These Cocktail Kebabs are made with Chana Dal. These are perfect to be served on any occasion, be it Game Night, Friends Get Together or Feeding family just like that. Since these are small in size and shape like finger food, therefore, these are called COCKTAIL KEBABS.

Cocktail Kebabs
Cocktail Kebabs
Super Bowl is coming up and I bet many of you are planning parties to tailgate the game at home. Cold nights when accompanied by adrenalin high game rush are made cozy and warm with some hot comforting appetizers! That’s what makes it a complete Super Bowl Night!

Cocktail Kebabs
Coming back to these gorgeous beauties now, which I am calling Cocktail Kebabs. These are bite size in shape and so fast to finish that few wouldn’t be enough.

Cocktail Kebabs
They are crispy, tiny bite-sized deliciousness packed with protein and so easy to make. I have made these using Chana Dahl which is Split Bengal Gram, but I would suggest you to use Chickpeas in case you don’t have this dahl easily available. These tasted like the Indian version of Falafels!
These make the perfect party food too, apt for any game night, get-togethers, Kitty parties etc.

Cocktail Kebabs
Dahl is soaked and then ground coarse, mixed with spices and shaped, then deep fried. So there are 3 components of the recipe. Read the recipe carefully, since I have added detailed steps in order to get perfect Kebabs, without any mess. These tiny little bites when dipped in green chutney and Tamarind chutney, are the best thing that could happen to you! I promise!
Some other Snack Recipes are – Spicy Mexican Poppers, Masala Naan Canapes, Mediterranean Party Cracker Platter, Aloo Poha Tater Tots and many more.

