Navratri is a time for devotion and fasting, allowing people to enjoy a variety of delicious, sattvic foods that are both nutritious and flavourful. In almost every Indian household, while preparing meals for fasting adults is common, it can be tricky to come up with tiffin snacks for kids that adhere to the fasting rules.
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Well, you don’t need to think more, as there are plenty of easy, kid-friendly snacks that meet the Navratri guidelines, ensuring your child stays energised and satisfied throughout the day. In this article, let's explore some of these tasty and wholesome tiffin snack ideas perfect for Navratri.
Sabudana Bhel
Sabudana, or tapioca pearls, is a common ingredient used during Navratri. Sabudana bhel is a quick and easy snack that kids will love. It’s light, crunchy, and flavourful. To make this, soak sabudana for a few hours, then toss it with roasted peanuts, chopped boiled potatoes, and a sprinkle of rock salt. You can also add chopped coriander and a squeeze of lemon juice to give it a tangy taste. It’s a refreshing, light snack that is easy to pack in a tiffin.
Rajgira Masala Paratha
Rajgira, also known as amaranth, is a healthy grain that’s often consumed during Navratri fasting. Making parathas out of rajgira flour is a great way to provide a filling snack for your kids. Mix the flour with boiled mashed potatoes, rock salt, and spices like cumin and coriander. Roll them into small parathas and cook them on a tawa with ghee. These parathas are soft, and flavourful, and can be paired with curd or chutney, making them a delicious tiffin option.
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Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potatoes are rich in nutrients and are a favourite among kids due to their natural sweetness. You can make baked sweet potato fries as a healthy snack during Navratri. Simply cut the sweet potatoes into thin wedges, toss them in a little ghee or oil, sprinkle with rock salt and mild spices, and bake until crispy. These fries are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, making them a delicious and nutritious treat for kids.
Falhari Samak Cutlet
Samak rice, also known as barnyard millet, is another commonly used ingredient during Navratri. Samak cutlets are a great snack for tiffins as they are bite-sized, filling, and packed with flavour. To make these cutlets, cook samak rice and mix it with boiled mashed potatoes, rock salt, and spices. Form small patties and pan-fry them in ghee until golden brown. These cutlets are crispy and satisfying, perfect for a kid’s tiffin.
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Makhana Walnut Tikki
Makhana, or fox nuts, is a popular snack during fasting. Makhana walnut tikki is an interesting twist on the usual makhana snack, and it adds the nutritional goodness of walnuts. To make this, roast and crush the makhanas and walnuts. Mix them with boiled mashed potatoes, rock salt, and spices. Form into small tikkis and pan-fry in ghee until crisp. These tikkis are crunchy, delicious, and full of energy, making them a great snack for your child’s tiffin.
Farali Khakhra
Khakhras are thin, crispy, and perfect for munching. Farali khakhra is made using rajgira or singhara flour, making it ideal for Navratri fasting. To prepare these, mix the flour with rock salt, cumin seeds, and a little ghee. Roll them out into thin discs and cook on a tawa until they become crispy. You can pack these khakhras in your child’s tiffin with a side of homemade yoghurt or chutney for dipping.
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Singhara Dahi Chaat
Singhara, or water chestnut flour, is often used in Navratri snacks. Singhara dahi chaat is a light and refreshing snack that’s perfect for tiffins. Make small puris using singhara flour and fry them until crispy. Then, top the puris with a spoonful of curd, rock salt, and a drizzle of tamarind chutney. This snack is tangy, crunchy, and full of flavour. The curd provides a cooling effect, making it an ideal snack during warm days.