Crispy samosas—whether you are having them as a snack or appetizer—are an iconic Indian snack that can be found at street stalls and restaurants all over India. These pyramidal, golden pastries are stuffed with a spiced potato filling, and go perfectly with fresh mint [chutney](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-chutney-and-6-easy-chutney-recipes) and a steaming cup of chai tea.

How to Make the Best Indian Samosas at Home: Healthy Vegetarian Samosa Recipe

A samosa is a fried or baked pastry with a spicy potato filling. The filling is wrapped in dough and folded into a triangular or cone shape. Indian samosas are a popular street food often accompanied by various chutneys or chickpea curries (samosa chaat).

- Dough made from maida, or [all-purpose flour](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-culinary-guide-to-flour-types-difference-between-unbleached-and-bleached-flour-and-how-to-use-wheat-oat-bran-pastry-and-all-purpose-flour).
- Mashed potatoes spiced with [garam masala](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-garam-masala-homemade-garam-masala-spice-blend-recipe-and-how-to-cook-with-garam-masala), [cumin seeds](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-cumin-learn-benefits-and-culinary-uses-of-cumin-spice), [turmeric powder](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-turmeric-plus-easy-turmeric-tonic-recipe-for-everyday-use), [coriander seeds](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-coriander-cilantro-how-to-cook-with-coriander-seeds-and-cilantro-leaves), and cayenne pepper.
- Green peas.
- Onion.
- Green chili peppers.
- Meat. Some samosas are filled with minced lamb instead of potatoes.

The ideal samosa has a crispy exterior with a flavorful, spicy potato filling on the inside. There are a few different doughs that can be used to achieve golden, flaky perfection:

- __Classic dough__. A traditional samosa is made with a mixture of maida flour (a white wheat flour that can be substituted with all-purpose flour), vegetable oil or butter, salt, and water. Traditional samosa dough is often flavored with carom seeds. 
- __Phyllo sheets__. For an easy, healthier samosa with the same flavorful filling, try using premade phyllo sheets. Layer phyllo sheets and fill with the potato mixture, then folded into triangles. Brush them with butter, and bake off until golden brown. The delicate, crisp layers contrast well with the creamy potato filling. 
- __Wonton wrappers__. If you want to avoid the hassle of working with dough altogether—skip the line with store-bought wonton wrappers. These are already trimmed to the perfect size. Brush the edges with water, place filling in the middle, and seal the edges, that’s it! They can be baked or fried.
- If you’re deep-frying samosas, make sure not to crowd the pot otherwise the oil may drop in temperature. 
- After each batch is finished frying, remove with a slotted spoon to a cooling rack set over a baking sheet to drain off extra oil. 
- If you’re frying multiple batches, set your oven on a low temperature and keep samosas warm while you continue cooking.
Crispy samosas—whether you are having them as a snack or appetizer—are an iconic Indian snack that can be found at street stalls and restaurants all over India. These pyramidal, golden pastries are stuffed with a spiced potato filling, and go perfectly with fresh mint [chutney](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-chutney-and-6-easy-chutney-recipes) and a steaming cup of chai tea.

A samosa is a fried or baked pastry with a spicy potato filling. The filling is wrapped in dough and folded into a triangular or cone shape. Indian samosas are a popular street food often accompanied by various chutneys or chickpea curries (samosa chaat).

What Is a Samosa?

<ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Dough made from maida, or <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-culinary-guide-to-flour-types-difference-between-unbleached-and-bleached-flour-and-how-to-use-wheat-oat-bran-pastry-and-all-purpose-flour' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/a-culinary-guide-to-flour-types-difference-between-unbleached-and-bleached-flour-and-how-to-use-wheat-oat-bran-pastry-and-all-purpose-flour","linkCopy":"all-purpose flour","category":null}'>all-purpose flour</a>. </li><li class="">Mashed potatoes spiced with <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-garam-masala-homemade-garam-masala-spice-blend-recipe-and-how-to-cook-with-garam-masala' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-garam-masala-homemade-garam-masala-spice-blend-recipe-and-how-to-cook-with-garam-masala","linkCopy":"garam masala","category":null}'>garam masala</a>, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-cumin-learn-benefits-and-culinary-uses-of-cumin-spice' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-cumin-learn-benefits-and-culinary-uses-of-cumin-spice","linkCopy":"cumin seeds","category":null}'>cumin seeds</a>, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-turmeric-plus-easy-turmeric-tonic-recipe-for-everyday-use' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-cook-with-turmeric-plus-easy-turmeric-tonic-recipe-for-everyday-use","linkCopy":"turmeric powder","category":null}'>turmeric powder</a>, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-coriander-cilantro-how-to-cook-with-coriander-seeds-and-cilantro-leaves' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-coriander-cilantro-how-to-cook-with-coriander-seeds-and-cilantro-leaves","linkCopy":"coriander seeds","category":null}'>coriander seeds</a>, and cayenne pepper. </li><li class="">Green peas. </li><li class="">Onion. </li><li class="">Green chili peppers. </li><li class="">Meat. Some samosas are filled with minced lamb instead of potatoes. </li></ul>

What Ingredients Go Into Samosas?

The ideal samosa has a crispy exterior with a flavorful, spicy potato filling on the inside. There are a few different doughs that can be used to achieve golden, flaky perfection:<ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">Classic dough. A traditional samosa is made with a mixture of maida flour (a white wheat flour that can be substituted with all-purpose flour), vegetable oil or butter, salt, and water. Traditional samosa dough is often flavored with carom seeds. </li><li class="">Phyllo sheets. For an easy, healthier samosa with the same flavorful filling, try using premade phyllo sheets. Layer phyllo sheets and fill with the potato mixture, then folded into triangles. Brush them with butter, and bake off until golden brown. The delicate, crisp layers contrast well with the creamy potato filling. </li><li class="">Wonton wrappers. If you want to avoid the hassle of working with dough altogether—skip the line with store-bought wonton wrappers. These are already trimmed to the perfect size. Brush the edges with water, place filling in the middle, and seal the edges, that’s it! They can be baked or fried. </li></ul>

Three Ways to Make Samosa Dough

<ul class="mc-m-4 list-styled"><li class="">If you’re deep-frying samosas, make sure not to crowd the pot otherwise the oil may drop in temperature. </li><li class="">After each batch is finished frying, remove with a slotted spoon to a cooling rack set over a baking sheet to drain off extra oil. </li><li class="">If you’re frying multiple batches, set your oven on a low temperature and keep samosas warm while you continue cooking. </li></ul>

3 Tips for Making Crispy Samosas

Homemade Indian Samosa Recipe 

Crispy samosas—whether you are having them as a snack or appetizer—are an iconic Indian snack that can be found at street stalls and restaurants all over India. These pyramidal, golden pastries are stuffed with a spiced potato filling, and go perfectly with fresh mint <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-chutney-and-6-easy-chutney-recipes' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-chutney-and-6-easy-chutney-recipes","linkCopy":"chutney","category":null}'>chutney</a> and a steaming cup of chai tea.

Crispy samosas—whether you are having them as a snack or appetizer—are an iconic Indian snack that can be found at street stalls and restaurants all over India. These pyramidal, golden pastries are stuffed with a spiced potato filling, and go perfectly with fresh mint chutney (https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-chutney-and-6-easy-chutney-recipes) and a steaming cup of chai tea.
