Panisse Recipe: Crispy French Chickpea Street Snack with Harissa 2026

Panisse is a beloved street food from the south of France: golden chickpea fries that are creamy and tender inside, crisp and crackly outside, and made for dipping into a punchy garlic sauce. They come together from just chickpea flour, water, and salt, which makes them one of the most satisfying snacks you can whip up at home.

The batter is cooked on the stove until thick, spread into a mold, and chilled for a few hours, or overnight if you have the time. Once firm, it is sliced into batons and fried until deeply golden. The reward is a batch of crisp, custardy fries that disappear almost as fast as you can make them.

Because panisse is so mild, the sauce matters just as much as the fries. A quick garlic mayonnaise with fresh chives and parsley is all you need, though aioli works beautifully too. Serve them hot, sprinkle with coarse salt, and watch them vanish.

Ingredients for Panisse

This makes about 24 chickpea batons, enough for 4 to 6 people as an appetizer or snack.

• 250 g chickpea flour
• 900 ml water
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 tablespoon extra virgin olive oil
• Olive oil for frying
• Coarse salt
• 3 tablespoons mayonnaise (or vegan mayonnaise for a vegan version)
• 1 garlic clove
• 1 teaspoon chopped chives
• 1 teaspoon chopped parsley

How to Make Panisse Step by Step

1. Mix the Chickpea Batter

Place 250 g of chickpea flour in a wide saucepan and pour 900 ml of water into a jug. Add about one third of the water while whisking to prevent lumps from forming. Then pour in the rest of the water, 1 teaspoon of salt, and 1 tablespoon of extra virgin olive oil, and whisk again until fully integrated.

2. Cook Until Thick

Cook the chickpea mixture over medium-low heat for 10 minutes, stirring constantly. It is ready when the dough pulls away from the sides of the saucepan and holds together as a thick mass.

3. Spread and Chill

Pour the mixture into a mold lined with parchment paper. A 25 x 20 cm rectangular mold works well, but you can also spread it across several molds or trays, keeping the thickness at about two fingers high. Let it cool for 2 hours, or cover and refrigerate overnight.

4. Make the Garlic Sauce

While the dough cools, mix 3 tablespoons of mayonnaise with 1 pressed garlic clove, 1 teaspoon of chopped chives, and 1 teaspoon of chopped parsley in a bowl. Taste, season with salt as needed, and keep the sauce chilled until serving.

5. Cut into Batons

Once the dough is cold and firm, cut it into batons about 10 cm long. Pat them dry thoroughly with kitchen paper to remove any condensation, which helps prevent splattering when they hit the hot oil.

6. Fry the Panisse

Heat plenty of oil in a wide skillet and fry the panisse in batches for about 5 minutes, turning them so they brown evenly on all sides. As they finish, drain them on kitchen paper for a moment to remove excess oil.

7. Serve Hot with Garlic Mayo

Serve the panisse immediately, sprinkled with coarse salt and accompanied by the reserved garlic mayonnaise. They are at their best while still hot and crisp.

Tips for the Best Panisse

Chill the Dough Thoroughly

The dough needs to set completely before slicing, so give it at least 2 hours in the fridge, or leave it overnight if you can. A well-chilled block cuts cleanly into neat batons and holds its shape in the hot oil.

Dry the Batons Before Frying

Pat each baton dry with kitchen paper to remove condensation from chilling. This small step keeps the oil from spitting and helps the outside crisp up quickly instead of steaming.

Pick a Bold Dipping Sauce

Panisse is quite mild on its own, so pair it with something full of flavor, like this garlic mayonnaise, aioli, or another punchy sauce. The contrast is what makes the snack so irresistible.

30 Best Recipes I Love Making at Home

If you’re like me, you probably enjoy keeping a mix of easy comfort food, classic international dishes, and crowd-pleasing desserts on hand.

