Wheat Nippattu (Wheat crackers)

Nippattu is a spicy snack famous in Karnataka. This can be made in many different ways depending on individual preferences. This recipe that I made is from my mother. It is a little time consuming than other snacks but the yummy taste is worth all the effort. This is made during festivals, specially Krishna Janmaastami among the other variety of snacks.

Like any other snack it can be stored for a couple of weeks in an air tight container. Nippattu and rava ladoo make a great combo for an evening snack with coffee or tea.

Wheat is the main ingredient for this snack. Fried dhal, coconut and peanuts give it the crunchy taste.

Makes : 35

Preparation time : 1 hour and 30 min

You need :

• 2 cups wheat flour
• 1 cup rice flour
• 1/4 cup fried dhal/ pottukadalai
• 1/4 cup ground nuts
• 1/2 cup oil
• 5 dry red chillies
• 1/2 tbsp salt
• 3/4 cup of shredded coconut
• 1/4 teaspoon asefoetida / hing / perungaayam
• 1 cup water (or as required) to knead dough

Preparation :

• In a large bowl, add the wheat flour, rice flour, salt and asefoetida and mix them well.
• Using a blender, powder the fried dhal and red chillies individually and add them to the flour mix.
• Using a blender again, crack the ground nuts into 1 or 2 pieces and add to the mixture.
• Heat the oil in a pan and pour this hot oil over the flour mix.
• Mix them well using a spatula.

The mixture looks like this after adding oil.

• Add small amounts of water and knead them to make a firm dough.
• Take small portions of this dough and roll them into balls. Flatten each ball into small round discs using a plastic sheet or a leaf smeared with oil. You can also use a poori press to make the job easier.
• Using a fork, prick each one of these discs several times to prevent it from puffing while deep frying.

• Heat oil in a pan.(just enough for deep frying)
• When the oil is hot, bring the heat to medium low flame and fry them until they turn golden brown.