Healthy Chapli Kababs Baked & Box-Free!

Chapli Kabab or Peshawari Kabab is a traditional Pakistani favourite dish! We’re making it healthier by baking them using some simple healthy hacks to cut out all the oil and using all-natural spices! Special guest Khush Seerat Aunty shares her top tips on making delicious chapli kababs that you can enjoy without any oil or frying!

This recipe also uses spices you have at home to recreate the delicious chapli kabab flavour, so you don’t have to use a commercial boxed spice mix. Whenever you can, try to use your own spices so you know exactly what goes into your food!

Ingredients for Basic Kababs: 

• 3 lbs lean meat (minced chicken breast / lean ground beef)
• 2 diced red onions
• 4 tomatoes, chopped
• 2 green chillis, diced (more, or less to spice according to taste)
• 2 eggs
• 1 TBSP chilli pepper flakes
• 1 TSP coriander powder
• 1 TSP salt
• 1/2 TSP baking soda
• 1 cup non-GMO cornmeal
• Cayenne pepper, to taste

Ingredients for the Spice Mix:

• 2 TSP cumin powder
• 2 TSP garam masala
• 2 TBSP garlic paste
• 2  TBSP ginger paste
• 1 TSP black pepper powder
• Pptional: 1/2 TSP cayenne pepper
• 1/2 a large pomegranate; seeded

Note: 3 lbs of meat can make 20 servings according to Canada’s food guide standards for protein (may differ depending on how big you shape your kababs). Eat 1 or 2 kababs for a delicious well-balanced meal. 

Steps: 

Preheat over to 430 degrees F / 220 degrees C.

1. Combine all ingredients for basic kababs in a large bowl.
2. Mix all ingredients for the spice mix (EXCEPT pomegranate seeds) together in a small bowl or container.
3. Cut a large pomegranate in half. Remove seeds into a plate and separate any pomegranate white membrane.
4. Place the pomegranate seeds into a small personal blender. Pulse several times until you have a chunky juice.
5. Place a small strainer over a cup. Pour pomegranate mixture through strainer. Pomegranate seeds will remain in the strainer, while the extra juice will fall into the cup. You can drink the juice if you like!
6. Take the crushed pomegranate seeds from the strainer and mix them with the rest of the spice mix ingredients (step 2).
7. Add this spice mix into your large bowl with the rest of the kabab ingredients.
8. Mix the entire bowl well to incorporate into a smooth batter.
9. Use hands to shape mix into flat patties.
10. Arrange patties on foil-lined baking tray. Use parchment paper for complete no-stick.
11. Bake for 30 minutes, or until meat is completely cooked through.
12. Remove from oven. Using a spatula, slide under each kabab to loosen from foil.

Serve with salad, whole-wheat roti and chutney made with Greek yogurt and spices. These oil-free kababs are a great protein source to enjoy with any salad or dip for a quick and easy healthy meal!

If you’d like to get more ideas for nutritious snacks that you can enjoy anytime as part of your healthy lifestyle, click below to get my free Top 25 Healthy Snack Ideas
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What are YOUR favourite ethnic meals? Let us know in the comments below!