Aloo tikki is a spiced potato patty, pan-fried or deep-fried until golden, and hugely popular in the street food of northern India. Crisp outside and soft inside, it is eaten on its own with chutneys or topped as a chaat.
In this article, discover what its name means, its place in street food, its ingredients, the key steps in making it and the ways to serve it.
On this page: Origins and name · Ingredients · Key steps · How to serve it · 3-question quiz
Origins and name
In Hindi, aloo means potato and tikki a small patty. Native to the Americas, the potato was brought to India by Europeans and went on to feature in many dishes of the north of the country.
Aloo tikki is now a street-stall classic, alongside other snacks such as panipuri. It is found in many cities of northern India and Pakistan, with toppings that vary from one region to another.
The ingredients
| Element | Role |
|---|---|
| Boiled and mashed potatoes | The base of the patty |
| Binder (breadcrumbs, chickpea flour or starch) | Helps the patty hold together when cooked |
| Spices: cumin, coriander, garam masala, chilli | Flavour and aroma |
| Fresh herbs and green chilli | Freshness and heat |
| Optional filling: peas, lentils or paneer | A more generous variation |
To find out more about two basic spices, read our articles on cumin and turmeric.
Key steps
Without going into a recipe with quantities, here are the main steps:
- The potatoes: boiled, well drained, then mashed while still warm. A mash that is too wet makes patties that fall apart.
- Seasoning: the spices, herbs and binder are mixed into the mash until it forms a soft dough that holds its shape.
- Shaping: round, flat patties, sometimes stuffed, shaped with lightly oiled hands.
- Cooking: in a pan with a little oil, over a medium heat, until each side is golden and crisp.
How to serve it
- Plain: with a green mint and coriander chutney and a sweet-and-sour tamarind chutney.
- As a chaat: broken up on the plate and topped with spiced chickpeas, yoghurt, chutneys, onion and coriander.
- In a bun: as in many Indian cities.
Among other Indian dishes made with potatoes, try aalu paneer, or read our overview of Indian cuisine.
Test your knowledge
Three questions to recap the essentials. Your answers are not saved.
Indian flavours in Isoraka
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