Cheese Garlic Masala Mathri is an elegantly tweaked variant of famous Indian Dry Snack ‘Masala Parti Mathri’ or ‘Masala Nimki’ which can be defined as spicy deep fried crackers.
They make a crunchy and crispy tea time Indian snack when paired with hot masala chai or coffee.
Serving on unconventional surfaces like slate or stone adds an element of surprise to your presentation.
You will get deep-fried, baked, and air fried versions of this Cheese Garlic Masala Mathri - Masala Nimki on this page.
Here, quick homemade pastry dough and an easy garlic cheese spread is shaped into triangles and fried/baked all together to create the perfect cheese garlic filled mini triangles. This makes them a perfect festive snack or appetizer.
In India, any type of dry snacks such as namkeen, masala mathri, namak pare, verki puri, chivda, etc. are the stars of festivals. These Parti Mathris are specially made during festivals such as Diwali, Holi , etc. But they can surely be enjoyed throughout the year.
On this recipe page, you will get a step-by-step image guide and a video tutorial on ‘How to make Cheese Garlic Masala Mathri’. Also on this recipe, I have given instructions for Deep Frying, Air Frying, and Baking!
If you are someone who avoids deep-fried food, then this page is for you. It provides you with perfect guilt-free Cheese Garlic Masala Parti Mathri.
Make them for your upcoming get-together, and people will go crazy over them. Or make them to store in air-tight jars and enjoy anytime.
Kids and grown-ups would love munching on them. Especially if you have little munchers at home, then you might hear their requests to make them almost all the time. They would just love it. :)
These cheesy and garlic crackers have a long shelf life, so they can be made in large batches and stored for up to 10 days at room temperature.
What is Masala Nimki?
Masala Nimki or Masala Parti Mathri is a layered flaky and crispy deep-fried Indian dry snack that is usually served as a tea time snack. Masla Nimki is also known as Tikoni Mathri.
This dish is made with a beautifully spiced pastry dough made with some fat (ghee/oil) and a variety of fragrant dry spices like cumin seeds, carom seeds, chili flakes, and dried fenugreek leaves, etc.
This dough is then rolled into thin circles and then these circles are folded into triangles. After that, these triangles are deep-fried in hot oil or ghee.
What is Cheese Garlic Masala Mathri (Nimki)?
Cheese Garlic Masala Mathri is a fragrant variant of Masala Parti Mathri (Layered and Spiced Flaky Pastry). Crispy and crunchy masala mathri triangles filled with an aromatic mixture of garlic, ghee, cream cheese.
In this recipe, your rolled discs are filled with cream cheese and spiced garlic filling.
These crunchy snacks are addictive and satisfying at the same time. Relishing these cheese garlic masala mathris with some piping hot chai for brunch could give you the greatest pleasures of life.
What are the features of Cheese Garlic Masala Mathri?
This Cheese Garlic Masala Mathri:
✓ has a long shelf life
✓ makes a perfect snack for any time of the day
✓ easy to carry and pack
✓ can be served to guests
✓ tastes so flavourful and delicious
✓ is vegetarian, but can also be made vegan
✓ is an ideal snack for road trips
✓ makes the best last-minute appetizer
✓ is a masterpiece for holidays and special occasions
How to Make Cheese Garlic Masala Mathri (Nimki)?
To make this flaky and crispy pastry, you make spiced pastry dough and then roll it into thin discs.
These discs are then smeared with garlic cheese spread. After that these discs are folded into a triangle.
You can get a fully written step-by-step recipe and video recipe in the recipe box on this page.
What are the ingredients for Cheese Garlic Masala Mathri (Nimki)?
Parti Mathri is made with some simple, handy ingredients. Here are Nimki Recipe Ingredients:
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Maida (all-purpose flour)
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Cumin seeds
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Ajwain (caraway seeds)
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Chili flakes
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Salt
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Kasuri Methi
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Cilantro (coriander) leaves
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Garlic paste
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Cream Cheese
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Warm Water
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Ghee/butter
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Baking powder (only needed for baked mathris)
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Oil for deep frying
What to serve with Cheese Garlic Masala Mathri?
