Lunchbox Recipe: Make crispy potato smileys at home—perfect for kids' lunchboxes..

Potato Smiley Recipe: If you are bored with making the same old breakfast every day and want to try something that tastes amazing and looks fun, Potato Smileys are a fantastic option. This snack is a hit with everyone, from children to adults. While store-bought Smileys usually come in frozen packets, they can now be easily made at home. Food blogger Pallavi Verma has shared an easy recipe for them on social media, and it is being widely appreciated.

The best part is that this recipe doesn't require a lot of ingredients. Using just potatoes, rice flour, and a few common spices, you can prepare Potato Smileys that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside—just like the ones from the market. Whether you want to make something new for evening tea or are looking for a fun snack for your child's lunchbox, this recipe will come in very handy.

First, prepare the potatoes properly.
The recipe begins with selecting good potatoes. Start by washing and peeling the potatoes thoroughly. Then, cut them into small, square-shaped pieces. Rinse the cut potatoes twice in clean water to remove some of the surface starch. Next, boil water in a vessel and cook the potatoes until they are soft; if you are in a hurry, you can use a pressure cooker.

Drain the water completely from the boiled potatoes.
Once cooked, immediately remove the potatoes from the water. Place them in a colander for a few minutes to let any remaining water drain away; if there is too much moisture left in the potatoes, the dough for the Smileys won't turn out right. Now, transfer the potatoes to a large bowl and mash them thoroughly. Ensure there are no large lumps left and the mixture becomes completely smooth.

An easy way to get that crunch
Add salt to the mashed potatoes according to your taste. Then, mix in the rice flour; this is the ingredient that helps make the Smileys crispy on the outside. Finally, add a teaspoon of ghee or oil. You can also add a little black pepper powder or chili flakes if you like. Mix everything thoroughly to form a smooth dough.

**Shaping the Smileys Uniformly**
Now, divide the prepared dough into small portions. Gently press each portion into a round shape; if you want all the smileys to look uniform, you can cut them into circles using a small lid or a cookie cutter. This ensures each piece looks consistent and attractive after frying.

**Creating the Eyes and Smiling Face**
This is the most fun part of the recipe. To make the eyes, poke two small holes using a straw, the back of a pen, or a small round stick. Next, gently press the edge of a spoon and drag it downwards to create the smile. In just a few seconds, your simple potato patty transforms into a cute smiley. Children love this step the most.

**Frying Until Golden**
Heat oil in a pan or wok. Keep the flame on medium and carefully slide the prepared smileys into the oil. Fry them, flipping occasionally, until they turn golden brown and the outer layer becomes crispy. Once fried, transfer them onto a paper towel to drain any excess oil.

**Serving Suggestions**
Serve the piping hot potato smileys with tomato ketchup, green chutney, or any dip of your choice; you can even sprinkle a little *chaat masala* on top. This snack is perfect for kids' birthday parties, evening tea, or lunchboxes. Once you make them at home, you might never need to buy store-bought smileys again.


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