5 Easy and Healthy Indian Snacks Your Kids Will Love
Hello, busy parents!
Balancing work, family, and daily life can make finding time for healthy snacks feel like climbing a mountain. But don’t worry, I’ve got your back with some super easy and healthy Indian snacks that your kids will love.
These recipes are not just about keeping your little ones happy, they’re also about sneaking in some nutrition without them even noticing.
Ready to rock snack time? Let’s go!
1. Oats Ragi Pancakes
Ingredients
- 1 cup roasted oats
- 1/2 cup ragi (finger millet) flour
- 1 ripe banana, mashed
- 1 cup milk (or any plant-based milk)
- 1 teaspoon honey/maple syrup or date powder
- 1 teaspoon baking powder (optional)
- A pinch of salt
- Ghee or oil for cooking
Preparation
- Prepare the Batter: In a blender, grind the oats into a fine powder. In a bowl, mix the oats flour, ragi flour, mashed banana, milk, honey, baking powder, and salt to form a smooth batter.
- Cook the Pancakes: Heat a skillet and grease it with a little ghee or oil. Pour a ladleful of batter onto the skillet and spread it into a small pancake. Cook on medium heat until bubbles appear on the surface, then flip and cook the other side until golden brown.
- Serve: Serve the pancakes warm with a drizzle of honey or a side of fresh fruits.
Benefits
Oats and ragi are packed with fiber and essential nutrients, making these pancakes a wholesome snack. Plus, the natural sweetness from the banana and honey makes them a hit with the kiddos. These pancakes are so good, they might just make you the breakfast hero in your house!
2. Veggie Cheese Patties
Ingredients
- 2 large potatoes, boiled and mashed
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, corn), finely chopped and steamed
- 1/2 cup grated cheese (cheddar or mozzarella)
- 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder
- Salt and pepper to taste
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- Oil for shallow frying
Preparation
- Prepare the Mixture: In a large bowl, combine the mashed potatoes, steamed vegetables, grated cheese, cumin powder, coriander powder, salt, and pepper. Mix well to form a dough-like consistency.
- Form the Patties: Take small portions of the mixture and shape them into round patties. Coat each patty with breadcrumbs.
- Cook the Patties: Heat oil in a skillet and shallow fry the patties on medium heat until golden brown on both sides.
- Serve: Serve the patties hot with a side of ketchup or yogurt dip.
Benefits
These veggie cheese patties are a great way to sneak in those veggies. The cheese adds a delicious flavor that kids love, while the vegetables provide essential vitamins and minerals.
Warning: These patties might disappear faster than you can say “Eat your veggies!”
3. Chickpea Chaat
Ingredients
- 1 cup boiled chickpeas
- 1 tomato, chopped
- 1 cucumber, chopped
- 1 onion, chopped
- Coriander leaves, chopped
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon chaat masala
- Salt to taste
Preparation
- Mix the Ingredients: In a large bowl, combine the boiled chickpeas, chopped tomato, cucumber, onion, and coriander leaves.
- Season the Chaat: Add lemon juice, chaat masala, and salt. Mix well.
- Serve: Serve the chickpea chaat in small bowls or plates.
Benefits
Chickpeas are high in protein and fiber, making this a filling and nutritious snack. Fresh vegetables add vitamins and minerals, while chaat masala gives it a tasty twist. It’s like a flavor party in your mouth!
4. Paneer Tikka Skewers
Ingredients
- 200 grams paneer (cottage cheese), cut into cubes
- 1 bell pepper, cut into chunks
- 1 onion, cut into chunks
- 1/2 cup yogurt
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- Salt to taste
- Skewers
Preparation
- Marinate the Paneer and Vegetables: In a bowl, mix yogurt with turmeric, cumin powder, coriander powder, and salt. Add the paneer cubes, bell pepper, and onion chunks. Marinate for at least 30 minutes.
- Prepare the Skewers: Thread the marinated paneer and vegetables onto skewers.
- Cook the Skewers: Grill the skewers on a grill pan or bake in the oven at 180°C (350°F) for 15–20 minutes, turning occasionally until golden and cooked through.
Benefits
Paneer is rich in protein and calcium, essential for growing kids. The colorful vegetables add vitamins and minerals, making these skewers both healthy and visually appealing. Plus, eating food on a stick is just plain fun!
5. Moong Dal Cheela
Ingredients
- 1 cup moong dal (split green gram), soaked for 2–3 hours
- 1 cup spinach or other greens, chopped
- 1 teaspoon turmeric
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- Salt to taste
- Water as needed
- Oil for cooking
Preparation
- Prepare the Batter: Drain the soaked moong dal and grind it into a smooth batter with a little water. Add chopped spinach, turmeric, cumin seeds, and salt to the batter. Mix well.
- Cook the Cheelas: Heat a skillet and pour a ladleful of batter onto it, spreading it into a thin circle. Drizzle a little oil around the edges and cook until golden brown on both sides.
- Serve: Serve the cheelas hot with a side of yogurt or chutney.
Benefits
Moong dal is high in protein and easy to digest, while spinach adds essential vitamins and minerals. These cheelas are nutritious and satisfying, perfect for a quick snack or a light meal. They’re like the superheroes of the snack world!
These five easy and healthy Indian snacks are perfect for kids. They are not only nutritious but also delicious and fun to eat. Give these recipes a try and watch your kids enjoy their snack time with a smile.
Additional Tips
- Get Kids Involved: Let your kids help with simple tasks like mixing ingredients or assembling the snacks. It makes them more excited to eat what they’ve helped make. Plus, it’s a sneaky way to get them interested in cooking!
- Storage Tips: Most of these snacks can be stored in airtight containers and kept in the fridge for a couple of days. Except for the pancakes — they’re so good, there won’t be any leftovers!
- Variations: Feel free to get creative with these recipes. Add different fruits to the parfait, use different veggies in the parathas, or try other legumes in the chaat. Keeping things varied helps maintain interest and enjoyment.
Ready to become the snack-time superhero your kids deserve? Try out these recipes and let us know how they turned out!
Share your experiences and any fun variations you came up with in the comments below. And don’t forget to follow our blog for more awesome and healthy snack ideas.
Happy snacking!