As Diwali approaches, the air fills with joy, light, and the irresistible aroma of festive food. This year, add a modern, wholesome twist to your snack platter with these delightful tikkis that blend nutritious oats with a medley of vegetables.
A Healthier Twist on a Classic
Diwali
is synonymous with indulgence, but that doesn't mean we can't incorporate a little wellness into our celebrations. Traditional tikkis, while delicious, are often potato-heavy. This recipe cleverly substitutes a portion of the potato with oats, a powerhouse of nutrition. Oats are packed with fibre and protein, which can help you feel full and satisfied, reducing the chances of overindulging in other fried treats. They provide a wonderful, slightly nutty flavour and help bind the tikkis together, creating a texture that's soft on the inside and perfectly crisp on the outside. By combining them with a colourful assortment of vegetables, you're not just making a snack; you're crafting a dish that's bursting with flavour, texture, and nutrients, making your festive spread both delicious and thoughtfully prepared.
Gathering Your Ingredients
This recipe uses common pantry staples to create something special. Here’s what you’ll need to get started: For the Tikki Mixture: - 1 cup rolled or quick-cooking oats. - 2 medium potatoes, boiled, peeled, and mashed. - 1.5 cups mixed vegetables, finely chopped (carrots, bell peppers, green peas, French beans are great choices). - 1 small onion, finely chopped. - 2 green chillies, finely chopped. - 1 teaspoon grated ginger. - 2 tablespoons fresh coriander leaves, chopped. - Spices: 1 tsp roasted cumin powder, 1 tsp amchur (dry mango powder), ½ tsp garam masala, ½ tsp red chilli powder. - Salt to taste. For the Coating and Frying: - ½ cup oats, for coating. - 2 to 3 tablespoons of oil for shallow frying.
Crafting the Tikkis: Step by Step
Follow these simple steps to create your delicious oats and vegetable tikkis: 1. Prepare the Oats: Lightly dry-roast the 1 cup of oats in a pan over low heat for 3-4 minutes until they become aromatic and a shade darker. This enhances their nutty flavour. Set aside to cool. Once cooled, you can grind them into a coarse powder or use them as is, depending on your preferred texture. 2. Create the Vegetable Mix: In a large mixing bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, finely chopped mixed vegetables, onion, green chillies, grated ginger, and coriander leaves. 3. Combine and Season: Add the roasted oats to the vegetable mixture. Sprinkle in all the spices—cumin powder, amchur, garam masala, red chilli powder, and salt. 4. Form the Dough: Mix everything together thoroughly with your hands until it forms a firm, non-sticky dough that you can easily shape. If the mixture feels too wet or soft, add a tablespoon or two of extra oats powder and let it rest for five minutes to absorb the moisture. 5. Shape the Tikkis: Divide the mixture into 10-12 equal portions. Roll each portion into a smooth ball and then gently flatten it into a round tikki, about half an inch thick. Smooth out any cracks along the edges. 6. Coat and Cook: Spread the remaining ½ cup of oats on a plate. Lightly press each tikki into the oats, ensuring an even coating on both sides. This will give them a wonderfully crispy exterior. Heat the oil in a non-stick pan or tawa over medium heat. Carefully place the coated tikkis in the pan and shallow-fry for 3-4 minutes per side, until they are golden brown and crisp. Cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding the pan.
Pro Tips for Crispy Perfection
To ensure your tikkis are the talk of the party, keep these tips in mind. For an even firmer tikki that holds its shape perfectly during frying, chill the shaped patties in the refrigerator for about 15-20 minutes before you cook them. This simple step makes a big difference. If you want an extra-crispy crust, you can create a thin slurry by mixing two tablespoons of cornflour or besan (gram flour) with a little water. Dip each tikki in the slurry before coating it with the dry oats. For a healthier cooking method, these tikkis can also be made in an air fryer. Just brush them lightly with oil and air fry at 190°C for 12–15 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until golden and crisp. Feel free to get creative by adding other ingredients like grated paneer, sweet corn, or finely chopped nuts for added texture and richness.