This mathri can be eaten as it is, or it can also be served as a tea time snack or brunch along with some condiments such as chutney/pickle, and beverages such as tea/coffee.
I like this mathri with peach chutney or Mirchi Ke Tipore.
How to store Cheese Garlic Masala Mathri?
To store masala mathri, let them cool completely.
Then store them in a parchment or tissue paper-lined airtight container at room temperature. This Cheese Garlic Masala Mathri stays fresh for up to 10-12 days.
What are spice variations for masala mathri?
I added some basic spices to this recipe. You can add any spices you like. Below are some spices that go well in this mathri:
Powdered Spices:
Dried mango powder (amchoor powder), crushed or powdered peppercorns (kali mirch), red chili powder, chaat masala powder, black salt, dried mint leaves, or garlic powder.
Whole spices:
Nigella seeds (kalonji), or sesame seeds (til).
Can I freeze Cheese Garlic Masala Mathri?
Surely you can. Freezing them is a great idea when you want to enjoy them later. Raw mathris freeze very well.
To freeze raw mathris, shape them and arrange in a single layer on a freezer-safe tray. Freeze for 3-4 hours. Then freeze them in a ziplock bag or a freezer-safe container. Bake, Air Fry or Deep Fry!
What are the tips and variations to make Cheese Garlic Masala Mathri?
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You can also make this Cheese Garlic Masala Mathri with the combination of whole wheat and all-purpose flour, or only with wholemeal flour.
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To make vegan mathris, replace ghee with margarine or vegetable oil. And swap cream cheese with vegan cream cheese.
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If you don’t find dried fenugreek leaves, then you can add any of your favorite dried herbs to the garlic spread.
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If you love garlic flavors, then you can also add 1 teaspoon of garlic powder to the dough.
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Oven temperatures may vary, so keep an eye on your mathris while baking in the oven.
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If you want to enjoy traditional parti mathri or nimki, then replace garlic spread & cream cheese with some ghee and follow the same recipe.
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I used basic mathri spices in this recipe, but feel free to use any of your favourite spices here.
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You can also add some vegetable puree to make colorful and flavourful mathris. My personal favourites are spinach and beetroot flavoured mathris.
Cheese Garlic Masala Mathri (Fried, Air Fryer, Baked Recipe) (Step-by-step photo instructions)
How to Make Garlic Cheese Masala Mathri Dough:
- Add all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons ghee/butter, cumin seeds, carom seeds, salt, and 1 teaspoon chili flakes to a large mixing bowl. (Also add baking powder if baking mathris.)
- Mix it well by rubbing the flour and ghee mixture between the palms. Keep mixing until it ghee is well incorporated in all of the flour. This step should take about 3-4 minutes.
- At this point, it resembles crumbs and holds shape. To check, take some flour mixture between your palm and make a fist. If the mixture holds shape, then you have added enough fat. If the dough falls to pieces, that means you need to add more fat (ghee/butter).
- Start by adding the water little by little and knead it into a stiff dough. I used a little less than 1/2 cup of water here.
- Cover the mathri dough with a damp tissue or kitchen towel and set aside for 30 minutes.
How to Make Garlic Spread:
- In a mixing bowl, add 4 tablespoons ghee/butter, 3 tablespoons garlic paste, 2 tablespoons coriander leaves, dried 2 tablespoons Kasuri methi (fenugreek leaves), 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes, and a pinch of salt.
- Mix it well until combined. Keep it aside for 15 minutes. If you are using melted ghee like me, then refrigerate this spread for 15 minutes.
How to Make Garlic Cheese Masala Mathri Mathri:
- Once the dough has rested for 30 minutes, unwrap it. Knead again for a few seconds.
