There is something special about a Bihari home during Chhath Puja. The kitchen is busy, family members have their own little tasks, relatives drop by, and the aroma of festive preparations seems to follow you from one room to another. While thekua and other traditional offerings remain at the heart of the celebrations, the family get-togethers around the festival call for a few extra bites to pass around. Think crisp, savoury, spicy and just a little indulgent. Usha's air fryer can help you put together these snack-time favourites with less oil and plenty of flavour.
From sattu-rich creations to crunchy tea-time classics, here are six Bihari-inspired ideas to try.
1. Little Litti Bites With Sattu Filling
Litti and chokha hardly need an introduction in a Bihari kitchen. But what if you could turn the familiar combination into little, pop-in-your-mouth bites for a festive snack platter? Prepare a firm dough with wheat flour, salt, ajwain, a little ghee and water. The real flavour, however, comes from the filling. Mix sattu with finely chopped onion, green chillies, coriander, lemon juice, pickle masala and a dash of mustard oil.
Stuff small portions of dough with this mixture and seal them into neat balls. Brush with a little oil and arrange them in your smart air fryer, leaving enough room between each piece. Cook until the outer layer turns golden and develops a firm crust. Serve with a bowl of chokha or tangy coriander chutney for a mini version of a much-loved Bihari classic.
2. Nimki For Tea-Time Crunch
Nothing beats a dish of nimki, a cup of chai, and an unexpectedly long chat with family and friends. When people keep dropping by, this flaky, savoury Bihari staple should be on the menu for your Chhath event. In a bowl, mix together wheat or refined flour, kalonji, salt, ajwain, and a little ghee or oil. Form a firm dough by gradually adding water. After rolling it out and cutting it into little diamond shapes, prick each piece with a fork to prevent it from puffing up too much.
Brush or coat the pieces with a little oil and cook them in batches in the air fryer until golden and crisp. These are the kinds of snacks that people often go back for, so it's a good idea to have a jar on hand.
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3. Masala Makhana
Makhana is a familiar sight in many Indian kitchens, but a few everyday spices can turn it into a rather addictive snack. Start with fox nuts and toss them with a little ghee, black pepper, roasted cumin powder, red chilli powder and salt. Add a pinch of chaat masala if you enjoy a tangy finish. Spread them in the air fryer basket and roast, shaking the basket occasionally so the makhana cooks evenly. Once they turn crisp, let them cool before serving.
You can make separate batches with peri-peri seasoning, dried mint or a simple black pepper mix to offer guests a choice. It is an easy addition to the snack table, particularly when you need something crunchy between heavier dishes.
4. Sattu Kachori Bites With A Tangy Chutney
Sattu makes another appearance here, and for good reason. Its earthy, roasted flavour works beautifully in a crisp, stuffed snack. For these mini kachori-inspired bites, prepare a dough with wheat flour, salt, ajwain and a little oil. In a separate bowl, combine sattu with chopped onion, ginger, green chilli, coriander, lemon juice, pickle masala and a little mustard oil.
Cut the dough into little pieces, add the filling, and close the edges neatly. Gently flatten each piece, spray with oil, and arrange them in the air fryer basket without overcrowding it. Cook until golden brown on the surface and cooked through, flipping the pieces halfway through if needed. Serve with tamarind chutney for a sweet and tangy contrast that cuts through the spicy stuffing.
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5. Chana Ghugni Patties
This snack offers a creative twist on the traditional ghugni dish, making it perfect for sharing with loved ones during a get-together. The foundation is made with cooked black or white chickpeas, while boiled potatoes act as the binding ingredient. Combine the chickpeas with mashed potato, finely chopped onion, green chillies, ginger, coriander, roasted cumin powder, and salt. Mash everything together and shape the mixture into small, flat patties. Place the patties in the air fryer basket, coating both sides with oil. Cook until golden and crisp, flipping them halfway through.
Serve hot with tamarind chutney, green chutney, chopped onions and a squeeze of lemon. They are a great alternative to deep-frying when you want to enjoy chaat at home.
6. Thekua-Inspired Sweet Bites
Can a Chhath snack spread really feel complete without a nod to thekua? This traditional sweet, prepared as an offering during the festival, deserves its own mention. For a separate, casual snack-time adaptation, make a firm dough using wheat flour, jaggery syrup, grated coconut, crushed fennel seeds and a little ghee. Bring the ingredients together gradually, taking care not to make the dough too soft. Shape it into small discs or use a thekua mould to create familiar patterns. Brush lightly with ghee and air-fry in small batches until cooked through and lightly browned.
Allow the bites to cool before serving, as they will firm up as they rest. The result is a sweet, fragrant treat with the warmth of jaggery and fennel. For traditional Chhath prasad, follow the family's customary thekua recipe and preparation method rather than treating this air-fried variation as a substitute.