5 Impromptu Appetisers: 10-Minute Snacks To Wow Your Visitors

When unexpected guests arrive at your doorstep, it can be challenging to come up with quick and impressive snacks. However, with a touch of Indian flair, you can create appetisers that will leave your visitors delighted and craving for more. Here, we present the 10-minute classy snacks from Indian cuisine that are easy to prepare, packed with flavour, and sure to wow your guests. So, let's get started!

Also Read: Easy Dahi Papdi Chaat Recipe For Your Healthy Snacks Craving

Masala Papad 

Ingredients:

• 4 papads (thin Indian lentil crackers)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 small tomato, finely chopped
• 1 green chilli, finely chopped
• 1 tablespoon chopped coriander leaves
• Chaat masala (Indian spice mix) to taste
• Salt to taste
• Lemon wedges for garnish

Method:

1. Roast the papads over an open flame or in a toaster until crisp.
2. In a bowl, mix together the chopped onion, tomato, green chilli, coriander leaves, chaat masala, and salt.
3. Place the roasted papads on a serving plate and spoon the onion-tomato mixture evenly over them.
4. Garnish with a squeeze of lemon juice and serve immediately.

Paneer Tikka Skewers

Ingredients:

• 200g paneer (Indian cottage cheese), cut into cubes
• 1 small onion, cut into squares
• 1 small bell pepper, cut into squares
• 2 tablespoons yoghurt
• 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon red chilli powder
• Salt to taste
• Cooking oil for grilling

Method:

1. In a bowl, mix yoghurt, ginger-garlic paste, garam masala, red chilli powder, and salt.
2. Add the paneer cubes, onion squares, and bell pepper squares to the bowl. Gently toss them to coat them well with the marinade.
3. Thread the marinated paneer, onion, and bell pepper onto skewers.
4. Heat a grill pan or a non-stick pan with a little oil. Place the skewers on the pan and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side or until the paneer turns golden brown.
5. Serve hot with mint chutney or tomato ketchup.

Aloo Tikki 

Ingredients:

• 2 large potatoes, boiled and mashed
• 2 tablespoons bread crumbs
• 1 teaspoon ginger paste
• 1 teaspoon green chilli paste
• 1 teaspoon garam masala
• 1 teaspoon chaat masala
• Salt to taste
• Oil for shallow frying

Method:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine mashed potatoes, bread crumbs, ginger paste, green chilli paste, garam masala, chaat masala, and salt.
2. Divide the mixture into small portions and shape them into flat round tikkis.
3. Heat oil in a pan for shallow frying. Carefully place the tikkis in the pan and cook until both sides turn golden brown.
4. Drain excess oil on a kitchen paper towel and serve hot with tamarind chutney or mint chutney.

Pani Puri Shots 

Ingredients:

• 15-20 puris (crispy semolina balls)
• 1 cup mint-coriander chutney
• 1 cup sweet tamarind chutney
• 1 cup spicy tangy pani (made with mint, coriander, spices, and water)
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 small tomato, finely chopped
• Nylon sev (thin crispy chickpea flour noodles)

Method:

1. Make a small hole in the top of each puri using your thumb.
2. Fill each puri with a teaspoon of mint-coriander chutney and sweet tamarind chutney.
3. Arrange the filled puris on a serving plate.
4. Pour the spicy tangy pani into shot glasses.
5. To enjoy, take a puri, fill it with chopped onion and tomato, dip it into the pani, and eat it in one go.
6. Garnish with nylon sev for an added crunch.

Bhel Puri 

Ingredients:

• 2 cups puffed rice
• 1 small onion, finely chopped
• 1 small tomato, finely chopped
• 1 small cucumber, finely chopped
• 1 small boiled potato, diced
• 2 tablespoons tamarind chutney
• 2 tablespoons mint-coriander chutney
• 1 tablespoon chaat masala
• Salt to taste
• Nylon sev for garnish

Method:

1. In a mixing bowl, combine puffed rice, chopped onion, tomato, cucumber, and boiled potato.
2. Add tamarind chutney, mint-coriander chutney, chaat masala, and salt. Mix well.
3. Transfer the mixture to serving bowls and garnish with nylon sev.
4. Serve immediately to maintain the crunchiness.

Impressing your visitors with delicious and classy snacks doesn't have to be a daunting task. These 10-minute Indian-inspired appetisers are quick, easy to make, and guaranteed to wow your guests. From the tangy Masala Papad to the flavorful Paneer Tikka Skewers, and the spicy Pani Puri Shots to the refreshing Bhel Puri, these snacks will leave your visitors craving for more. So, the next time unexpected guests arrive, you can confidently serve these impressive treats without breaking a sweat. Happy entertaining!