic or tag #therecipecritic!

About Alyssa Rivers

Welcome to my kitchen! I am Alyssa Rivers and the food blogger behind The Recipe Critic. The blog launched in 2012 as a place to share my passion for cooking. I love trying new things and testing them out with my family. Each recipe is tried and true, family-tested and approved.

Read More About Me

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Samosas Recipe - The Recipe Critic (2024)

FAQs

What is the dough of samosa made of? ›

In a medium bowl, mix flour, salt and butter until the mixture resembles fine bread crumbs. Pour in water, using more (up to approximately 1/4 cup) if necessary to make a smooth dough. Pat into a ball. Place on a lightly floured surface and knead 10 minutes, or until dough is smooth and elastic.

What is a good sauce for samosas? ›

Most Common Samosa Sauces

Green sauce: Usually a mint cilantro chutney, cilantro chutney, or hari chutney. Brown sauce: This sauce is usually a tamarind chutney or imli ki chutney and tastes sweet and sour. Red sauce: Usually a garlic chutney or lasan ki chutney.

What do we call samosa in English? ›

The English word samosa derives from the Hindustani word samosa (Urdu: سموسہ, Hindi: समोसा), traceable to the Middle Persian word sanbosag (سنبوسگ) 'triangular pastry'. Similar pastries are called sambusak in Arabic; medieval Arabic recipe books sometimes spell it sambusaj.

What is the difference between samosa and shingara? ›

The main differences are: Shingara has a sweeter and crunchier filling as compared to the slightly tangy filling of samosas. Samosas are usually larger in size than their Bengali counterpart and singaras usually have a thin, flaky outer crust versus the thicker outer crust of samosas.

Why my samosa is not crispy? ›

If you roll it too thick, the crusty samosa will hold too much oil and the centre won't cook. Frying- Do NOT fry samosas in extremely hot oil. Samosas are best fried in moderately hot oil. Check the oil by dropping in a piece of dough, it should not sizzle immediately.

How do you keep samosas crispy for a long time? ›

To preserve samosas and keep them as fresh as possible for 4-5 hours, you can follow these tips: Packaging: Place the samosas in an airtight container or wrap them tightly in aluminum foil to prevent air exposure. This will help retain their crispness and prevent them from drying out.

What should you eat with samosas? ›

The most common way to serve a samosa is with a dip called chutney. Green chutney is something that gives samosa a whole new dimension, and they pair so well together. This chutney is mainly comprised of two common Indian herbs—cilantro and mint.

What oil is best for samosa? ›

The final step to making the best samosa is to fry them to a perfectly crisp golden brown. Use any neutral flavored oil to deep fry – sunflower oil, canola oil, vegetable oil, safflower oil, grapeseed oil are some options.

What is the best type of samosa? ›

Chicken samosas are perhaps the most popular type of samosa, and for good reason! The succulent, shredded chicken filling is perfectly complemented by the crispy pastry shell, while the spices, sweet chili, onions, garlic, and lime juice complete the experience and make for a delicious and satisfying snack.

What do Arabs call samosas? ›

Paired with a piping hot cup of tea, it's the perfect tea time snack. In the Arab world, samosas is called samboosa or samboosak. A variety of fillings are used, such as salty white cheese, spiced meat and nuts, and vegetables.

Is samosa arab or indian? ›

Although many think the samosa originated in South Asia, its roots can be traced back to Central Asia & the Middle East. In Arab cookbooks dating from the 10th to 13th centuries, pastries were referred to as 'sanbusak,' derived from the Persian term 'Sanbosag.

What is the cousin of samosa? ›

Shingaras may be eaten as a tea time snack. They can also be prepared in a sweet form. Bengali shingaras tend to be triangular, filled with potato, peas, onions, diced almonds, or other vegetables, and are more heavily fried and crunchier than either shingaras or their Indian samosa cousins.

What is a Bombay samosa? ›

Chef Bombay's® Mini Vegetable Samosas are a delicious appetizer which is made up of a multi layered light and crisp pastry filled with authentically spiced vegetables. These vegan snacks are a party favorite and great to share with family and friends.

Why are samosas triangular? ›

Samosa is a popular snack in many South Asian countries, known for its delicious filling and crispy, triangular shape. It is triangular in shape because it is easy to hold and eat with one hand, making it a convenient and portable snack. It allows for a comfortable grip while enjoying the flavorful filling.

What is the difference between pakoras and samosas? ›

Pakoras are circular, but Samosas are triangular. While Pakoras can be either savory or sweet, Samosas are typically made with a savory filling. While samosas are typically made with potato filling and wheat flour dough, pakoras are typically made with besan (chickpea flour) and deep-fried.

Is samosa made of Atta or maida? ›

Maida, also known as refined flour or all-purpose flour, is used as the main ingredient in the dough for making samosas. The purpose of using maida in the dough is to provide the necessary structure and texture for the pastry shell of the samosas.

Is samosa made of filo pastry? ›

Vegetable samosas are triangular parcels of lightly spiced vegetables wrapped in casing of filo pastry. Not only are they are tasty Indian side dish they are also great for snacking, packed lunches and make a perfect party food.

Is samosa made from puff pastry? ›

These vegetable samosas are super easy to make at home. They are made using a shortcut with store-bought puff pastry instead of making the dough from scratch, but they are nonetheless delicious.

Is samosa made of wheat flour? ›

FLOUR: You can add any flour to the recipe, like all-purpose flour, wheat flour, etc. Or you can also mix all-purpose flour and whole wheat flour and use them in the recipe. WATER: You'll also need some room temperature water for making dough for samosa.

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