Enjoy Cocktail Samosas, bite-sized wonders, that are a divine fusion of flavor and texture. Imagine crisp, golden pastry enveloping a delightful medley of spiced potatoes, peas, and aromatic herbs. These petite parcels are perfect for dipping into tangy chutneys and sauces for a burst of savory bliss.
And the best part? These cocktail samosas are completely vegan!
While the popularity of cocktail samosas remains constant throughout the year, they truly shine during festive occasions and special holidays like Diwali, where their presence on the table signifies celebration and togetherness.
A visually stunning and unforgettable experience is our Indian Charcuterie Board. Where these cocktail samosas make the perfect crunchy addition!
📋 Ingredients
To make cocktail samosas at home you need the following ingredients:
Filling: To make the filling we use potatoes (medium size), green peas, olive oil (or vegan ghee), and tomato paste.
Spices: To season the filling we use a variety of different spices. The reason for using a variety of spices is to enhance the flavor profile and create a well-balanced and aromatic filling. Each spice contributes its own unique taste and aroma, resulting in a delicious and flavorful samosa filling.
Other: Phyllo dough sheets and vegetable oil for frying. We decided to use store-bought Phyllo dough sheets for this samosa recipe due to their thin and crispy texture, ease of use, and quick cooking time.
See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.
🍴 Substitutions
Are you looking for substitutions or quicker alternatives? We got you!
Filling
- Potatoes - Sweet potatoes or butternut squash can be used as a substitute for regular potatoes.
- Green peas - You can replace green peas with corn kernels or finely chopped carrots.
- Olive oil (or vegan ghee) - Any neutral cooking oil like sunflower oil or canola oil can be used instead.
- Tomato paste - Tomato sauce or puree can be used as a substitute.
Spices
- Fennel seeds - If you don't have or like fennel seeds, you can use cumin seeds or coriander seeds.
- Ginger powder - Freshly grated ginger can be used instead of ginger powder.
- Garlic powder - Minced or crushed fresh garlic cloves can be used as a substitute for garlic powder.
- Diced green chili - Adjust the spice level by using milder peppers like bell peppers or adjust the quantity based on your preference.
- Ground cilantro - Fresh cilantro leaves (chopped) can be used instead.
Dough
- Phyllo pastry - You can use spring roll wrappers or puff pastry sheets as an alternative to the phyllo pastry. Another alternative is making samosa dough from scratch. We picked a store-bought alternative to make these a breeze.
Remember, substitutions will bring their own unique flavors and textures to this cocktail samosas recipe! Enjoy exploring different variations and discovering your favorite twist on our samosa recipe.
🌶️ Variations
There are many delicious flavor variations to explore with this cocktail samosa recipe! Here are a few ideas to play around with to zing up the flavor of these crispy delights:
- Spicy Samosas: Increase the heat by adding extra diced green chilies or a pinch of cayenne pepper or red chili flakes to the filling. This variation is perfect for spice lovers.
- Mint: Enhance the freshness by adding chopped fresh mint leaves to the filling. The mint adds a refreshing and aromatic flavor.
- Chaat Masala Samosas: Sprinkle a pinch of chaat masala, a tangy and savory spice blend, over the filling mixture before sealing the samosas. It adds a unique and delightful flavor reminiscent of Indian street food.
- Sweet Potato and Coconut Samosas: Substitute regular potatoes with sweet potatoes for a slightly sweeter and earthier flavor. Add some grated coconut to the filling mixture to complement the sweetness of the potatoes.
- Mediterranean-Inspired Samosas: Give your samosas a Mediterranean twist by adding ingredients like chopped olives, sun-dried tomatoes, and crumbled vegan feta cheese to the filling. This fusion of flavors will bring a delightful twist to the classic samosa.
- Chocolate Samosas: Instead of going savory, why not try a sweet version? Fill the samosas with vegan Nutella, and chopped dark chocolate. For extra texture add some chopped nuts, such as pistachios.
Feel free to mix and match these flavor variations and play with the recipe. Experimenting with different ingredients and flavors is part of the fun! If you end up whipping up a fantastic variation, don't forget to drop a comment at the bottom of the blog post! I'm all ears and absolutely thrilled to hear about your culinary adventures.
🍽 Equipment
To make this recipe, beside kitchen basics you will need the following equipment: a pot for boiling the potatoes, and a frying pan or skillet to prepare the filling. To prepare the phyllo dough you need a pastry brush which you use to brush oil or vegan butter onto the sheets.
Additionally, you need kitchen scissors or a pastry wheel for cutting the phyllo pastry sheets into strips. Last but not least, you need a pan or pot to fry the cocktail samosas.
👩🏽🍳 How To Make Cocktail Samosas
Let's chat about how to make the best cocktail samosas from scratch! Follow our step-by-step guide:
Boil the potatoes until they are just tender. Peel the skin and lightly mash them. Set aside.
Heat oil in a frying pan or skillet. Add fennel seeds and let them splutter. Then add ginger, garlic, and green chili. Sauté for 20-30 seconds. Add the mashed potatoes and green peas.
Add spices and tomato paste. Mix well and make sure to adjust the seasoning to your taste. Set aside
Prepare phyllo sheets following package instructions, stacking 4 sheets into one. Cut into long strips, about 3 inches in width. Scoop around 1 tablespoon of the potato filling onto one strip and place it in the bottom right corner of the pastry strip.
Fold over the left corner to form a triangle. Press gently onto the sheet to spread the filling a little.
