10+ South Indian Snacks Recipes to Delight Your Taste Buds

South Indian snacks offer a delightful variety of flavors and textures that can please any palate. Whether you’re enjoying a casual evening at home or entertaining guests, these snacks are a perfect choice.

There are plenty of easy and delicious South Indian snack recipes that you can try at home, making your culinary adventures simple and enjoyable.

From crispy fried snacks to savory steamed dishes, the range is extensive. You can make quick options that require minimal ingredients or some that involve a little more preparation.

You’ll find that these snacks not only taste great but also showcase the rich culture and traditions of South India. Enjoy exploring the world of South Indian snacks!

1) Dibba Rotti

Dibba Rotti is a tasty South Indian snack. It’s popular for breakfast or as a light meal. This dish is made using urad dal and rice, giving it a unique flavor and texture.

To prepare it, you use coarse rice flour, which is also known as rice rava. The blend of ingredients makes it vegan and gluten-free. You will love its crispy exterior and soft inside.

Ingredients

• 1 cup urad dal (soaked)
• 2 cups rice rava
• Salt to taste
• Water (as needed)
• Oil (for cooking)

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak the urad dal for a few hours and then grind it to a smooth paste.
2. Mix the rice rava and salt with the urad dal paste.
3. Add water if needed to get a thick batter.
4. Heat a pan and pour some oil.
5. Spread the batter in the pan and cook until golden brown on both sides.

2) Butter Murukku

Butter Murukku is a delicious South Indian snack that is crunchy and flavorful. It is made from rice flour and is perfect for any festive occasion. The rich taste of butter adds to its charm.

You can find many recipes online that guide you through the process. A few simple ingredients are all you need to create this treat. It’s an easy recipe that anyone can try!

Ingredients

• 1 cup rice flour
• 1.5 tablespoons gram flour (besan)
• 1.5 tablespoons roasted gram flour
• ¼ teaspoon cumin seeds
• 2 tablespoons melted butter
• Salt to taste
• Water as needed
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix rice flour, gram flour, and roasted gram flour.
2. Add cumin seeds, melted butter, and salt.
3. Gradually add water to form a smooth dough.
4. Heat oil in a pan for frying.
5. Use a murukku maker to shape the dough into spirals.
6. Fry until golden brown and crisp.
7. Drain on paper towels and enjoy!

3) Cabbage Pakoda

Cabbage Pakoda is a tasty snack popular in South India. It’s made with shredded cabbage mixed with gram flour and spices. These fritters are crispy and full of flavor, perfect for tea time.

To make Cabbage Pakoda, gather your ingredients first. You will need cabbage, gram flour (besan), onions, and a few spices. You can also add herbs for extra taste.

Ingredients

• 1 cup shredded cabbage
• 1/2 cup gram flour (besan)
• 1 small onion, thinly sliced
• 1-2 green chilies, chopped
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• Salt, to taste
• Oil, for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Combine all ingredients in a bowl.
2. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F or 175°C).
3. Drop small portions of the mixture into the oil.
4. Fry until golden brown and crispy.
5. Remove and drain on paper towels. Enjoy!

4) Bread Rolls

Bread rolls are a delightful snack that you can easily make at home. They are usually filled with spiced mashed potatoes and then rolled in bread before frying.

These snacks are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They make a perfect treat for tea time or as a party appetizer.

Ingredients

• 4 large boiled potatoes
• 6 slices of bread
• 1 large onion, chopped
• 1 large bell pepper, chopped
• Spices (like cumin, salt, and chili powder)
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Start by mashing the boiled potatoes in a bowl.
2. Mix in the chopped onion, bell pepper, and spices.
3. Take a slice of bread, remove the crusts, and flatten it with a rolling pin.
4. Place some of the potato mixture in the center and roll it up.
5. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F or 180°C).
6. Fry the rolled bread until golden brown.

5) Chole Tikki Chaat

Chole Tikki Chaat is a delightful snack you will surely enjoy. This dish combines crispy potato patties, known as tikki, with savory chickpeas, or chole. The mix is topped with tangy chutneys for a burst of flavor.

You will start by preparing the potato patties. After frying them until golden brown, they create a perfect base for the chickpea curry. The chickpeas are cooked with spices, adding depth to the dish.

Finally, drizzle some green and tamarind chutney on top for extra taste. This combination makes it a popular street food.

Ingredients

• 2 large potatoes
• 1 cup cooked chickpeas
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 tablespoons tamarind chutney
• 2 tablespoons green chutney
• Spices: cumin, coriander, chili powder, and salt
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil the potatoes, then mash them.
2. Mix in spices and form into small patties.
3. Heat oil in a pan and fry the patties until golden.
4. Cook chickpeas with spices in a pot.
5. Assemble by placing patties on a plate, adding chickpeas, and topping with chutneys and onions.

