By Aditi Saraswat
November 4, 2026
Diwali snacks need not be limited to just deep-fried treats and packaged namkeen. With ingredients like millets, lentils, nuts and fresh vegetables, you can make homemade bites that add variety to your festive spread without making you feel guilty after all the festivities are over.
Bring a nutty taste and crisp bite to your Diwali platter by making ragi chakli. Mix ragi and rice flour with sesame seeds, cumin, chilli powder and curd. Pipe them in spirals onto a lined tray and bake until they turn crunchy.
For a crunchy namkeen, roast makhana in a little ghee until they turn crisp. Toss with some peanuts, curry leaves, turmeric, chilli powder and salt. Let it cool down thoroughly before storing.
These bite-sized appe have a soft centre and are lightly crisp on the edges. Soak and grind moong dal with ginger, green chilli and cumin. Add in chopped vegetables, then cook spoonfuls of batter in an appe pan with very little oil.
Sweet potatoes bring a light sweetness to these savoury tikkis, whereas roasted cumin and green chilli add warmth. Mash boiled sweet potatoes with oats, coriander, and spices; shape into small patties and bake or air-fry until golden.
Make a naturally sweet festive bite by mixing dates with almonds, walnuts, pumpkin seeds and cardamom. Roll the mixture into small laddoos, adding a little warm ghee if needed to bring it all together.