Bihari Aloo Chop – Crispy, Spicy Potato Fritters
Introduction
Bihari Aloo Chop is Bihar’s favorite evening snack — a crispy gram flour fritter stuffed with spiced mashed potatoes. Deep-fried till golden, it’s crunchy outside and soft, fiery, and flavorful inside. It’s the heart of Bihar’s street corners, railway stalls, and family kitchens — a humble yet irresistible delight served with puffed rice, green chutney, and fried green chilies.
This recipe follows the traditional way — boiled potatoes mashed with roasted spices, herbs, and chili, coated in gram flour batter, and fried in mustard oil for that distinct earthy aroma. Every bite is comfort wrapped in crunch.
Ingredients
For Potato Filling:
- 4 medium potatoes (boiled and mashed)
- 1 medium onion (finely chopped)
- 2 green chilies (finely chopped)
- 1 tsp ginger-garlic paste
- ½ tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- ½ tsp garam masala
- ½ tsp amchur (dry mango powder)
- ½ tsp red chili powder
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp coriander leaves (chopped)
For Batter:
- 1 cup gram flour (besan)
- 1 tbsp rice flour (for extra crispiness)
- ¼ tsp ajwain (carom seeds)
- ¼ tsp baking soda (optional)
- ¼ tsp turmeric
- Salt to taste
- Water as needed for thick batter
For Frying:
- Mustard oil (for deep frying)
Step 1: Prepare the Potato Filling
In a pan, heat 1 tsp mustard oil. Add onions and green chilies; sauté until translucent. Add ginger-garlic paste and fry until the raw smell fades. Add turmeric, cumin, chili powder, and salt. Stir well. Add mashed potatoes and mix until spices coat evenly. Sprinkle amchur and coriander leaves. Cool the mixture and shape into small lemon-sized balls or patties.
Step 2: Make the Batter
In a bowl, combine gram flour, rice flour, ajwain, turmeric, salt, and a pinch of baking soda. Add water slowly and whisk into a thick, smooth batter. The consistency should coat the back of a spoon without dripping off too quickly.
Step 3: Fry the Aloo Chops
Heat mustard oil in a deep pan until slightly smoky, then reduce flame to medium. Dip each potato ball in the batter, coat evenly, and drop gently into hot oil. Fry in batches until golden brown on all sides. Drain on tissue paper.
Repeat with remaining potato filling. Don’t overcrowd the pan to maintain even heat and crisp texture.
Step 4: Serve & Enjoy
Serve hot Aloo Chops with green chutney, sweet tamarind chutney, or just plain puffed rice and fried green chilies — the true Bihari style. Sprinkle a little chaat masala for extra tang.
Flavor & Texture Notes
The outer layer is crisp, golden, and slightly nutty from gram flour roasted in mustard oil. The inside bursts with spiced potato — smoky from cumin, tangy from amchur, and fragrant with coriander. It’s a balance of crunch and comfort in one bite.
Serving Suggestions
- Serve with puffed rice (muri) and onions sprinkled with black salt.
- Pair with chai for the ultimate monsoon snack.
- Serve in festivals like Chhath Puja or Holi alongside bhujia and jalebi.
Pro Tips
- Always fry in mustard oil for the authentic earthy flavor.
- Add rice flour to batter for extra crispness.
- Rest the batter for 10 minutes before frying — helps in puffing up.
- Reheat by air-frying or crisping in a pan — never microwave.
Regional Twists
- Patna Style: Slightly thinner batter and extra green chili for spice lovers.
- Bhagalpur Style: Uses boiled beetroot along with potato for color and sweetness.
- Gaya Style: Adds crushed fennel seeds and garlic paste for stronger aroma.
Printable Quick Summary
Bihari Aloo Chop:
1. Make spicy potato filling.
2. Prepare thick besan batter.
3. Coat potato balls & deep fry till golden.
4. Serve with puffed rice & chutneys.
Conclusion
Bihari Aloo Chop is the heart of small-town India — simple, spicy, and made with love. It’s that crispy evening snack every tea stall in Bihar is famous for. From school-time memories to late-night cravings, this humble fritter connects generations. The warmth of the potatoes, the crispness of the coating, and the aroma of mustard oil together make it a timeless classic.
Serve it hot, let the crunch echo, and enjoy a bite of Bihar’s street soul. ❤️🔥