Repeat the same motion at least two more times, alternating directions. If you need more visuals on how to fold the samosas, I recommend Cooking with Anadi's video on samosas with phyllo dough.
Apply water to the edges and seal them. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling, keeping the samosas under a damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap to prevent drying. Do not stack the samosas, or use parchment paper in between to prevent them from sticking to one another.
To cook the samosas, preheat frying-safe oil in a skillet to around 350°F (around 180°C). Fry the samosas for around 2 minutes on each side or until they turn crisp and golden brown.
Preparation Tips
Make sure to seal the edges of the samosa securely and tightly. This helps prevent the filling from leaking out during frying or baking.
Additionally, when frying don't overcrowd the pan! Fry them in small batches to ensure even cooking and crispy results. Make sure to maintain a consistent oil temperature. We recommend using a thermometer to keep the oil around 350°F for optimal results.
🥣 How To Store Cocktail Samosas
To store leftover cocktail samosas, allow them to cool completely, then transfer them to an airtight container and refrigerate for up to 2-3 days. To crisp them back up, preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C), place the samosas on a baking sheet, and bake for about 10-15 minutes or until heated through and crispy. Alternatively, you can reheat them in a skillet over medium heat with a little oil, flipping occasionally, until they become crispy again.
Freezing: To freeze them, arrange the cooled samosas in a single layer on a baking sheet and place them in the freezer until firm. Once frozen, transfer them to a freezer-safe container or bag, removing any excess air, and seal tightly. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To reheat frozen samosas, preheat the oven to 350°F (180°C), place them on a baking sheet, and bake for about 15-20 minutes or until heated through and crispy. Alternatively, you can thaw them in the refrigerator overnight and then follow the reheating instructions for leftover samosas.
💭 Recipe FAQ
Yes, you can bake these cocktail samosas instead of frying them for a healthier cooking option. Simply brush or spray them with oil or melted vegan butter on both sides. Place them on a baking sheet, and bake at around 425°F (220°C) until they turn crispy and golden brown for around 12 - 15 minutes.
Baking the samosas will give them a crisp texture, although it may not be as crunchy as frying.
Popular dipping sauces for cocktail samosas include chutneys and dips such as samosa dipping sauce, tamarind chutney, coriander chutney, mint chutney, or even a refreshing vegan yogurt dip.
Yes, you can make the cocktail samosas ahead of time and store them in the fridge for 1-2 days. Just reheat them in the oven or a skillet to restore their crispy texture before serving.
The main difference between cocktail samosas and regular samosas lies in their size and intended purpose. Cocktail samosas are smaller, bite-sized versions of the traditional samosas. They are typically served as appetizers or party snacks, while regular samosas are larger and often enjoyed as a standalone savory snack or meal.
The smaller size of cocktail samosas makes them convenient for finger food at gatherings, allowing for easy consumption without the need for utensils. Additionally, the filling-to-pastry ratio may vary slightly between the two, with cocktail samosas often having a higher proportion of crispy pastry compared to the filling.
📖 Recipe
Cocktail Samosas
Equipment
- pot for boiling potatoes
- frying pan or skillet
Ingredients
For the filling
- 500 grams potatoes
- 50 grams green peas
- 1 tablespoons olive oil or vegan ghee
- 1 tablespoons tomato paste
Spices for the filling
- ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
- ½ tablespoons ginger powder
- 1 tablespoons garlic powder or fresh garlic
- 1 tablespoons diced green chili (use deseeded pickled chili, serrano or jalapeno for mild; use thai green chili for spicy)
- 1 tablespoons ground cilantro
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
- 1 teaspoon cumin
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- salt and pepper to taste
For the samosas
- 1 package phyllo dough sheets
- vegetable oil for frying
- more oil for brushing the phyllo dough or use melted vegan butter
Instructions
Prepare filling
- Boil the potatoes until they are just tender. Peel the skin and lightly mash them. Set aside.
- Heat oil in a frying pan or skillet. Add fennel seeds and let them splutter. Then add ginger, garlic, and green chili. Sauté for 20-30 seconds. Add the mashed potatoes and green peas.
- Add ground cilantro, garam masala, ground turmeric, cumin, paprika, tomato paste, salt, and pepper. Mix well and make sure to taste test. Adjust the seasoning to your taste as needed. Turn off the heat and let the mixture cool down.
Shape samosas
- Place a phyllo pastry sheet on a large, lightly floured surface. Brush it lightly with oil or melted vegan butter, and stack three more sheets on top of each other.
- Use kitchen scissors or a pastry wheel to divide them into long strips, about 3 inches in width. Take one pastry strip and set the others aside, covering them with a damp dishcloth to prevent drying. Scoop around 1 tablespoon of the potato filling and place it in the bottom right corner of the pastry strip.
- Fold over the left corner to form a triangle. Press gently onto the sheet to spread the filling a little.
- Repeat the same motion at least two more times, alternating directions. If you need more visuals on how to fold the samosas watch this video.
- Apply water to the edges and seal them. Repeat with the remaining dough and filling, keeping the samosas under a damp kitchen towel or plastic wrap to prevent drying. Do not stack the samosas, or use parchment paper in between to prevent them from sticking to one another.
Cook samosas
- To cook the samosas, preheat frying-safe oil in a skillet to around 350°F (around 180°C). Fry the samosas for around 2 minutes on each side or until they turn crisp and golden brown.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
The provided nutritional information is an estimate. Accuracy is not guaranteed.
For food safety see guidelines at USDA.gov.
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