Boondi Raita (Dahi Boondi)

This easy traditional Indian condiment Boondi Raita is so crispy and creamy. Made with whisked yogurt and flavored with spices. It is gluten-free and goes well with an Indian meal.

In India cuisine, we love our condiments. Varieties of chutneys, pickles and yogurt raita are served with a meal.

Boondi Raita also known as Dahi Boondi is a different kind of raita where crispy Boondi's are added to the whisked yogurt along with spices. It is so easy, made within minutes with simple ingredients.

This bright yellow crispy boondi is a popular Indian snack, made from fried gram flour.

In North India, some people prefer to soak boondi in warm water for 5 minutes. Then lightly squeeze before adding to the yogurt. This helps to remove extra oil from the boondi.

If you love raita's, also check out this Cucumber Raita and Lauki Raita (Bottle Gourd Raita)

What is Raita?

Raita is the popular easy side dish from the Indian sub-continent served as an accompaniment to lunch or dinner. It is made with whisked, creamy yogurt, and often vegetables or fruits and/or spices are added to it. Raita is often compared with Tzatziki, the Greek yogurt sauce.

Raita helps in cooling the palate after a sumptuous meal. It also aids in the digestive process.

I like to make yogurt for raita in the instant pot. Here is my homemade pot-in-pot yogurt recipe.

Benefits of Boondi Raita

• It is high in protein.
• It is calcium-rich food, helps to strengthen the bones.

Boondi raita is prepared using yogurt, which is high in protein. It makes a perfect aid for weight loss and digestion. However, adding boondi in raita adds on the calories since it is deep-fried.

To remove the excess oil from boondi, some people prefer to soak boondi in warm water for 5 minutes. Then lightly squeeze before adding to the yogurt.

Types of Boondi

• Salted Boondi - It is used in raita's, as a garnish for chaats, also can be added to pani puri water or chaas.
• Plain Boondi - It is mainly used in raitas.
• Masala Boondi - This spicy boondi is used in raita, just add yogurt to it and you can skip spices or adjust accordingly.
• Sweet Boondi - It is served as desserts.

Boondi Raita Ingredients

Plain Boondi - Boondi is fried crispy balls made using gram flour. It is easily available in Indian stores or you can get it from amazon. I used Haldirams brand plain boondi. Make sure that the boondi is a fresh packet. It can start smelling bad if stored for too long.

Whisked Yogurt - This is the main ingredient of the raita. I make yogurt in Instant pot. It is easily available in grocery stores as well. Use plain yogurt for this recipe, whole milk or low fat, either would work.

Spices - You'll need salt, roasted cumin powder and red chili powder (optional)

Cilantro leaves - I added chopped cilantro leaves.

To make this recipe vegan, you can use any non-dairy yogurt based on your preference. 

How to make Boondi Raita?

In a bowl, add chilled whisked yogurt.

Add all the spices red chili powder, salt, roasted cumin powder to the whisked yogurt and mix it well.

Add boondi to the yogurt, mix it and garnish it with cilantro leaves.

Adjust the consistency of the raita to your preference by adding a little cold milk or water.

Boondi Raita is ready. Serve it immediately.

What to serve raita with?

You can serve this easy boondi raita with any Indian meal. Here are some ideas:

• Instant Pot Vegetable Biryani
• Vegetable Rice Pulao
• Paratha
• Khichdi
• Paneer Tikka Masala
• Chicken Biryani

Common Questions

Hope you enjoy this delicious easy bondi raita. Looking forward to see your creations. Do share with #pipingpotcurry!