Nankhatai | Indian Cardamom Cookies

Nankhatai are popular Indian shortbread cookies flavoured with cardamom (elaichi). They are made with simple ingredients like flour, sugar, ghee (clarified butter) and are great to serve with tea or coffee. Both oven and air fryer methods are shown in this post.

You can make these cookies in advance and store for them few days especially on festivals like Diwali, Holi, Rakshabandhan. They are also great for edible gifting or can be packed in kids lunch box as quick snacks.

I just love the way these turn out buttery, crispy with melt in the mouth texture. Every home or bakery shop has their own recipe for nankhatai. Some people also add besan (gram flour), sooji (semolina) or whole wheat flour to it but I have made them with maida (all purpose flour) only.

The nankhatai cookies or biscuits are characterised by subtle cracks on its surface, crispy exterior and crumbly insides. In hindi, the word ‘khasta‘  is often used to describe the texture of nan khatai. You can make nankhatai in oven or make it without oven too (the method for it is explained in the end of post).

Nan Khatai Ingredients:

Flour– To make these nankhatai cookies, I have used all purpose flour or maida. Though these can be made with whole wheat flour also but to get bakery style nankhatai it is better to use maida.

Sugar– Powdered sugar is used in this recipe which can be made by fine grinding regular granulated sugar.

Ghee– Ghee, also known as clarified butter, gives nankhatai a beautiful aroma and richness. However you can also use hydrogenated vegetable oil or vegetable shortening if you want to make nankhatai without ghee.

Cardamom (Elaichi)– Cardamom seeds are crushed and added to nankhatai cookies which give them a pleasing aroma. You can use store bought cardamom powder or crush fresh cardamom seeds in mortar pestle.

Salt- A pinch of salt enhances the taste of these nankhatai. Though the quantity may seem small but it definitely brings out the taste in cookies

As a kid I have always identified nankhatai at my home or in local bakery shops with its criss cross centre topped up with some crushed pistachios. You can even sprinkle some crushed almonds or cardamom powder on top of these nankhatai cookies.

Youtube Video:

I have also shared a youtube video for this nankhatai cookies recipe. If you like watching food videos, don’t forget to subscribe to the channel 🙂

• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 20 minutes

Ingredients:

• All Purpose Flour (Maida)- 1 cup (120 g)
• Ghee (Clarified Butter)- 1/3 cup (75 g)
• Powdered Sugar- 1/2 cup (65 g)
• Baking Powder- 1/4 tsp
• Baking Soda- 1/4 tsp
• Cardamom Powder (Elaichi)- 1/2 tsp
• Salt- A pinch
• Pistachios (crushed)- 2 tbsp (optional)

Notes :

1. Use semi solid ghee at room temperature for making nankhatai.
2. To make powdered sugar, grind the regular sugar in a grinder jar. You can even add cardamom seeds to it while grinding.
3. To make vegan nankhatai (dairy free), you can use vegetable shortening instead of ghee.
4. If you want to make nankhatai nut free, feel free to skip pistachios or replace it with some powdered cardamom.

Directions:

Step 1:
Sieve together flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Keep it aside.

Step 2:
Take ghee in a mixing bowl. Add powdered sugar and cardamom (elaichi) to it. Whisk well till the mixture becomes fluffy and light in colour.

Step 3:
Add the sieved flour to the whisked ghee and sugar. Using your hands or spatula bring together all ingredients to make smooth dough. Do not knead.

Step 4:
Set the oven for preheating at 180°C. By the time oven is preheating divide the dough into 10 equal size portions and make smooth balls. Flatten them lightly.

Step 5:
Arrange cookies on a baking tray leaving space between them. Make criss cross marks on their top using a knife and sprinkle crushed pistachio in the centre. (If baking in air fryer, jump to air fryer instructions).

Step 6:
Once the oven is preheated, bake these cookies at 180°C for first 5 min and then 20-25 min at 160°C. Remember to lower the temperature from 180 to 160.  Check the base after 20 min for golden brown colour else bake for another 5 min.

Step 7:
Once the cookies are out of oven they will still be soft. Let them cool down on baking tray only for 5-8 min. Then transfer then on a wire rack to cool down completely. Enjoy these delicious nankhatai or Indian cookies with tea or coffee.

Air Fryer Method

Prepare & shape the nankhatai dough as explained above and then follow the steps below.

Step 1:
Preheat air fryer at 160°C (320°F) for 3-4 min. Line it with a parchment paper. Arrange cookies in its basket while leaving gap between them.

Step 2:
Air fry for 8-10 min at 160°C (320°F) till nankhatai cookies turn golden in colour. Keep an eye after 8 min and increase the baking time as required.

Once done, bring the air fryer basket out and let the cookies cool in the basket itself for another 5-10 min. Transfer on a wire rack to cool completely. Below I have shown its texture:

Tips :

1. Do not knead the nankhatai dough as we don’t want to form gluten. Mix them enough to get the mixture together.
2. In summers, sometimes the ghee starts melting quickly making the dough sticky. Keep it in fridge for 10 minutes and then try to work with it.
3. If you are not able to bind the dough, add 1-2 tsp of more ghee.

FAQs:

How to store nankhatai?

Store them in an airtight container at all times. These remain good for 10 to 12 days. Because of their long shelf life they can also be carried while travelling.

How to make nankhatai without oven?

To make nan khatai without oven, take heavy bottomed pan & add 2-3 cups of salt to it. Cover it with a lid (use metal lid not glass one) and let it heat on medium flame for 15 minutes (this is preheating step). Arrange the cookies on a plate or tray that can fit into this vessel. Keep a metal stand inside the vessel first & then keep this plate over it. Cook for 20-25 minutes till the edges near the base start to change colour.

If you try this homemade nankhatai recipe & share pics on social media, then don’t forget to tag on Facebook, Instagram or use #kuchpakrahahai.

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