Indian Jar Snacks for Diwali

Diwali is that time of the year when the whole country is dazzling with lamps, new clothes and festive events! Unlike many festivals of regional importance, this is one occasion when the whole country unites in celebration. Of course, India is an example of unity in diversity, so in this case too, there are innumerable ways in which the festival is celebrated. Some worship Goddess Lakshmi while others focus on Krishna. Some light lamps while others burst crackers. However, everybody loves to have good food during Diwali. A common jar snack of Diwali is Rice Flour Chakli.

Rice Flour Chakli ( Gluten Free Recipe)

More than the menu on Diwali day, there is more focus on sweets and snacks prepared that week like Amrit Peda, Poha Chivda, Rice Flour Chakli, because friends and relatives love to exchange these along with small gifts as a token of their love. So, this is a brilliant occasion to show off your cooking skills too!

Amrit Peda

5 Tips to Make Indian Diwali Jar Snacks

1. When deciding what snacks and sweets to prepare, take into consideration the time you have and your level of experience.
2. Also note down how many varieties and how much of sweets and savouries you would like to share with your friends and family, and what you would like to serve at home.
3. Balance your choice in terms of taste and appearance. For example, if you have chosen one jar snack as sev, then you could make a chakli or bhakarwadi next. It won’t look nice if you pack your box with 2-3 types of sev.
4. Since you cannot prepare everything on the same day, plan such that you prepare those with a longer shelf life earlier and those than need to be consumed fresh just before Diwali.
5. Depending on the sweets and snacks that you plan to exchange with others, plan the packaging also. If you need to order decorative boxes or bags, do so in advance.

Once you plan things well, you will find that the task of preparing the snacks is much more enjoyable and leisurely. Moreover, most of our recipes are made using readily available ingredients and quick methods, so you will find them convenient. These recipes and others on our website will surely make your Diwali special...

Chivda for Diwali

A crunchy snack which is a must during Diwali. The most authentic one is the Poha Chivda. It is made from an assortment of ingredients like rice flakes, peanuts, roasted chana dal, cashewnuts and a few Indian spices like turmeric powder and chilli powder along with sugar and salt. This takes only 15 minutes to make and does not require much planning as well. You make it in advance and store it.

Poha Chivda

While Poha Chivda is the most common recipe, some prefer Corn Flakes Chivda over it. This too has peanuts, roasted chana dal, chilli powder, sugar and salt but with fried corn flakes. This is a great recipe as a variation, if you are bored of the regular chivda. This is a good option for kid’s tiffin box also.

Corn Flakes Chivda

Chakli for Diwali

Next on our menu for Diwali is always chakli. While it isn’t that difficult to make, but it requires more time and a bit of expertise to make it. You also need to have a ‘chakli press’ to make it. Chaklis are made with different types flours like wheat flour, rice flour, bajra flour etc.

The South Indian prefer rice flour and they name it Murukku. Indeed, this crunchy delicacy made with rice and urad dal flours is an exciting treat that will be loved by all, especially thanks to the peppy aroma and flavour imparted by sesame and asafoetida.

Baked Palak Jowar Murukku

If you travel to the west of India, chaklis made with wheat flour are more common. Wheat Flour Chakli are definitely worth trying. Whole Wheat Flour Chakli has a very different flavour and mouth-feel, equally tasty but slightly softer than the normal rice flour chakli.

Whole Wheat Flour Chakli Recipe, Jar Snack

These days’ people look for variations. Even one ingredient is enough sometimes to lend that variety. One such ingredient is spinach. Yes, Palak Chaklis are common these days. It will also be a good change from the usual savouries made during festivals. We have made the Palak Chakli using a dough of rice flour and besan perked up with a flavourful and colourful spinach puree.

Palak Chakli, Spinach Murukku Recipe

Sev and Gathiya for Diwali

Think jar snack and sev is one of the first options that comes to mind. Popular all over India, with mild variations, sev is a crispy, thread-shaped snack made of besan dough. It has a melt-in-the-mouth texture and enjoyable flavour. While you can make plain sev, but that is usually apt for chaats.

