Top 10 Indian Snacks

The moment we start boiling water to make our evening Tea, our taste buds send signals to the brain, asking for crunchy snacks to go with it! Indeed, if we think about it, many of us probably spend more time preparing and purchasing snacks than in cooking the main meals. Life would be very boring without snacks. 

From evening tea time to rainy afternoons, from after-school treats to party snacks, there are snacks for every occasion – and for no occasion too! Some snacks are best made at home, fresh and hot, while some are ideally enjoyed on the streets in the company of friends. Enjoy our top Indian vegetarian snacks.

elaichi tea recipe | Indian cardamom tea | elaichi chaa | elaichi wali chai | 

Elaichi Tea, Indian Cardamom Tea, Elaichi Chaa

 

Evening snacks: 

When it comes to evening snacks, you are your own boss. Anything goes! If you feel like having something crunchy and spicy, go for pakodas and bhajiyas. If you want something more filling, go for a sumptuous sandwich.

A Veg Frankie or Misal Pav will also do very well. A Kolhapuri delicacy, Misal with its spicy, hot gravy can even be had for breakfast. Frankie on the other hand is a favourite from Mumbai’s streets, and is loved by kids too.

misal pav | maharashtrian misal pav | homemade misal pav | 

Misal Pav

Succulent and spicy paneer tikka  will make a wonderful after-school surprise, while a snack like the Gujarati Khatta Dhokla with Green chutney will be a more traditional choice. When you are in a rush, settle for a jar snack. You can also let your imagination run wild and experiment, because evening snacks are generally just enjoyed by you and your family, so you can afford to take some risks!

instant khatta dhokla recipe | khatta dhokla using idli batter | white dhokla using idli batter |

Khatta Dhokla

paneer tikka recipe | restaurant style paneer tikka | paneer tikka on grill pan | tandoori paneer tikka |

Rainy day Snacks: 

Some monsoon snacks are so delicious they make you wonder whether God made the rainy season for us to enjoy these chatpata delights! Samosa is one of the most famous monsoon treats. With its satiating veggie filling and chatpata flavour, the Samosa is both homely and exciting. It is one snack we never get bored of. Mouth-watering treats like Chatpate Aloo or Batata Vada served with Fried Green Chillies and Green chutney are equally interesting monsoon treats, ideally accompanied by a cup of steaming hot Cardamom Tea.

Punjabi samosa | authentic Punjabi samosa | Punjabi veg samosa | aloo samosa |

Punjabi Samosa

 Regional Snack treats: 

Snacks are a showcase into the cultures of various regions, and it is quite exciting to sit in your own balcony and enjoy a delicious snack from the other end of the country.

vada pav recipe | Mumbai street food vada pav | vada pav with spicy chutney | how to make wada pav |

Vada Pav, Mumbai Roadside Recipe

The moment you think of Vada pav, you think of Mumbai, while the very aroma of Dabeli reminds of Gujarat. Masala Vada and Filter Coffee from Tamil Nadu, Raw Banana Fritters and Black Tea from Kerala, Paneer Pakoda and Lassi from Punjab, Dabeli and Nimbu Pani from Gujarat, or Vada pav and Masala Chai from Mumbai… decide where you want to travel this afternoon!

Paneer Pakoda, Punjabi Paneer Pakora Recipe

Roadside Snacks: Some snacks are best had from roadside vendors. While taste accounts for half the joy, the experience of watching them prepare the dish is the other half of the equation! The flair with which a chaat vendor throws in the ingredients and mixes them in a big container with the cling-clang sound of the ladle is real fun to watch and listen too.

It really kindles your appetite. But well, sometimes it is fun to make the same stuff at home too! Surprise your kids with their favourite Veg Frankie, or treat yourself to a plate of Dabeli or Vada pav. You will find that it is quite interesting to make these evergreen dishes at home too.

veg Frankie recipe | Mumbai street food veg Frankie |

Veg Frankie, Mumbai Roadside Recipe

Healthy Snacks: When somebody is diagnosed with a heart problem, cholesterol, diabetes or some other health issue, they immediately get depressed thinking they cannot enjoy their favourite snacks. That is nothing but a misconception! If you have a health issue, you just need to give some thought to what you eat and how you prepare your food. You certainly do not have to give up on your favourite snacks.

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Just take some care to throw in a couple of healthy ingredients, remove some fatty and unhealthy stuff from the recipe, and adopt healthy cooking methods like steaming and baking. That’s all! You can put the fun back into your life, with yummy snacks like the Cabbage, Carrot and Paneer Grilled Sandwich or  Masaledar Mixed Sprouts Sandwich, which tastes awesome and is quite filling too.

vegetable paneer grilled sandwich recipe | cabbage carrot and paneer grilled sandwich | paneer vegetable cheese grilled sandwich |

Here is our pick of top ten snacks for the season! Go for your favourite. Just make sure that the day’s snack matches your mood! Also ensure that you make some Masala Chai, Coffee or Nimbu Pani before you start munching, as snacks are best enjoyed with a beverage.

 South Indian Filter Coffee, Filter Coffee Recipe