Make it at home
How to make Pani Puri at home.
Pani Puri takes 1 hour 15 minutes and serves 4 (about 24 puris). This guide gives the ingredients in cups and spoons, the steps in order and the mistakes that most often go wrong.
From the Tapri Chai kitchen · November 2026 · 3 min read
Time
1 hour 15 minutes
Serves
4 (about 24 puris)
Skill
Medium
Method
Deep fry and assemble
What you need
Quantities serve 4 (about 24 puris). The puri shells are the hard part. Ready-made shells from an Indian grocer give a very good result.
- 24 ready-made puri shells, or: 1 cup fine semolina, 2 tbsp all-purpose flour, a pinch of baking soda, salt and about 1/4 cup warm water
- Oil for frying
- For the pani: 2 cups packed mint leaves, 1 cup coriander, 2 green chillies, 1-inch ginger
- 1 tsp roasted cumin powder, 1 tsp black salt, 1 tbsp tamarind pulp or lemon juice, salt
- 3 cups chilled water
- For the filling: 2 boiled potatoes, 1/2 cup cooked chickpeas, 1/2 tsp cumin powder, 1/2 tsp chilli powder, salt
- Sweet tamarind chutney, to serve
Step by step
Make the pani first and chill it. Cold water is what makes the dish work.
Blend the pani
Blend the mint, coriander, green chillies and ginger with a little water into a smooth paste. Stir it into the chilled water with the cumin, black salt, tamarind and salt. Taste and adjust, then chill for at least 30 minutes and strain.
Make the filling
Mash the potatoes roughly and mix them with the chickpeas, cumin, chilli powder and salt. Keep it slightly dry so it does not soften the shell.
Make or fry the puris
If making them, knead the semolina, flour, baking soda and salt with warm water into a stiff dough, rest it 20 minutes, roll it thin and cut small circles. Fry in hot oil, pressing gently, until they puff and turn golden. Cool them fully. Ready-made shells only need to be warmed.
Crack and fill
Tap the top of each puri with a spoon to make a small hole. Add a spoonful of filling and a small dab of tamarind chutney.
Add the water and serve
Pour in the cold pani right before eating, and serve immediately. Do not fill them in advance, or the shells go soft.
01
Tips for a better result
The water and the timing do most of the work.
- Chill the pani thoroughly. A cold liquid in a crisp shell is the whole point.
- Use black salt (kala namak) for the distinctive savoury, slightly sulphurous flavour.
- Fill and serve one at a time if you can. A quick assembly line works well at a party.
02
Mistakes to avoid
Most failures come from one of these.
- Filling the shells early, which makes them soggy before anyone eats.
- Skipping the straining step, which leaves bits of mint that catch in the throat.
- Making the water too warm or too thick, so it tastes flat instead of sharp.
03
Shopping for it in Canada
Most things are available at Indian grocery stores, and some at regular supermarkets.
- Puri shells: sold in packs at Indian grocers. They keep for weeks.
- Black salt (kala namak): sold at Indian and South Asian stores. Regular salt works if you cannot find it.
- Fresh mint and coriander: widely sold, but buy more than you think you need.
- Tamarind: concentrate or pulp in a jar is easier than the block.
04
Or let us make it
Pani puri is best when it is assembled at the last second, which is difficult to manage at home for a small group. Pani Puri is $9.99 CAD on our menu, at 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Barrhaven, Ottawa, Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm, closed Mondays.
Questions, answered.
How long does Pani Puri take to make?
About 1 hour 15 minutes from start to finish for 4 (about 24 puris).
Can I make Pani Puri ahead of time?
Make the pani and the filling a day ahead and chill them. Keep the shells in an airtight container. Assemble only when you are ready to eat.
Can I use store-bought puri shells?
Yes. Ready-made shells from Indian grocery stores are what most home cooks use. Warm them in a low oven for a few minutes to bring back the crispness.
What do I serve with Pani Puri?
Chilled drinks and a second plate of something creamy, such as dahi puri, to cool the heat.
Where can I order Pani Puri in Ottawa?
Tapri Chai in Barrhaven serves it. Pani Puri is $9.99 CAD on our menu. Tapri Chai is also listed on DoorDash and SkipTheDishes for delivery in Barrhaven and nearby parts of south Ottawa, so check which app serves your address.
At Tapri Chai
Taste it for yourself.
Our kitchen in Barrhaven is 100% vegetarian. 200 Kennevale Dr Unit 104, Ottawa. Tuesday to Sunday, 11am to 11pm. Closed Mondays.