Even though snacks are not a main meal, they are something we all need to get through the day. The spicy, crunchy, or tangy snacks are what we all crave for a mid-morning or evening tea-time snack. In India, you will find a wide variety of snacks, from dry evening snacks such as chivda, shakarpara, and chakli to Indian starters such as samosa, dhokla, and chaat. Indian snacks are typically bold in flavor with the addition of spices and herbs. Some people like warm, healthy snacks with their chai, while others enjoy a street-style tangy chaat with a glass of lassi or shikanji. Many of these Indian snacks are enjoyed with chutneys, such as the popular green mint cilantro chutney and tamarind chutney. Some prefer Indian dry snacks that can be made ahead of time so you can spend more time with your family or guests and less time in the kitchen. So, instead of buying store-bought snacks, try cooking them at home this time.
Indian Dry Snacks
You will love these dry light snack recipes that are easy to make with a few ingredients and your evening cup of chai or filter coffee.
Shakarpara
Shakarpara, also known as Shankarpali, is a crispy, mildly sweetened snack made with 4 simple ingredients you will have at home. These bite-sized fried Indian cookies come together quickly and are popularly made during festivals such as Diwali and Holi.
Namak Para
Namak para is a deep-fried Indian delicacy that is delicious and crispy. It is made with all-purpose flour (maida), semolina, and a few spices such as ajwain, salt, and pepper for a light flavor. It is one of the most popular snacks among kids.
Poha Chivda
Roasted Poha Chivda is a delicious savory snack that is sweet, tangy, and crunchy with a bit of a spicy kick. It is made of crispy and crunchy roasted poha (flattened rice), peanuts, cashews, almonds, and other seasonings.
Chakli
Chakli, also called Chakri or Murukku, is a spiral-shaped savory snack made from rice flour, besan (gram flour), and spices. These fried and crunchy snacks pair perfectly with a hot cup of tea.
Banana Chips
These banana chips fried in coconut oil are the most popular South Indian snack. They are also called plantain chips, a perfect snack that both kids and adults love.
Indian Street Food Snacks
You will love this variety of street food-style snacks from all over India. These are crave-worthy and so satisfying with your evening tea or as starters for a party.
Khaman
Soft and fluffy Khaman Dhokla is a delicious steamed savory chickpea flour cake that is a popular Gujarati delicacy. They are perfect to enjoy for an evening snack!
Vada Pav
Vada Pav is Mumbai’s most popular street food. Roadside vendors sell it at every popular spot in the city. A fried potato fritter, or vada, is stuffed in between mini-burger buns or dinner rolls called pav, along with sweet and spicy sauces or chutney.
Dahi Papdi Chaat
A famous Delhi street food, Dahi Papdi Chat, is a crispy, sweet, spicy, and tangy chaat that packs a whole lot of flavor. Also known as Dilli chaat, this popular street food is made with crispy papdi (whole wheat crackers), sev (thin gram flour noodles), yogurt, and a variety of chutneys.
Frankie
This Paneer Frankie Roll, also known as Paneer Kathi Rolls, is a popular Indian street food made with flaky flatbread, covered with egg, wrapped with spicy paneer and tangy toppings. This popular street food can be made with a variety of fillings and is a perfect grab-and-go snack.
Paneer Puff
Paneer Puff Pastry Turnovers with a flaky golden crust with spicy, flavorful paneer filling. It’s a perfect snack with a hot cup of chai, and it can be prepared ahead of time. It’s so easy and delicious!
Samosa
Samosa is a triangular-shaped flaky pastry filled with spicy potato, chicken, or lamb filling. It is a popular snack not only in India but all over the world. The most popular version is the potato samosa.
Sev Puri
A popular Mumbai street food, Sev Puri is a sweet, spicy, and tangy chaat. This no-cook chaat recipe is a favorite snack to enjoy with your evening tea! Sev Puri is made with crispy puri (whole wheat crackers) topped with potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and a variety of chutneys and finished with sev (thin gram flour noodles).
