Thenkuzhal

Thenkuzhal

Thenkuzhal:

Thenkuzhal Murukku is one of those timeless South Indian snacks that instantly brings the aroma of Diwali to every home. Light, crisp, and delicately spiced, this traditional murukku is made with a simple blend of rice flour and urad dal flour — yet its flavor and texture are unmatched. Whether you enjoy it fresh off the oil or stored in a tin for the festive days ahead, Thenkuzhal always delivers that perfect crunch and melt-in-the-mouth goodness that reminds us of homemade celebrations and family traditions.

This is a very simple and easy snack to make just like the mullu murruku, it can be done within 15 minutes.

In the olden days the procedure for making the flours ready for the murukku was tedious, long and one can hardly find time to do the entire method from scratch.

Good quality of rice flour and udad flour is easily available in the stores which can be bought to prepare this snack within minutes.

Ingredients:

2 cups Rice flour

1/4 cup Urad dal flour, which can be either store bought or made at home.To prepare the udad dal flour at home, roast the udad dal till golden and then powder in the mixie till fine and smooth. Sieve this flour and use with rice flour.

2 1/2 tbsp butter or hot oil

Pinch of asafoetida/hing powder

1/2 tsp of cumin seeds or white sesame seeds.

Salt to taste

Water to make the dough.

Oil to fry the thenkuzhals.

Method

Mix the flours, salt, cumin seeds/ white sesame seeds, asafoetida,. Add the butter or hot oil. Mix the butter with your fingers well into the flours till they resemble crumbs and then make smooth soft dough with very little water at a time , not too firm or loose.

Make small balls of this dough to be used in the press and cover the bowl. Do not expose the dough to air as it will not give good thenkuzhal and will become too dry.

In a murukku press, place one small ball of the dough.Keep a pan with oil on the stove, let the oil heat up and then lower the gas . Prepare the spirals with the press either directly into hot oil or prepare the spirals on a plastic sheet or ladle and drop in the hot oil carefully.

Let the thenkuzhal cook well on both sides and when they turn golden , drain into a colander.Store in an air tight container when completely cooled.

Below I have shown pics of different shapes of thenkuzhal.

thenkuzhal step by step

Chettinad thenkuzhal

Thenkuzhal

Chettinad Thenkuzhal Murukku is a treasured snack from the kitchens of Chettinad, known for its crisp texture and rich, aromatic flavor. Made with freshly ground rice flour and roasted urad dal flour, this version stands out for its perfect balance of crunch and melt-in-the-mouth lightness. A must-have during Diwali and festive occasions, Chettinad Thenkuzhal carries the essence of traditional home cooking — simple ingredients, perfected techniques, and that unmistakable homemade charm that makes every bite irresistible. this variety is usually prepared in small spirals .

Chettinad thenkuzhal