Bajiya (Omani Spiced Fritters with Tamarind Chutney)
Local name: باجية
In short: Crisp chickpea flour fritters packed with onion and potato, spiced with cumin and chili, and served hot with sweet-sour tamarind chutney. It takes about 45 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 330 kcal
Bajiya are crisp fritters made from chickpea flour, onion and potato, a favorite snack in Oman. The batter is seasoned with cumin, coriander and chili, dropped into hot oil by the spoonful and fried until deep golden. They appear on iftar tables during Ramadan, and in the evening at home with tea. A sweet-sour tamarind chutney is the usual dip.
Instructions
- Make the chutney: simmer the tamarind paste, sugar, water, cumin, chili powder and salt for 5 minutes, until slightly thickened. Cool it completely.
- Squeeze the grated potato in a clean towel to remove as much moisture as you can. Toss it with the sliced onion and 1 tsp of the chickpea flour.
- In a large bowl, mix the remaining chickpea flour, rice flour, salt, spices and baking powder. Whisk in the water gradually to make a thick batter that coats a spoon.
- Fold the potato, onion, chili and cilantro into the batter. Rest for 10 minutes.
- Heat the oil in a deep pan to 180°C (350°F). Drop in heaped tablespoons of the mixture, 6 to 8 at a time, without crowding.
- Fry for 3 to 4 minutes, turning once or twice, until deep golden and crisp. Drain on a wire rack.
- Serve hot with the tamarind chutney and a hot cup of tea.
Tips
- Squeeze the grated potato dry before it goes in the batter. Less water in the mixture means crisper fritters that do not fall apart in the oil.
- For a coconut chutney instead, blend 100 g (1 cup) grated fresh coconut with 1 green chili, a handful of cilantro, a pinch of salt and 2 tbsp water.
Questions and answers
How do I keep bajiya crisp?
Fry at 180°C (350°F) so the outside sets quickly, avoid crowding the pan and drain the fritters on a rack rather than paper. The rice flour in the batter also helps.
Can I bake or air-fry bajiya?
Yes, though they will be less crisp. Spray with oil and air-fry at 190°C (375°F) for 12 to 15 minutes, turning once.
Are bajiya gluten-free?
As written, yes, since chickpea and rice flour contain no gluten. Check the labels if you need to avoid cross-contamination.
How long does it take to make Bajiya (Omani Spiced Fritters with Tamarind Chutney)?
About 45 min in total: 20 min of preparation and 25 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Bajiya (Omani Spiced Fritters with Tamarind Chutney)?
About 330 kcal per serving, with 8 g of protein, 40 g of carbohydrates and 15 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 330 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 40 g |
| Fat | 15 g |
| Fiber | 6 g |
| Sugar | 12 g |
| Sodium | 520 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
