Short description

These Beef Curry Puffs combine a savory, spiced beef and peas filling—flavored with curry powder, jalapeño, tomato paste, and lemon juice—with flaky paratha dough. They’re deep-fried to a golden crisp exterior and tender, flavorful center—perfect as a snack or appetizer.

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

Bold & comforting flavors: The curry-seasoned beef with a hint of spiciness and tang from jalapeño and lemon juice makes every bite exciting.
Flaky, golden crust: Using paratha dough gives these puffs a rich, buttery flakiness that’s irresistible.
Customizable and portable: Handy finger food ideal for parties, lunchboxes, or anytime nibbles.

Ingredients

(Tip: You’ll find the full list of ingredients and measurements in the recipe card below.)

Filling:

Ground beef
Avocado oil
Yellow onion
Jalapeños
Garlic cloves
Flour
Tomato paste
Curry powder
Brown sugar
Salt & black pepper
Frozen green peas
Lemon juice

Wrappers & frying:

Paratha dough sheets
Frying oil

Directions

Prep aromatics – Finely chop onion, jalapeño, and mince garlic.
Cook aromatics – Heat oil in a skillet over medium-high. Sauté onion and jalapeño for 4–5 min until soft. Add garlic and cook 1 min; season lightly.
Build roux – Sprinkle in flour and cook 30–60 sec, stirring to cook off rawness.
Season and brown beef – Add ground beef, salt, pepper, curry powder, tomato paste, and brown sugar. Let beef sit undisturbed 30–60 sec before breaking apart.
Simmer – Continue breaking and mixing beef; reduce heat to medium. Cover and cook 8–10 min so flavors combine.
Add peas & finish – Stir in peas, cover and cook another 8–10 min until peas are tender. Squeeze in lemon juice and taste-adjust seasoning.
Prepare wrappers – Thaw parathas on the counter for 10–15 min until pliable but cool. Roll lightly to fit three layers; cut 3.5″ circles with a mold. Re-roll dough scraps as needed; refreeze circles for 15 min if too soft.
Assemble puffs – Place ~1 tbsp filling in each wrapper center, press down. Fold into crescents and seal edges firmly with fingers or fork.
Fry – Heat oil to 360 °F (182 °C). Fry puffs 4–5 min until golden on both sides. Drain on a wire rack and sprinkle with salt while warm.

Servings and timing

Makes: Approximately 12–16 puffs (depending on dough and filling).
Prep time: ~25 min (chopping, cooking filling, cutting wrappers).
Cook time: ~10 minutes (filling plus frying).
Total time: ~35 min.

Variations

Spice level adjustment: Use mild chili instead of jalapeño or add chopped chiles for extra heat.
Vegetarian version: Substitute beef with cooked lentils or seasoned diced potatoes.
Baked alternative: Brush puffs with oil and bake at 400 °F (200 °C) for 15–18 minutes until golden brown.
Cheesy twist: Add a sprinkle of shredded cheese into the filling for a melty surprise.

Storage/Reheating

Short-term: Store cooled puffs in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 2 days.
Reheat: Bake at 350 °F (175 °C) for 5–7 min or pan-fry briefly to crisp.
Freezing: Freeze fully cooled puffs in a single layer before bagging. Reheat from frozen in a 375 °F oven for 10–12 min until crisp and heated through.

FAQs

1. Can I use store-bought puff pastry instead of paratha dough?

Yes—puff pastry works well though it yields a more layered, flakier texture rather than a pan-fried crisp.

2. Do I need to thaw paratha dough fully?

No—keep them slightly cool and firm; this helps with cutting and sealing without tearing.

3. Can I air-fry these puffs?

Absolutely—air-fry at 375 °F (190 °C) for 10–12 min, flipping halfway, until golden brown.

4. How can I prevent soggy bottoms after frying?

Drain on a wire rack instead of paper towels; this keeps both sides crisp.

5. Can I bake the filling instead of frying?

You can—pre-cook the filling stovetop, sandwich in dough, and bake until golden, or use puff pastry instead.

6. What dipping sauce pairs well?

Sweet chili, mango chutney, or yogurt-based dips work beautifully.

7. How do I avoid overstuffing the puffs?

Use measured 1 tbsp portions of filling—overfilling leads to bursting during frying.

8. Can I use ground chicken or turkey?

Yes—adjust cooking times slightly and ensure seasoning balances as turkey is leaner.

9. Can I prepare and freeze uncooked puffs?

Yes—uncooked, sealed puffs freeze well. Fry or bake from frozen, adding ~2 minutes to cooking time.

10. What temperature oil should I use?

Maintain frying oil at around 360 °F (182 °C). Too hot burns the crust; too cool yields greasy puffs.

Conclusion

These Beef Curry Puffs deliver a satisfying bite of spicy-savoury beef tucked in a flaky paratha pastry—ideal for snacks, gatherings, or lunch on the go. Easy to customize and freezer-friendly, they’re a fun and delicious addition to your recipe collection. Happy cooking!

Ezabella

Beef Curry Puffs