Top 10 Winter-Friendly Indian Starter Snacks for Home Parties

Aloo Tikki

• Aloo Tikki is a crispy snack made from mashed potatoes.
• The potatoes are mixed with spices like cumin, coriander, and garam masala.
• Some people add peas or carrots to the mix.
• The mixture is shaped into small, round patties.
• These patties are then shallow fried until golden brown and crispy.
• Aloo Tikki is served hot with chutneys like tamarind or mint.
• It is a popular street food in India.
• It’s perfect for cold weather, as it’s warm and comforting.
• It is loved by both kids and adults.

Samosa

• Samosa is a fried pastry filled with spicy stuffing.
• The filling is usually made with mashed potatoes, peas, and spices.
• Some samosas have meat like chicken or lamb.
• The pastry is made from flour and rolled into a triangle shape.
• The stuffed pastry is sealed and deep-fried until crispy and golden.
• They are served hot with chutneys like tamarind or mint.
• They are a favorite snack during festivals and parties.

Pakora (Bhaji)

• Pakoras are fried fritters made from vegetables or paneer.
• The main ingredients are onions, potatoes, or spinach.
• Chickpea flour (besan) is used to coat the ingredients.
• The mixture is seasoned with spices like turmeric, cumin, and chili powder.
• The vegetables or paneer are dipped in the batter and deep-fried.
• They are crispy and golden on the outside.
• They are soft and flavorful inside.
• They are served hot with chutneys like mint or tamarind.

Pav Bhaji

• Pav Bhaji is a popular Indian street food.
• It’s made from mashed vegetables like potatoes, tomatoes, and peas.
• The vegetables are cooked with spices like cumin, turmeric, and garam masala.
• The vegetable mixture is called "bhaji."
• It is served with soft bread rolls called "pav."
• The pav is toasted with butter to make it crispy.
• The bhaji is served hot with chopped onions, lemon, and fresh coriander.
• It is flavorful, spicy, and comforting.
• You can also buy pav bhaji masala online. 

Seekh Kebab

• Seekh Kebab is made from minced meat like chicken, mutton, or beef.
• The meat is mixed with spices like cumin, coriander, and garam masala.
• Chopped onions, garlic, and ginger are added for extra flavor.
• The mixture is shaped onto metal skewers.
• The kebabs are then grilled or baked until they are cooked and juicy.
• They are served with chutneys like mint or tamarind.
• They are often served with onions and lemon slices.
• They are tender and full of flavor.

Chana Chaat

• Chana Chaat is a healthy and flavorful snack.
• It is made from boiled chickpeas (chana).
• The chickpeas are mixed with onions, tomatoes, and cucumber.
• Spices like cumin, coriander, and chaat masala are added.
• A little lemon juice gives it a tangy flavor.
• It is usually topped with fresh coriander leaves.
• It can also include pomegranate seeds for extra crunch and sweetness.
• It’s served cold which makes it refresh.
• You can also buy hing online.

Dhokla

• Dhokla is a steamed, savory cake.
• It is made from rice and chickpea flour.
• The flour is mixed with water, salt, and spices.
• The batter is fermented to make it fluffy.
• It is steamed in a special pan until it is soft.
• It is cut into small square pieces after steaming.
• It is topped with mustard seeds, curry leaves, and green chilies.
• It’s served with green chutney or tamarind chutney.
• It is a light and healthy snack.

Methi Thepla

• Methi Thepla is a soft, savory flatbread.
• It is made from whole wheat flour and fenugreek leaves (methi).
• The dough is mixed with spices like cumin, turmeric, and chili powder.
• The dough is rolled into thin circles.
• The thepla is cooked on a hot tawa (griddle) with a little oil.
• It’s soft and slightly crispy on the outside.
• It is healthy because of the fenugreek leaves.
• It is often eaten with yogurt, pickle, or chutney.

Paneer Tikka

• Paneer Tikka is a popular Indian appetizer.
• It is made from cubes of paneer (Indian cottage cheese).
• The paneer is marinated in a mixture of yogurt and spices.
• The marinade includes ingredients like turmeric, chili powder, and garam masala.
• The marinated paneer is skewered and grilled or baked.
• It gets a smoky flavor from grilling.
• It is served hot with green chutney.
• It is often garnished with onions and lemon slices.
• It’s a favorite snack for vegetarians.

Gobi Manchurian

• Gobi Manchurian is a popular Indo-Chinese snack.
• It is made from cauliflower (gobi).
• The cauliflower is cut into small florets.
• The florets are coated in a batter made of flour and spices.
• The coated florets are deep-fried until crispy.
• The fried florets are then tossed in a spicy and tangy sauce.
• The sauce is made from soy sauce, chili sauce, and garlic.
• It is garnished with spring onions.
• It is served hot as a starter or snack.