Authentic Goan Fenori Recipe: A Delightful Sweet Treat from Goa

Recipe by Sonika Ramesh Lotlikar

Fenori is a traditional sweet snack beloved in Goan households, celebrated for its delicate layers, crisp texture, and fragrant aroma of cardamom. This recipe combines simple ingredients such as maida (refined flour), homemade ghee, sugar, and elaichi (cardamom) to create a treat that’s both rich in flavor and heritage.

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📝 Ingredients

For the Dough:

• 2 cups maida (all-purpose flour)
• 1 tsp salt
• 2 tsp homemade ghee
• Water (as needed to make a soft dough)

For the Cornflour Paste:

• ½ cup cornflour
• 4–5 tbsp ghee (melted)

For the Sugar Mixture:

• ¾ cup sugar (granulated)
• ½ tsp elaichi (cardamom powder)

🥣 Instructions

1. Prepare the Dough:
   In a bowl, combine maida, salt, and ghee. Mix well using your fingers until the mixture becomes crumbly. Gradually add water and knead into a soft, pliable dough. Cover and let it rest for 1 hour.
2. Prepare the Cornflour Paste:
   Mix cornflour with ghee to form a smooth, spreadable paste. Set aside.
3. Prepare the Sugar Mix:
   Mix granulated sugar with elaichi powder. Cover and keep aside.
4. Roll and Layer the Dough:
   After an hour, knead the rested dough and divide it into 6 equal portions. Roll each portion into thin, round sheets (the thinner, the better).
5. Layer with Paste:
   Take one rolled sheet, apply a thin layer of the cornflour paste, and place the next sheet on top. Repeat this process for all 6 sheets, stacking them one by one with the paste in between.
6. Roll & Cut:
   Once stacked, roll the layered dough tightly into a cylindrical log. Slice the log into equal-sized discs.
7. Shape the Fenori:
   Take each disc, cut-side up, and roll it gently into a small round (mini chapati), making sure the swirl pattern is visible.
8. Fry:
   Deep-fry each rolled Fenori in hot oil on medium flame until golden and crisp. Do not overcrowd the pan.
9. Add Sugar:
   While still hot, sprinkle the sugar-cardamom mixture on top so it sticks to the surface and melts slightly.
10. Serve:
    Let them cool down slightly before serving. Store in an airtight container for up to a week.

Whether served during Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, or simply on a cozy evening with tea, Fenori is more than just a snack — it’s a bite of Goa’s culinary tradition, passed down through generations. The sugar and cardamom mixture sprinkled on top adds a delightful fragrance and subtle sweetness that elevates the entire dish.

Today, making Fenori at home is not just a way to enjoy a tasty treat, but also to connect with heritage, honor age-old recipes, and share something joyful with family and friends.