rediff.com
News APP

NewsApp (Free)

Read news as it happens
Download NewsApp

Available on  gplay

Rediff.com  » Getahead » 15 mouth-watering Indian snacks you must try
This article was first published 10 years ago

15 mouth-watering Indian snacks you must try

Last updated on: July 07, 2014 18:25 IST

Image: Achari Paneer
Photographs: Gregory Povey/Creative Commons Praveen Kumar

Get riding on the Indian fast food train and find out if you've tried them all yet.

If you are a foodie and love to taste different kinds of food from across the world, you are in the right country.

India is well known for its wide variety of snacks and appetisers and the best part is that you wouldn't have to travel around the world to taste the Chinese Chow-Mein or the Kebabs from Turkey.

India has been a melting pot of multiple cultures and this is global cultural diversity is best observed in her cuisine.

What are appetisers and snacks?

Appetisers and snacks, in general, are finger food or ready-to-eat food and are very similar to the French Hors d'oeuvres.

Some of these are quite popular and have become street food, while others are served at homes, restaurants or at parties.

With every state or region having its own food culture, many appetisers or snacks are also customised to adapt to the taste of that particular culture.

Read on for 15 of the most popular appetisers or snacks, otherwise also termed as 'Indian Fast food'.

Achari Paneer

Achari Paneer is not only yummy but also healthy and high in protein.

This versatile dish can be served both as an appetizer and as an accompaniment to the main course.

How it's made

Paneer cubes are marinated in a spicy achari marinade (pickle) and then cooked in a tava or tandoor.

With the same ingredients, you can also make mouth-watering Achari Paneer Pulao.

Courtesy: awesomecuisine.com

Liked this recipe? Click here for some more food features!

Reader invite: Dear Reader, do you have an interesting recipe that you'd like to share with us?

E-mail us your recipe along with a photograph, if possible, to getahead@rediff.co.in (Subject line: Recipe) and we'll publish the best ones right here!

Please click NEXT to continue reading...

Aloo Roll

Image: Aloo Roll
Photographs: JOshua Bousel/Creative Commons

A winter party calls for this spicy snack.

How it's made

These yummy hot bread potato rolls are made of spicy potatoes, which are flavoured with coriander, green chillies, chaat masala and peanuts.

Aloo rolls are a wonderful tea-time snack for the monsoon.

Ask any Indian foodie about their favourite snack during the rains and aloo rolls would get a mention.

These rolls can also be baked and not deep-fried which makes them both delicious and healthy.

Please click NEXT to continue reading...

Tags: 1

Aloo Chaat

Image: Aloo Chaat
Photographs: Souvik Das Gupta/Creative Commons

Another mouth-watering potato recipe is Aloo Chaat.

This is one of Mumbai's popular street food.

How it's made

Baby potatoes are marinated in Indian spices and sauteed in oil.

It is deep fried on a low flame to get that crisp deep golden-brown layer and is served with delicious chaat toppings, moong and sev.

Please click NEXT to continue reading...

Tags: Mumbai

Bhel Puri

Image: Bhel Puri
Photographs: Shreyans Bhansali/Creative Commons

When we talk about snacks how can be forget to mention Bhel Puri, the spicy crunchy snack.

Yet another popular street-food, this scores well with both food lovers and the health-conscious.

How it's made

Apart from the two main ingredients of puffed rice (kurmura) and fine sev, it also includes a sprinkle of fresh vegetables like cucumber, carrot, onions, tomatoes, mint or coriander chutney.

It's versatile enough for anyone to create their own versions.

Please click NEXT to continue reading...

Tags: Bhel Puri

Batata Vada

Image: Batata Vada
Photographs: Kaberi Kar Gupta/Creative Commons

This deep fried savoury appetiser is also known as 'Aloo Bonda' in the southern parts of the country.

How it's made

This fried potato dumpling is made with a spicy potato mix, gram flour and then deep fried.

A popular street food in Mumbai, Batata Vada is crispy from the outside and soft inside.

Please click NEXT to continue reading...

Bread Potato Rolls

Image: Bread Potato Rolls
Photographs: A.Currell/Creative Commons

These are perfect tea-time snack and can be served as an appetiser as well.

How it's made

Like Batata Vada, this mouthwatering bread potato rolls are crunchy on the outside and soft and spicy on the inside.

