Dal Tikki (Lentil and Potato Cakes)
Crisp pan fried cakes of dal and potato with green chilli and coriander. Good as a starter, snack or light dinner.
Made with Tarka dal base. Make a batch of the base first, then this takes minutes. Skip to the method
- Time45 mins
- LevelMedium
- Costabout £0.36 a head
Cost is worked out from Aldi and Tesco shelf prices in October 2026. Your shop and brands will differ.
Ingredients
Tick what you need to buy. It goes on your shopping list.
Method
- 1
Boil the potatoes in salted water for 15 minutes until soft. Drain, steam dry and mash until smooth.
15 min - 2
Cook your ready made tarka dal base (see the base recipe) in a pan for 8 to 10 minutes until a very thick paste. Cool completely.
9 min - 3
Mix the mash, dal, gram flour, chilli, coriander, cumin, chaat masala and half a teaspoon of salt into a firm dough.
- 4
Shape into 8 flat cakes and chill for 20 minutes.
20 min - 5
Heat the oil in a non stick frying pan over a medium heat. Fry the cakes for 4 minutes each side, until crisp and golden.
8 min - 6
Serve hot with chutney or coconut yoghurt.
Tips
- Use floury potatoes such as Maris Piper, as waxy ones make a sticky mix.
- Chill the cakes before frying so they hold together.
- Do not turn them until the base is crisp.
Storing and freezing
Cool within 1 hour. Keep in the fridge for up to 2 days or freeze for 1 month. Reheat in a hot oven or pan until steaming hot all the way through.
Questions
Can I bake them?
Yes. Brush with oil and bake at 200C (180C fan) for 25 minutes, turning once.
Why are they falling apart?
The mix is too wet. Cook the dal thicker or add 1 tbsp more gram flour, and chill before frying.
Can I freeze them?
Yes, shaped but uncooked, for up to 1 month. Cook from frozen, adding a few minutes.
More made with tarka dal base
Double check before you cook. Recipes can contain mistakes. Any diet labels come from the ingredients as written in this recipe and are a guide, not a guarantee. Always check every ingredient and the packet label for allergens and cross contamination, and ask your doctor or dietitian what is right for you, especially with coeliac disease, diabetes or a serious allergy. This is not medical advice.