The selection of Indian snacks goes beyond the revered Samosas and Pakoras. Its diversity is so vast that you will be surprised to see how many variations can be made with the most primary ingredients. In the world of Indian snacks, it is fascinating to come across the various indulgences that have been around for thousands of years.
While some of the snacks gained worldwide popularity, others remained quite unassuming. Judging from the flavour profile, all those snacks need a huge shout-out. Whether it's a party or a small get-together, Indian Snacks should be your go-to choice. For those who are concerned about the oil content, here is good news for them. Just as many varieties exist for deep-fried snacks, there is a diverse spectrum of oil-free snacks as well, which you can indulge in without guilt.
From steamed delicacies to baked ones, the immense possibilities of Indian snacks will only make you go wow. If you are a fan of Indian snacks but keeping yourself from them due to health concerns, here are 7 Oil-Free Indian snacks that you should include in your menu for special occasions.
Try These 7 Oil-Free Indian Snacks
1) Gujarati Khandvi
Gujarati Khadvi is a steamed snack from Gujarat state in India. Gujarat is renowned for its steamed snack variations like Dhokla and Khandvi. Khadvi is made with gram flour and seasoned with coconut, mustard seeds, and curry leaves, along with spices and some salt.
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2) Oats And Palak Dhokla
If you have eaten Besan Dhokla, you should try these Oats and Palak Dhokla which is a more nutritious snack for any time of the day. In it, the seasoned batter of blended oats, semolina, curd, green chilli paste, salt, water, and spinach is steamed and cut into bite sizes.
Also Read: 6 Oil-Free Vegan Snacks For A Healthier Diet
3) Paneer Tikka
Paneer Tikka does not only look appetising, but it is also flavourful in every bite. All it takes to make this quick snack is skewering pieces of marinated paneer and vegetables one by one and grilling them until all edges are roasted. It doesn't require any oil to grill and turns out delicious.
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4) Baked Aloo Poppers
This Potato Poppers don’t need any oil to cook and can be prepared quickly. Boiled and mashed potatoes are mixed with peas, coriander, chopped chilli, breadcrumbs, and spices. Then, the mixture is divided, turned into small patties, and baked until golden. It's a quick snack for last-minute preparation.
5) Air Fryer Vada Pav
To make a healthier version of vada pav, all you have to do is air fry the batter-covered potato masala. Potato masala is made by combining mashed potatoes with chilli paste, coriander, lemon juice, spices, curry leaves and asafoetida. You can toast the pav bread for more crunch on a heated pan.
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6) Bhaji Vada
Bhaji Vada is a popular street food in Madhya Pradesh. This snack features spinach and fenugreek leaves mixed with semi-dry besan batter and seasonings. While the traditional recipe includes deep frying, in this variation it is steamed and then baked or air-fried until crispy.
7) Poha Cutlet
Poha Cutlet is a wholesome snack made with soaked thick flat rice mixed with boiled potatoes, yoghurt, chopped onion, ginger garlic paste, and spices. After that, chopped chillies, cumin, coriander, and salt are added, combined, and formed into flat balls. Then it is air-fried until completely cooked.
All these recipes are quick, easy, and flavourful. With the addition of Indian spices and ingredients, you can bring new enjoyment to the party and present a wholesome meal.