Whole Wheat Shankarpale - Healthy Gudpare

Whole Wheat Jaggery Shankarpale 

 Healthy Gudpare - Diwali Snacks 

Shankarpale or shakarpare is a traditional Indian snack prepared on the festive occasion of Diwali. This is a healthier version without any refined flour and sugar, using  whole wheat flour and jaggery. Whole wheat jaggery shankarpale or gudpare are mildly sweet, crunchy yet flakey and quite addictive. A perfect teatime snack.

Ingredients:

Whole Wheat flour (Atta) -  3 cups(400 grams)
Rice flour - 2 tablespoons
Fine semolina(sooji)  - 2 tablespoons
Salt - 1/4 teaspoon
Jaggery* -  3/4 cup packed (150 grams)
Water* - 3/4 cup (180 ml)
Oil For frying
Ghee/Clarified butter or oil -  1/4 cup (60 ml)

* Measurement used : 1 cup = 240 ml

* Dark brown sugar or coconut sugar can be used instead of jaggery.

* Do not boil the water and jaggery mixture, the jaggery should be just melted.

* Additional water(1-2 tablespoons) may be required at the time of kneading the dough. 

* The dough should be stiff. Otherwise, the shankarpale may not turn out crispy and flakey.

Step by step video recipe:

Method:

1. In a pan, add water and the jaggery. Cook on medium heat until the jaggery is melted and completely dissolved.Do not boil the mixture.Turn off the heat and strain to remove any impurities. Let the jaggery mixture cool down slightly. 

2. In a mixing bowl, combine wheat flour, salt, rice flour, semolina and ghee or oil Rub in the ghee or oil till you get breadcrumbs like texture.  Add the jaggery water and mix well to form a stiff. dough. Add 1-2 tablespoons of water if the dough is too dry. 

3. Heat oil on medium heat.  Divide the dough into 4 parts and roll into 1/8 inch thick circle. Cut the rolled dough into diamond shapes or any desired shape. Add the shankarpale pieces to the hot oil and fry on medium-low heat. Gently stir in between so shankarpale are fried evenly Remove once they are golden brown, takes about 8-10 minutes to cook.

Keep on a paper napkin  to remove excess oil and cool down completely. Keep in an airtight container and can be kept up to 3-4 weeks.

4. Baking option: You can also bake these in preheated oven at 350ºF(160ºC) for 20-25 min, turning them over at halfway mark. Baking time may vary depending on the oven. 

5.For Air fryer:air fry at 325ºF (160ºC) for 18-20 minutes,turning them over at halfway mark. Baking time may vary depending on the oven.