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Chekkalu recipe

By swasthi , on August 22, 2019, 14 Comments, Jump to Recipe

Chekkalu are a traditional fried snack from Andhra pradesh that are crunchy, delicious and addictive. These are made in most Telugu speaking homes during festivals & kids’ school holidays. Chekkalu are made using rice flour, channa dal and spices. They are a variation of the Karnataka Nippattu and Tamilnadu Thattai.

chekkalu recipe

Ingredients like ginger, jeera, green chilies and curry leaves flavor up the chekkalu. Channa dal is another key ingredients that is used. It can be replaced with moong dal. Even split peanuts can be added but the traditional recipe never had them.

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To make chekkalu I have used store bought flour. Traditionally these were made by washing the rice, drying and then milling rice in a flour mill. The recipe method shared in this post will give you thin, crunchy and tasty chekkalu. I have also shared tips on how to prevent them from turning soft or chewy after a few days.

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Preparation for chekkalu

I doubled the recipe so you will find the quantities more.

1. Wash and soak chana dal for 30 mins. I washed and soaked in hot water for 10 mins.

Wash and soak chana dal

2. Add rice flour to a mixing bowl. I used store bought rice flour. If using store bought please use a Indian brand rice flour as the texture of chekkalu will be different.

Add rice flour

3. Next add chopped curry leaves, ginger paste, salt, red chilli powder and cumin. I used ginger garlic paste.

add chopped curry leaves

4. Mix up everything well.

Mix

5. Drain the water from chana dal. Bring about 6 tbsps water to a boil and add butter to it. I used the same pan I used for soaking chana dal.

Drain the water
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6. The butter must melt off in the hot water.

butter

7. Pour this to the flour and add chana dal.

add chana dal

8. The mixture will be hot just be careful. Mix everything well.

mixture
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9. Pour more warm to hot water as needed and make a non sticky dough without kneading. Don’t worry if it is crumbly. Taste the dough and add more salt if needed.

Taste the dough and add more salt if needed.

10. Keep it covered until the entire dough is used up.

Keep it covered

How to make chekkalu

11. Pour oil to a kadai and begin to heat up on a medium flame. While the oil heats up, make chekkalu on a clean dry white cloth or parchment paper. Divide the dough to 14 to 15 parts and roll them to balls.

the ball

12. Begin to spread the balls. As you flatten the ball, the edges will crack a lot. Just join them with fingers. You can also dip your fingers in a bowl of water and spread.

Chekkalu must be as thin as possible otherwise they will not turn crunchy. If you do not want them to puff then, prick randomly each one with a fork. If there is less chana dal in the dough then they are most likely to puff. Puffed chekkalu must be fried well otherwise they may turn soft.

flatten the ball

Frying chekkalu

13. Check if the oil turns hot by dropping a small flat piece of dough. It must come up immediately without browning.

hot oil
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14. The flame must be medium high flame and the oil must be hot. Then remove the chekkalu gently from the cloth and drop them in the oil. Flip and fry.

flame must be medium high

15. When they turn crisp and golden remove them.

crisp and golden chekkalu

16. Transfer to a wide colander. This helps the air to circulate. They will keep crisp and cool them quickly.

crisp chekkalu
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Cool chekkalu completely. Store in a air tight as soon as they cool.

andhra chekkalu recipe

Tips to make crunchy chekkalu

1. Always make them as thin as possible otherwise they will not remain crisp for a long time. After a day or 2 they may turn chewy and soft.
2. Fry chekkalu on a medium high heat. Frying them on a low heat may make them rock hard (if fried for too long). They may also turn soft with in a day or 2 if they are not fried enough.
3. Always ensure the oil is hot enough before frying. Otherwise chekkalu tend to soak up lot of oil and will not keep crisp for long time.

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Chekkalu recipe

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andhra chekkalu recipe

Chekkalu

Chekkalu are a popular festive snack from Andhra pradesh. These are made with rice flour, spices and chana dal.
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For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card

Prep Time5 minutes
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Servings14
AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (US cup = 240ml )

  • 1 cup rice flour
  • 1 tbsp butter
  • 1 tbsp chana dal
  • 1/3 to ½ tsp salt
  • ½ tsp chilli powder
  • 2 sprigs curry leaves
  • 1 tsp ginger paste or 1½ tsp ginger garlic paste
  • 1 green chilli paste or minced (optional)
  • ¾ tsp jeera or cumin
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Instructions

Preparation for chekkalu

  • Wash and soak chana dal for 30 mins.  or You can also soak in hot water for 10 mins.
  • Add rice flour, salt, jeera, chili powder, ginger, chilli paste, curry leaves to a mixing bowl.
  • Mix everything well. Discard the water and add chana dal too.
  • Bring 6 tbsps water to a boil and add butter to it. Allow the butter to melt. Then pour it to the rice flour.
  • The mixture will turn hot. Carefully mix well. Pour more hot to warm water and make a non sticky dough. Do not knead. Check salt and add more if needed. Cover until the mixture is used up.

