Masala Pori is a very common street food sold on beaches in India. Churumuri is a perfect after-school snack for the kids that can be made in about 10 minutes. Loaded with fresh vegetables, this puffed rice snack is great for all ages.
Churumuri is a popular street food in the state of Karnataka. I have not personally eaten the puffed rice snack in Karnataka, but have eaten this numerous times on beaches in Tamil Nadu.
Last year during our trip to India, we had a chance to eat this masala pori on the beach. The spicy chili powder in combination with the tangy lime juice tastes unbelievably good. One other favorite snack to eat on the beach is Masala Peanuts.
This churumuri is a perfect after-school snack for kids. It keeps them filled up well until dinner. This is also a very quick-to-make recipe. Once we have the vegetables chopped, all we have to do is mix them all together and serve.
If you are looking for a low-calorie snack, this is definitely a great option. I see this as the South Indian Bhel Puri, except this has no chutney or sauce in the mixture.
Also, I had a great time making cones for my boys to enjoy the masala pori as they serve it in India. I used parchment paper to make the cones and it held very well.
Ingredients and substitutes
Check the recipe card at the bottom of the page for exact measurements and printable detailed recipes.
Puffed Rice - We need good quality and fresh puffed rice also known as Pori in Tamil. It is also sold by the name Murmure in the Indian stores. If you don't have plain pori, you could always use the Bhel mix that we use to make bhel puri. I always have a bag of the mix in the pantry and that works perfectly well in the recipe.
Vegetables - I used onions, carrots, tomatoes, and cilantro in my churumuri recipe. If raw mango is in season, we can add some to the mixture.
Lime Juice - This masala pori needs a good drizzle of lime juice. I personally prefer the flavor of lime instead of lemon, but you could absolutely use lemon juice as well.
Coconut oil - I do a quick frying of the pori in coconut oil. My cousin mentioned that coconut oil is what they use in Karnataka and it imparts a beautiful coconut flavor to the churumuri.
Peanuts - I used roasted peanuts in the recipe. I also like to crush my peanuts lightly so they don't remain whole.
Spices - I use red chili, turmeric powder, salt, and a little sugar in the masala pori.
Step-by-step process
- Chop all the vegetables and keep them ready. Lightly crush the peanuts (optional) and keep them aside.
- In a wide pan, heat the coconut oil and add the puffed rice. Roast it on low to medium flame for just a couple of minutes to crisp it up and also to coat the pori with the coconut oil.
- Remove the roasted puffed rice in a bowl and let it cool down for a couple of minutes.
- Now add the red chili powder, turmeric powder, salt, and sugar to the pori and mix well. I find tossing the mixture in the bowl works well to evenly coat the pori.
- Now add the rest of the ingredients to the puffed rice and mix it all well. Add the lime juice in the end.
- Serve immediately.
Expert Tips
- Use fresh pori to make the churumuri. Stale puffed rice can ruin the flavor of the whole churumuri.
- Use as little or as much of vegetables as you like. Raw mangoes, cucumber, and green chilies are some other vegetables that you could add.
- Removing the seeds and pulp from the tomato helps in keeping the churumuri on the dry side. I hate it when the tomato lets too much liquid.
- Serve the Masala pori right after you mix everything together. I personally though liked the soggy pori as well.
More similar snacks
If you made this recipe and liked it, give a star rating on the recipe card or let me know in the comments below. You could also share it with me on Instagram using #MyCookingJourney and tagging me @sandhya.ramakrishnan. You could follow me and my recipes on Facebook |Instagram | Pinterest | twitter
Recipe
Churumuri | Masala Pori | Beach Style Masala Pori
Equipment
- bowl
- spatula
Ingredients
- 3 cups Puffed rice or pori or bhel mix
- 1 small Onions Chopped finely
- 1 large Tomatoes Chopped finely
- 1 medium Carrot Grated
- few Cilantro Chopped finely
- 2 – 3 tablespoon Lime juice
- 1 teaspoon Chili powder Adjust based on your spice level
- to taste Salt
- a pinch Sugar
Instructions
- Chop all the vegetables and keep them ready.
- In a wide pan, heat the coconut oil and add the puffed rice. Roast it in low to medium flame for just a couple of minutes to crisp it up and also to coat the pori with the coconut oil.
- Remove the roasted puffed rice in a bowl and let it cool down for couple of minutes.
- Now add the red chili powder, turmeric powder, salt and sugar to the pori and mix well. I find tossing the mixture in the bowl works well to evenly coat the pori.
- Now add the rest of the ingredients to the puffed rice and mix it all well.
- Serve immediately.
NARMADHA says
Masala Pori is so addictive and we never miss having it. Your pictures are tempting me to make it immediately at home and enjoy it.
sushma pinjala says
I miss having this wonderful snack on the beachside. Looks Absolutely delicious.
Priya Srinivasan says
A trip to Tnagar or beach is incomplete without masala pori!!! Aww how i miss enjoying this from the street cart!!! Superb share sandhya, simple ingredients and a brilliant snack! Looking at yours i m tempted to make some now!!!
Harini Rupanagudi says
What a vibrant looking snack this is. We love masala pori, bhel puri, jhalmuri et al. Any snack with murmura is welcome at home. To be honest I haven't tried this version at home but have eaten at a friend's place. Absolutely it.
Radha says
These are the simple snack that all of us love to have everyday too. Yours look delicious.
Srivalli Jetti says
This is one snack that everybody home love...infact in my inlaws place they make the elaborate process to this topped with sev and other things..totally droolworthy Sandhya..
Jayanthi Padmanabhan says
Looks irresistable.. My favourite too
Pavani N says
Such a delicious and addictive snack.. yumm!!
Harini-Jaya R says
Love to grab a cone from there!!
Chef Mireille says
been wanting to try this snack - looks so delicious
Swathi Iyer says
Masala pori looks delicious love to watch a movie eating them.
The Pumpkin Farm says
i love this any time, you have made it very well and presented beautifully
Nivedhanams Sowmya says
yum yum yummy!!! Oh I love this!!!
Sowmya
vaishali sabnani says
Yes I remember this from Vallis blog...the name kind of fancied me..and anything to do with chaats is welcome.
Manjula Bharath says
omg am drooling here 🙂 very very delicious chur muri looks so yummy 🙂 wish I cud get a bowl ful now 🙂
Sangeetha Priya says
delicious and filling chat, kids friendly too,love it...
Saraswathi Tharagaram says
My Fav and I too bookmarked from Valii page..This classy pori hides every one's memory:)
Rajani S says
This is an easy to make snack and an all time favorite as well...
Priya Suresh says
Such a guilt free kid's friendly snacks, easy and delicious.
Srivalli says
That's a wonderful display!..we loved it..and this must be one of those simplest and tastiest chat!
sangeetha pn says
wow.. too good! Would love to have them now.. pass me plz!
Sapana Behl says
Churmuri looks fantastic ....Wonderful post Sandhya!