Banana Bhajji is a famous South Indian tea-time snack that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It is very popular in Karnataka, Tamil Nadu, Kerala, and Andhra Pradesh. This tasty snack is usually prepared during rainy days, evening tea time, festivals, and family gatherings.
Banana Bhajji is made using raw banana (Nandra banana) dipped in a spicy gram flour batter and deep fried in oil until golden and crispy. It is very easy to prepare at home and requires only a few ingredients.
Ingredients for Banana Bhajji
- 2 raw bananas (Nandan banana)
- 1 cup gram flour (besan)
- 2 tablespoons rice flour
- 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
- A pinch of asafoetida (hinge)
- Salt to taste
- Water as required
- Oil for deep frying
Preparation Time
| Item | Time |
| Preparation Time | 10 minutes |
| Cooking Time | 15 minutes |
| Total Time | 25 minutes |
Step-by-Step Banana Bhajji Recipe
Step 1: Prepare the Banana
Wash the raw bananas and peel the skin. Cut the banana into thin long slices. Do not cut very thick slices because they will not cook properly.
You can cut the banana into:
- Long slices
- Round slices
- Thin chips style
Keep the sliced bananas in water to prevent colour change.
Step 2: Prepare Bhajji Batter
Take a mixing bowl and add:
- Gram flour (besan)
- Rice flour
- Red chilli powder
- Turmeric powder
- Cumin seeds
- Hing
- Salt
Now add water little by little and mix well. Make a smooth batter without lumps. The batter should be medium thick (not too thin, not too thick).
Tip: If batter is too thin, bhaji will absorb oil. If batter is too thick, bhaji will become hard.
Step 3: Heat Oil
Take a Kadia and heat oil for deep frying. Oil should be medium hot. Do not fry in low heat oil because bhaji will absorb oil.
To check oil:
Drop a small amount of batter into oil. If it comes up immediately, oil is ready.
Step 4: Fry the Bhajji
Take banana slice, dip it in the batter, and coat well. Slowly drop it into hot oil. Fry 3–4 bhajis at a time. Do not overcrowd the pan.
Fry until golden brown and crispy. Turn the bhaji occasionally so it cooks evenly.
Remove and place on tissue paper to remove excess oil.
How to Make Bhajji Crispy – Tips
- Add rice flour for crispiness
- Batter should be medium thick
- Oil should be medium hot
- Do not overcrowd while frying
- Fry on medium flame
- Serve immediately for best taste
Serving Suggestions
Banana Bhajji tastes best with:
- Coconut chutney
- Tomato chutney
- Green chutney
- Tomato ketchup
- Hot tea or coffee
This is a perfect evening snack.
Nutritional Information (Approximate)
| Nutrient | Amount |
| Calories | 150 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 20 g |
| Protein | 4 g |
| Fat | 6 g |
Why Banana Bhajji is Popular?
Banana Bhajji is popular because:
- Easy to prepare
- Crispy and tasty
- Perfect tea-time snack
- Low-cost ingredients
- Loved by all age groups
- Popular street food in South India
Variations of Bhajji
You can make bhaji using:
- Raw banana bhaji
- Chilli bhaji
- Potato bhaji
- Onion bhaji
- Bread bhaji
- Paneer bhaji
The batter is the same; only the main ingredient changes.
Common Mistakes to Avoid
- Batter too thin
- Oil not hot
- Banana slices too thick
- Frying on low flame
- Not adding rice flour
- Keeping bhaji for long time (will become soft)
Conclusion
Banana Bhajji is a simple, crispy, and delicious South Indian snack that can be made quickly at home with basic ingredients. It is perfect for evening tea time, rainy days, and small family gatherings. By following the correct batter consistency and frying method, you can make perfect crispy banana bhaji at home.
Serve hot banana bhaji with chutney and a cup of tea, and enjoy this tasty homemade snack with your family.