Whenever I want something rich and indulgent, I usually go for this La Viña Molten Cheesecake recipe, this elegant Original French Crème Brûlée recipe, or a decadent Chocolate Mousse Cake recipe. And when I’m craving something fruity and comforting, I always come back to this classic French Tarte Tatin recipe.

For easy breakfasts and lighter meals, I often make these fluffy Oatmeal and Banana Pancakes recipe, a satisfying Stuffed Sweet Potato recipe, or these fresh Eggs Stuffed with Avocado and Salmon recipe. When I need a gluten-free pantry staple, I also like preparing this simple Gluten-Free Rice Flour recipe.

When I’m in the mood for tapas and Mediterranean flavors, I usually rotate between this bold Basque Tuna with Tomato recipe, crispy Patatas Bravas Air Fryer recipe, creamy Tirokafteri Greek Dip Sauce recipe, and refreshing Burrata Salad with Tomato and Pesto recipe. I also love serving this crisp Italian Vitello Tonnato recipe when I want something a little more special.

For hearty lunches and cozy dinners, I always recommend this comforting Meatballs in Spanish Sauce recipe, traditional Meatballs in Almond Sauce recipe, rich Italian Bolognese Sauce recipe, and creamy Chicken Croquettes in Thermomix recipe. If I want something more filling, I’ll often make this baked Greek Pastitsio Pie recipe, rustic Potatoes and Squid Stew recipe, or the ultra-comforting French Boeuf Bourguignon recipe.

Whenever I’m craving street food or party-style dishes, I usually make this juicy Homemade Chicken Doner Kebab recipe, crispy Salchipapas recipe, flavorful Mexican Pork Carnitas recipe, or these crunchy Korean Hobak Jeon recipe. I also like serving these easy Air Fryer Zucchini Rings recipe as a simple appetizer or snack.

And if I’m putting together drinks and a full menu for guests, I’ll often pair dinner with this refreshing Original Cuban Mojito recipe, this bold Long Island Iced Tea recipe, or a pitcher of this fruity Bleeding Spanish Sangria recipe. To round everything out, I love adding this tangy French Remoulade Sauce recipe on the side or finishing the table with this striking Mediterranean Black Rice with Squid recipe.

More Delicious Cooking Recipes for Family

Over the years of testing and refining recipes in my own kitchen, I’ve learned that the best dishes combine simplicity, reliable techniques, and bold flavor.

The recipes in this collection are the ones I personally return to again and again—whether I’m cooking a quick meal for myself or preparing something special for friends and family.

For dessert, the rich and silky Orange Chocolate Mousse Recipe is one I often make when I want something elegant but easy. Another sweet favorite is the caramelized Trdelnik Slavic Pastry Recipe, inspired by the famous Central European chimney cake. If you enjoy baking, learning how to make syrup for better texture in desserts is useful, and my Inverted Sugar Recipe explains exactly how I prepare it in my own kitchen.

When I want something fresh and simple, I usually turn to the classic Italian Caprese Salad Recipe or a perfectly cooked Simple Poached Egg Recipe. For heartier comfort meals, I often recommend the satisfying Meatball Sandwich Recipe, the creamy Russian Stroganoff Beef Recipe, and the quick weeknight favorite One Pot Pasta Recipe.

I also love sharing traditional dishes from around the world, including the authentic Sorropotún de Bonito Fish Stew Recipe, crispy Chilean Pumpkin Sopaipillas Recipe, and the classic Spanish Cochifrito Segovian Fried Pig Recipe.

Air fryer recipes are another category I cook regularly because they save time while still producing great texture. My go-to options include Air Fryer Pork Ribs Recipe, Air Fryer Chicken Thighs Recipe, Air Fryer Sweet Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Baked Potatoes Recipe, Air Fryer Peppers Recipe, Air Fryer Mixed Sandwich Recipe, Air Fryer Toasted Bread Recipe, and Air Fryer Hard-Boiled Eggs Recipe.

For anyone avoiding wheat, my comforting Gluten-Free Lasagna Recipe proves that classic baked pasta dishes can still be rich, cheesy, and incredibly satisfying without gluten.

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