By Akshara
November 2, 2026
Chakli (or murukku) is an indispensable savoury cruncher on every Diwali snack platter. By blending steamed yellow moong dal paste with rice flour and baking or air-frying the spiral snacks instead of deep-frying, this recipe delivers a light, crispy texture with a fraction of the oil. Spiced with carom seeds, sesame, and red chilli, it provides a guilt-free savory balance to Diwali 2026 sweets.
1 cup rice flour  1/2 cup yellow moong dal (cooked, cooled, and blended into a smooth paste without water)  1 tablespoon sesame seeds (til)  1/2 teaspoon carom seeds (ajwain)  1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder  1/4 teaspoon asafoetida (hing)  1 tablespoon warm oil or melted ghee  Salt to taste  Warm water as needed for kneading
Combine the rice flour, blended moong dal paste, sesame seeds, carom seeds, red chilli powder, hing, salt, and warm oil in a large bowl, mixing until a soft, pliable dough forms (adding minimal warm water if needed).
Load the dough into a chakli press fitted with a star nozzle and press out neat spiral shapes onto parchment paper.
Lightly brush or spray the pressed spirals with oil and transfer them to a preheated air fryer at 180C (or oven at 190C).
Air-fry for twelve to fifteen minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden, completely crisp, and sound hollow when tapped.