- Divide the dough into 4 logs.
- Cut each log into 6 equal-sized balls. You will get 24 balls.
- Roll each ball into a 5-inch thin disc.
- Place 1/2 teaspoon of garlic spread, and 1/2 teaspoon cream cheese on the disc.
- Spread it evenly on the disc, and then sprinkle with some dry four.
- Fold the rolled disc to make a semi-circle. Then fold it once again to make a triangle. Repeat the steps to shape all the mathris.
- Seal the edges tightly by making dents using a fork.
- Slightly roll mathri again.
- Prick the mathris 4-5 times from the sides with the tines of a fork. Keep them aside.
How to Fry Garlic Cheese Masala Mathri:
- Heat oil in a pan. Once the oil is hot, turn the heat to low.
- Add 5-6 mathris to the pan and let them fry on the heat until they float on the surface. (Do not overcrowd the pan mathris.)
- Once floating, turn the heat to medium-low and fry mathris from both sides till they are golden brown. Keep turning the mathris every once in a while. The frying would take about 13-14 minutes, so you have to be patient. Make sure to not over fry mathris.
- Remove mathris with a slotted spoon and drain onto a kitchen towel to absorb any extra oil. Let them cool completely.
How to Air Fry Garlic Cheese Masala Mathri:
- Preheat air fryer to 170°C/340°F.
- Also, Brush or spray the air fryer basket with some oil.
- Brush each mathri lightly with some oil, and place rolled mathris in a single layer.
- Air fry for 4 minutes.
- Flip all the mathris and air fry for 6-8 minutes.
- Remove the air fried mathris from the basket and transfer them onto a cool plate. Let them cool completely.
How to Bake Garlic Cheese Masala Mathri:
- Preheat the oven to 335°F/180°C. Line a baking pan with the parchment.
- Place the rolled mathris on it.
- Lightly brush both sides of mathris with some oil.
- Bake in 355⁰F/180⁰C pre-heated oven for 15-18 minutes until lightly browned.
- Remove the baked mathris from the oven, and let them cool completely on a wire rack before store in an air-tight container.
Serving & Storing:
- Once cooled, you can store them in an airtight container for up to 15 days.
- Serve with some tea and chutney.
Recipe Card
Cheese Garlic Masala Mathri (Fried, Air Fryer, Baked Recipe) [Recipe]
★★★★★
(Rating: 5 from 23 reviews)
| Prep time 🕐 | Cook time 🕐 | Total time 🕐 |
|---|---|---|
| 1 hours 20 mins | ||
| Category ☶ | Cuisine ♨ | Serves ☺ |
| Snacks | Indian | 24 Mathris |
| Nutrition Info ⊛ | Serving size ⊚ | |
| 95 calories | 1 Mathri |
INGREDIENTS
For Cheese Garlic Masala Mathri:
- 2 cups + 2 tablespoons all-purpose flour (maida)
- 7 tablespoons ghee/unsalted butter
- 3 tablespoons garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon salt, plus a pinch
- 1 teaspoon carom seeds
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 1/2 teaspoons chili flakes, chopped
- 2 tablespoons dried fenugreek leaves (Kasuri methi)
- 2 tablespoons coriander leaves, chopped
- 1/2 teaspoon baking powder (only add if you are baking mathris)
- 4-5 tablespoons cream cheese
- 1/2 warm water for kneading dough, or as needed
- Oil for frying & brushing
INSTRUCTIONS:
How to Make Garlic Cheese Masala Mathri Dough:
- Add all-purpose flour, 3 tablespoons ghee/butter, cumin seeds, carom seeds, salt, and 1 teaspoon chili flakes to a large mixing bowl. (Also add baking powder if baking mathris.)
- Mix it well by rubbing the flour and ghee mixture between the palms. Keep mixing until it ghee is well incorporated in all of the flour. This step should take about 3-4 minutes.
