Famous Indian snacks are famous worldwide. They are not only delicious but also healthy. Different regions of India offer different varieties of Indian snacks, which are equally tasty and tasty.
Here is the list of the top 18 most popular Indian snacks that you must try once in your lifetime.
1. Samosa
Samosa has its origin from the Northern part of India i.e Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, and Delhi. This mouthwatering snack is nowhere near the North Indian kitchen because it has traveled across many countries due to its fame and popularity throughout the world. Samosa cooking involves deep-frying triangular-shaped sheets made out of flour dough stuffed with boiled, spiced potatoes blended with peas, onions, coriander leaves, etc. These steaming hot Samosas are then dipped into tangy tamarind chutney or spicy red chutney. The sweet version of the snack involves deep-frying the triangular sheets with a filling made out of sugar, cardamom powder, saffron, etc..
Also read: Top 10 Reasons Why Living in India is Blissful.
2. Jalebi
It is a deep-fried crispy snack that is of pretzel shape having orange-yellow color because it is soaked in sugar syrup. During the Mughal Era, this Indian delicacy was introduced by Persian invaders who were fond of cooking desserts with milk products like khoya and paneer. It is prepared from all-purpose flour, baking soda, curd, food color, etc. After being soaked in syrup these golden brown sweets are sprinkled with finely chopped nuts like pista, almond, cashew nuts, etc. It is prepared by deep-frying the batter in circular shapes.
3. Aloo Tikki
This North Indian delicacy has its origin in the streets of Delhi and Uttar Pradesh. Mashed potatoes are mixed with spices like coriander leaves, red chili powder, green chilies, garam masala, and salt after which they are stuffed in round-shaped maida dough patties which are then fried until crisp golden brown. Served with tangy tamarind chutney or spicy red chutney. It can also be served with thick curd.
4. Pav Bhaji
It is popular all over India because it is made by cooking vegetables in tomato base gravy blend with spices and served with bread ( pav ). This mouthwatering dish was introduced by the immigrants in Mumbai in the late 19th century. Different varieties of Pav Bhaji are made in different parts of India. The addition of veggies like carrots, peas, cauliflower, capsicum, onions, etc makes it a wholesome meal. In some cases, butter is also added to make rich tasty Pav bhaji.
5. Dosa
Dosa originates from South Indian cuisine because it is widely eaten there. Dosa is prepared from rice batter which turns into a thin crispy pancake when cooked on a flat pan or griddle. It can be stuffed with stuffing like potato masala, onions, cheese, etc. Mostly it is served with coconut chutney, sambar (tamarind-based gravy), and sometimes with ghee.
6. Pani Puri
It is a very popular Indian street food made by stuffing hollow crispy fried flour balls or puris with spicy water which is like flavored water. It involves putting boiled potatoes, boiled chickpeas, spices like cumin powder, chili powder, garam masala, coriander leaves, etc blended with sweet-sour tamarind chutney or tangy green chutney in the puri before adding water to it. The mouthwatering combination of this healthy snack then gets ready to be relished.
7. Chaat Papdi
These mouth-watering Indian snacks are prepared from all-purpose flour, semolina, oil, yogurt, salt, and water by frying the dough in round shapes. It is then mixed with boiled potatoes, chickpeas, tomatoes, onions, coriander leaves, etc which are sauteed in spicy tangy tamarind chutney.
8. Cereal Barfi
It is a popular Indian sweet prepared from different types of cereals like ragi (finger millet), cornflour or rice flour, or wheat combined with ghee, sugar, and dry fruits. Sweet juicy barfis are made out of these cereals after adding powdered sugar which gives it a very delicious taste that you would love to relish again and again.
9. Malpua
Malpuas are most commonly served as breakfast but can also be served as a delicious sweet dish after a meal. It is prepared from all-purpose flour, yeast, milk, baking soda, and sugar by deep frying the batter in round-shaped discs. It is topped with powdered sugar and sometimes even stuffed with rabdi (sweetened thickened milk).
10. Kachori
This spicy snack is made from flour, yogurt, chili powder which becomes soft once cooked followed by mixing it with boiled potatoes, onion, etc along with spices like cumin powder, garam masala, and salt. This dough is then fried until crisp golden brown. Crunchy kachori tastes best when eaten hot.
11. Gajak
Gajaks are made from gram flour (besan), butter, and sugar which are then spread in a square shape and cut into diamond-like shapes. It is served as a healthy sweet dish after dinner or can also be given to kids for snacks because it also contains dry fruits, jaggery, and ghee.
12. Bhel Puri
Bhel puri is a very popular evening snack in India that can be prepared in a matter of minutes. It is also nutritious and easy to carry for potlucks, picnics, or parties. The ingredients required are bhel puri masala, puffed rice (murmura), sev (fried gram flour noodles), potatoes, onions, peanuts or cashews, lemon juice, and chopped coriander leaves.
13. Kachori with Chhole
Kachoris are pastry stuffed with spicy pulses that make for a filling evening snack that can be served with green chutney or tamarind chutney. For the stuffing, you require to boil chickpeas (white garbanzo beans) in water until they turn soft enough to grind into paste form along with boiled potato cubes.
14. Chana Bhatura
Chana bhature is another very popular evening snack in India that can be served with green chutney or tamarind chutney. It can also be served with Punjabi chole or aloo rasedar gravy alongwith sliced onions and green chilies both of which are fried before serving. Chole ready advance can be set aside for this evening snack if you prefer it that way. For chana bhatura the ingredients required are chickpeas (white garbanzo beans), maida flour, baking soda, and salt to taste.
15. Vegetable Momos
Vegetable momos are very popular in India which can be served with a spicy dipping sauce composed of soy sauce mixed with chili paste, chopped green onions, vinegar, and grated fresh ginger root. You can also serve momos with hot garlic or chili sauce for an extra kick. The ingredients required are cabbage, carrots, green bell peppers, water chestnuts, shiitake mushrooms, sorghum flour, all-purpose flour, enriched white flour, eggs alongwith salt to taste, and a little vegetable oil.
16. Vegetable Samosa
Vegetable samosa is a very popular evening snack in India that is prepared by stuffing puris with potatoes and peas which are then deep fry to golden brown perfection. For the preparation of vegetable samosas, you require boiled potatoes, peas, all-purpose flour, maida flour, coriander leaves, green chilies, garlic cloves, baking powder, salt to taste, and vegetable oil.
17. Vegetable Cheese Sandwich
A vegetable cheese sandwich is a very popular evening snack in India that is prepared by putting cheese slices between slices of bread and then toasting them until the cheese melts. For a vegetable cheese sandwich, you require bread slices, cheddar or Swiss cheese, butter or mayonnaise, salt to taste, black pepper, red capsicum (red bell peppers) alongwith green chilies.
18. Corn Chaat
Corn chaat is an evening snack in India that can be served with green chutney or tamarind chutney alongwith sweetened yogurt. The ingredients required are boiled corn kernels, red pepper (cubed), cucumbers (diced), tomatoes (diced), onions (diced), cilantro leaves, lemon juice, salt to taste, and chaat masala powder.
All of these are delicious Indian snacks items and are enjoyed a lot.
Have you tried any of these Indian snacks? Let us know.