There are so many exotic foods available nowadays, with a variety of foods originating from cultures around the world. Some of the most popular foods are Indian appetizers and desserts, as they make quick but delicious snacks that can really spice up your day! This guide discusses some of the well-known Indian dishes and more obscure treats you may wish to try out. So get your palate ready for a burst of flavors, and feel free to recreate these treats using the linked recipes as you read through the guide!
Spicy Indian Appetizers
Samosa
Samosas are one of the most well-known Indian appetizers in the world. This deep-fried triangular pastry is stuffed with spicy potatoes, peas, coriander, and cumin seeds. Serve this delicious appetizer with sweet tamarind or mint chutney.
Paneer Pakora
Paneer pakora is one of those Indian appetizers that many people enjoy during monsoon and wedding season. Deep-fried Indian cheese is lightly battered with gram flour and added spice for an extra “kick.” Enjoy with mint chutney and a hot cup of chai.
Kachori
Kachori is one of the most delicious and spicy Indian appetizers available in Jaipur, India. The flaky deep-fried pastry is stuffed with moong dal (lentils) and Indian spices. Serve this delightful dish with onions and mint chutney.
Aloo Tikki
Aloo Tikki is one of those Indian appetizers that can be made in several ways depending on what part of India you are from. Aloo (potato) Tikki is potatoes, peas mixed with Indian spices made into a delightful pattie that can be eaten with mint chutney or paired with chana masala.
Read More: Good Healthy Food: 26 Of The Best Food Items For A Healthy Family
Onion Bhaji Pakora
Onion Bhaji Pakora is deep-fried onions covered with a light batter of chickpea flour and Indian spices. This is one of the most common Indian Appetizers that many families serve during weddings.
Papadam
Papadam is a spicy thin, flatbread cracker made out of lentils and chickpea flour. It’s always served in North Indian with roti and aloo gobi. Papadam is one of those Indian appetizers that can be served with a large meal or eaten alone with tomato chutney.
Vegetable Pakora
Vegetable Pakora is the most popular street food in India and one of the best Indian appetizers. This crispy fritter is stuffed with a variety of vegetables, including cauliflower, broccoli, eggplant, spinach, ginger, potato, and aromatic Indian spices. Combined with chickpea flour and then fried until crispy brown, serve these delectables with mint chutney.
Read More: 24 Of Our Favorite Foods And Drinks That Are Always In Season
Chana Puri
Chana Puri is one of the most common Indian appetizers served in Punjab, India. Puri is a deep-fried bread made with whole wheat flour. Chana Masala is a chickpea stew filled with Indian spices, ginger, garlic, and onions. Simply dip the puri into the chana masala to experience the most flavorful Indian dish ever! Pair these delicious Indian appetizers with Mango lassi or salted lassi.
Chaat Papdi
Chaat Papdi is one of the most flavorful Indian appetizers on the planet. This dish combines boiled potatoes & chickpeas, crunchy fried discs, onions, cumin powder, chaat masala and is draped with yogurt.
Pani Puri
Pani Puri (gol gappa) is a mixture of spice and sweetness. Small hollow puris are filled with boiled potatoes, a crispy spicy snack called bhujiya, tamarind chutney, a drop of yogurt, and then dipped into spicy water filled with spices known as “pani.” This is one of the most famous Indian appetizers in New Delhi.
Read More: 23 Vegan-Friendly Drinks And Snacks For A Healthy Lifestyle
Sweet Indian Deserts
Indian desserts, also known as mithai, are an important part of many Indian homes. All desserts are made of a base of condensed milk, sugar, ghee, and these delicious desserts are served at weddings, henna ceremonies, Roka, and Indian Temples for prayers.
Gulab Jamun
Gulab jamun is a delicious dessert made of milk solids or khoya that is deep-fried in oil and then soaked into a warm sugar syrup. Many people serve gulab jamun in Roka ceremonies around the world.
Kheer
Kheer (rice pudding) is an Indian dessert served at Indian temples and is made with rice, milk, and sugar. Many people enjoy this dessert garnished with thinly sliced almonds.
Ras Malai
Ras Malai is a popular dessert consisting of soft and light spongy balls made from milk powder and served in saffron flavored creamy milk draped with pistachio and cashews. It’s a popular dessert in India during the monsoon season.
Chom Chom
Chom Chom (chum chum) is a popular dessert in Bangladesh. This colorful dessert comes in various colors, including pink, yellow, blue, and is made of curdled milk, sugar, saffron, cardamom, and rolled in coconut.
Kulfi
Kulfi is a famous Indian ice cream made with unsweetened condensed milk, sugar, almond, saffron, cardamom powder, and pistachios. This delightful dessert is quite popular in Bombay during the summer.
Read More: East Indian Food Made Easy With Unique Kitchen Appliances
Carrot Halwa
Carrot halwa is a delightful Indian pudding made with fresh carrots, whole milk, sugar, desi ghee, almond slivers, cashews, and raisins. It is flavored with cardamom powder. Many people enjoy this decadent dessert at Roka ceremonies.
Banana Kesari
Banana Kesari is an aromatic South Indian dessert filled with the natural flavors of banana. This delightful dish consists of semolina (sooji), banana, ghee and is sweetened with raw sugar.
Barfi
Barfi (burfi) rich and delightful Indian fudge that comes in a variety of colors. Made with cream, ghee, sweetened condensed milk, powdered milk, pistachios, and edible silver leaf known as vark, Barfi is always present at every Indian ceremony.
Sweet Paan
Sweet Paan is an Indian delicacy that is eaten after a heavy meal. It’s used as a breath freshener and helps with digestion. Paan is made up of a wide range of exotic ingredients, including coconut, cherries, chopped dates, cardamom, clove, saffron, all served on a betel leaf.
Rasgulla
Rasgulla is a soft white milk ball made of fresh paneer (Indian cheese) and dipped in sugary syrup called chashani. The paneer balls are cooked in hot sugar syrup until they are light and spongy. This bitesize dessert is served at henna ceremonies to the bride-to-be.
By now, you must be hungry for some delicious, mouth-watering Indian appetizers or sweet desserts! Go ahead and click the buttons in the guide above to check out the recipes for your treat of choice. Feel free to share this guide with friends and family who enjoy Indian dishes or want to expand their food palate!
WANT TO READ MORE?
Check out this article on 5 Types Of Indian Flatbread With Easy Recipes To Try At Home Tonight
CONNECT WITH DAILY MOM
💖 NEWSLETTER: DAILY READS IN YOUR INBOX 💖
Sign up to receive our picks for the best things to do, see and buy so you can relax and focus on more important tasks! Let us help you be the best version of yourself you can be!
BE SOCIAL WITH US
📌 LOVE IT? PIN IT!📌
