Chote Papad Recipe

Roast papads

Roast the 6 chote papads until crisp. You can roast over an open gas flame, in a microwave (30–45 seconds per papad, checking), or in a dry skillet with 1 tsp oil over medium heat. Place each papad on a wire rack or paper towel to cool and remain crisp.

Prepare chopped toppings

While papads are roasting, combine the finely chopped red onion, tomato (seeds removed), cucumber, chopped cilantro, chopped green chili (if using), and optional raw mango and pomegranate arils in a small bowl. Toss gently to mix.

Make yogurt-mango drizzle

In a separate small bowl whisk the plain yogurt until smooth. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the mango chutney to make a lightly sweet-tangy yogurt drizzle. Adjust thickness with a teaspoon of water if needed so it will drizzle easily.

Prepare straight chutney

Reserve the remaining mango chutney in a spoonable consistency to be dolloped on each papad at assembly time. If your chutney is very thick, stir in 1–2 tsp water to loosen slightly.

Season the chopped mix

Sprinkle the chopped-topping bowl with 1/4 tsp salt, 1/2 tsp roasted cumin powder, and 1/4 tsp red chili powder; toss gently and squeeze in half the lemon juice (about 1/2 tbsp). Taste and adjust seasoning as desired.

Arrange the roasted papads on a serving platter. Spoon about 1–1.5 teaspoons of mango chutney onto each papad, spreading lightly toward the center but leaving edges crisp.

Top each chutney-smeared papad with about 1 tablespoon of the chopped vegetable mixture, gently pressing so it adheres but does not break the papad.

Drizzle about 1 teaspoon of the mango-yogurt mixture over each topped papad. Sprinkle a pinch of chaat masala and a light dusting of black salt (if using) on each one.

Finish each papad with a scattering of sev or crushed roasted peanuts (about 1 tablespoon per papad) and a few extra chopped cilantro leaves and pomegranate arils for color.

Serve

Serve immediately so the papads stay crisp. Provide any extra mango chutney and the remaining yogurt-chutney mixture on the side for guests to add more if desired.