See pani puri recipe with step by step photos. 

pani puris are known as "golgappas" in Northern India and as "poochkas" in West Bengal. pani puri is crisp semolina puris filled with sprouts and chilled mint flavoured water make a great snack for a hot summer afternoon. When my favourite “ pani puri wallah" is serving me these delightful little puris one after the other, I just go on eating till I can eat no more! Sprouts can be replaced by hot ragda to complement the chilled mint water.

Making the puris takes some time to master and although they can be bought from a local store, the extra effort put in to make them at home is well worth the trouble. Do remember to store the puris in an air-tight container. You can always refresh them by baking them in a slow oven for 4 to 5 minutes.

Is Pani Puri healthy?

No, this is not healthy. Let's see why.

Let's understand the Ingredients.

What's good.

Mint Leaves (Pudina) used in make Pani : Mint (pudina) being an anti-inflammatory reduces the inflammation in the stomach and shows a cleansing effect. Sipping on a healthy drink like fresh mint and lemon tea is the best option to overcome nausea for mums-to-be. Moreover it's vitamin A (10% of RDA) and vitamin C (20.25%) serve as an additional boost to bring relief from cough, sore throat and also cold. See here for detailed benefits of mint leaves. 

Imli (Tamarind) : Tamarind is good for heart due to the fibre present which has a cholesterol lowering effect. It is also good for diabetics. But too much tamarind is bad for health. 

What's the problem?

Rava (semolina, sooji) used in making  Puris :   What's good? Semolina is a fairly good source of Magnesium and phosphorus which is necessary to keep our nervous system healthy and working. What's the issue? Fibre is one key nutrient for weight loss and semolina is devoid of it. Semolina is not suitable for diabetics. For details read is sooji healthy?

Plain flour (maida)  used in making  Puris : This recipe uses plain flour or maida which is refined carb not suitable for healthy lifestyle. Maida consumption in any food should be totally avoided or just a little bit of usage as any consumption of this will cause a larger spike in blood levels which is not good for diabetics, heart patients. Read is maida good for you to understand fully.

Deep fried foods : This recipe is deep fried. Any food that is deep fried is not suitable for healthy living. Your fat levels increase as deep frying increases oil absorption. Also when you use the same oil again for deep frying then smoking point decreases which leads to the development of blue smoke which is not good for health. Processed food, Deep Fried Foods also increases inflammation in the body and shuts down the fat burning process. Most diseases from heart, to cardio vascular, diabetes, parkinsons, alzheimer, cancer and obesity result when the cells get inflamed and don't then function correctly. Inflammation in the arteries can cause heart attacks. So your diet should contain foods that fight inflammation in the body. That's how your body gets healthier by eating the right stuff. So you have given the cells in your body the right food to stay healthy and that is so important in staying disease free for the rest of your life.  

Can diabetics, heart patients and over weight individuals have Pani Puri ?

No, this recipe is not good for diabetics, heart and weight loss. The puris are what are eaten by pani puri lovers which is the problem. Puris are made from plain flour and rava which should be taken out of your diet if you want to lead a healthy life. What's worse is that the puris are then deep fried. So stay away from the puris. At best you can have a bit of the pani but don't sit and have to cups of pani as it contains imli which should be had in restricted amounts. 

Are there any healthy chaat recipes you suggest? 

Yes, we suggest the following healthy chaat options like Oats Chaat, Moong Dal ki Chaat, Gajar aur Moong Dal ki Chaat and Panner aur Hare Chane ki Chaat. All these chaat recipes have no fried foods and made from dals, oats and chana which are healthy. 

Gajar Aur Moong Dal ki Chaat

This is high in pani puri

1. Fiber : Dietary fiber reduce the risk of heart disease, prevent the spike in blood sugar levels and hence super for diabetics. Comsume more fruits, vegetables, moong, oats, matki, whole grains.

2. Folic Acid : Folic acid is an essential vitamin required throughout pregnancy.

3. Vitamin C :  Vitamin C is a great defence against coughs and colds.

4. Iron :  Iron is essential in the chemical reactions that produce energy from foods. Eat more greens and garden cress seeds to prevent you from being anaemic. Here are the top 7 sources of iron rich foods. 

5. Vitamin B1 : Vitamin B1 protects nerves, helps in carbohydatre metabolism, prevents heart diseases and helps produce red blood cells.

Note : a recipe is deemed high in a Vitamin or mineral if it meets 20% and above the recommended daily allowance based on a 2,000 calorie diet.

How to burn 329 calories that come from one serving of Pani Puri?

Walking (6 kmph) = 1 hr 39 mins

Running (11 kmph) = 33 mins

Cycling (30 kmph) = 44 mins       

Swimming (2 kmph) = 56 mins

Note: These values are approximate and calorie burning differs in each individual.