Cool down this summer with 10 must-try Indian snacks! From refreshing beverages to light yet flavourful bites, Indian cuisine offers a perfect blend of taste and relief from the heat. These easy-to-make recipes are ideal for quick snacks or wholesome, light meals with family. Whether you’re craving a chilled drink or a savoury treat, each dish has traditional flavours to refresh and satisfy you. Let’s explore these delicious summer delights!
8 Savoury Indian Summer Snacks Recipes You Need To Know
Mint lemonade on a sunny day
Get ready for the best Indian summer snacks—refreshing, delicious, and perfect for beating the heat. From cool drinks to light meals, these recipes blend health and taste for a summer essential.
Appetising Snacks to Try
Start with refreshing summer treats that hydrate, calm, and aid digestion, packed with seasonal fruits and spices for a burst of flavour!
1. Pani Puri
Paani puri
Pani Puri is an evergreen Indian street food that stands undefeated in popularity—be it amongst kids or adults. It’s not just a snack; it’s an emotion that unites countless food lovers nationwide! The crispy hollow puris, filled with chickpea and potato mixture, are dunked into spicy and tangy water, creating an irresistible burst of flavours in every bite. While traditionally considered street food, making Pani Puri at home can turn it into a fun, safer, and more hygienic culinary activity. So indulge in the burst of flavours, making your summer evenings much more exciting with homemade Pani Puris!
2. Cucumber Raita
Cucumber Raita
Cucumber Raita is a cooling side dish, making it a summer favourite in Indian cuisine. This simple yet appetising dish pairs beautifully with Aloo Gobi, which is made with fresh yoghurt, grated cucumber, and a hint of traditional Indian spices. The soothing combination of yogurt and cucumber provides a refreshing element to any meal and becomes an ideal choice to beat the heat. It’s flexible, too, pairing up well with any spicy Indian recipe or enjoyed alone as a snack! Additionally, the addition of cauliflower can enhance the texture and flavour, making it even more delightful. Rich in essential nutrients and almost 95% water, cucumbers are an excellent addition to the summer diet, aiming at keeping your body cool and well-hydrated.
3. Vegetable Salad
Vegetable Salad
One of the healthiest and most aesthetically pleasing meals that fits well within summer recipes is a Vegetable Salad. It’s light yet satiating, and you can get as creative as you want! The ensemble of fresh and crunchy vegetables makes this salad not only delicious but also visually appealing. You can use any fresh vegetables like cucumbers, tomatoes, carrots, etc., giving you a full play of flavours and textures. What’s more? Dress it up with the simplest concoction of lemon juice and chaat masala for that ultimate tang.
A typical Vegetable Salad might include:
- Crunchy cucumber
- Luscious tomatoes
- Fresh lettuce leaves
- Crisp bell peppers
- Hearty boiled chickpeas
- Sweet corn kernels
It’s a perfect option if you’re looking for a light meal loaded with vitamin and mineral-rich veggies to keep you hydrated.
4. Fruit Chaat
Fruit Chaat
Another healthy summer delight is a Fruit Chaat, a mix of fresh fruits spiced up with tangy chaat masala and lime juice. The amalgamation of different fruits and spices leads to an absolutely tantalising outcome, making it an exemplary example of Indian summer recipes that can be enjoyed as a snack or even a dessert. It’s also a great way to include a variety of fruits in your diet.
A quick fruit chaat could include:
- Juicy watermelon cubes
- Sweet mango dices
- Tangy oranges slices
- Freshly sliced bananas
- Crunchy Apple pieces
- Tart grapes
Whether you’re looking for a healthy sweet treat or a light and refreshing snack between meals, this Fruit Chaat has got you covered!
Light Meals
Our appetite often dwindles when the summer heat peaks, leaning more towards lighter, easier options. Thus, keeping it light for lunch or dinner can be an ideal choice. Moving away from the regular, elaborate meals, we present to you some simple yet delicious Indian recipes, including a classic Indian dish like Paneer Butter Masala flavoured with ginger that is perfect for the summer weather. Let’s start by exploring some twists on the classic Indian rice recipes that have proven dependable and satisfying.
1. Lemon Rice
Lemon Rice
Lemon Rice is a tangy and flavourful delight from the South Indian kitchens. Known for its light and refreshing taste, Lemon Rice makes an ideal light meal option for summer. Prepared with cooked rice, seasoned with turmeric, lemon juice, crunchy peanuts, and a tempering of assorted spices, this dish is a favourite amongst many. What makes Lemon Rice a great summer choice is its simplicity-so easy and quick to prepare, yet so satisfying. The zest from the lemons gives the rice a refreshing flavour, which blends perfectly with the mild flavours of the spices used. So, when you are looking for a healthy, quick-fix meal this summer, Lemon Rice can be an amazing pick!
