Turn Leftover Pooris Into Sweet & Savoury

Snacks

Quick Summary

Pooris pair beautifully with any curry during festivities, but finishing extra pooris can be a task! Reheating makes them more oily, and the soggy ones don’t taste good. This article explores the snack options that can be created using leftover pooris to give them a new lease on life. From savoury nachos to sweet toppings, dive deeper to discover how poori is not only a part of the main course but also tastes equally well as a snack option. 

Deep Dive

Pooris are staple foods in Indian homes during festivals. They pair well with curries, dry sabzis, and even sweets like Shrikhand. However, once the festivities are over, pooris become soggy, and reheating or re-frying them makes no sense, as they become even oilier. Instead, an innovative way to utilise the leftover pooris is to repurpose them into snacks. Pooris can be used as a base for both savoury snacks and sweets. Since they do not have any inherent flavour, there are multiple ways to use them for snacks and sweets. They make a perfect companion for tea and are also ideal for post-lunch bites. This article will examine how pooris can be repurposed to prevent waste and how the same food can be utilised to create new dishes. 

Poori Nachos With Desi Dip

This dish demonstrates that pooris are not limited to Indian dishes, but can also be given a Mexican twist. To make these nachos, break them into triangles and bake or air-fry them to achieve a crunchy texture. Serve these nachos with chutneys, salsa, or even hummus. The puffed texture of poori keeps the Indian flavour alive, even though it gets a Mexican makeover. This snack is perfect for movie nights or casual meet-ups after the festive season. If you want a spicy touch, you can brush the poori with chaat masala or peri-peri masala before baking. 

Sweet Poori Chaat

You might not have heard of this dish before, but poori is probably the only ingredient that can make this possible. It also extends the snacks from being only savoury to being sweet. To make this sweet chaat, crumble pooris into a bowl and add rabri left from your festive spread or condensed milk. Sprinkle the nuts over them and refrigerate for a short time. This creates a rich and creamy dessert that is a bit similar to shahi tukda. This cannot be made with rotis as they are not fried and soft like pooris. 

Poori Upma Or Poha

When pooris become cold and stale, they are no longer as tasty or delicious as fresh ones. They can be turned into quick snacks by crumbling them and sauteeing with onions, curry leaves, mustard seeds, and the regular spices. Adding curry leaves and mustard seeds not only enhances the taste but also aids digestion after a heavy festive meal. This dish is similar to poha or bread upma; it has carbs and flavours, which make it a great breakfast option, and even an evening snack option with tea. 

Poori Parfait Crunch

This is a new experiment with poori that brings together Indian and Western styles. To make this, layer broken pooris with yoghurt, fresh fruits, and honey in a glass. The crisp poori topping replaces granola, giving a perfect parfait texture with homemade ingredients. This dish is light, refreshing, and something unique, which will certainly fetch you likes on Instagram. 

Kheer With The Crunch Of Poori

You might have eaten poori with shrikhand or curry, but have you ever seen pooris as a topping? This dish will show you that! To make this, you can use your leftover kheer and fry small pieces of pooris until they are crispy, and add them over the kheer or phirni. This mixture of textures gives sweets a new look and adds more texture when combined with the kheer. This dish will be loved by people who prefer a less sweet taste; the crunchy poori bites will help balance the taste. 

Street-Style Frankie With Poori Base

Even Tibb will be shocked to see this, Frankie. But this is a perfect and delicious way to repurpose your poori into something unique. To make this frankie, flatten the poori, stuff it with spices, potatoes, onions, or paneer, spread some chutney and roll it up like a frankie. This will be a mini Frankie version, which will be easier to eat and portable to carry. This can also make for a quick snack during parties, when attached to a toothpick, and can be enjoyed in a couple of bites. 

Reinventing The Classics

The above dishes demonstrate how some classic dishes retain their versatility and adaptability, allowing them to evolve into something new that is equally delicious. They also prove that leftovers have the power not only to save food but also to add festive charm, without a doubt!