Chegodilu is a famous Andhra snack shaped like small rings and deep-fried to a crisp golden perfection. Made with rice flour, spices, and butter, these crunchy delights are a staple during festivals like Sankranti and Diwali, as well as an anytime snack for tea. Their signature ring shape and spicy flavor make them unique among South Indian snacks.
Ingredients
- Rice flour – 1 cup
- Water – 1 cup
- Butter – 1 tbsp (you can use ghee or oil instead)
- Red chilli powder – 1 tsp
- Turmeric powder – ¼ tsp
- Sesame seeds – 1 tsp
- Cumin seeds – ½ tsp
- Salt – to taste
- Oil – for deep frying
Preparation Steps
- Boil water & season
- In a saucepan, boil 1 cup of water. Add salt, butter (or ghee/oil), red chilli powder, turmeric powder, sesame seeds, and cumin seeds. Stir well.
- Add flour & mix
- Reduce the flame, add rice flour, and mix quickly to avoid lumps. Switch off the heat.
- Knead the dough
- When warm enough to handle, knead into a smooth dough.
- Shape the rings
- Take a small portion, roll into a thin rope, and join the ends to form a small ring. Repeat with the remaining dough.
- Deep fry
- Heat oil in a pan. Fry the rings in batches on medium flame until crisp and golden brown.
- Drain & cool
- Remove from oil, drain on paper towels, and allow to cool completely before storing in an airtight container.
Health Benefits
- Rice flour is gluten-free and easy to digest.
- Turmeric has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.
- Sesame seeds are rich in calcium and minerals.
- Red chilli powder contains vitamin C and antioxidants.
Tips
- Fry on medium heat to ensure even cooking.
- If the dough becomes dry, sprinkle little warm water and knead again.
- Store only after completely cooling to maintain crispness.
- You can add a pinch of ajwain (carom seeds) for extra flavor and digestion benefits.