6) Mangalore Bajji

Mangalore Bajji, also known as Goli Baje or Mangalore Bonda, is a delicious South Indian snack. These fluffy fritters are perfect for tea time. Their soft and spongy texture makes them a favorite among many.

To make Mangalore Bajji, you will need a mix of all-purpose flour, rice flour, and chickpea flour. They are often served with spicy chutney for added flavor. Enjoy them hot and crispy for the best taste.

Ingredients

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 cup rice flour
• 1/4 cup chickpea flour
• 1-2 green chilies, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• Salt to taste
• Water, as needed
• Oil for deep frying

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix all-purpose flour, rice flour, and chickpea flour.
2. Add chopped green chilies, cumin seeds, and salt.
3. Gradually add water and mix to form a thick batter.
4. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F or 180°C).
5. Drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil.
6. Fry until golden brown, then drain on paper towels.

7) Dal Vada

Dal Vada is a tasty South Indian snack made from lentils. It’s crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. You can enjoy it with tea or as an appetizer.

This snack is made using split lentils, spices, and herbs, making it flavorful. It pairs well with various chutneys, adding to its deliciousness.

To prepare Dal Vada, you will need a few simple ingredients. Follow the steps below for a delightful snack experience.

Ingredients

• 1 cup chana dal (split chickpeas)
• 1 onion, chopped
• 2 green chilies, chopped
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• Fresh coriander leaves, chopped
• Salt, to taste
• Oil, for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak chana dal in water for 4 hours, then drain.
2. Grind the dal coarsely without much water.
3. Mix in onions, green chilies, cumin seeds, coriander, and salt.
4. Heat oil in a pan over medium-high heat (350°F or 180°C).
5. Shape the mixture into small patties and fry until golden brown.
6. Drain on paper towels and serve hot.

8) Vegetable Pakoda

Vegetable pakoda is a delicious and crunchy snack that you can easily make at home. These fritters are made with assorted vegetables coated in a spiced gram flour batter.

You can use vegetables like potatoes, onions, and spinach. This dish is perfect for tea time or as a light snack. The crispy texture and flavorful spices make it a favorite.

Ingredients

• 1 cup gram flour (besan)
• 1 medium potato, thinly sliced
• 1 medium onion, thinly sliced
• 1 cup spinach, chopped
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt to taste
• Water as needed
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. In a bowl, mix the gram flour, cumin seeds, chili powder, and salt.
2. Add water gradually to make a thick batter.
3. Fold in the vegetables until they are well coated.
4. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F or 180°C).
5. Drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil and fry until golden brown.
6. Remove and drain on paper towels before serving.

9) Masala Puffed Rice

Masala Puffed Rice is a flavorful and crunchy snack that’s perfect for any time of day. It’s made with puffed rice, spices, and nuts, making it light yet satisfying.

To prepare, you will need thin puffed rice, peanuts, roasted gram, green chili, curry leaves, garlic, and various spices. The mix of these ingredients gives it a delicious taste that many enjoy.

Start by heating oil in a pan. Add garlic and curry leaves, sauté until fragrant. Then mix in the spices and peanuts. Finally, add the puffed rice, stirring well to coat evenly.

Ingredients

• 2 cups thin puffed rice
• 1/2 cup peanuts
• 1/4 cup roasted gram
• 1-2 green chilies, chopped
• 8-10 curry leaves
• 2 tablespoons garlic, minced
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• 2 tablespoons oil

Cooking Instructions

1. Heat the oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F or 180°C).
2. Add garlic and curry leaves, sauté for a minute.
3. Stir in the peanuts and cook for another minute.
4. Add turmeric and salt, mixing well.
5. Fold in the puffed rice, making sure it’s evenly coated.
6. Serve warm and enjoy!

10) Moong Dal Chilla

Moong Dal Chilla is a tasty and healthy Indian pancake made from yellow moong dal. It’s a great option for breakfast or snacks.

You can add spices, herbs, and vegetables for extra flavor and nutrition. This dish is gluten-free and vegan, making it suitable for many diets.

To prepare, soak moong dal for a few hours, then blend it into a smooth batter. After that, cook the batter on a hot skillet until both sides turn crispy and golden brown.

Ingredients

• 1 cup yellow moong dal
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• Chopped vegetables (like onions, tomatoes, or spinach)
• Oil for cooking

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak 1 cup of moong dal in water for at least 2 hours.

2. Drain and blend the dal with cumin seeds, turmeric, and salt until smooth.

3. Stir in chopped vegetables.

4. Heat a skillet and add a little oil.

5. Pour a ladle of batter and spread it out.

6. Cook for 2-3 minutes on each side until golden.