Cocktail Kebabs
This is how you make Cocktail Kebabs.
Kitchen Equipment Required
A medium bowl to soak the dal, a big bowl to mix everything, sieve or strainer, food processor, chopping board, knife, a small bowl of cold water, Plate, Wok or Kadhai or heavy bottom frying pan, slotted spoon, a plate layered with kitchen paper.
Ingredients
Chana Dal – 1/2 cup
Breadcrumbs – 3 to 4 tbsp
Ginger – 1 small piece
Green Chili – 1 small
Coriander / Cilantro leaves – 5 twigs of leaves, washed
Oil & Spices
Vegetable Oil – for deep frying
Cumin powder – 1 Tsp
Red Chili powder – 1/4 Tsp
Dry Mango powder / Amchoor – 1/2 Tsp. Use 1 tsp lemon juice in case amchoor is not available.
Garam Masala – 1/2 tsp
Fennel powder – 1/4 tsp, optional
Salt to taste
Method
Preparing Chana Dal
- Wash the dal till water runs clear. Soak it in 3/4 cup of water for 3 to 4 hrs.
- Drain the water completely through a sieve and let it sit in a sieve for 10 minutes.
- Take the food processor and add dal to it. Ground it coarsely. We are looking for a grainy texture and not the batter kind paste.
- Set it aside in the big mixing bowl.
Preparing and Shaping Kebabs
- Add ginger, chili and Coriander leaves to the food processor and blitz it few times to chop them finely.
- Add this to the ground Chana dal in the big mixing bowl. Also, add 3 tbsp breadcrumbs and all the spices as mentioned above. Bring the mixture together with hands and it is ready if when gathered in the palm and pressed, it retains the fist shape. If required, you may add more breadcrumbs to bind it loosely.
- Now dip your hands in the cold water and pinch a quarter size portion from the mixture, like a size of a small lemon.
- Roll it tight into a smooth ball. Make sure that there are no cracks in it, or else it will scatter all over while frying.
- Make 18-20 mini balls of approximately 1 to 1&1/2 inch diameter, and keep them aside on a plate. I recommend rolling them in advance.
Frying the Kebabs
- Heat oil in the wok or Kadhai. Once it is hot enough, reduce the flame to medium.
- Add 5 to 6 kebabs at a time to the work. Do not overcrowd it or else the oil temperature will drop and the kebabs will absorb a lot of oil.
- Fry the kebabs till they are golden in color. Make sure that the temperature is medium or else, they will cook from outside and remain raw from inside. Each lot will take about 3-4 minutes. Also, make sure that you give a gap between each lot of oil to heat up again. If you will add too soon, the cold oil will spoil the texture.
Serving Suggestion
Serve these hot with Green Cilantro Chutney and Tamarind Chutney.
I had a great time making these cocktail kebabs in my Indian-American Kitchen. I am sure you would enjoy these too!
Sonal
sarahgiebens
Awesome idea! I love the pictures, they’re stunning!
simplyvegetarian777
Thank you so much Sarah 🙂
Sophie33
I made your lovely party balls &’loved creating them in ly kitchen! They came out perfect, dear Sonal! Very tasty too!.
simplyvegetarian777
You are really awesome Sophie
Maggie
How tasty! What a great party food, perfect for game nights or other get-togethers. Thank you for co-hosting.
simplyvegetarian777
Thank you so much Maggie for popping in :). I am glad that you liked these ❤️
Natascha's Palace
These look so great!I love the recipe and the photos are perefect!
simplyvegetarian777
Thank you
Natascha's Palace
xxxxxx 😉
aiming4simple
Now I really want to try these kebabs! Indian falafel sounds absolutely delicious. 🙂
simplyvegetarian777
Thank you so much dear
nancyc
Yum! This sounds like a great Super Bowl snack! 🙂
simplyvegetarian777
Thank you 🙂
petra08
hi Sonal
Wow! I am absolutely intrigued. I read your recipe and went to my kitchen to check if I had the daal and the spices and I do!
The recipe is saved I must give this a go.I like the idea of dipping them in chutney, my kind of food and they look amazing! 🙂 Happy Fiesta Friday! x
simplyvegetarian777
Thanks girl friend ❤️
You are the best !!
cookingwithauntjuju.com
Meatballs/kebabs are always a favorite appetizer, even a meal. Preparing my menu for game day in a couple of weeks and some version is usually included. Chutney recipes? Thanks for co-hosting this week!
simplyvegetarian777
Green Chutney is very easy Aunt Juju.
It’s 2 bunches of cilantro leaves, 1 small green chili, 1 small piece ginger, salt, lemon juice of 1 small lemon. Wash cilantro Purée all the ingredients with very little water in high power blender.
Suchitra
What a nice protein-packed vegetarian alternative for appetizers for the Superbowl, or for that matter any other day! Happy weekend.
simplyvegetarian777
Thank you 🙂
Sadhna Grover
These kababs are really tempting.
Lily
These look delicious and finger foods are so much more fun when you can dip them!
simplyvegetarian777
Absolutely 🙂
Liz
I am having some vegetarian guest over tomorrow. I shall definitely add this to my menu for the day. Thanks so much for sharing!!
simplyvegetarian777
Pleasure is all mine and I am so glad that you liked it!! ❤️
Justine @ Born and Bred in Brooklyn
These sound so mouth-watering!! I also love the flavor combinations. I would love to try making these 🙂
simplyvegetarian777
Thank you Justine 🙂
Jhuls
These look so delicious and your photos are stunning! Thank you for co-hosting, Sonal. 🙂
simplyvegetarian777
I am glad that you like it Jhuls 🙂
MyCulinarySaga
Absolutellllly delicious ☺️ and definitely a crowd pleaser.. ! Sonal I’m drooling.. Help!!
simplyvegetarian777
Thanks girl!❤️
lapetitepaniere
These look so scrumptious, delicious and mouthwatering. I love it Sonal. Thanks for co-hosting this week FF! 🙂
simplyvegetarian777
Awww Linda! Thank you so much 🙂
Loretta
Wow, another winner Sonal! They do sound absolutely scrumptious! Is that tamarind sauce that you’ve served as a dip? They should surely go down well for the game. Your photos are beautiful, the dramatic difference between the darkness and the shot of light is amazing! Thanks for co-hosting Fiesta Friday.
simplyvegetarian777
I am so glad that you liked these Loretta :). Your appreciation on these means a lot since you have more knowledge on the adaptability of cuisines in different references in America!
Thank you so much
Johnny Hepburn
The light you’re getting in your photos is just beautiful! Besides, I’m loving the sound of these cocktail kebabs. Oh, and I made Sonal’s dal recently – so good. 🙂
simplyvegetarian777
Johnny – hugs ❤️
I am so glad to see you here! Thank you so much for liking these tiny miny bites 🙂
Julie is Hostess At Heart
I think this would be one of those dishes that I would start with a couple and then have a couple more and then,,,,,just a couple more! Your dishes always look so appetizing Sonal, and thank you for co-hosting us FF party goers this week.
simplyvegetarian777
You got that right Julie. They are disguisingly sinful!! You can’t stop after one two three
indusinternationalkitchen
These look so delicious Sonal. Who needs meat kebabs when you have these! 🙂
simplyvegetarian777
Muaaah lady! Thanks !!
Elaine @ foodbod
They really are like Indian falafels aren’t they? They look great and the ingredients suggest a great flavour 🙂
Happy co hosting, enjoy fiesta Friday xx
simplyvegetarian777
You got it right :).
Thank you lady!!
María
Es una propuesta muy divertida, las fotos son maravillosas, me encantan!
simplyvegetarian777
Gracias 🙂
Sarah James @ Tales From The Kitchen Shed
Wow, your cocktail kebabs look absolutely delicious & I love your photos. Putting chana dhal on my shopping list & pinning for later. Thanks for co hosting the Fiesta party Sonal 🙂
simplyvegetarian777
Thanks my dear lady!
apsara
So delicious! These pictures make me droool.
simplyvegetarian777
Muaah girl
Zoli
Looks beautiful
simplyvegetarian777
So glad that you liked these 🙂
Swati
Wow…Stunning pictures…so so inviting…feel like grabbing these kebabs right away…too good Sonal !!
simplyvegetarian777
Thank you dear /)
apuginthekitchen
Those meatballs look incredible Sonal. Deliious and beautifully presented. You are just so talented.
simplyvegetarian777
And you are a complete sweetheart ❤️