The festival of Diwali brings with it lights, laughter and a platter which is full of scrumptious snacks. While sweets often steal the show, savoury treats are just as impressive during festive celebrations, adding crunch, spice, and balance to the festive spread. Every region and home adheres to its own recipes that have been passed down through generations, but the result is the same: crispy, flaky, and delectable snacks to enjoy. These snacks not only satisfy the taste buds but also demonstrate the diversity of Indian culinary traditions, ranging from North to South and from sweet to savoury.
These savoury Diwali treats are perfect for snacking; they pair beautifully with tea or festive beverages. Not only this, but it also makes for a thoughtful gifting hamper, for giving to friends and loved ones. Exploring these classic snacks is a delightful way to bond with tradition and celebrate Diwali.
Chakli
Chakli is a crispy, spiral-shaped snack prepared from a blend of rice flour, gram flour, and other spices. It is deep-fried until it gets a golden perfection and is crunchy with a mildly spicy, nutty flavour. Its spiral shape is a visual appeal on the festive platters. Famous across Maharashtra and the South part of India, chakli is a perfect snack to delight your guests with, or also as a gifting hamper. The crispiness of chakli can be maintained well for many days, which makes it an ideal Diwali snack that perfectly balances tradition with ease.
Mathri
Mathri is a crispy, flaky and savoury snack prepared by mixing refined flour (maida), semolina, and carom seeds. Lightly spicy and crispy, it goes well with pickles or tea. Popular in North Indian regions, mathri is a beloved Diwali classic that can be stored for a longer period and prepared ahead of the occasion, making it perfect for festive snacking. Its mild, salty and crunchy texture provides a contrast to other fried snacks at the festivities. Every bite has a subtle aromatic flavour that brings warmth and homely comfort to the celebrations.
Namak Para
Namak para is a light, bite-sized snack that is prepared from refined flour, ghee, and a blend of mild spices. It is deep-fried until it turns crispy and golden. This snack has a crunchy taste, is light on the stomach and has a savoury, mildly salty taste that goes well with tea or chaats. Namak para is a staple Diwali snack that is often prepared in bulk well in advance to serve guests or also as a gift. It has a long shelf life and a familiar flavour, making it a nostalgic favourite in every household during the festivities.
Sev
Sev is a light, crunchy snack that is prepared from gram flour and a blend of various spices. Available in plain, garlic, or spicy masala versions, sev is extremely aromatic, salty, and slightly spicy, adding crunch to any festive snack box it is added to. It is also a common snack across Gujarat and Maharashtra and is often sprinkled over chivdas or served as a standalone bite during Diwali. The fine texture and balanced seasoning make sev addictive, delivering a burst of savoury flavour to every bite.
Murukku
Famous in South India, murukku is a twisted, crunchy snack that is prepared by blending rice flour, urad dal flour, and sesame seeds. Deep-fried until it turns crispy, slightly nutty with a hint of spice, ideal for evening munching. The detailed shapes and satisfying crunch make it perfect for Diwali platters alongside other savouries. Murukku is light but full of flavours, offering a balanced savoury taste that appeals to all ages.