What is boondi? Glossary, uses, recipes |

Boondi is a popular Indian snack and a key ingredient in several other dishes, characterized by its small, spherical shape. These tiny balls are made from a batter of gram flour (besan), which is deep-fried until crispy. The name "boondi" is derived from the Hindi word "boond," meaning droplet, aptly describing how the batter is dropped into hot oil to form these miniature spheres. Boondi can be enjoyed in both savory and sweet forms, showcasing its versatility in Indian cuisine.

The process of making boondi involves preparing a smooth, free-flowing batter of gram flour mixed with water and sometimes a pinch of turmeric for color and a hint of salt. This batter is then poured through a perforated ladle or a special boondi sieve held above hot oil. As the batter passes through the holes, it forms droplets that fry quickly, puffing up into small, round balls. The size of the boondi depends on the size of the perforations in the ladle. Once golden and crisp, the boondi are removed from the oil and drained.

In its savory form, plain or salted boondi (kara boondi) is enjoyed as a light and crunchy snack on its own. It is also a common addition to various snack mixes like Bombay mix or chevda, providing a crispy element that enhances the overall texture. A very popular use of savory boondi is in Boondi Raita, where the fried balls are soaked in water to soften them slightly and then mixed with yogurt, along with spices like cumin powder, chili powder, and salt, creating a refreshing and cooling side dish.

On the sweeter side, boondi is the star ingredient in Boondi Ladoo, a beloved Indian sweet, especially during festivals. For this preparation, the fried boondi are soaked in a sugary syrup flavored with cardamom and sometimes saffron. The syrup-soaked boondi are then shaped into round balls, often garnished with nuts and raisins. Sweet boondi is also offered as prasad (a religious offering) in temples and is enjoyed as a standalone dessert.

Beyond these primary uses, boondi finds its way into other creative culinary applications. It can be added to certain curries for a unique textural element, or used as a crunchy topping for chaat dishes like boondi chaat, where it's mixed with chopped vegetables, chutneys, and spices. Some innovative recipes even incorporate boondi into savory rice dishes like boondi pulao, adding a surprising burst of texture and flavor.

In essence, boondi, whether savory or sweet, is a fundamental and versatile component of Indian cuisine. From a simple crunchy snack to the base of popular raitas and festive sweets, its unique texture and ability to absorb flavors make it a delightful addition to a wide array of dishes across India. The ease of making it, albeit requiring a bit of practice for perfect roundness, contributes to its widespread use in home kitchens and street food stalls alike.

Also known as

Kharaboondi

How to select boondi ?

Boondiis easily available in the market under different brand names. Check for the expiry date before buying any brand of boondi. 

 Culinary uses of boondi 

Salted boondi is served as a snackby itself. It may also be used to make raita, namkeens, mixtures, etc.

Boondi soaked in sugar syrup is used to make laddoos. 

raita recipes using boondi.

boondi is popularly used in making raitas in India. See our different boondi raitas recipes below. 

boondi and pomegranate raita recipe | boondi anar raita | The crunchy boondi with sweet and juicy pomegranate together in this boondi pomegranate raita gives you a mouth rush which is also flavoured with cumin seed powder.

boondi raita recipe | Punjabi boondi ka raita | easy boondi raita | chatpata boondi raita | Here is a Punjabi boondi raita that includes the fun of having your favourite namkeen too. When you have boondi on hand, it is extremely quick and easy to make. Just mix in chilled curds, spice powders and boondi, garnish with coriander and your chatpata boondi raita is ready to be served.

pudina boondi raita recipe | takde wala pudina bundi raita | boondi mint raita |

Indian drink recipes using boondi.

minty jaljeera recipe | pudina jaljeera | how to make khatta meetha jaljeera | easy jal jira | The pudina jaljeera is a pleasure to sip on – and happens to be one of those drinks that is welcome in all seasons! Serve this appetizing drink chilled, garnished with some crunchy boondi. 

Indian chaat recipes using boondi.

Mumbai roadside pani puri | homemade pani puri| puchka | golgappa |  Further we have prepared mixed sprouts mixture for pani puri. Combine parboiled mixed sprouts, boondi (soaked for 10 minutes and drained), mashed potatoes, coriander-cumin seeds (dhania-jeera) powder, chilli powder and black salt (sanchal). Mix everything well. Our mixture is ready!! You can also use ragda as the filling. 

How to store boondi

Boondi should be always be stored in an air-tight container in a cool and dry place.

Health benefits of boondi

Since besan is rich in protein, boondi can be a good source of protein, but since these are deep-fried, the portion sizes should be taken care of.