11 Best Indian Monsoon Snacks you Must Try This Monsoon

There is nothing better than enjoying delicious snacks on a rainy day. Whether it is a crispy fried delicacy or comfort foods, delectable snacks are just what you need to make monsoons even more pleasant than they already are. Along with the cool showers of rain and your loved ones for company, here are the best Indian snacks you can savour during monsoons. Here are 11 delicious Indian monsoon snacks-

 

• Pakora

• Samosa

• Vada Pav 

• Dhokla

• Poha

• Aloo Tikki 

• Locho 

• Bhutta

• Bread Pakora

• Moong Dal Chila

• Instant Noodles

 

 

 

• Pakora: Deep-fried love!

 

Monsoons cannot be considered complete without a plate full of deliciously crunchy pakoras (fritters). One of the most popular rainy season snacks, pakoras, also called bhajia, come with a variety of fillings including spinach, onions, potatoes, paneer (cottage cheese), plantain, eggplant, cauliflower, and green chilli. 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup gram flour (besan)
• 1/2 cup water
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• Salt to taste
• vegetables
• Oil for frying
  

Instructions:

• In a bowl, mix gram flour, red chili powder, turmeric powder, cumin seeds, and salt.
• Add water gradually to form a smooth batter.
• Dip the vegetable slices in the batter, ensuring they are well-coated.
• Heat oil in a deep pan and fry the coated vegetables until golden brown.
• Drain on paper towels and serve hot with chutney.
  
  

 

• Samosa: The superstar snack that steals shows!

 

Piping hot samosas make for a fine snack during monsoons. With a delicious filling of spiced potatoes, they are often accompanied by coriander/mint or tamarind chutney. They are listed amongst famous entrées, appetizers and hot snacks for rainy season.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 4 tbsp oil
• Salt to taste
• 4-5 potatoes, boiled and mashed
• 1 cup green peas
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp coriander powder
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• Oil for frying
  

Instructions:

• Mix flour, salt, and 4 tbsp oil. Add water to make a firm dough. Let it rest for 30 minutes.
• Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds, mashed potatoes, peas, and spices. Cook for 5 minutes.
• Divide the dough into small balls and roll into circles. Cut each circle in half.
• Form a cone with each half, fill with the potato mixture, and seal the edges.
• Deep fry until golden brown. Serve with tamarind chutney.

 

 

• Vada Pav: Mumbai’s pride

 

Native to the Indian state of Maharashtra, vada pav is a lip-smacking snack that consists of a deep-fried potato patty sandwiched between pav. Flavoured with a variety of spices, and accompanied with tangy tamarind chutney and coriander chutney, vada pav is often enjoyed with fried green chillies too.

Ingredients:

• 4 pav (bread rolls)
• 4-5 potatoes, boiled and mashed
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• Salt to taste
• 1 cup gram flour (besan)
• Oil for frying
• Green chutney and tamarind chutney
  

Instructions:

• Heat oil, add mustard seeds, mashed potatoes, turmeric, red chili powder, and salt. Mix well and make small balls.
• Prepare a batter with gram flour, water, and salt.
• Dip the potato balls in the batter and deep fry until golden.
• Slice the pav, apply chutneys, place the vada in between, and serve hot.

 

 

• Dhokla: One is never enough!

 

Made from a fermented batter of rice, chickpea flour or ground urad dal (black lentils), dhokla is a popular dish from Gujarat. Majorly eaten for breakfast, dhoklas are often garnished with grated coconut and coriander. Served with savoury coriander chutney and deep-fried chilli, this delicacy from Gujarat is both nutritious and appetizing enough to make it an excellent snack in rainy season. 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup soaked chana dal
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• Salt to taste
• 2 tbsp oil
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tsp ginger paste
• 2 green chilies, chopped
• 1 cup water
  

Instructions:

• Grind soaked chana dal to a smooth paste.
• Mix in cumin seeds, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt.
• Heat 1 tbsp oil in a pan, pour the dal mixture, and cook until it thickens.
• Spread the mixture on a greased plate, let it cool, and cut into squares.
• Heat remaining oil, add mustard seeds, ginger paste, green chilies, and water.
• Add the dhoka pieces and simmer for a few minutes. Serve hot.

• Poha: Breakfast that tickles taste buds

Native to the Indian state of Maharashtra, poha is a scrumptious dish made from flattened rice. Seasoned with potatoes, onions and an array of spices, it is a light, fluffy delicacy that has a bright yellow colour due to turmeric. Flavoured with green chilli, this easy-to-prepare dish goes perfectly with the rainy mornings during monsoons.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups poha (flattened rice)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 potato, finely chopped
• 1/4 cup peanuts
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 2 green chilies, chopped
• Salt to taste
• 1 tbsp oil
• 1 tbsp lemon juice
• Fresh coriander leaves, chopped
  

Instructions:

• Rinse poha in a sieve under running water and drain well.
• Heat oil in a pan, add mustard seeds, and let them splutter.
• Add onions, green chilies, and potatoes. Cook until potatoes are tender.
• Add turmeric powder and peanuts, and sauté for a minute.
• Stir in the drained poha, add salt, and mix well.
• Cook for 2-3 minutes, then turn off the heat and add lemon juice.
• Garnish with chopped coriander leaves and serve hot.
  
  

• Aloo Tikki: The mood-lifter, one bite at a time

Aloo tikki is a mashed potato patty mixed with spices, coriander and peas. Deep fried in oil, it is often served pav or bread, and a myriad of chutneys including those of tamarind, saunth and coriander. You can also choose to enjoy your monsoon evenings with delicious aloo tikki chaat by garnishing the potato patty with some tamarind paste, curd, coriander chutney and chopped onions, chilli and tomatoes. One of the most delicious monsoon delicacies is the aloo tikki chaat. 

