What Are Puffed Rice Snacks? India’s Healthiest Street Food Now in Dublin
On the beaches of Mumbai, the streets of Kolkata, and the evening markets of Chennai, one smell stands out above the rest: the light, toasty, slightly smoky scent of puffed rice being tossed in a large metal bowl with tamarind, chutney, chopped onion, tomato, and sev. This is bhel puri. And the base of almost every version of it is puffed rice, or murmura.
Puffed Rice Snacks Ireland is one of the lightest, most versatile, and most nutritionally respectable snack bases in Indian cooking. It has been eaten across the subcontinent for centuries, appearing in everything from the street food of Mumbai’s Chowpatty Beach to traditional Bengali cooking (muri) to Maharashtrian festivals. And it is now available at Asian House in Dublin for home cooks across Ireland who want to recreate these flavours at home.
What Is Puffed Rice?
Puffed rice, known as murmura in Hindi, muri in Bengali, and borugulu in Telugu, is produced by subjecting white rice grains to very high temperature and pressure. The intense heat causes the moisture inside each grain to turn to steam almost instantaneously, expanding the grain to several times its original size and creating a light, airy, crispy texture. The result is a grain that is mostly air, very low in fat, and light enough to float.
In India, puffed rice is traditionally made in large iron drums or on hot sand beds over open fires. Commercially produced puffed rice for the snack market uses specialised industrial equipment but the principle is the same: rapid heating and pressure release creates the signature puffed texture.
Nutritional Profile
| Nutrient (per 100g) | Puffed Rice (plain) |
| Calories | Approx. 402 kcal |
| Carbohydrates | Approx. 87g |
| Protein | Approx. 7g |
| Fat | Approx. 1g |
| Fibre | Approx. 2g |
| Sodium | Low (plain variety) |
| Gluten | None (gluten-free) |
Plain puffed rice is naturally gluten-free, very low in fat, and a quick source of carbohydrate energy. It is not a protein-heavy snack on its own, but when combined with peanuts, lentils, sev, and vegetables in a bhel preparation it becomes a reasonably balanced snack. The light weight means a large volume of puffed rice contains relatively few calories compared to other snack foods.
Puffed rice is naturally gluten-free and very low in fat. It is one of the few snack bases in Indian cooking that can genuinely be described as light. A 30g serving contains approximately 120 calories with less than 1g of fat.
How Is Puffed Rice Used in Indian Cooking?
Bhel Puri
The most famous puffed rice preparation and the defining snack of Mumbai street food culture. Puffed rice is tossed with finely chopped onion, tomato, boiled potato, thin sev, green chutney (coriander-mint), and tamarind chutney. The whole thing is mixed rapidly in a bowl and served immediately before the puffed rice goes soft. The contrast of textures (crispy puffed rice, crunchy sev, soft potato, juicy tomato) and flavours (tangy tamarind, herby chutney, sharp onion) makes it one of the most satisfying things you can eat.
Churmuri
The South Indian version of bhel puri, popular in Karnataka. Puffed rice is tossed with coconut oil, curry leaves, green chillies, grated coconut, and lime juice. Simpler than bhel puri but equally addictive, with a distinctly South Indian flavour profile.
Muri Ghonto (Bengali)
In Bengali cooking, muri (puffed rice) is used in a dry preparation where it is tossed with mustard oil, green chillies, raw onion, lime juice, and sometimes roasted peanuts or chanachur (Bengali spiced mixture). Eaten as an evening snack, particularly during the rainy season.
Poha Chivda
A dry, spiced mixture made with puffed rice or flattened rice combined with peanuts, cashews, curry leaves, mustard seeds, and turmeric. A popular Maharashtrian snack and one of the most common Indian snack preparations for long journeys or gifting.
Khoi
In Bengal and Northeast India, khoi is a specific variety of puffed rice used during the festival of Kali Puja and Lakshmi Puja as a ritual offering. It is also eaten mixed with jaggery and coconut for a simple sweet preparation.
Upma
Puffed rice upma is a quick South Indian breakfast preparation where murmura is moistened briefly with water, then cooked in a tempering of mustard seeds, curry leaves, green chilli, and vegetables. Ready in under 10 minutes and eaten widely as a light morning meal.
Puffed Rice vs Other Rice Snacks
| Product | Description | Best Use |
| Puffed Rice (Murmura) | Whole rice grain puffed by heat and pressure | Bhel puri, churmuri, upma, chivda |
| Flattened Rice (Poha) | Rice grain rolled flat, not puffed | Poha breakfast, chivda, poha upma |
| Rice Crisps | Thin fried rice wafers, seasoned | Ready-to-eat snack |
| Roasted Rice | Dry-roasted whole rice grains | Crunchy topping, some temple preparations |
Simple Bhel Puri Recipe for Irish Home Cooks
This can be made in under 10 minutes with ingredients from Asian House and a couple of things from any Irish supermarket.
- 3 cups puffed rice (from Asian House)
- Half a cup of thin sev or aloo bhujia (from Haldiram range at Asian House)
- 1 medium onion, finely chopped
- 1 medium tomato, seeds removed, finely chopped
- 1 small boiled potato, cubed
- 2 tablespoons tamarind chutney (from Asian House)
- 2 tablespoons green chutney (coriander, mint, chilli, blended)
- Half a teaspoon chaat masala
- Salt and lime juice to taste
Method: combine all the solid ingredients in a large bowl. Add the chutneys, chaat masala, salt, and a squeeze of lime. Toss everything together quickly and serve immediately. The key is speed: puffed rice softens within a few minutes of contact with wet ingredients. Make it, eat it, enjoy it.
Where to Buy Puffed Rice Snacks Ireland in Dublin
Asian House at 71 Belmayne Ave, Belmayne, Dublin 13, D13 W7PR stocks puffed rice (murmura) in the Puffed Rice section under Groceries on asianhouse.ie. We also stock all the accompaniments for bhel puri including sev, Haldiram namkeen, tamarind, and chutneys. Visit in-store or order online.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is puffed rice healthy?
Plain puffed rice is low in fat, naturally gluten-free, and relatively low in calories for the volume it provides. It is a light snack base rather than a nutritionally dense food. In combination with lentils, peanuts, and vegetables as in bhel puri, it becomes part of a reasonably balanced snack.
Is puffed rice the same as Rice Krispies?
Similar concept but not the same product. Rice Krispies are commercially produced puffed rice with added salt and sugar, designed for breakfast cereal use. Indian murmura is a plainer, lighter product with minimal processing, intended as a snack base for savoury preparations.
Where can I buy puffed rice in Dublin?
Asian House at 71 Belmayne Ave, Belmayne, Dublin 13 stocks puffed rice. Available in-store and at asianhouse.ie. Phone (01) 829 6460.
Shop Puffed Rice Snacks and More at Asian House Dublin asianhouse.ie
71 Belmayne Ave, Belmayne, Dublin 13, D13 W7PR Phone: (01) 829 6460 Mobile: (089) 9660503
Click and Collect: 149 Phibsborough Rd, D07X033 (2pm to 9pm) Delivery: 2pm to 10pm daily asianhouse.ie@gmail.com
