Raw Banana Chips
These Vazhakkai Chips (Raw Banana Chips) are a perfect example of how everything is better deep fried!
You’d think that being a food blogger, I must love all kinds of food.
Well, you’re wrong.
As much as I love Banana – the fruit, I loathe Raw Banana. None of the regular methods of sautéing, steaming etc. seem to get rid of the inherent smell in raw banana. But when you slice them thin and deep fry to crispy perfection, that’s a whole other ball game altogether!
“Vazhakkai” in Tamil means Raw Banana. All you need to make these chips are the Banana itself, salt & chilli powder and some oil to deep fry!
RAW BANANA CHIPS RECIPE | South Indian Vazhakkai Chips
Start off with some Raw Banana… obviously! 😛
Chop of the stem and peel the green skin off. If using a peeler is difficult, simply use a knife to carefully chop of the hard green skin. (Be patient as raw banana is much more tough than the fruit). Keep them soaked in fresh water
Use a mandolin slicer to get thin slices of the vegetable. Or if you’re confident and careful, you can cut out thin round chips with a knife itself.
Furiously rub the peeled raw banana back and forth the blade to get thin round slices of the veggie
Place all the sliced chips on a clean kitchen cloth and let it dry out for 5-10 minutes. (Press with the cloth to absorb as much moisture as possible). Meanwhile heat enough oil in the pan to deep fry
Add the chips in batches.
Let them fry on both sides for bout 3-5 minutes or until they are light golden
Remove on a tissue / paper cloth to absorb excess oil (although there is very little of that). Add all the chips into a mixing bowl
Season with salt and your favorite herbs (chilli powder, oregano, thyme, piri piri etc.) when hot
Mix well
Store in air tight box. Stays well upto 10 days
Raw Banana Chips
- Prep Time: 20 mins
- Cook Time: 5 mins
- Total Time: 25 mins
- Yield: 2 cups 1x
Ingredients
- 4 medium sized Raw Bananas
- Vegetable Oil, to deep fry
- 1 teaspoon Salt (adjust to taste)
- 1 teaspoon Spices you like (example: Chilli powder, ground black pepper, oregano, thyme, piri piri etc.)
Instructions
- Wash the bananas well. Chop of the stem and peel the green skin off. If using a peeler is difficult, simply use a knife to carefully chop of the hard green skin. (Be patient as raw banana is much more tough than the fruit). Keep them soaked in fresh water
- Use a mandolin slicer to get thin slices of the vegetable. Or if you’re confident and careful, you can cut out thin round chips with a knife itself. Furiously rub the peeled raw banana back and forth the blade to get thin round slices of the veggie
- Place all the sliced chips on a clean kitchen cloth and let it dry out for 5-10 minutes. (Press with the cloth to absorb as much moisture as possible).
- Meanwhile heat enough oil in the pan to deep fry
- Add the chips in batches. Let them fry on both sides for bout 3-5 minutes or until they are light golden
- Remove on a tissue / paper cloth to absorb excess oil (although there is very little of that). Add all the chips into a mixing bowl
- Season with salt and your favorite herbs (chilli powder, oregano, thyme, piri piri etc.) when hot. Mix well
- Store in air tight box. Stays well upto 10 days
Note
- You can try the same with other vegetables like potato, carrot, sweet potato
- For a healthier version, pass these slices through a dehydrator OR bake at 200 C for 20 minutes until crisp.
Suggested equipment for this recipe: Mandolin Slicer or a good Knife
Other deep fried goodies you may enjoy –
Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers (Molagai Bajji)
Love raw banana chips, which is the best way of consuming 🙂
nice pic.. i also love valakka chips..
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i think this is a wonderful way to eat raw banana.. my kids dont like stir fried bananas either.. will try this out
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