This is the terrifying moment a crazed monkey attacked a housewife as she prepared food in her own kitchen.

The elderly woman was serving the meal when the macaque assaulted her in Delhi, India, on August 3.

CCTV footage shows the primate grabbing the dress of the pensioner, prompting her to run away in fear to another room.

Moments later, the animal rummaged through the countertop to find a snack.

It then walked out after grabbing the flatbread from the plate.

The resident told local media that she did not suffer any injuries from the encounter. However, she was 'shaken and afraid' by the audacity of the critter.

Monkey attacks in India have surged in recent years, particularly in areas where human populations and monkey populations are nearby.

The incidents often involve aggressive behaviour from monkeys, usually in response to human encroachment on their habitat or in search of food.