5 Homemade <i>Namkeen </i>Recipes for Diwali: Easy and Delicious Snacks to Make at Home

Diwali is all about lights, celebrations, family gatherings and, of course, delicious food. While sweets like ladoos, barfis and kaju katli are an essential part of the festive spread, savoury snacks are equally important. From welcoming guests to enjoying an evening of cards with family, a plate of homemade namkeen always makes the celebrations more special.

Instead of buying packaged snacks from the market, why not prepare some delicious homemade namkeen this Diwali? These snacks are easy to make, full of flavour and perfect for serving guests. Whether you enjoy something crispy, spicy, tangy or mildly seasoned, there is a recipe for every taste.

Here are 10 homemade namkeen recipes that you can try this Diwali.

1. Homemade Aloo Bhujia

Aloo bhujia is one of the most popular Indian namkeen snacks and is loved for its crispy texture and spicy flavour. Made primarily with potatoes and gram flour, this crunchy snack is perfect for serving with tea or adding to your Diwali snack platter.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium-sized potatoes
• 1 cup gram flour (besan)
• ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
• ½ teaspoon chaat masala
• A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
• Salt to taste
• Oil for deep frying

Method:

1. Boil the potatoes, peel them and mash them until smooth.
2. Add gram flour, red chilli powder, turmeric, chaat masala, asafoetida and salt.
3. Mix everything into a soft dough. Add a little water if required.
4. Fill the dough into a sev-making machine fitted with a fine-holed plate.
5. Heat oil in a pan and press the dough directly into the hot oil.
6. Fry on medium heat until the bhujia turns golden and crispy.
7. Allow it to cool completely before storing it in an airtight container.

2. Homemade Masala Peanuts

Masala peanuts are a great choice if you enjoy crunchy and spicy snacks. Coated with gram flour and aromatic Indian spices, these homemade peanuts are easy to prepare and make an excellent addition to your Diwali namkeen collection.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup raw peanuts
• ½ cup gram flour (besan)
• ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
• ½ teaspoon coriander powder
• ½ teaspoon chaat masala
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons water
• Oil for frying

Method:

1. Take the peanuts in a mixing bowl.
2. Add gram flour, red chilli powder, turmeric, coriander powder, chaat masala and salt.
3. Sprinkle water gradually and mix until the peanuts are evenly coated.
4. Heat oil in a deep frying pan.
5. Add the coated peanuts in small batches and fry on medium heat until golden and crispy.
6. Remove them using a slotted spoon and place them on absorbent paper.
7. Let them cool before storing in an airtight container.

3. Homemade Shakkarpara (Namkeen Version)

Shakkarpara is traditionally known as a sweet festive snack, but its savoury version, commonly called namak para, is equally delicious. These crunchy, diamond-shaped bites are seasoned with salt and spices, making them perfect for enjoying during Diwali.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour (maida)
• 3 tablespoons ghee
• ½ teaspoon carom seeds (ajwain)
• ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
• ½ teaspoon black pepper powder
• Salt to taste
• Water as required
• Oil for deep frying

Method:

1. Take the flour in a large bowl and add ghee, ajwain, cumin seeds, black pepper and salt.
2. Mix well until the flour resembles breadcrumbs.
3. Gradually add water and knead into a firm dough.
4. Cover and let the dough rest for 15 minutes.
5. Divide it into portions and roll each portion into a thick sheet.
6. Cut into small diamond-shaped pieces using a knife.
7. Heat oil and fry the pieces on medium-low heat until crisp and golden.
8. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

4. Homemade Spicy Chivda

No Diwali snack platter is complete without chivda. This light, crunchy and flavourful mixture combines flattened rice, peanuts, curry leaves and spices. It is quick to prepare and can be customised according to your preferred level of spice.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups thin poha (flattened rice)
• ½ cup peanuts
• ¼ cup roasted gram (dalia)
• 2 tablespoons cashews
• 2 tablespoons raisins
• 10-12 curry leaves
• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
• ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
• ½ teaspoon powdered sugar
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons oil

Method:

1. Dry roast the poha in a pan on low heat until crisp. Keep aside.
2. Heat oil in another pan and fry the peanuts until crunchy.
3. Add cashews, roasted gram and raisins. Cook for a few minutes.
4. Add curry leaves, turmeric powder, red chilli powder and salt.
5. Mix in the roasted poha and powdered sugar.
6. Toss everything gently until the spices are evenly distributed.
7. Allow the chivda to cool before transferring it to an airtight container.

5. Homemade Chakli

Chakli is a traditional Indian snack that is particularly popular during Diwali. Its distinctive spiral shape, crunchy texture and mildly spicy flavour make it a festive favourite. Although it may look complicated to prepare, homemade chakli is quite simple once you get the dough consistency right.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice flour
• ½ cup gram flour
• 1 tablespoon sesame seeds
• ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
• ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
• ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• Salt to taste
• Water as required
• Oil for frying

Method:

1. Combine rice flour, gram flour, sesame seeds, chilli powder, cumin seeds, turmeric and salt in a bowl.
2. Add melted butter and mix well.
3. Gradually add water and knead into a soft, smooth dough.
4. Transfer the dough into a chakli maker fitted with a star-shaped nozzle.
5. Press the dough into small spiral shapes on a greased plate.
6. Heat oil in a pan and carefully slide the chaklis into it.
7. Fry on medium-low heat until golden and crisp.
8. Cool completely before storing in an airtight container.

Make Your Diwali Special with Homemade Namkeen

Preparing homemade namkeen for Diwali is a wonderful way to add a personal touch to your festive celebrations. From crispy aloo bhujia and spicy masala peanuts to traditional chakli, these 10 easy namkeen recipes offer something for everyone.

So, this Diwali, skip the usual packaged snacks and fill your festive snack platter with delicious homemade treats!