- At this point, it resembles crumbs and holds shape. To check, take some flour mixture between your palm and make a fist. If the mixture holds shape, then you have added enough fat. If the dough falls to pieces, that means you need to add more fat (ghee/butter).
- Start by adding the water little by little and knead it into a stiff dough. I used a little less than 1/2 cup of water here.
- Cover the mathri dough with a damp tissue or kitchen towel and set aside for 30 minutes.
How to Make Garlic Spread:
- In a mixing bowl, add 4 tablespoons ghee/butter, 3 tablespoons garlic paste, 2 tablespoons coriander leaves, dried 2 tablespoons Kasuri methi (fenugreek leaves), 1/2 teaspoon chili flakes, and a pinch of salt.
- Mix it well until combined. Keep it aside for 15 minutes. If you are using melted ghee like me, then refrigerate this spread for 15 minutes.
How to Make Garlic Cheese Masala Mathri Mathri:
- Once the dough has rested for 30 minutes, unwrap it. Knead again for a few seconds.
- Divide the dough into 4 logs.
- Cut each log into 6 equal-sized balls. You will get 24 balls.
- Roll each ball into a 5-inch thin disc.
- Place 1/2 teaspoon of garlic spread, and 1/2 teaspoon cream cheese on the disc.
- Spread it evenly on the disc, and then sprinkle with some dry four.
- Fold the rolled disc to make a semi-circle. Then fold it once again to make a triangle. Repeat the steps to shape all the mathris.
- Seal the edges tightly by making dents using a fork.
- Slightly roll mathri again.
- Prick the mathris 4-5 times from the sides with the tines of a fork. Keep them aside.
How to Fry Garlic Cheese Masala Mathri:
- Heat oil in a pan. Once the oil is hot, turn the heat to low.
- Add 5-6 mathris to the pan and let them fry on the heat until they float on the surface. (Do not overcrowd the pan mathris.)
- Once floating, turn the heat to medium-low and fry mathris from both sides till they are golden brown. Keep turning the mathris every once in a while. The frying would take about 13-14 minutes, so you have to be patient. Make sure to not over fry mathris.
- Remove mathris with a slotted spoon and drain onto a kitchen towel to absorb any extra oil. Let them cool completely.
How to Air Fry Garlic Cheese Masala Mathri:
- Preheat air fryer to 170°C/340°F.
- Also, Brush or spray the air fryer basket with some oil.
- Brush each mathri lightly with some oil, and place rolled mathris in a single layer.
- Air fry for 4 minutes.
- Flip all the mathris and air fry for 6-8 minutes.
- Remove the air fried mathris from the basket and transfer them onto a cool plate. Let them cool completely.
How to Bake Garlic Cheese Masala Mathri:
- Preheat the oven to 335°F/180°C. Line a baking pan with the parchment.
- Place the rolled mathris on it.
- Lightly brush both sides of mathris with some oil.
- Bake in 355⁰F/180⁰C pre-heated oven for 15-18 minutes until lightly browned.
- Remove the baked mathris from the oven, and let them cool completely on a wire rack before store in an air-tight container.
Serving & Storing:
- Once cooled, you can store them in an airtight container for up to 15 days.
- Serve with some tea and chutney.
WATCH RECIPE VIDEO: Click the play button and video will load ...
NOTES:
- You can also make this Cheese Garlic Masala Mathri with Whole wheat or wholemeal flour.
- To make vegan mathris, replace ghee with margarine or vegetable oil. And swap cream cheese with vegan cream cheese.
- If you don't find dried fenugreek leaves, then you add can any of your favorite dried herbs to the garlic spread.
- If you love garlic flavors, then you can also add 1 teaspoon of garlic powder to the dough.
- Oven temperatures may vary, so keep an eye on your mathris while baking in the oven.
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Author: Anupama
Recipe Source Link: https://www.mygingergarlickitchen.com/cheese-garlic-masala-mathri/
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