Discover Delicious Snack Recipes from East India - Made Better with Cold-Pressed Oils

The East Indian region is known for its rich and diverse array of flavours in their cuisine. One of the most delightful aspects of this cuisine is its variety of snacks and snack dishes, each carrying a distinct taste and cultural significance.

But did you know that these traditional East Indian recipes can be made even better with cold-pressed oils? These oils, extracted without the use of heat, retain all the natural nutrients and flavours of the seeds or nuts from which they are derived. This means you get a healthier product that enhances the taste and nutritional value of your food.

In this blog, we'll explore some of the best East Indian snack and snack recipes, discussing how to make East Indian snacks yummier and healthier. 

Why Choose Cold-Pressed Oils For Indian Easy Snack Recipes?

Before we dive into the East Indian snack dishes, let’s briefly discuss why cold-pressed oils are the ideal choice for cooking. Cold-pressed oils are extracted by pressing seeds or nuts without using heat, which helps retain their natural flavours and nutrients. Unlike refined oils, which are processed at high temperatures and often stripped of their beneficial properties, cold-pressed oils maintain their essential fatty acids, vitamins, and antioxidants.

Using cold-pressed oils from Gramiyaa in your East Indian snack recipes not only adds a rich, authentic taste but also provides health benefits such as improved heart health, better skin, and enhanced digestion. So, let's get started with some delicious Easy Indian snack recipes!

1. Aloo Chop - Spiced Potato Fritters with Cold-Pressed Mustard Oil

Ingredients:

• 3 large potatoes, boiled and mashed
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 green chilies, chopped
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 2 tablespoons cold-pressed mustard oil
• Salt to taste
• Gram flour (besan) for coating
• Water for the batter
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Filling: Heat cold-pressed mustard oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter. Sauté the chopped onions, green chilies, and ginger-garlic paste until fragrant.
2. Season the Potatoes: Add turmeric powder and salt to the mashed potatoes, then mix with the sautéed onion mixture. Let the filling cool.
3. Form the Chops: Shape the mashed potato mixture into small patties.
4. Coat with Batter: Prepare a batter with gram flour and water, seasoned with salt. Dip each potato patty into the batter.
5. Fry: Heat cold-pressed mustard oil in a pan and fry the patties until golden brown on both sides.
6. Serve: Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve hot with chutney.

Why Cold-Pressed Mustard Oil? The pungent taste of cold-pressed mustard oil perfectly complements the spiced potato filling, giving the fritters a bold, robust flavour. This dish is also one of the most ideal east indian snack recipes.

2. Chivda - Flattened Rice Snack with Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil

Ingredients:

• 2 cups flattened rice (poha)
• 1 tablespoon cold-pressed coconut oil
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 sprig curry leaves
• 2 green chilies, chopped
• 1/4 cup peanuts
• 1/4 cup roasted gram dal
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• Salt to taste
• A pinch of sugar (optional)

Instructions:

1. Roast the Poha: Dry roast the flattened rice in a pan until crisp. Set aside.
2. Prepare the Seasoning: Heat cold-pressed coconut oil in a pan. Add mustard seeds and cumin seeds, and let them splutter. Add curry leaves, green chilies, peanuts, and roasted gram dal. Sauté until the peanuts turn golden brown.
3. Add Turmeric: Stir in turmeric powder, salt, and a pinch of sugar.
4. Combine: Add the roasted flattened rice to the pan and toss well to coat the poha with the seasoned mixture.
5. Serve: Let it cool and store in an airtight container or serve immediately as a light snack.

Why Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil? Cold-pressed coconut oil adds a mild sweetness and rich aroma that pairs beautifully with the crunchy textures of poha and peanuts, making it an irresistible snack.

3. Chakuli Pitha - Rice Pancakes with Cold-Pressed Sesame Oil

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice (soaked overnight)
• ½ cup urad dal (soaked overnight)
• 1 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
• Salt to taste
• Cold-pressed sesame oil for cooking

Instructions:

1. Make the Batter: Grind the soaked rice, urad dal, and fenugreek seeds into a smooth batter. Add salt and let it ferment overnight.
2. Cook the Pitha: Heat a non-stick pan and brush it lightly with cold-pressed sesame oil. Pour a ladleful of batter onto the pan and spread it out to form a thin pancake.
3. Flip and Cook: Cook until golden brown on one side, then flip and cook the other side.
4. Serve: Serve hot with a side of chutney or pickle.

Why Cold-Pressed Sesame Oil? The nutty flavour of cold-pressed sesame oil complements the Chakuli Pitha perfectly, making it a delightful snack option.

4. Muri Mixture - Puffed Rice Snack with Cold-Pressed Groundnut Oil

Ingredients:

• 2 cups puffed rice
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 1 tomato, finely chopped
• 1 cucumber, finely chopped
• 1 green chilli, chopped
• 1 tablespoon cold-pressed groundnut oil
• 1 teaspoon chaat masala
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Mixture: In a large bowl, combine puffed rice, chopped onions, tomatoes, cucumber, and green chilli.
2. Add Seasoning: Drizzle cold-pressed groundnut oil over the mixture. Add chaat masala and salt. Mix well.
3. Serve: Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve immediately.

Why Cold-Pressed Groundnut Oil? Cold-pressed groundnut oil has a mild, nutty flavour that enhances the crispiness of the puffed rice while adding a healthy dose of monounsaturated fats to your best Indian snack ideas.

5. Dalma - Lentils and Vegetables with Cold-Pressed Sunflower Oil

Ingredients:

• 1 cup moong dal (split yellow lentils)
• 1 potato, cubed
• 1 carrot, chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 tablespoon cold-pressed sunflower oil
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

Instructions:

1. Cook the Dal: In a pot, boil the moong dal with turmeric until soft.
2. Add Vegetables: Add the cubed potato, chopped carrot, and tomato to the dal. Cook until the vegetables are tender.
3. Temper the Dal: In a small pan, heat cold-pressed sunflower oil. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter. Pour this tempering over the cooked dal.
4. Serve: Garnish with fresh coriander leaves and serve with rice or roti.

Why Cold-Pressed Sunflower Oil? Cold-pressed sunflower oil adds a light and fresh taste to Dalma, ensuring this best Indian snack recipe remains healthy and flavorful.

East Indian snack and snack recipes are rich in tradition and flavour, offering a taste of the region’s diverse culinary heritage. By using cold-pressed oils, you can enhance the authenticity and health benefits of these dishes. Cold-pressed oils retain the natural nutrients and flavours of the ingredients, making them an excellent choice for cooking.

Whether you’re making a simple Panta Bhat or a spiced Ghugni, cold-pressed oils bring out the best in East Indian recipes. So, the next time you’re in the kitchen, try these recipes with cold-pressed oils and enjoy the delightful flavours of East India in a healthier way.