2. Curd Rice with Pomegranate
Curd Rice with Pomegranate
Another South Indian favourite that is a perfect fit for hot summers is the Curd Rice, enhanced by adding curry leaves. But what if we tell you that we have a refreshing ingredient added to this already wonderful recipe? The addition of pomegranate arils not just adds a tint of sweetness to the dish but also renders it even more nutritious. The beauty of curd rice lies in its simplicity-just cooked rice mixed with curd, garnished with tempering and fresh pomegranate arils. As curd is a known coolant for the body and aids digestion, this recipe becomes an excellent option to enjoy as a light meal or as a fulfilling end to your meal.
Refreshing Beverages
Follow summer snacks with refreshing Indian summer drinks that hydrate, cool, and aid digestion. Made with seasonal fruits and spices, these flavorful beverages are the perfect way to beat the heat—starting with the king of fruits!
1. Mango Lassi
mango smoothies
A favourite in many Indian households, Mango Lassi is a summer classic that never fails to impress. This invigorating drink combines the opulence of ripe mangoes with the creaminess of yoghurt, packed together with a touch of sugar. The result is a refreshing concoction of divine sweetness with a tangy undertone—enough to cool you down on a hot summer day and delight your taste buds like no other! It’s a simple Indian recipe that goes a long way in refreshing every sipper. Moreover, being rich in vitamin C and antioxidants from mangoes, it also boosts your immunity, making it an excellent health drink. So whenever you crave for a drink or a dessert, look no further, for Mango Lassi has you covered!
2. Aam Panna
aam panna
Another mango-based drink that has earned its place in Indian summer recipes is the Aam Panna. Forsaking the ripe mangoes this time, Aam Panna banks on the tanginess of raw mangoes, which are cooked, sweetened with sugar, and flavoured with aromatic spices like green chillies. Revered especially in North India, this chilling drink comes with various nutritional benefits as well. Raw mangoes, often replaced by mango pulp, are known for their cooling properties and their effectiveness in beating the summer heat. Not just that, they’re also a rich source of Vitamin C, helpful in enhancing your body’s immunity. This easy-to-make beverage is, therefore, a brilliant choice that combines coolness with health and a whole lot of deliciousness!
3. Mint Lemonade
Mint lemonade
Mint Lemonade is a quintessential Indian summer refresher that infuses the chill of fresh mint leaves with the tang of lemon juice, sweetened lightly for that perfect taste. It’s a simple yet enormously refreshing drink that not only quenches your thirst but also carries a power pack of nutrients from mint and lemon that are beneficial for the scorching summers. The splash of fresh mint not only soothes and aids digestion but also provides a beautiful green hue to the drink. The combined health benefits of these fantastic ingredients, coupled with their individual flavours, make this Mint Lemonade a must-have beverage during summer.
4. Jaljeera
Jaljeera
Integral to many Indian households in summer, Jaljeera is a fascinating blend of tamarind, mint, cumin, and black salt. This quaint beverage not just owns a tangy-spicy taste but also boasts of cooling properties. While tamarind provides essential vitamins and minerals, cumin aids digestion, and mint furnishes that refreshing aftertaste. The distinct flavour profile of Jaljeera is complemented beautifully by its health advantages, making it a delicious summer recipe to beat the excess heat. Cooling down your body and refreshing your palate, every sip of this drink offers an authentic Indian flavour, making it a must-try for both beginners and connoisseurs alike.
Conclusion
Enjoy a delightful mix of flavours and textures with these irresistible coconut Indian summer snacks. This collection brings together classic and creative Indian food recipes, highlighting the versatility of Indian cuisine while keeping health and taste in balance. Beat the heat with refreshing, flavourful bites that celebrate tradition with a touch of innovation. This summer is the perfect time to try something new and savour these cooling delights!
Frequently Asked Questions
What are some healthy Indian snack options for summer?
Healthy Indian summer snacks include Cucumber Raita, Vegetable Salad, Fruit Chaat, and the classic, Curd Rice with Pomegranate, along with tasty green peas dishes and protein-rich urad dal dal dishes. These snacks are light, refreshing and loaded with nutrients, offering a balanced dose of health and taste perfect to withstand the heat.
How can I make traditional Indian snacks suitable for summer?
You can turn traditional Indian snacks into summer-friendly dishes by adding ingredients like saffron that cool the body on a hot day. For instance, adding raw mangoes to drinks, potato patties with cucumber to salads and raita, or including curd in rice. These twists not only enhance the flavour but also aid in battling the heat.
What are some easy and quick summer snacks to prepare?
Looking to whip up some easy and quick summer snacks? Try out refreshing cucumber chaat, tangy mango salsa, crispy corn fritters, or even Gujarati Aloo Tikki Chaat or delicious paneer tikka for a delightful treat. These recipes are perfect for beating the summer heat!
