2138 Starters / Snacks Recipes

Popular Indian Veg Snacks and Starters

 Street food classics like pav bhaji, chaat, and cutlets are especially popular for their bold flavours and satisfying portions. Many of these snacks can be deep-fried for a crunchy bite or steamed and baked for a healthier option. Indian veg starters are often served with fresh chutneys, yoghurt dips, or tangy sauces that add more depth to their taste. These dishes are perfect for tea-time, parties, or as a light meal before the main course. Because of their easy preparation and universal appeal, Indian veg snacks remain a favourite among all age groups. Whether served at festivals, family gatherings, or casual get-togethers, these starters bring people together and add warmth and flavour to every occasion.

Deep fried Indian snacks

Cutlet, Pakora, Vada, many types of kebabs and rolls are deep-fried to perfection and make for an irresistible snack. Deep-frying has been an indulgence that none can resist! Be it for evening snacks or starter for a three, five-course meal, these crunchy snacks are truly fantastic.

Cutlets can be made using a wide range of vegetables, chopped, boiled and mixed with spices, bounded by cornflour, plain flour or bread slices, sometimes coated with breadcrumbs/semolina to give a crisp texture and finally relished with ketchup and chutney.

makai galouti kebab recipe | sweetcorn galouti kebab | corn galouti kebab |

green peas potato and paneer cutlet recipe | aloo matar paneer tikki | matar paneer cutlet | green peas and cottage cheese cutlet |

You can shape them round, cylindrical or heart-shaped. In other places, it is known as Veg Patty and is used to make burgers and other snacks. From crunchy Bread Cutlets or mouth-watering, multi-textured Corn Cheese Balls, Papad Potato Roll to authentic Indian starters like Hara Bhara Koftas, Makai Galouti Kebab, Fried Vegetable Balls to fusion, innovative starters like Biryani Aranchini Balls, Veg Samosa Pinwheels, Crispy Cones Stuffed with Potatoes makes an exciting addition to your starters platter during special occasions and parties.

Vegetarian  Indian Snack Recipes

Chaats are delightful savory snacks made by combining a wide range of ingredients like chopped vegetables, chutneys, papdis, sev, tikkis and can be limited only by your imagination. If you have all the things ready, then Indian chaat recipes like bhelpuri, sev puri, pani puri take hardly any time to assemble & serve.

Bhel Puri

Healthy Mini Beetroot Tikki made with a blend of common spices and everyday ingredients emerge into an irresistible snack. Also, this Hariyali Soya Puris made with the goodness of methi leaves and soya flour are full of nutrients and offer an energy boost just when you need it.

Punjabi samosa recipe  | authentic Punjabi samosa | Punjabi veg samosa | aloo samosa |

Bread Snacks, Indian starters using bread

Baked Bhakarwadi, Healthy Jar Snack

Baked Bhakarwadi, Healthy Jar Snack

The best part about most open toasts is the melted gooey cheese. This simple Cheese Garlic Bread and Cheesy Onion and Chilli Toast made using a handful of ingredients are amazing snacking options. The combination of molten cheese, spiky spices and rich butter with crisp bread slices is indeed a magical experience for the taste buds. 

garlic bread recipe | Indian style garlic bread | baked garlic bread |

Rolls as Starters, Indian Rolls as Snacks

Rolls are perfect on-the-go meals. Just stuff a chapatti/tortilla with a stuffing of your choice, perk up with spreads and sauces, grate some cheese, sprinkle some spices and your tasty snack is ready! Glance through our section to find some of the world’s most exciting Rolls, ranging from the Chapati Rolls Stuffed with Spicy Potatoes and Paneer Tikka Kathi Roll to Rice Wrapper Vegetable Rolls with Sweet Sauce, Mexican Kebab Roll

Aloo Frankie recipe | how to make aloo Frankie | Mumbai street food Aloo Frankie | potato Frankie |

aloo corn tikki roll recipe | Indian aloo corn frankie | potato and corn frankie

Tandoori Barbeque Starters

Barbeque Sundays are not only a thing in western countries but barbequed appetizers are loved in India too. Tandoori paneer, vegetables skewered and marinated to make a wide range of Indian starters like Achaari Paneer Tikkas, Mexican Kebab, Paneer Tikka are famous in most restaurants. Seekh Kebab is another classic recipe that is traditionally made using minced meat. But, Veg Seekh kebab made with masoor dal and vegetables is another treat to the palate.

paneer tikka recipe | restaurant style paneer tikka | paneer tikka on grill pan | tandoori paneer tikka |

achari paneer tikka recipe | Punjabi achari paneer tikka | achari paneer tikka on tawa | healthy achari paneer tikka |

Baked Indian Snacks

Baking is a healthy cooking method as compared to deep-frying. Make scrumptious snack like Baked Puri and then binge on your favorite chaats guilt-free. Also, these baked kale chips are not only crisp, but also, healthy and addictive. Simply tossed in olive oil and sea salt you can even enhance them by adding garlic powder, smoked paprika to make spiced kale chips.

baked papdi recipe | baked puris | homemade baked papdi | healthy baked puri |

Often when we are at work, we crave for munchies in the evening and eat whatever we find, many of us have also given upon this simple pleasure of having dry snacks due to health concerns. Try Baked Methi Mathri, Baked Bhakarwadi, Multi Flour Chakli which is healthy and equally tasty. Bake them in bulk and store it in an airtight jar and enjoy it whenever you wish.

baked chakli recipe | low fat chakli | baked rice flour chakli | homemade rice flour chakli |

Baked chakli is quick and easy to make. We have made chakli healthier by baking it rather than frying it. This simple and delicious low fat chakli is a real treat for weight watchers. Chakli, the popular indian snack, is usually deep-fried and contains loads of calories. Here's how to make baked rice flour chakli with 1 tsp of oil to near perfection by baking them in an oven. Munch them at anytime of the day when hunger strikes.
Namkeen or dry jar snacks are a popular food item made during festive occasions like Diwali. Also, they make up for a great tea time snack or tiffin snacks. Chakli or Murukku is a famous savoury snack which you can either prepare by deep-frying or baking.