Ingredients:

• 4-5 potatoes, boiled and mashed
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp garam masala
• 1 tsp chaat masala
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 cup bread crumbs
• Oil for frying
  

Instructions:

• In a bowl, mix mashed potatoes, cumin seeds, garam masala, chaat masala, red chili powder, and salt.
• Form the mixture into small patties.
• Coat each patty with bread crumbs.
• Heat oil in a pan and fry the patties until golden brown on both sides.
• Drain on paper towels and serve hot with mint chutney or ketchup.
   

• Locho: The ultimate comfort food

Originally from Gujarat, locho is a delicious snack made from gram flour. It has a loose consistency and irregular shape and is seasoned with butter, spices, coriander, onions and sev. Particularly popular in the city of Surat in Gujarat, this spicy and tangy steamed snack is also referred to as Surti locho. An exceptional part of the street food culture, locho has many versions including butter locho, cheese locho, ghee locho and garlic locho.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chana dal
• 1/4 cup poha 
• 1 tsp ginger-green chili paste
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp baking soda
• Salt to taste
• 2 tbsp oil
• Fresh coriander leaves
• Sev (for garnish)
• Lemon wedges
  

Instructions:

• Grind soaked chana dal and poha to a smooth batter.
• Mix in ginger-green chili paste, turmeric powder, red chili powder, baking soda, and salt.
• Pour the batter into a greased steaming tray.
• Steam for 15-20 minutes until cooked through.
• Heat oil in a pan, pour over the steamed locho, and sprinkle with chopped coriander leaves.
• Garnish with sev and serve with lemon wedges.

• Bhutta: A smoky Treat

Bhutta, or grilled corn on the cob, is a beloved street food in India, especially during the monsoon season. The combination of its smoky flavour, simplicity, and health benefits makes it an ideal snack for rainy days. Here’s why Bhutta is the perfect monsoon snack: Ingredients:

• 4 corn cobs
• 1 lemon, cut in half
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp salt
• 1 tsp chaat masala

Instructions:

• Roast the corn cobs over an open flame until they are charred.
• Mix red chili powder, salt, and chaat masala.
• Rub the lemon halves in the spice mix and then onto the corn.
• Serve hot.
  

 

• Bread Pakora: Hearty fillings

 

Bread Pakora is a deep-fried bread snack stuffed with spicy mashed potatoes. It’s a favourite during the monsoon, providing a crispy and filling treat.

Ingredients:

• 4 slices of bread
• 2 potatoes, boiled and mashed
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tsp red chili powder
• 1 tsp turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• 1 cup gram flour (besan)
• Water as needed
• Oil for frying
  

Instructions:

• Prepare the filling by mixing mashed potatoes, cumin seeds, red chili powder, turmeric powder, and salt.
• Take two slices of bread and spread the potato mixture between them.
• Cut the sandwich into halves.
• Make a thick batter with gram flour and water.
• Dip the bread pieces into the batter and fry in hot oil until golden brown.
• Serve hot with ketchup or chutney.
   

• Moong Dal Chila: Tasty and Healthy

Moong Dal Chilla are savoury pancakes made from split green gram. They are healthy, light, and perfect for a rainy day breakfast or snack.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup soaked moong dal
• 1 inch ginger
• 2 green chilies
• Salt to taste
• 1/2 cup chopped onions
• 1/2 cup chopped tomatoes
• 1/2 cup chopped coriander leaves
• Oil for cooking
  

Instructions:

• Drain and grind the soaked moong dal with ginger, green chilies, and salt to form a smooth batter.
• Heat a non-stick pan and grease it lightly with oil.
• Pour a ladleful of batter and spread it in a circular motion to form a thin pancake.
• Sprinkle chopped onions, tomatoes, and coriander leaves on top.
• Drizzle a little oil around the edges and cook until golden brown.
• Flip and cook the other side for a few minutes.
• Serve hot with chutney or yogurt.
   

• Instant noodles: Instant joy

Indian instant noodles are more than just a quick snack; they are a perfect companion for the rainy season. Their ease of preparation, comforting warmth, and bold flavours make them an ideal choice for monsoon cravings.

Ingredients:

• 1 packet of instant noodles
• 2 cups water
• 1/2 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, bell peppers)
• 1/2 onion, finely chopped
• 1 green chili, finely chopped (optional)
• 1 tsp oil
• Instant noodle seasoning packet

Instructions:

• Heat oil in a pan and sauté the onions until they turn translucent.
• Add the mixed vegetables and green chili, and cook for a few minutes until the vegetables are tender.
• Pour in the water and bring it to a boil.
• Add the instant noodles and the seasoning packet.
• Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the noodles are cooked and the water is mostly absorbed.
• Serve hot

• Chai: The perfect monsoon companion

Chai is more than a drink; it's a monsoon ritual! Picture this: the rain's pouring outside, and inside, the air fills with the rich, spicy aroma of chai brewing on the stove. That steaming cup of chai isn’t just a beverage; it’s a cozy hug in a mug, perfect for those chilly, rainy days.

Sipping chai while munching on pakoras or samosas is like a delicious trip down memory lane. For many it brings back childhood memories of gathering in the kitchen with family, sharing laughter and stories. So next time it rains, grab a cup of chai, pair it with your favourite snacks, and enjoy the warm, comforting vibes that only a perfect chai can bring.

 

Even though the above-mentioned 11 Indian snacks can make your monsoons more pleasant, these are not the only delicacies to be savoured in the rainy season. Counted amongst the most popular desserts prepared and enjoyed during monsoons, malpua and jalebi are other delectable Indian snacks that are best savoured in monsoons. So, which Indian snacks are you thinking of devouring this monsoon?