Khajuri (food)

Khajuri is a traditional Nepali fried sweet snack, also found in some North Indian and broader South Asian culinary contexts. It is typically made from flour and sugar and is traditionally deep-fried in ghee^[1][2], though oil may also be used as an alternative.^[3] Khajuri is commonly associated with festivals or special occasions in Nepal^[4] and is particularly prepared during Chhath Parva and Tihar as a ritual offering or for celebrating events such as weddings.^[5] During festivals, family gatherings, and community celebrations, Khajuri is often prepared or purchased as part of offerings to deities, guests, and neighbors.^[6] One blog describes Khajuri as a "favorite tea-time sweet snack" in Kathmandu, indicating that it is also a part of everyday consumption and not limited solely to festive occasions.^[7]

Khajuri is especially popular in the southern Terai region of Nepal, where it forms part of mithai, the category of traditional Nepali sweets.^[7][6] It is widely sold and consumed in the Terai and is also commonly available in sweet shops throughout the Kathmandu Valley^[2] and other regions. The sweet traditions of the Terai reflect strong influences from neighboring Indian culinary practices, and due to this overlap, deep-fried sweets such as Khajuri are more prevalent in the plains than in Nepal’s hill or mountain regions.^[8]

Khajuri is typically prepared using flour, semolina, sugar, ghee, salt and milk, which are combined to form a dough.^[3] After resting, the dough is divided into small portions, rolled into rounds or shaped, and then deep-fried in ghee or oil until golden and crisp.^[1] In some preparations, the surface of the dough is pressed using a wooden khajuri press to create a vertically lined pattern before frying,^[7] while in other cases a wooden mold known as a thasaa is used for shaping.^[6]

Khajuri is generally crispy, flaky and buttery, qualities attributed to deep-frying in ghee, which imparts a rich flavor.^[9] It is sweet.^[10] though not excessively so, as sweetens is derived from sugar or powdered sugar rather than syrup,^[1][11], resulting in a mild sweetness that pairs well with tea or coffee. For this reason, Khajuri is often consumed as a light snack or tea-time sweet.^[7]