How to make chekkalu

  • Heat oil in a kadai. 
  • While the oil heats up, make 14 to 15 equal sized balls.
  • Spread a clean and dry white cloth. or use a parchment paper.
  • Place the balls and begin to flatten them to a thin puri (as thin as possible). The dough begins to crack, just stick it up or dip your fingers in water and continue to spread.
  • Ensure chekkalu are thin and even. To prevent puffing you can also prick them randomly with a fork.

Frying chekkalu

  • Test if the oil is hot enough by dropping a small flat piece of dough to the oil. It must rise immediately without browning. 
  • Gently remove the chekkalu and drop them in hot oil.  The flame has to be medium high.
  • When golden flip & fry until golden and crunchy. Bubbles will cease when they are done.
  • Remove them to a colander to keep them crunchy.
  • Cool chekkalu completely and transfer to a air tight jar. 
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Notes

The recipe can be doubled and the dough can be made at one time.

Alternative quantities provided in the recipe card are for 1x only, original recipe.

For best results follow my detailed step-by-step photo instructions and tips above the recipe card.

NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)

Nutrition Facts
Chekkalu
Amount Per Serving
Calories 54 Calories from Fat 9
% Daily Value*
Fat 1g2%
Cholesterol 2mg1%
Sodium 102mg4%
Potassium 16mg0%
Carbohydrates 10g3%
Vitamin A 65IU1%
Vitamin C 6.1mg7%
Calcium 3mg0%
Iron 0.2mg1%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @SwasthisRecipes or tag #swasthisrecipes!

© Swasthi’s Recipes

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About swasthi

I’m Swasthi shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthis recipes. My aim is to help you cook great Indian food with my time-tested recipes. After 2 decades of experience in practical Indian cooking I started this blog to help people cook better & more often at home. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook I am sure Swasthi’s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills.
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Recipe Rating




Recipe Rating




14 Comments
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Fang
March 6, 2021 2:44 am

What are your thoughts on trying this with almond flour instead of rice flour ? Also, do you have a recipe for baking these instead of frying?

Thanks !

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Fang
March 9, 2021 12:25 pm

Hi Fang
I haven’t tried it with almond flour. You may try baking them at 360 C for 18 mins. Use little all-purpose flour for binding.

Reply
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Shubhangi
February 8, 2021 11:47 am

Can I use oil instead of butter,?

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Shubhangi
February 10, 2021 3:05 am

Yes you can

Reply
Ganesh
November 16, 2020 2:11 pm

Made chekalu using your recipe for my wife and mother-in-law and they like it. Your recipe came out perfect. Thanks for sharing your recipe

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Ganesh
November 16, 2020 2:39 pm

You are welcome!
Glad to know!

Reply
Ramya
October 21, 2020 6:57 am

How much salt is needed for 2 cups of rice flour. Plz suggest me. First time preparing this resipe.

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Ramya
October 21, 2020 7:25 am

Start with 3/4 teaspoon. After making the dough taste it and add more if needed. It has to be slightly salty as it will reduce after frying

Reply
Deepika Mithipati
October 11, 2020 2:34 am

5 stars
Tried these and they turned out great! Liked the way you explained the recipe as it ecouraged me to try it. The tips helped a lot

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Deepika Mithipati
October 11, 2020 1:49 pm

Glad to know Deepika
🙂

Reply
Vidula
August 12, 2020 3:04 pm

5 stars
Great recipe. Turned out simply superb!! Thank you.

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Vidula
August 14, 2020 2:55 pm

Welcome Vidula

Reply
Neeru
September 27, 2019 7:41 pm

5 stars
Your instructions are very clear
Looks yummy
Will try soon

Reply
swasthi
Reply to  Neeru
September 29, 2019 2:36 pm

Thanks Neeru!
Hope you like them.

Reply

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