Diwali, the festival of lights, is synonymous with joy, togetherness, and of course, delicious food. Preparing special snacks and sweets is a significant part of the Diwali celebration in Indian households. From savory treats to mouth-watering sweets, the culinary aspect of Diwali is as exciting as the festival itself.
Diwali Snacks Recipes: Delicious Delights for the Festival of Lights
This guide explores popular Diwali snacks recipes, focusing on both savory and sweet options. Whether you’re looking for traditional delicacies or modern variations, here are some must-try recipes for your Diwali celebrations.
Special Cuisine of Diwali: Traditional Foods That Make the Festival Unique
Diwali celebrations vary across India, and so do the foods prepared during the festival. The special cuisine of Diwali includes both savory snacks and sweets, which are often served to guests or enjoyed during family gatherings. Let’s dive into some traditional foods that are staples in many Indian homes during Diwali.
1. Samosa: A Popular Diwali Snack
Samosas are a staple snack during Diwali, filled with spiced potatoes, peas, and sometimes even paneer. They are fried until crispy and served with mint chutney or tamarind sauce.
Ingredients:
- Potatoes, boiled and mashed
- Green peas
- Spices (cumin, coriander, garam masala)
- Wheat flour for the dough
- Oil for frying
Recipe:
- Prepare the dough by mixing wheat flour with water and oil, knead it, and let it rest.
- For the filling, sauté mashed potatoes, peas, and spices.
- Roll the dough into thin sheets, fill with the potato mixture, and shape into triangles.
- Fry until golden brown.
Samosas are perfect for serving guests during Diwali and can be made in advance.
2. Kachori: Another Traditional Savory Delight
Kachori is a deep-fried snack filled with spiced lentils or a mixture of moong dal and spices. It’s a crunchy and flavorful treat enjoyed during Diwali.
Ingredients:
- Moong dal, soaked
- Spices (asafoetida, cumin, coriander)
- Wheat flour for the dough
- Oil for frying
Recipe:
- Prepare the dough using flour, oil, and water.
- Cook the soaked moong dal with spices until it becomes a thick filling.
- Shape the dough into balls, fill with dal mixture, and fry until golden brown.
Kachoris are often paired with chutneys or yogurt for a delicious Diwali snack.
3. Chivda: A Light and Tasty Snack
Chivda is a popular dry snack made from flattened rice (poha), mixed with peanuts, fried gram, curry leaves, and spices. It’s a light and crunchy snack ideal for munching during Diwali celebrations.
Ingredients:
- Poha (flattened rice)
- Peanuts
- Fried gram
- Curry leaves
- Mustard seeds
- Turmeric and red chili powder
- Oil for frying
Recipe:
- Fry poha until crisp.
- In another pan, heat oil and fry peanuts, fried gram, curry leaves, mustard seeds, and spices.
- Mix the fried poha with the spiced mixture and let it cool.
Chivda is a dry snack that can be stored for several days, making it a perfect option to prepare in advance for Diwali.
Diwali Snacks: Savory and Dry Snacks List
The Diwali snacks spread includes a variety of savory treats, ranging from deep-fried snacks to dry munchies that can be prepared in bulk. Here’s a list of popular savory and dry snacks to include in your Diwali celebrations.
1. Murukku
Murukku, also known as chakli in some regions, is a crunchy, spiral-shaped snack made from rice flour and urad dal flour. It’s spiced with cumin or sesame seeds and deep-fried.
2. Namak Pare
Namak pare are diamond-shaped crispy bites made from wheat flour and flavored with carom seeds. These are deep-fried and make for a perfect tea-time snack during Diwali.
3. Mathri
Mathri is a flaky and crunchy snack made from wheat flour, ghee, and spices like ajwain and black pepper. It’s often served with pickles or chutneys and can be stored for days.
4. Shakkar Pare
A sweet counterpart to namak pare, shakkar pare are made from flour and sugar, deep-fried and coated with sugar syrup. They’re crispy and sweet, making them a favorite during Diwali.