Homemade Indian Snacks
Here are some more snacks that you will you will love to enjoy in the mid-afternoon. They are also great to serve at birthday parties, or any festive occasions. This includes a variety of snacks from all over India, including the western state of Gujarat, North India, and South India.
Rava Dhokla
These delicious savory semolina cakes are a popular Gujarati delicacy, perfect to enjoy for breakfast or a snack! semolina or Suji Dhokla. I love this instant quick version, which hardly needs any preparation and can be made in a jiffy.
Sabudana Vada
Sabudana Vada is a traditional Maharashtrian snack made from tapioca pearls (sago), potatoes, peanuts, herbs, and spices. This is a vegan, gluten-free, simple fasting recipe.
Tandoori Gobi
Tandoori Gobi is basically Cauliflower Tikka Bites, which are perfect to enjoy as a healthy low low-calorie snack. When the meat eaters enjoy Tandoori Chicken, the vegetarians can enjoy this crispy Tandoori Gobi. It is typically enjoyed with green chutney.
Idli
This savory rice cake, made by steaming a batter consisting of lentils and rice, is the most comforting, healthy South Indian snack.
Kala Chana Chaat
Kala Chana Chaat is a nutrition-packed Black Chickpea Salad made with black chickpeas, crunchy onions, tomatoes, avocado, and spices. This refreshing salad has fresh and tangy flavors and is a great vegan and gluten-free protein-rich snack.
Tandoori Paneer Naan pizza
Tandoori Paneer Naan Pizza is an easy snack that kids will love. It is vegetarian, easy, and convenient. Made with marinated paneer, red peppers, onions, and grape tomatoes, this is a delicious and quick fusion pizza for the times when you are craving pizza!
Pakora
Paneer Pakora is a popular crispy fried snack from North India, served with green chutney. This recipe has a green and mint chutney sandwiched between the paneer, which adds more flavor to the pakoras.
Handvo
Handvo is a classic Gujarati one-pot dish made from rice and lentils. It is loaded with mixed vegetables and aromatic Indian spices. It is so delicious and healthy. Serve it with green chutney or pickle, along with a cup of tea.
Spicy corn on the cob
This grilled Air Fryer Corn on the Cob is so easy to make and so good! Spice it up the way you like, and enjoy a healthy snack.
Khandvi
Khandvi is a popular healthy snack from the western state of Gujarat. These soft, flavorful rolls melt in the mouth. They are made with gram flour, tempered with mustard seeds and sesame seeds, and garnished with cilantro and coconut.
Tandoori Aloo Tikka
Tandoori Aloo Tikka is a delicious appetizer perfect to serve on special occasions or have as a starter with dinner. Baby potatoes marinated in a delightful combination of yogurt and spices are threaded onto skewers and cooked to create this delicious snack.
Fruit Chaat
This Indian-style fruit salad, made with fresh fruits and tossed in a tangy, spicy chaat masala dressing, is a perfect healthy evening snack.
Non-Vegetarian Evening Snacks
Chili Chicken
Crispy and flavorful is how I would describe this Chilli Chicken. One of the most popular Indochinese snacks. Boneless chicken is marinated in Chinese sauces and fried until crispy. It is stir-fried with lots of ginger, garlic, onions, bell peppers, and sauces.
Tandoori Chicken
Tandoori Chicken is a flavor-packed spicy dish from the Indian subcontinent that is popular all over the world. Chicken is marinated in yogurt, ginger, garlic, spices, and lemon juice, then grilled in the air fryer or oven.
Chicken Tikka Kebab
Chicken Tikka Kebab is a delicious snack that is packed with flavor. It starts with chicken pieces marinated in yogurt along with lime juice and aromatic spices, then threaded onto skewers and cooked to create a delicious appetizer.
I hope you enjoy this extensive list of Indian snack recipes. Let us know which one you’re most excited to make, share this roundup with your friends, and when you make it, don’t forget to tag #pipingpotcurry. You might also like –
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