For Diwali you can try out other varieties like Masala Sev and Black Pepper Lemon Sev. This too requires a ‘chakli press’, but the mould used is of the sev. This comes in different sizes. You can choose the mould depending on how thin or thick you want the sev to be.

Masala Sev

Again South Indians have their own version of sev, which is Omapodi. This is made in most households during Diwali. This is a combination of rice flour and besan, while most of the other common spices remain the same.

Omapodi Recipe, South Indian Plain Sev Diwali Snack

For all the cooking enthusiast we also have the recipe of Aloo Bhujia - Potato Sev. This is available in the market. Watch the video of Aloo Bhujia and learn how to make it at home.

Aloo Bhujia, Potato Sev, Jar Snack

Teekha Gathiya is more famous in west of India. This is quite thicker than the sev, though the spices are somewhat common. But it has besan as its pre-dominant ingredient.

Teekha Gathiya

Bhakarwadi for Diwali

Bhakarwadi of Pune, Maharashtra is the most famous. Now this Diwali jar snack will test your culinary skills. It is totally based on your cooking skills how well you can roll and make them. Want to try it this Diwali? Check the recipe of Mini Bhakarwadi. The masalas have been perfectly combined to give a perfect balance of spiciness, sweetness and tanginess.

Mini Bhakarwadi

As a variation, you can lure your guests at home with Quick Bhakarwadi Chaat – use bhakarwadi made with all the efforts and love along with onions, tomatoes, spic powders, sev and lemon juice. They are sure to enjoy it!

Quick Bhakarwadi Chaat

And if you have guests have some health issues and don’t opt for fried snacks, then try this Baked Bhakrwadi.

Baked Bhakarwadi, Healthy Jar Snack

Shakarpara for Diwali

Shakarpara also commonly known as shankarpali, kalakala and tukdi in different parts of India is a popular dry jar snacks made during festive occasions like Diwali and Janmashtami.

The sweet Shakarpara is made with wheat flour or maida as a base. It is kneaded into a dough with sweetened with milk-sugar mixture. They are rolled and cut into diamond shaped pieces and deep-fried in ghee till golden brown in colour.

Shakarpara

There is also a savoury or Namkeen Shakarpara made in many households during Diwali. In Indian people enjoy savoury as much as they enjoy sweets for festivals. With maida as a base, it is pepped up with spice powders and sesame seeds. Some also prefer a handful of chopped methi leaves to it. Moreover, these are fried in oil instead of ghee.

Namkeen Shakarpara

For diabetics and heart patients, we have Flaxseed Shakarpara – a fiber rich non-fried delicacy to be enjoyed during Diwali.

Flax Seed Shakarpara, Diabetic Friendly

Crisp Puris / Mathri for Diwali

Who doesn’t enjoy a crunchy puri? While puris are made as an everyday snack, they are famous during Diwali as well. This can also be in sweet and savoury form – Masala Mathri and Sweet Mathri. What makes Mathri so different from puri, is the sides that are pinched to give a pretty shape.  

Masala Mathri, How To Make Mathri

Other Jar Snacks for Diwali

Phoolwadi, is another snack famous from the state of Gujarat. Crushed coriander seeds, saunf and til with a host of spices and combined to make a dough. It is shaped into a cylindrical roll and deep fried to perfection.

Phoolwadi Recipe

Seedai, a South Indian delicacy, is also a deep-fried jar snack. It is commonly made during Diwali and Janmashtami. The right mix of urad flour and rice flour gives the Seedai an exciting crunch, while ingredients like black sesame and coconut add to the taste.

Seedai, Baked South Indian Jar Snack

So go ahead and list all the jar snacks you want to try this Diwali, make them in advance and store them. Then just relax and spend some time celebrating Diwali, the festival of and lights, in the company of your loved ones!!