5. Besan Sev
Besan sev is a fine, crispy snack made from gram flour and spices. It can be eaten on its own or used as a topping for chaat or other savory dishes.
6. Ribbon Pakoda
This unique snack is made from a dough of rice flour and gram flour, pressed into ribbon shapes, and deep-fried until crisp. It’s a delicious savory snack that’s popular during Diwali.
Diwali Special Food: Traditional and Modern Recipes
Diwali is incomplete without special dishes that are unique to the festival. Whether you stick to tradition or try something new, here are some popular Diwali special food recipes.
1. Dhokla
This steamed snack from Gujarat is a healthy and delicious option for Diwali. Made from fermented rice and gram flour, dhokla is light, fluffy, and packed with flavor.
Ingredients:
- Gram flour (besan)
- Semolina
- Yogurt
- Ginger-green chili paste
- Eno fruit salt
- Tempering of mustard seeds, curry leaves, and green chilies
Recipe:
- Mix besan, semolina, yogurt, and spices into a smooth batter.
- Add eno fruit salt and steam the batter for 15-20 minutes.
- Temper with mustard seeds and curry leaves and serve with green chutney.
Dhokla is a crowd-pleaser and can be served as part of a festive meal or as a snack.
2. Aloo Tikki
Aloo tikki is a popular North Indian snack made from mashed potatoes, spices, and herbs, fried until golden brown. It’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, served with chutney or yogurt.
Indian Diwali Sweets: A Must-Have for the Festive Season
No Diwali celebration is complete without an array of delicious sweets. Here are some traditional Indian Diwali sweets that are sure to delight your guests.
1. Ladoo
Ladoos are sweet, round treats made from ingredients like besan (gram flour), ghee, and sugar. Popular variations include motichoor ladoo and boondi ladoo, both commonly prepared during Diwali.
Ingredients:
- Besan
- Ghee
- Sugar syrup
- Cardamom powder
- Nuts for garnish
2. Kaju Katli
Kaju katli is a rich and smooth sweet made from cashew nuts and sugar. It’s often cut into diamond-shaped pieces and garnished with edible silver leaf, making it a luxurious Diwali treat.
3. Gulab Jamun
Gulab jamun are soft, syrup-soaked dumplings made from khoya (reduced milk). They are fried until golden brown and soaked in a sugar syrup flavored with cardamom and rose water.
4. Barfi
Barfi is a dense, milk-based sweet that comes in a variety of flavors, including kesar barfi (saffron), pista barfi (pistachio), and coconut barfi.
5. Jalebi
Jalebi is a sweet treat made from fermented batter, deep-fried in circular shapes, and soaked in sugar syrup. It’s crispy, sweet, and a staple Diwali dessert in many parts of India.
Dry Snacks List for Diwali: Easy to Store and Serve
If you’re looking for snacks that can be prepared ahead of time and stored, here’s a dry snacks list for Diwali that includes both sweet and savory options.
1. Chikki
Chikki is a sweet snack made from jaggery and peanuts, sesame seeds, or puffed rice. It’s crunchy and sweet, making it a great addition to your Diwali snack table.
2. Khakra
Khakra is a thin, crispy flatbread made from whole wheat flour, often flavored with spices like ajwain and sesame seeds. It’s a healthy and easy-to-store snack.
3. Masala Peanuts
Masala peanuts are a spicy and crunchy snack made by coating peanuts with a chickpea flour batter and deep-frying them. They’re addictive and perfect for Diwali munching.
4. Mixture
Mixture, also known as namkeen, is a combination of fried lentils, peanuts, sev, and spices. It’s a popular dry snack that can be made in bulk and stored for several days.
Celebrate Diwali with Delicious Snacks and Sweets
This Diwali, make your celebrations extra special with a variety of Diwali snacks, savory treats, and traditional sweets. Whether you’re preparing snacks for guests or gifting homemade treats, these recipes will add flavor and festivity to your celebrations. From savory snacks like samosas and kachoris to sweet treats like ladoos and kaju katli, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.