Puri

Puri is an unleavened, fried Indian bread made with water, finer or coarser wheat flour, and occasionally cumin seeds. The dough is rolled into flat round shapes and fried in copious amounts of vegetable oil or ghee. During frying, the dough absorbs oil and puri acquires the typical puffy appearance, crispy texture, and an appealing golden color.

Occasionally, uncooked puri is punctured to produce a flat variety of the bread. It is consumed across the Indian subcontinent, but its origin is probably in the northern regions, where wheat flour was more usually employed. Most commonly, puri is consumed as a side dish, alongside creamy and spicy curries or a variety of vegetable dishes.

It also represents an important breakfast staple and is commonly served during festivities and on special occasions. In some Indian states, it is also served as an accompaniment to sweet dishes, such as the creamy mango pulp or semolina halwa. Typical varieties include the spicy puri variety, a stuffed version filled with mashed potatoes, and the ones incorporating mashed or grated vegetables.