Baked Aloo Tikki: Spicy, Healthy OTG Magic

Crispy on the outside, soft and flavorful on the inside: Aloo Tikki is a beloved Indian snack that never fails to delight.

 But what if you could enjoy this spicy, mouth-watering treat without deep frying? Yes, you heard that right. Baking Aloo Tikki in an OTG (Oven Toaster Grill) gives you the same crunch and taste but with far less oil, making it a guilt-free indulgence.

If you love snacking but want a healthier alternative, baked Aloo Tikki is a game-changer. Whether you are looking for a tea-time snack, a party appetiser, or a filling meal, this baked version of Aloo Tikki ticks all the boxes.

In this blog, we will explore the magic of making Aloo Tikki in an OTG, the secret to achieving the perfect crispness, and why it is a must-try for every food lover.

What is Aloo Tikki?

Aloo Tikki stands as a traditional North Indian street food because it combines smashed potatoes with spices and herbs, which are shaped into patties before traditional deep-frying yields its golden appearance. The excitement of Aloo Tikki comes from its traditional serving with chutneys and yogurt alongside chaat masala that lets flavors shine through the delicious snack.

When frying at high temperatures, one achieves crispiness, but this process adds additional calories to the food. The OTG provides a solution to achieve a deep-fried texture without excessive oil consumption.

Why Bake Aloo Tikki Instead of Frying?

Credits: Canva

When it comes to Aloo Tikki, you cannot replace its classic crunch with frying but baking offers numerous beneficial factors.

• Healthier Alternative: Using the baking method results in a healthier version of Aloo Tikki, which provides low-fat cooking without altering its delicious taste.
• Even Cooking: Thanks to its even heat distribution feature, the  OTG produces perfectly crisped Tikkis.
• No Oil Splatter: Avoid the mess and hassle of deep frying.
• Retains Flavor: Baking method maintains natural potato and spice flavors together with original herbs.
• Perfect for Diet-Conscious Foodies: The concern about excessive fat does not affect diet-conscious foodies; they can now enjoy their favorite snack with the OTG baking method.

Ingredients for Baked Aloo Tikki

To make delicious baked Aloo Tikki at home, you need simple ingredients, most of which are already in your kitchen.

Basic Ingredients:

• 4 large potatoes (boiled and mashed)
• ½ cup bread crumbs (for binding)
• ¼ cup cornflour or rice flour (for extra crispiness)
• 1 green chili (finely chopped)
• 1 teaspoon ginger paste
• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon red chili powder
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon chaat masala
• ½ teaspoon black salt
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons finely chopped coriander leaves
• 1 tablespoon lemon juice
• 1 tablespoon oil (for brushing)

For Extra Flavor (Optional):

• ½ cup grated paneer or cheese (for a richer taste)
• ¼ cup boiled peas (for a soft, melt-in-the-mouth texture)
• A handful of chopped mint leaves (for a fresh twist)

Step-by-Step Recipe: How to Bake Aloo Tikki in an OTG

Credits: Glen India

Step 1: Prepare the Aloo Tikki Mixture

1. Mix all ingredients including bread crumbs, mashed potatoes and cornflour along with green chili, ginger paste, turmeric, red chili powder and garam masala together with chaat masala, black salt, regular salt and lemon juice followed by coriander leaves.
2. Stir all the ingredients together until they become uniformly blended. The mixture needs to have the consistency of being both smooth and firm enough to maintain its form. The mixture requires additional bread crumbs when it gets too sticky.

Step 2: Shape the Tikkis

1. Use a little of the mixture to form either a round or oval shaped patty.
2. You should place your paneer pieces or peas at the center point before folding over the patty.
3. The process should be repeated for each remaining portion of the mixture.

Step 3: Preheat the OTG

1. Pre-heat your OTG at 200°C for 10 minutes of preheating time.
2. Prepare the baking tray with both parchment paper or use a thin oil coating for surface coverage.

Step 4: Arrange and Bake

1. Put the  prepared Aloo Tikkis on the baking tray using a spacing that keeps them separate from each other.
2. Basting the Tikki with a light layer of oil will make them extra crunchy.
3. Set your oven temperature to 200°C and bake for 20 to 25 moments while flipping the tikkis once for complete browning results.

Step 5: Serve Hot and Enjoy

The Tikkis should be removed from the oven once they become golden brown and pleasantly crispy before allowing them to cool for one minute.

How to Serve Baked Aloo Tikki?

Credits: Canva

The versatile nature of Baked Aloo Tikki allows it to be prepared in various eating combinations:

• Serve Baked Aloo Tikki using green chutney together with tamarind chutney as the traditional combination.
• When serving this snack as a chaat recipe add curd, then sev followed by chopped onions, along with pomegranate seeds.
• The Burger style serves the Tikki in a bun with cheese and lettuce along with mayo to create a wholesome homemade burger.
• A quick meal consists of a Tikki Wrap prepared by putting veggies and sauces inside either a roti or a tortilla.

Pro Tips for the Perfect Baked Aloo Tikki

• Starchy potatoes become essential because they create better binding throughout the Tikki and produce soft textures.
• Boiling potatoes to the point of excess softness will create moisture which makes Tikki become soggy.
• Folding the mixture requires refrigeration for 15 minutes to achieve firm Tikkis.
• Brushing the dough generously with oil will achieve a desirable crisp coating on your Tikki.
• Placing the item on a wire rack will achieve crispiness by enabling uniform air circulation.

Why an OTG is Perfect for Baking Aloo Tikki

An OTG serves as an excellent appliance to produce crispy snacks such as Aloo Tikki. Here’s why it is a must-have:

• Baked items turn out all browned evenly because of the heating elements.
• The OTG proves most suitable when preparing small batch cooking due to its exceptional speed for quick preparation.
• Making food on an OTG reduces the need for excessive oil while preserving the texture.
• Energy-Efficient: Consumes less power than a conventional oven.

Final Thoughts

Baked Aloo Tikki brings together a healthy culinary experience with delicious flavors. An OTG provides a fantastic option to prepare healthy food which replaces deep-fried dishes at any time. The combination of crispiness and spice with a multitude of flavors makes this food a de-oiled version of Aloo Tikki.

You should use your OTG to bake the crispy snack when you want to enjoy this delicious version. Happy cooking!

You can use Glen India’s OTG to create nutritious, crunchy snacks without any difficulties.v