Aloo Ki Tikki Recipe

This recipe for Pakistani-style potato cake called Aloo ki Tikki is made with mashed potatoes, onions, herbs, and spices. These fried potato pancakes are crispy, flavorful, and seasoned to perfection! This aloo tikki recipe is also naturally gluten-free and optionally vegan.

Aloo ki tikki (Pakistani and Indian-style potato pie) is one of those traditional South Asian dishes that never fails to amaze me. They are straightforward and yet so clever in their flavor profile. The bold, spicy spiciness of the spices is perfectly balanced with the refreshing fresh herbs and starchy potatoes. (For more potato recipes, check out my collection of 10 Potato Recipes (Aloo).)

Though potato cutlet is traditionally thought of as street food or chai-time snacks, they are incredibly versatile and an always-welcome side dish to accompany any meal. I like to make them shine by serving them as an appetizer with some kind of pulao (like chana pulao or chicken pulao) and raita. They're also delicious in a sandwich or bun with all your favorite toppings and ketchup or mint yogurt chutney.

How To Make Aloo Ki Tikki?

To make these Pakistani Potato Pies, simply combine the prepared ingredients, form into patties, brush them with an egg, and shallow fry them. I experimented a lot to perfect this Aloo Ki Tikki recipe. I found the following:

Tips & Notes:

I tried making the Cutlus Recipe with and without the egg as a binder. I found the eggs to be easier to shape and hold. If you want to make them vegan, just leave out the egg in the potato mixture and use breadcrumbs to bind the outside. You have to be very careful when twisting them so that they hold their shape.
To simplify prep time, I skipped manual chopping by using a food processor. Simply use the pulse setting to finely chop the mixture instead of blending it so the onion doesn't break down too much and create excess liquid. Of course, you can also simply chop if you don't want to use a food processor.
Aloo ki tikki can use a fair amount of salt. If you feel like something is "missing" it's probably an extra pinch of salt.

How To Make The Aloo Ki Tikki Extra Crispy?

Brushing the aloo ki tikki with breadcrumbs after washing the eggs is a surefire way to crisp them up. While not a traditional step, I find aalu ki recipes a great way to add an extra layer of crunch.

Keep in mind that breadcrumbs will dull other flavors. So if you decide to go with this method, try adding extra salt and spices.

What To Serve With Aloo Ki Tikki?

Serve aloo ki Tikki with any type of rice dish like biryani or pulao. Add a savory component like mint raita, vegetable raita, or chutney. They are also perfect as a snack to serve with chai.