Aloo Balls - Fried Potato Balls

A plate of aloo balls

The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Prep: 15 mins
Cook: 22 mins
Total: 37 mins
Servings: 2 to 3 servings
Yield: 6 to 7 balls

Potato Balls or Aloo Balls as they are known in Trinidad and Tobago and Guyana is a savory mixture of mashed potatoes rolled into balls, battered and deep-fried. It can be eaten by itself but it is often served with some kind of chutney (not the North American type of chutneys). I'm talking here about a freshly made chutney of tart fruits balanced with sugar and heat from peppers, such as a green mango chutney.

Potato Balls are a type of street food. They are also made on special occasions such as festivals like Diwali and Phagwah—both Hindu festivals celebrated in certain parts of the Caribbean.

It's a great way to use up mashed potatoes.

“These Aloo Balls were absolutely delicious. The spice combination was well-balanced and colorful. I served these as a side with steak, but I could definitely see these being served as a tasty appetizer, or as the author suggests, with chutney. I love exploring street food recipes, and this one is a winner.” —Diana Andrews

Aloo Balls - Fried Potato Balls/Tester Image
A Note From Our Recipe Tester

Ingredients

  • 1 pound Yukon Gold potatoes, about 3 medium

  • Salt, to taste

  • 1 hot chili pepper, or to taste, minced

  • 1 heaping teaspoon ground cumin

  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped green onions

  • 1 tablespoon finely chopped cilantro, optional

  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour

  • 1/4 teaspoon baking powder

  • 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric

  • 3/4 to 1 cup water, as needed

  • Oil, for frying

Steps to Make It

  1. Gather the ingredients.

    Ingredients to make aloo balls

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  2. Wash, peel, and cut potatoes into quarters.

    A cutting board with peeled, quartered potatoes

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  3. Add potatoes to a pot of well-salted water to cover by 2 inches. Bring to a boil and reduce to a simmer. Simmer until fork-tender, 8 to 10 minutes. Drain well.

    A colander with cooked potatoes

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  4. Add the chili pepper and cumin to a large bowl. Rice the potatoes over the bowl, or add the potato quarters to the bowl and mash with a potato masher until the ingredients are well combined. Adjust the seasoning, if necessary.

    A bowl of seasoned mashed potatoes

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  5. Fold in green onions and cilantro, if using.

    A bowl of mashed potatoes with green onions and cilantro

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  6. With clean, damp hands, form the mixture into 2-inch balls. You can use an ice cream scoop for equal measurements. Set aside.

    A plate of formed mashed potato balls

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

For Batter

  1. In a separate medium bowl, combine the flour, baking powder, turmeric and a pinch of salt. Whisk in enough water to make a thin crepe-like batter (start with less water, adding more gradually if needed).

    A bowl of thin batter and a whisk

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  2. Heat about 1 inch of oil in a medium high-sided skillet or other heavy-duty pan until it begins to shimmer.

    A pan of oil

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  3. Dip the balls into the batter one at a time, shake off the excess and add to oil. Repeat and fry in batches, if necessary, being sure not to overcrowd the pan.

    A pan with battered mashed potato balls frying

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

  4. Fry until lightly browned on all sides, about 7 minutes. Serve with your favorite chutney, if desired.

    A pan of battered mashed potato balls frying

    The Spruce Eats / Julia Hartbeck

Nutrition Facts (per serving)
446 Calories
25g Fat
50g Carbs
6g Protein
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Nutrition Facts
Servings: 2 to 3
Amount per serving
Calories 446
% Daily Value*
Total Fat 25g 32%
Saturated Fat 2g 9%
Cholesterol 0mg 0%
Sodium 256mg 11%
Total Carbohydrate 50g 18%
Dietary Fiber 4g 16%
Total Sugars 3g
Protein 6g
Vitamin C 37mg 183%
Calcium 65mg 5%
Iron 3mg 19%
Potassium 913mg 19%
*The % Daily Value (DV) tells you how much a nutrient in a food serving contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.
(Nutrition information is calculated using an ingredient database and should be considered an estimate.)