Bored of Regular Meals? Spice It Up with These 3 Mouth-Watering Papad-Based Recipes at Home

When your daily meals start to feel monotonous, it’s time to turn to the humble papad—that crispy, crackling delight that every Indian thali proudly boasts. But did you know this side dish can become the main star of your plate? From cool raitas to spicy chaat and comforting curry, papad can do it all.

Here are 3 super tasty, quick-to-make papad recipes that are perfect for a snack or an innovative twist to your meals.

1. Papad Raita A Cool, Crispy & Spicy Side Dish

A refreshing raita with a crunchy surprise, this is perfect for summer lunches or to balance spicy curries.

Ingredients:

• 500g well-whisked curd

• 3 roasted masala papads

• ½ tsp roasted cumin powder

• ½ tsp black pepper powder

• 4 tsp chopped coriander

• Salt to taste

How to Make:

1. Whisk curd until smooth and creamy.

2. Mix in cumin, pepper, and coriander. Chill in the fridge.

3. Just before serving, add salt and crushed papad pieces.

4. Serve immediately to maintain the crunch.

Tip: Add papad at the last minute to keep the raita crisp and flavorful.

2. Papad Chaat The Perfect Tangy Tea-Time Snack

Think of it as bhel with a crunch—this papad chaat is healthy, spicy, and oh-so-satisfying.

Ingredients:

• 4 roasted papads

• ½ cup roasted peanuts

• ½ cup roasted cashews

• 1 cup finely chopped onions

• 1 cup chopped tomatoes

• 1 cup chopped cucumber

• 1 cup boiled & chopped potatoes

• 2 tsp lemon juice

• 2 tsp chaat masala

• 2 finely chopped green chillies

• 4 tsp chopped coriander

• Salt to taste

How to Make:

1. In a large bowl, mix all ingredients except papad.

2. Add lemon juice and chaat masala, toss everything well.

3. Break papads into pieces and mix them just before serving.

Tip: Keep the papad separate until the last second to avoid sogginess.

3. Papad ki Sabzi The Ultimate Jugaad When Veggies Run Out

This Rajasthani classic is the perfect answer to “What to cook when the fridge is empty?”

Ingredients:

• 1 tsp ghee

• ½ tsp cumin seeds

• 1 pinch asafoetida

• 1 tsp chopped ginger

• 1 chopped green chilli

• 4 garlic cloves

• 1 tsp kasuri methi

• 2 tomatoes (pureed)

• ¼ tsp turmeric

• ½ tsp red chilli powder

• ½ tsp coriander powder

• ½ cup whisked curd

• 3 roasted papads (broken)

• Salt to taste

• Chopped coriander for garnish

How to Make:

1. Grind garlic, green chilli, and ginger into a paste.

2. Heat ghee, add cumin and asafoetida. Sauté the paste.

3. Add tomato puree and dry spices. Cook till oil separates.

4. Add curd and salt, mix well.

5. Add broken papads, simmer for 2–3 minutes.

6. Garnish with kasuri methi and coriander.

Tip: Tastes best with hot roti or paratha. It’s a surprising hit for guests too!

Final Word: Papad Is More Than Just a Sidekick

From a cooling raita to a tangy chaat or even a full-on sabzi, papad proves it’s a true culinary chameleon. These recipes are not only quick and easy, but they also bring that extra burst of flavor and crunch your regular meals may be missing.