Beguni – Bengali Crisp Eggplant Fritters

Beguni is a delightful, yummy snack, just perfect for a rainy day. Fresh purple brinjal slices, dipped in chick-pea flour batter and deep-fried to a warm, crunchy golden brown. Crisp eggplant fritters or Vankayya Bajji are best relished as a snack or served as a side dish with Khichdi/daal-rice. Enjoy this popular Bengali snack recipe with a hot cup of chai!

Brinjal is native to India and it’s available in purple, green or white varieties. As cut eggplants tend to brown very quickly, you need to keep them immersed in water or sprinkle some lemon juice over the eggplant slices. Eggplant also absorbs a lot of oil and it’s advised to “degorge” eggplants – sprinkle salt over the brinjal slices, let stand for 15 minutes, rinse under running water and pat dry. This process also helps remove the bitterness, if any.

Health Benefits of Brinjals

Brinjal is widely used in Indian cuisine and it’s called the ‘king of vegetables’.  Eggplant or Brinjal is low in calories but rich in fiber. It prevents cancer, heart disease, slows down aging and has a low glycemic index. 

Beguni Bengali Recipe:

Beguni, the crispy and flavorful Bengali eggplant fritter, is a beloved snack that has captured the hearts and taste buds of food enthusiasts across India and beyond. These golden-brown, batter-fried brinjal slices are a staple during monsoon season and are often enjoyed as a tea-time snack or as part of a larger meal.

Eggplant bajji recipe is a deliciously easy snack of crispy fried eggplant fritters made with chickpea flour. Bajjis are just the recipe to brighten up a damp, chilly day. Crispy fried eggplant bajjis served with tomato ketchup and a steaming cup of masala chai – truly heavenly!

How to make Bengali beguni fry:

Learn how to make an easy snack with this simple eggplant recipe.

• For this Bengali brinjal fritters recipe, firstly, finely slice brinjals into roundels or cut longitudinally.

• Then, mix all the ingredients for the baingan pakora batter along with water to a semi-thick consistency. Dip brinjal slices in it and coat well.

• Now, heat oil in a kadai and gently release the batter coated slices of brinjal into it.

• Now, deep fry the brinjal slices till golden brown. Then, turn the baingan bajjis over when one side turns golden brown.

• Finally, remove Vankayya Bajji with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.

• Serve crisp and delicious Bengali style Beguni as a tea time snack with puffed rice or as a side dish with rice and simple moong dal.

If you are searching for more eggplant recipes for rice, do try out Brinjal Tomato Curry, Neem Begun Bhaja, Baingan Bharta, Matar Baingan Bhujia and Shorshe Doi Begun.

Beguni Serving Suggestions

Beguni is versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways:

• Serve as a tea-time snack with hot chai or coffee.
• Pair with khichuri, a popular rice and lentil dish, during monsoon season.
• Offer as an appetizer or side dish with main meals.
• Serve with a side of tamarind chutney or mint yogurt dip for added flavor.

Variations of Beguni

Experiment with these variations to add variety to your beguni:

• Spicy Beguni: Add extra chili powder or finely chopped green chilies to the batter for a spicy kick.
• Herbed Beguni: Mix chopped fresh herbs like cilantro or mint into the batter.
• Cheese Beguni: Sprinkle grated cheese on the eggplant slices before dipping in batter.
• Multi-Vegetable Beguni: Use a mix of vegetables like zucchini, bell peppers, and onions along with eggplant.

Tips for Crispy Beguni

To achieve the perfect crispiness in your beguni, consider these tips:

• Use fresh eggplants that are firm and have smooth, unblemished skin.
• Slice the eggplant evenly to ensure uniform cooking.
• Add a pinch of baking soda to the batter for extra crispiness.
• Ensure the oil is hot enough before frying. Test by dropping a small amount of batter into the oil; it should sizzle and rise to the surface immediately.
• Don’t overcrowd the pan while frying, as this can lower the oil temperature and result in soggy fritters.

Eggplant Fritters Recipe details below: