Aloo Tikki Recipe: 3 Ways to Serve Crispy Potato Patties

Aloo tikki, or fried potato patties, is a popular North Indian street food made from boiled potatoes, mashed until smooth, and combined with various spices and fillings. To make the dish, chefs form the potato mixture into palm-sized patties or balls and fry them until golden brown and crisp.

Recipes for aloo tikki are simple, allowing for many iterations and personal touches.

1. 1. Stuffing the patties: Stuffed aloo tikki is the most popular variation of the classic dish. The stuffed option features fillings that play off the crispy, creamy outer layer of potato. Use cooked chana dal (split chickpeas), grated paneer cheese, or mixed vegetables like green peas and cauliflower. To stuff aloo tikki, flatten a ball of potato mixture, and add a bit of filling to the center. Fold the potato over, and roll to incorporate.
2. 2. Adding the spices: Many recipes for aloo tikki call for one of two spice blends: garam masala, an all-purpose “warming” blend, and chaat masala, which features aromatic black salt. Mix garam masala directly into potatoes, but use chaat masala as a finishing garnish.
3. 3. Choosing the cooking method: Chefs shape restaurant-style aloo tikki into balls and deep-fry them. However, if you don’t have a countertop fryer or want to avoid using a lot of oil, a shallow-fry (and a flattened, disc-shaped patty) will result in the same crispy crust and golden brown color. You can also make aloo tikki in an air fryer or pressure cooker—just brush the patties with a bit of oil first.

In India, aloo tikki is comfort food and a vehicle for bold flavors.

1. 1. As a midday snack or appetizer: Serve aloo tikki with chai and assorted snack foods or as a warm bite before the main meal.
2. 2. With assorted condiments: For aloo tikki chaat, serve with dahi (plain yogurt), tangy-sweet tamarind chutney, a spicy, green chili-laced green chutney like cilantro or mint chutney, or a mild tomato chutney (or tomato ketchup, that perennial companion to fried potatoes). To make ragda pattice, serve aloo tikki with a creamy white pea gravy.
3. 3. As an aloo tikki burger: For a crunchy, creamy riff on a veggie burger or slider, serve aloo tikki patties between toasted buns with toppings of your preference.