Navratri Snack Recipes

Navratri is one of the most auspicious festivals for Hindus living all over the world. While it is the time to celebrate, relish sweets, and enjoy Garba and dandiya, many people also observe a strict fast throughout the nine days of this festival. Therefore, we have compiled a few easy Navratri snack recipes that will make the fasting period easier for you. So, let's dive in.

5 Must-try Healthy Snacks for Navratri Season

With Navratri season just around the corner, we have compiled a list of delicious vrat-friendly snacks that will help you make the most of this nine-day festival. These Navratri recipes are easy to prepare and will help satiate your cravings during the fasting days. Here are five healthy snacks you must try this Navratri season:

    1. Sabudana Vadas

    Sabudana or tapioca is a healthy starch retrieved from the spongy tissues that grow on the stem of palm trees. The khichdi or vadas made from sabudana are nutritious and provide the instant energy that people need while fasting. Sabudana vadas are made from peanuts, sabudana, salt, and spices. 

     

    Here’s how you can prepare this healthy Navratri snack recipe:

    Step 1: Soak some sabudana overnight. Take a little oil in a frying pan and roast some peanuts nicely. 

    Step 2: Crush the peanuts until they form a coarse mixture. Now, boil the potatoes nicely and let them cool. 

    Step 3: Don’t overcook the potatoes as we don’t want to make them mushy. Overcooked potatoes may also make the vada soak too much oil. 

    Step 4: Now, mash the potatoes, add the sabudana and mix it well. Add crushed peanut powder, jeera (½ teaspoon), lemon juice (1 teaspoon), and rock salt. Using Himalayan pink rock salt is recommended while preparing Sabudana vadas for fast. 

    Step 5: Mix all the above ingredients well. Apply oil to the palm and fingers and make small vadas out of the mixture. 

    Step 6: For making vadas, the mixture needs to be converted into small-sized balls. Then, press these balls gently to form flat vadas. 

    Step 7: Take some oil in a pan and immerse the vadas only when the oil becomes hot. Fry them until they become golden brown. Remove the vadas from the oil and serve them on a plate.

    2. Roasted Makhanas

    Makhanas are lightweight fasting snacks that are obtained from Euryale Ferox seeds. They are also known as lotus seeds or fox nuts. Makhanas are usually immersed in milk or water and then consumed. Eating Makhanas is healthy for the body as they are rich in antioxidants that slow down the process of ageing. 

    The benefits of makhanas include managing your blood sugar and aiding in weight loss. A simple and easy-to-make healthy Navratri snack by using Makhanas is listed below:

    Step 1: Add two tablespoons of oil or ghee to a frying pan. Roast Makhanas in this oil until they get crispy and golden brown. 

    Step 2: Now, remove the Makhanas into a regular bowl and add almonds and cashews to the frying pan. Roast them until they turn into a light brown colour. 

    Step 3: Add the dry fruits to the Makhanas and mix them well. One may also add roasted coconut slices, raisins, and pistachios to this mix. 

    Step 4: Finally, add sugar, pepper, salt, and amchur powder to the Makhanas and mix all the ingredients well with a large spoon. A delicious and healthy Navratri snack is ready to be tasted now.

    3. Homemade Trail Mix

    Trail mixes are prepared by mixing seeds, dry fruits, sugar, and other ingredients. They are healthy fasting foods that are high in sugar and fat. Since the fat and sugar levels of our body usually go down during fasting, trail mixes make for healthy Navratri snacks.

    Trail mixes in malls and stores are coated with poor-quality oil, sugar, and salt. Therefore, it would be better if people used organic seeds, fresh dry fruits, and natural pink rock salt to make it. Follow the below steps to prepare a navratri fasting recipe for a healthy trail mix at home:

    Step 1: Roast raw pecans in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes.

    Step 2: Roast organic almonds and cashews in the oven at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. 

    Step 3: Now, take sunflower seeds, pumpkin seeds, long raisins, cinnamon, and rock salt and mix them well in a large bowl.

    Step 4: Finally, add the roasted almonds, cashews, and peanuts to the mixture and blend them nicely. 

    Step 5: Add a pinch of cinnamon and nutmeg to make the upwas food tastier. The perfect addition to the Navratri thali is now ready!

    4. Makhana Cutlet

    If you are looking for a tasty and filling snack that will be loved by kids and adults alike then try Makhana cutlets. This is an easy-to-make Navatri recipe that is perfect during the fasting period. Read on to learn how to prepare this delicious snack this Navratri season.

    Step 1: Dry roast the Makhana in a pan until they become crisp. Allow them to cool and then grind them into a coarse powder using a blender or mixer.

    Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine the roasted Makhana powder, mashed potatoes, crushed green peas, chopped onions, green chillies, ginger-garlic paste, red chilli powder, garam masala powder, cumin powder, and salt. Mix everything well.

    Step 3: Divide the mixture into equal portions and shape them into flat round cutlets.

    Step 4: Roll each cutlet in bread crumbs, ensuring they are evenly coated.

    Step 5: Heat oil in a non-stick pan. Once the oil is hot, place the cutlets in it and shallow fry until they turn golden brown on both sides. Make sure to cook on medium heat to ensure they are cooked through.

    Step 6: Remove the cutlets from the pan and place them on a paper towel to remove excess oil. Serve hot with chutney or sauce of your choice.

    Step 7: Enjoy your crispy and delicious Makhana cutlets as a delightful snack or appetizer for Raksha Bandhan or any occasion!

    5. Sabudana Bhel

    Another healthy Navratri snack recipe that will keep your hunger pangs in check is a Sabudana Bhel. This easy and classic recipe is loaded with high fibre and will help you feel full for a long time. You can add a spicy kick to this classic recipe by adding green chillies, chaat masala, sendha namak, and coriander leaves.

    Step 1: Rinse the sabudana under running water until the water runs clear. Then, soak the sabudana in enough water to cover them for about 4-5 hours. After soaking, they should become soft and plump. Drain any excess water.

    Step 2: In a pan, dry roast the peanuts until they become crisp. Remove the skins by rubbing them between your palms and roughly chop them.

    Step 3: Prepare the Sabudana: In a large mixing bowl, combine the soaked and drained sabudana with the diced boiled potatoes, chopped coriander leaves, chopped green chillies, roasted peanuts, cumin seeds, red chilli powder, black salt, and regular salt.

    Step 4: Gently mix all the ingredients until they are well combined. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the mixture and toss everything together again.

    Step 5: Your Sabudana Bhel is ready to serve. Garnish with extra coriander leaves and some more chopped peanuts if desired.

    FAQs on Navratri Snack Recipes

    How to eat healthily during Navratri?

    Eating healthily during Navratri involves focusing on nutrient-rich foods like fruits, vegetables, dairy, and nuts. It is crucial to avoid fried and overly processed foods available in the market. Instead, embrace healthy Navratri fasting ingredients like sabudana, makhana, and kuttu flour for balanced and nutritious meals.

    What food can be eaten during Navratri fasting?

    During the fasting period, you can consume fasting foods such as fruits, nuts, dairy products like yogurt and milk, and specific flours such as kuttu and singhara. Vegetables like potatoes and sweet potatoes are also commonly enjoyed.

    What are some Navratri healthy recipes for weight loss?

    For weight loss during Navratri, try Navratri snack recipes like sabudana bhel and Fruit Chaat with various fruits and spices for added flavour. These recipes are rich in fibre and provide nutrition while supporting your weight loss goals during the fasting period.