Healthy Indian Snacks You Can Make at Home
Homemade versions of favourite Indian snacks with less oil, salt and sugar: roasted chivda, baked mathri, dhokla, makhana, chana and more.
HealthyDietDaily Editorial Team · · Updated
Packaged namkeen and biscuits are convenient, but they often contain a lot of salt, oil and sugar, and it is easy to eat half a packet without noticing. Making snacks at home lets you decide how much oil, salt and sugar goes in, and many favourites are simple to prepare in batches.
Why homemade snacks are worth the effort
You control the salt. Adults should aim for less than 5 g of salt a day, and salty snacks are one of the biggest sources.
You control the fat. Saturated fat is best kept limited; deep-fried snacks made in reused oil are best kept occasional.
You choose the base. Pulses, whole grains, nuts and seeds make snacks more filling.
It costs less. Homemade chivda or roasted chana costs far less than the same weight of branded snacks.
Roasted and dry snacks
Poha chivda, roasted not fried
Dry roast thin poha in a heavy pan until crisp. In a teaspoon or two of oil, fry peanuts, curry leaves, green chilli, mustard seeds and turmeric. Mix in the poha, a few roasted chana dal and a pinch of salt and sugar. Store in an airtight jar.
Spiced makhana
Roast makhana in half a teaspoon of ghee until crunchy. Toss with black pepper, chaat masala or peri-peri style spices.
Masala chana
Toss roasted chana with lemon juice, red chilli powder and a little salt, then dry in a warm pan for a minute.
Roasted peanuts and seeds mix
Dry roast peanuts, pumpkin seeds and sunflower seeds, and season lightly. Keep portions to a small handful.
Baked and steamed snacks
Baked whole wheat mathri
Knead whole wheat flour with ajwain, salt and a tablespoon of oil, roll thin, prick with a fork and bake until golden instead of deep-frying.
Khaman dhokla
Steam a fermented besan batter, then temper with mustard seeds, green chillies and curry leaves. It is light and keeps for a day.
Idli and vegetable bites
Steam mini idlis with grated carrot and peas mixed into the batter. Children like them in lunch boxes.
Baked samosa-style pockets
Fill whole wheat dough with spiced peas and potato and bake. They will not taste exactly like fried samosas, but they satisfy the craving with far less oil.
Sweet snacks with less sugar
Dates and nut laddoos
Blend soaked dates with roasted nuts and seeds and roll into small balls. They are still energy-dense, so one or two is a portion.
Til and peanut chikki, small pieces
Make chikki with jaggery and keep pieces small; treat it as a sweet, not an everyday snack.
Fruit and curd
A bowl of curd with chopped fruit and a sprinkle of nuts is the simplest sweet snack of all.
Storing homemade snacks
Cool roasted snacks completely before storing so they stay crisp.
Use clean, dry, airtight jars and a dry spoon.
Roasted snacks keep for one to two weeks; dhokla and idli need the fridge and should be eaten within a day.
Label jars with the date you made them.
Portions still matter
Even healthy snacks add up. Serve a small bowl rather than eating from the jar, and pair dry snacks with fruit or a glass of chaas. Our evening snacks for families has ideas for children.
A note on safety
Nuts, peanuts and seeds are common allergens and can be choking hazards for young children. People with diabetes should be careful with dates, jaggery and dried fruit, and people with high blood pressure should keep salt low. Ask a doctor or registered dietitian if unsure. See our medical disclaimer.
Frequently asked questions
Is jaggery healthier than sugar in snacks?
Jaggery is still mostly sugar. It is fine in small amounts, but it should be limited in the same way as sugar.
Are air-fried snacks healthy?
Air-frying uses much less oil than deep-frying, which helps. The ingredients, salt and portion still decide how healthy the snack is.
How long does homemade chivda last?
In a clean airtight jar, roasted chivda usually stays crisp for one to two weeks.
Key takeaways
Make roasted, baked or steamed snacks in batches, control salt, oil and sugar, store them well and keep portions small. For more recipe ideas visit our recipes page, and see how snacks fit into a full day with the free assessment.