Cheppakizhangu Fry / Arbi Fry / Taro Root Fry

Updated on February 24, 2019

Cheppakizhangu Fry recipe that tastes lip smackingly good as a side dish to Mor Kuzhambu and sambar rice. Cheppakizhangu is called as Arbi is hindi and Taro root in English. Though it tastes a bit similar like potato, the sticky texture makes it a big turn off for many.

Cheppakizhangu / Arbi is a tuber that is mostly ignored at home. Mostly it is the potatoes that rules and mostly preferred by the kids as well.

My mom makes a fantastic roast which I love very much but unfortunately since no one at home likes Cheppakizhangu much I never make it anymore.  But I guess as the kids grow even their preferences and likes change with them.

The actual version is to deep fry the coated Cheppakizhangu in oil which is what I had followed in this recipe too. But after I bought the oven, I had also baked them and got wonderful results.

I have recently started doing this Cheppakizhangu fry in my Air Fryer and it turns out brilliant and stays crisp for long. Follow the recipe and roast @180 Deg C for 8 to 10 mins. And it just takes 1 tsp oil.

The first time I made them with the usual combo of rice flour and besan but my kids felt they tasted less spicy. So MIL suggested that I add the chilli powder in 2 stages.

Also I remembered my Grandma making the same fry with pottukadalai (Roasted Gram Dal) so the next day I once more tried it her way and everyone loved it. The aroma was superb and the end result was crisp on the outer and soft at the centre at the same time.

Usually I used to press the arbi between my palms before cooking so that they resembled like a vada but this time I simply cut them into roundels which made them easy to cook and also to serve. I was able to control the portion. So from now on it is going to be this way.

Notes:

1. In the end before serving along with chilli powder you can also use 2 pinch of chaat masala powder to enhance the taste.
2. The oil should be hot and brought down to medium flame while cooking.
3. Instead of roasted gram dal and corn flour you can also a mix of rice flour and besan (Chick pea flour).
4. Adjust the chilli powder according to your spice level.

Cheppakizhangu Fry Recipe details below:

Print Recipe

Cheppakizhangu Fry / Arbi Fry / Taro Root Fry

Cheppakizhangu Fry to serve as a side dish with rice.

Prep Time5 mins

Cook Time25 mins

Total Time30 mins

Course: Side Dish

Cuisine: South Indian

Servings: 4

Author: Radhika

Ingredients:

• Cheppakizhangu / Arbi / Taro Root – 300 gms
• Roasted Gram Dal / Pottu Kadalai – 2 tbsp
• Corn Flour – 2 tsp
• Red Chilli Powder – 1 1/2 tsp
• Salt – to taste
• Oil – to fry

Instructions:

• Wash and clean the Cheppakizhangu / Arbi.
• Place in pressure cooker in enough water, add salt and cook for 2 to 3 whistles.
• Once the pressure is released and cooled, peel the skin and cut into 1 inch thick roundels and keep aside.
• Powder the roasted gram dal in a mixie.
• Add corn flour, 2 pinch salt, 1 tsp red chilli powder and pulse once again so that everything gets mixed evenly.
  
• In a bowl place the roundels and sprinkle the ground powder evenly. Close with a lid and toss gently so that all the roundels are evenly coated with the powder.
• Heat oil in a pan. Put the roundels one after the other and deep fry in 2-3 batches based on the pan size to golden brown. Remove on a kitchen paper.
• Place the deep fried roundels in a bowl and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 tsp red chilli powder and toss gently. (This step is optional).
• Cheppakizhangu fry is ready.
• Serve hot. This tastes best with Mor kuzhambu and Sambar rice.