Samosa vs. Pakora: Know the Difference
By Shumaila Saeed || Updated on December 25, 2023
A samosa is a fried or baked pastry with savory fillings, while a pakora is a spiced, fried snack made from various ingredients coated in chickpea flour.
Key Differences
A samosa is a triangular-shaped pastry filled with ingredients like spiced potatoes, peas, or meat. Pakoras are bite-sized snacks made by dipping vegetables, meat, or fish in a spiced chickpea flour batter and frying them.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Samosas are known for their distinct triangular shape and flaky crust, enclosing a hearty filling. Pakoras, in contrast, are irregularly shaped, with a coating that crisps up during frying, encasing the main ingredient.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
The dough for samosas is purposefully made to be a bit thick to hold the filling and maintain shape. For pakoras, the batter is a critical component, often flavored with spices like cumin and turmeric.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Samosas are often served with chutneys or sauces as part of a meal or snack. Pakoras are typically enjoyed with dips like mint or tamarind chutney and can be a snack or an accompaniment to meals.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
In samosas, the fillings are cooked before being encased in the pastry. In pakoras, the main ingredients are often raw or partially cooked before being dipped in batter and fried.
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Dec 05, 2023
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Comparison Chart
Preparation
Filled pastry, fried or baked
Ingredients coated in batter and fried
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Dec 05, 2023
Main Ingredients
Potatoes, peas, meat, spices
Vegetables, meat, fish, spices
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Dec 05, 2023
Serving Style
Often with chutneys, as a snack or part of a meal
Usually with dips, as a snack or side dish
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Dec 05, 2023
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Samosa and Pakora Definitions
Samosa
It's a popular snack in South Asian cuisine.
For our party, we made spicy meat samosas.
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Nov 26, 2023
Pakora
Pakoras are made using chickpea flour.
The chickpea flour gave the pakoras a golden color.
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Nov 26, 2023
Samosa
A samosa is a fried or baked pastry with savory fillings.
I enjoyed a potato-filled samosa with my tea.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 26, 2023
Pakora
It's a popular dish in Indian cuisine.
At the festival, they were selling hot, crispy pakoras.
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Nov 26, 2023
Samosa
Samosas have a distinct triangular shape.
Each samosa was perfectly shaped and delicious.
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Nov 26, 2023
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Pakora
They are often eaten with chutney.
The mint chutney complemented the pakoras perfectly.
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Nov 26, 2023
Samosa
They are often served with chutney.
We had samosas with sweet tamarind chutney.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 26, 2023
Pakora
A pakora is a fried snack made from vegetables or meat coated in spiced batter.
We served onion pakoras as an appetizer.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 26, 2023
Samosa
Samosas can have various fillings.
The vegetable samosas were a hit at the dinner.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 26, 2023
Pakora
Pakoras can include a variety of ingredients.
She made delicious spinach and potato pakoras.
Shumaila Saeed
Nov 26, 2023
Samosa
A small fried turnover of South Asian origin that is filled with seasoned vegetables or meat.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Pakora
A deep-fried fritter made of vegetables or meat dipped in a chickpea batter, served as an appetizer or a snack in South Asian cuisine.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Samosa
A snack, of Indian origin, consisting of a deep-fried triangular turnover filled with vegetables (especially potatoes) or meat.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Pakora
A piece of vegetable, or sometimes meat, deep-fried in a batter flavoured with spices.
Shumaila Saeed
Oct 19, 2023
Samosa
Small turnover of Indian origin filled with vegetables or meat and fried and served hot
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Oct 19, 2023
Repeatedly Asked Queries
What is the traditional shape of a samosa?
Samosas are traditionally triangular in shape.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Can pakoras be baked instead of fried?
While uncommon, pakoras can be baked for a healthier option.
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Dec 05, 2023
Can samosas be frozen for later use?
Yes, samosas can be frozen and reheated.
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Dec 05, 2023
Are samosas vegan-friendly?
They can be, depending on the filling, but traditional recipes may use ghee.
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Dec 05, 2023
Can different flours be used for pakora batter?
Chickpea flour is traditional, but variations may use other flours.
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Dec 05, 2023
Can pakoras be made with meat?
Yes, meat pakoras are a variation, although vegetable pakoras are more common.
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Dec 05, 2023
Are pakoras a good option for parties?
Yes, pakoras are a popular and convenient party snack.
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Dec 05, 2023
Do samosas contain dairy?
Some recipes may use ghee (clarified butter), but dairy-free versions exist.
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Dec 05, 2023
Is gluten present in pakoras?
Generally no, as they are made with chickpea flour, which is gluten-free.
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Dec 05, 2023
What makes pakoras crispy?
The chickpea flour batter and proper frying technique ensure crispiness.
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Dec 05, 2023
What's the best oil for frying samosas?
Vegetable oils with a high smoke point, like canola or sunflower oil, are ideal.
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Dec 05, 2023
Are pakoras spicy?
They can be, depending on the spices used in the batter.
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Dec 05, 2023
What are the health aspects of pakoras?
Pakoras are fried, so they're indulgent, but using fresh ingredients can add nutritional value.
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Dec 05, 2023
What are common fillings for samosas?
Common fillings include spiced potatoes, peas, and minced meat.
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Dec 05, 2023
Can pakoras be part of a formal meal?
They are typically considered casual fare but can be served at formal events as appetizers.
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Dec 05, 2023
Can samosas be served as a main course?
While typically a snack, they can be a main course when served with sides.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Is it possible to air-fry samosas?
Yes, samosas can be air-fried as a healthier alternative to deep-frying.
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Dec 05, 2023
Are samosas a meal or a snack?
Samosas can be both, depending on the serving size and context.
Shumaila Saeed
Dec 05, 2023
Are samosas common in all regions of South Asia?
Yes, samosas are popular across South Asia with regional variations.
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Dec 05, 2023
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About Author
Written by
Shumaila SaeedShumaila Saeed, an expert content creator with 6 years of experience, specializes in distilling complex topics into easily digestible comparisons, shining a light on the nuances that both inform and educate readers with clarity and accuracy.
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