Crispy Spiced Potato Samosas Recipe
Introduction
Samosas are crispy, golden pastries filled with a savory mix of spiced potatoes and peas. These delightful Indian snacks are perfect for sharing and bursting with flavor in every bite.

Ingredients
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup ghee (clarified butter)
- 8-12 tablespoons cold water
- 1 lb russet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter)
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 1 green chili, diced
- 1 cup green peas
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon fennel powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 tablespoon cilantro, minced
- Salt to taste
- Oil for frying
Instructions
- Step 1: In a bowl, whisk together the flour, thyme, and salt. Add ¼ cup ghee and mix well using your fingers until the mixture becomes shaggy and holds its shape when pressed.
- Step 2: Gradually add cold water, one tablespoon at a time, kneading until a fairly stiff dough forms that doesn’t stick to your hands.
- Step 3: Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes.
- Step 4: Peel and cut potatoes into 2-inch chunks. Boil until just fork-tender, then drain and roughly chop or crumble them. Set aside.
- Step 5: Heat 1 tablespoon ghee in a pan over medium-high heat. Add cumin, coriander, and fennel seeds and sauté until fragrant.
- Step 6: Add ginger, green chili, and green peas. Sauté for about 2 minutes.
- Step 7: Stir in lemon juice, turmeric, garam masala, fennel powder, cilantro, salt, and the potatoes. Mix well and sauté for another 2 minutes.
- Step 8: Remove the filling from heat and let it cool nearly to room temperature.
- Step 9: Divide the rested dough into six equal balls, cover, and let rest for 10 minutes.
- Step 10: Roll each ball into a 7-inch flat disk between parchment papers. Keep unused disks covered to prevent drying.
- Step 11: Cut each disk in half. Wet the flat edge of one half and fold into a cone, sealing the edge.
- Step 12: Fill the cone with about two tablespoons of the potato filling and gently pack it. Wet the open edge and seal to form a samosa.
- Step 13: Repeat with remaining dough and filling to make about 12 samosas.
- Step 14: Heat 2 inches of oil in a heavy-bottom pan over medium heat. Test by inserting a toothpick; it should sizzle when the oil is ready.
- Step 15: Fry samosas in batches, leaving space between each. Cook about 1 minute per side until golden and crispy but not dark brown.
- Step 16: Drain fried samosas on paper towels to remove excess oil.
- Step 17: Serve warm with mango chutney or tamarind sauce.
Tips & Variations
- For a gluten-free option, substitute all-purpose flour with a rice flour blend, but expect a different texture.
- Add finely chopped onions or ground meat to the filling for extra flavor and variety.
- Use a slotted spoon to fry samosas to help drain oil quickly.
- If you prefer baking over frying, brush samosas with oil and bake at 375°F (190°C) until golden, about 25 minutes.
Storage
Store samosas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in an oven or toaster oven to restore crispness rather than microwaving, which can make them soggy. Leftover samosas can also be frozen before frying; thaw before cooking.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I make samosas ahead of time?
Yes, you can prepare and assemble samosas ahead of time and store them in the refrigerator for a few hours before frying. Alternatively, freeze them uncooked and fry from frozen when ready.
What is the best oil for frying samosas?
Use a neutral oil with a high smoke point such as vegetable, canola, or peanut oil to achieve crispy samosas without burning.
Print
Crispy Spiced Potato Samosas Recipe
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 12 samosas 1x
Description
This classic Indian snack features crispy, golden samosas filled with a flavorful mixture of spiced potatoes and peas. The dough is made with all-purpose flour and ghee, creating a flaky texture when fried. The filling combines cumin, coriander, fennel seeds, ginger, green chili, garam masala, and fresh cilantro for a well-balanced, aromatic bite. Perfect as an appetizer or snack, these samosas pair beautifully with mango chutney or tamarind sauce.
Ingredients
Dough
- 2 cups all purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon thyme
- 1 teaspoon salt
- ¼ cup ghee (clarified butter)
- 8–12 tablespoons cold water
Filling
- 1 lb russet potatoes
- 1 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter)
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon coriander seeds
- ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
- 1 tablespoon ginger, minced
- 1 green chili, diced
- 1 cup green peas
- 1 teaspoon lemon juice
- 1 teaspoon fennel powder
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 tablespoon cilantro, minced
- Salt to taste
For Frying
- Oil for frying (about 2 inches deep)
Instructions
- Make the Dough: In a bowl, whisk together 2 cups all purpose flour, 1 teaspoon thyme, and 1 teaspoon salt. Add ¼ cup ghee and mix with your fingers until incorporated into a shaggy dough.
- Knead the Dough: Add 8-12 tablespoons cold water, one tablespoon at a time, kneading until a fairly stiff dough forms that does not stick to your hands.
- Rest Dough: Cover the dough and let it rest for 30 minutes to relax the gluten.
- Boil Potatoes: Peel and cut 1 lb russet potatoes into 2-inch chunks. Boil until just fork-tender, then drain and roughly chop or crumble; avoid mashing.
- Prepare Filling Spices: Heat 1 tablespoon ghee in a medium pan over medium-high heat. Add cumin seeds, coriander seeds, and fennel seeds; sauté until fragrant and sizzling.
- Sauté Aromatics and Vegetables: Add minced ginger, diced green chili, and green peas to the pan. Sauté for about 2 minutes to soften and blend flavors.
- Combine Spices and Potatoes: Add lemon juice, turmeric, garam masala, fennel powder, minced cilantro, salt to taste, and the prepared potatoes. Mix well and cook another 2 minutes. Remove from heat and cool.
- Divide Dough: Divide rested dough into six equal portions, shape into balls, cover, and rest for 10 more minutes.
- Roll Dough: Roll each ball into a flat disk about 7 inches in diameter between parchment paper. Keep rolled dough covered to prevent drying.
- Form Cones: Cut the circle in half. Moisten the straight edge of one half and fold into a cone shape, pressing edges to seal.
- Fill Cones: Fill each cone with about two tablespoons of the filling, gently packing it. Moisten the open edge and seal completely.
- Heat Oil for Frying: Heat 2 inches of oil in a heavy-bottom pan over medium heat. Test readiness with a toothpick; it should sizzle upon contact.
- Fry Samosas: Fry samosas in batches with space between them, about 1 minute per side, until golden and crispy without dark spots.
- Drain Excess Oil: Remove samosas and place on paper towel-lined plates to absorb oil.
- Serve: Serve hot with mango chutney or tamarind sauce for dipping.
Notes
- Ensure the dough is stiff enough to avoid tearing when forming samosas.
- Potatoes should be fork-tender but firm to give texture to the filling.
- Use medium heat when frying to ensure samosas cook through without burning.
- Keep rolled dough covered to prevent drying out, which can cause cracks when folding.
- Adjust chili quantity to suit your spice preference.
- Ghee can be substituted with vegetable oil in the dough for a different flavor profile.
- Prep Time: 40 minutes
- Cook Time: 25 minutes
- Category: Snack
- Method: Frying
- Cuisine: Indian
Keywords: Samosas, Indian snack, fried snack, potato samosas, vegetarian appetizer

