Mirchi Bajji are South Indian style street food especially popular in Andhra and Karnataka.
These are made with light green big chillies which are mild flavoured, stuffed and deep fried in a batter of spiced chickpea flour.
These are a very popular tea time snack. I have made an air fryer version which is a pretty good and healthier substitute.
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They are also knows as Mirapakaya bajji or Milagi bajji.
I have shared both deep fried and Air fryer recipes here.
The Air fryer one needs just a light brushing of oil and some in the batter.
Here's more about cubanelle pepper, another kind of green pepper.
Stepwise Pictures
Take light green long peppers. If you can't find these, use any peppers that you like.
Make a slit down the middle and scoop out the inside veins and seeds creating a nice pocket.
Prepare the stuffing by dry roasting sesame seeds and powdering. Mix with coriander powder, cumin powder and salt.
Use tamarind paste to make a thick stuffing.
Stuff all the mirchis with this stuffing and keep aside.
Prepare the besan batter
Mix together chickpea flour, rice flour, carrom seeds, salt and turmeric powder. Add a little water and form a nice smooth batter.
Mix it for a couple of minutes to aerate it.
This batter must be thick and not of dripping consistency. This is very important.
Air frying
Preheat air fryer at 180C or 260F for 4 minutes. Line with parchment paper or a silicone mat with holes.
This is because this has a thick chickpea or besan batter on top which will drip through the basket.
Now carefully dip each stuffed chilli to coat all around with the batter. Place it on the parchment paper in air fryer basket. Repeat with 3-4 that will go at one go.
Some batter will drip down and pool at the bottom of the chillies. That is fine.
Air fry at 180C or 360F for 8 minutes. Now lightly brush each chilli with oil.
Air fry at 200C or 390F for 2 minutes more for browning.
Your mirchi bhajjis are done. Take them out and serve hot with chutney or dip of choice.
Enjoy.
You can also deep fry the mirchi bhajjis the regular way in a kadhai or wok with medium hot oil.
Tips for Making Crispy Mirchi Bajji
1. Batter: Always make the batter moderately thick and airy.
Do not make it runny or it will not adhere to the chilli properly. Using rice flour in the batter helps in making the bajjis crispy.
2. Fresh chillies: Use fresh light green chillies. In case, you can’t find these any large non-spicy chillies work.
3. Deep frying: Make sure the oil is adequately hot before you put the chillies for frying.
Test the oil temperature by dropping a drop of batter in it. It should bubble and rise to the top.
4. Air frying: Use a parchment paper to line the Air fryer basket. Pre heat the basket.
Just dip the chillies in the batter and put on the parchment paper. Air fry first at the lower temperature to cook the batter and chillies.
Don’t touch or turn the chillies. Turn only when you raise the temperature to get them browned. You can then brush them lightly with oil.
Here is the Stuffed Green Chilli Recipe:
📖 Recipe Card
Mirchi Bajji Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 8 green chillies not too spicy variety
For the stuffing:
- ½ cup sesame seeds
- 1 tsp. coriander powder
- 1 tsp. cumin powder
- 2 tbsp. tamarind paste
- salt to taste
For the batter:
- 1 cup chickpea flour or besan
- 2 tbsp. rice flour
- ½ tsp. carrom seeds
- salt to taste
- ½ tsp. turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon ginger garlic paste optional
- 1 tsp. oil for brushing or Oil for deep frying
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Instructions
- Wash, dry, slit the chillies and deseed them. Keep them aside.
- Prepare the stuffing now. Blend together toasted sesame seeds along with the other ingredients and make a thick paste.
- Stuff the chillies with this paste. This paste must not be runny but reasonably thick.
- Prepare the batter by mixing all the dry ingredients, adding a little water and making a thick batter that is fluffy yet moderately thick.
- It should coat the mirchi bajjis nicely.
For Deep Frying
- Heat oil in a kadhai or wok.
- Check that it is adequately hot by putting in a drop of batter which should rise up easily and bubble.
- Now put in the bajjis one by one without crowding them. Cook them on both sides till well browned and done.
- Serve them hot with sliced onions and a chutney on the side. They are really delicious.
For Air frying
- Preheat Air fryer at 180 C or 360 F for 5 minutes. Line the basket with parchment paper.
- Dip each stuffed chilli in the batter so that it coats the chilli nicely. Place them on the parchment paper. Air fry at 360 F for about 8 minutes.
- By now the chilli will be cooked inside and the batter would have set. Gently lift them and turn them.
- Lightly brush with oil and Air fry at 200 C or 390 F for 2-3 minutes to get a darker colour. Your mirchi bajji is cooked. Serve hot.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
This is a delicious tea time snack that is made healthier by making in Air fryer. Try the version you like and enjoy mirchi bajji with your family.
If you liked this recipe, I request you to leave a star * rating. Thanks.
Inderpreet says
We just had these a couple of days ago but we made them Rajasthan style with boiled potatoes inside. Will try these next time but from the market since I in Secundrabad for sometime and find people selling them all over ?
I love the variety of food on your blog.
Shilpa Garg says
The mirchi badas of Jodhpur are filled with potato and has the same coating. I am imagining the taste with the stuffing you have shared. And with toasted peanuts, I am sure it would be another tasty treat.