Cheesy onion and chilli toast recipe | cheese toast | brown bed toast of onion and cheese | paneer onion and chilli toast in hindi |

Apart from the mainstream loaves of bread, biscuits and cakes, try your hands on these innovative baked delights like Mini Pizza Cups. Who doesn’t love pizza? This mini pizza made in muffin moulds is nothing but pizza cups made by lining with pizza dough and baked with a topping of creamy white sauce based veggie-packed mixture, pizza sauce, seasonings and of course, cheese.

You can make Veg Stuffed Cheesy Pizza Balls that greets you with an appetizing cheesy outer surface, which gradually gives way to succulent buns, with umpteen delightful ingredients at its core. Every time I visit a cake shop , I make sure my shopping bag is filled with enough puffs and pastries, the classic veg puff is indeed one of my favorite.

healthy Indian snacks, starters.

poha cutlet recipe | vegetable poha cutlet | iron rich cutlet | poha cutlet recipe in Hindi |

International Snacks from around the world

Chinese bhel recipe | Indian style Chinese bhel | veg Chinese bhel at home |

Croquette is extremely appetizing small, breadcrumbs coated, deep- fried roll containing the main ingredient, mashed potatoes or ground meat. You can make different varieties like Corn Croquettes, Aloo Cheese Croquettes, Paneer and Corn Croquettes and even transform them into sumptuous Paneer Aloo Croquette Salad Wrap.

If your family loves the middle-eastern cuisine, then try this authentic Lebanese Falafel Stuffed in Pita Bread, scrumptious deep-fried kabuli chana batter ‘bullets’ stuffed in a pita pocket with dressing and vegetables tastes exotic as well as tastes exotic as well as makes for a perfect party starter.

spring rolls recipe | Chinese spring roll | veg spring rolls | deep fried spring rolls | how to make spring rolls |

Chinese starters, with their crisp textures, fiery flavours and tempting aromas, are best suited to start a meal on a high note! Authentic Spring rolls with saucy vegetables taste best with schezwan sauce. Also, this unique, innovative Chinese Pakoras made with a mixture of vegetables and flours enhanced with green chillies, ginger and garlic in appropriate forms, makes a mouth-wateringly spicy snack. Also, Guacamole Onion Rings, Crispy Lotus Stem Honey Chilli, Risotto Balls with Pizza Sauce are some other delectable international snacks.

FAQs

1. What are Indian vegetarian starters and snacks?
Indian vegetarian starters and snacks are small, flavourful dishes served before a meal or enjoyed between meals. They include items like pakoras, tikkis, kebabs, dhokla, cutlets, and chaats made from vegetables, paneer, lentils, and grains.

2. Why are vegetarian starters popular in Indian cuisine?
Vegetarian starters are popular because they offer a wide variety of flavours, textures, and cooking styles. Indian cuisine uses spices, herbs, and cooking techniques that make simple vegetables and pulses taste rich and satisfying.

3. Are Indian vegetarian snacks suitable for parties?
Yes, Indian vegetarian snacks are perfect for parties because they are easy to serve, bite-sized, and liked by people of all ages. Items such as paneer tikkas, spring rolls, and mini samosas are especially popular at gatherings.

4. Can Indian vegetarian starters be prepared in advance?
Many Indian vegetarian starters can be prepared ahead of time. You can shape cutlets, marinate paneer, or prepare batters in advance and cook them just before serving to save time and maintain freshness.

5. Are there healthy options in Indian vegetarian starters?
Yes, there are many healthy choices such as steamed dhokla, vegetable idli, sprouts chaat, grilled paneer, and baked tikkis. These recipes use less oil and provide good nutrition while still being tasty.

6. What ingredients are commonly used in Indian vegetarian snacks?
Common ingredients include potatoes, paneer, lentils, chickpeas, vegetables, bread, spices, herbs, and flours like besan and semolina. These ingredients are easily available and form the base of many popular snacks.

7. Can Indian vegetarian starters be served with dips and chutneys?
Yes, starters and snacks are often served with chutneys and dips such as mint chutney, tamarind chutney, tomato ketchup, and yogurt-based sauces, which enhance the overall flavour.

8. When are Indian vegetarian snacks usually eaten?
Indian vegetarian snacks are enjoyed during tea time, at parties, during festivals, or as light evening meals. They are also commonly served as starters before the main course at family gatherings and celebrations.

Conclusion

Indian starters and snacks play an important role in Indian cuisine by adding flavour, variety, and excitement to every meal and celebration. From crispy pakoras and spicy tikkis to soft dhokla and rich paneer starters, these dishes reflect the diversity of Indian cooking. They are suitable for everyday tea-time, festive occasions, and special gatherings, making them a favourite across all age groups. With options ranging from deep-fried treats to healthy steamed and baked snacks, Indian vegetarian starters offer something for everyone. Their combination of taste, texture, and aroma makes them an essential part of Indian food culture and a delightful way to begin any meal.

Enjoy our starter recipes, snack recipes collection and other starter snack recipes below. 

Baked Snacks Recipes
Barbeque Recipes
Biscuit Recipes
Bread Snack Recipes
Chaat Recipes
Cheese Recipes
Cutlets Recipes
Deep-fried Starters Recipes
Evening Tea Snacks Recipes
Jain Snacks Recipes