Please click NEXT to continue reading...

Egg Roll

Image: Egg Roll
Photographs: Mark H. Anbinder/Creative Commons

If you are wandering in the streets of Kolkata then you cannot miss its famous Egg Roll.

How it's made

It is basically a wrap which consists of an egg and salad and is served with various dips and sauces.

If you wish, you can team it up with some chicken soup as well.

Please click NEXT to continue reading...

Tags: Kolkata

Litti Chokha

Image: Litti Chokha
Photographs: Khalid Musanna/Creative Commons

If you happen to go to Patna you would be amazed to see how people are in love with this appetizer and snack known as the Litti Chokha, which is indeed quite healthy and nutritious.

How it's made

The main ingredients of Litti Chokha are gram flour, brinjal and boiled potato.

This can eaten either as a snack or a main course.

Please click NEXT to continue reading...

 

Mirchi Bajji (Pakode) or Chilli Fritters

Image: Mirchi Bajji
Photographs: Jeff Gunn/Creative Commons

If you really want to test your taste buds, then Mirchi Bajji from Hyderabad is a must-have.

How it's made

These are green chillies stuffed with various fillings and then covered in batter and deep fried.

This city is very famous for its mouth-watering and in-numerable varieties of biryani, all known for its authentic taste.

Please click NEXT to continue reading...

Poha Jalebi

Image: Poha Jalebi
Photographs: Rovingl and Stumptownpanda/Creative Commons

It's a staple breakfast snack in Indore.

How it's made

It is served with nylon sev and green chillies and are served in 'Donna' -- handmade bowls made out of leaves.

Please click NEXT to continue reading...

Smoked Tandoori Paneer Tikka

Image: Smoked Tandoori Paneer Tikka
Photographs: Shinya Ichinohe/Creative Commons

This classic dish from the Mughal region of the northern part of the country is called by many names including Nawabi Paneer Tikka, Malai Paneer Tikka, Tandoori Paneer Tikka and Hariyali Paneer Tikka.

How it's made

It's made from fresh paneer (cottage cheese) that is flavoured with a variety of spices.

Please click NEXT to continue reading...

Spring Rolls

Image: Spring Rolls
Photographs: Piyush Bedi/Creative Commons

The seven sisters of India (the north-eastern states) have brought to the table a very interesting snack known as the spring rolls.

It has become so popular that, it is now one of the most loved snack in the entire country.

How it's made

They have a crispy shell of flour and vegetable or shredded meat filling inside.

It is served with hot and spicy chilli sauce.

Please click NEXT to continue reading...

 

Tags: India

Stuffed Mushrooms

Image: Stuffed Mushrooms
Photographs: Stacy/Creative Commons

If you are looking for a fun appetizer to entertain your guests before the actual meal, this appetizer is the perfect choice.

How it's made

The texture of the mushroom, the softness of the cheese along with the crunch of the bread crumbs makes this one-bite-appetizer everyone's favourite.

Please click NEXT to continue reading...

Tags: 1

Vegetarian Hariyali Malai Kebab

Image: Vegetarian Hariyali Malai Kebab
Photographs: Joshin Yamada/Creative Commons

Kebabs are yet another tea time snack which is very popular in Hyderabad and Northern India as well.

How it's made

Kebabs are mostly prepared out of shredded meat, but can also be made of vegetables such as potatoes and mixed vegetables.

The ingredients of Vegetarian Hariyali Malai Kebab are paneer, potatoes and mint chutney.

They are crispy on the outside, soft from the inside and sprinkled with chaat masala and make perfect party accompaniments.

Please click NEXT to continue reading...

Vada Pav

Image: Vada Pav
Photographs: Parvinder Singh Arora/Creative Commons

Vada Pav is a popular street food in Mumbai.

People tend to wake up early in the morning and often have Vada Pav for breakfast from the roadside vendor.

How it's made

This is an Indian-style burger with Potato Bonda (mentioned earlier in this article) filled in-between a bun.

It is served with various dips and sauces.

Reader invite: Dear Reader, do you have an interesting recipe that you'd like to share with us?

E-mail us your recipe along with a photograph, if possible, to getahead@rediff.co.in (Subject line: Recipe) and we'll publish the best ones right here!