Okay, real talk: crispy Indian snacks are literally the only thing getting me through these dark 5 p.m. Chicago winters right now. Like, the sun dips at 4:15, I’m freezing, and suddenly all I want is something that makes an audible CRUNCH and preferably sets my mouth on fire. I’m not even Indian (I’m a very white girl from Ohio), but ever since I moved here and discovered the Patel Brothers down the street, my evenings have been 90% frying stuff and 10% regretting life choices. https://www.deepindiankitchen.com/products/swad-potato-peas-samosas
Why Crispy Indian Snacks Own My Evenings (No Cap)
I used to be a chips-and-queso girly. Then one day last February I was hungover, scrolling Uber Eats at 6 p.m., and ordered “mixed pakora” on a whim. Twenty minutes later this dude shows up with a brown bag that’s basically leaking oil, and I’ve never recovered. The crunch. The grease stain on my hoodie. The way I cried when the container was empty. Peak human experience.
My Current Top 10 Crispy Indian Snacks I’m Rotating Like a Broken Record
1. Samosas (but the punjabi ones that are basically 70% potato and 30% regret)
I buy the frozen Swad ones because making the pastry from scratch at 7 p.m. on a Tuesday is not the vibe. Pro tip: air-fry them at 400 for 12 minutes and they come out better than most restaurants. I once ate six in one sitting while watching Real Housewives and had to lie down on the floor. Worth it. https://www.haldiramsusa.com/products/aloo-bhujia
2. Masala peanuts (the nuclear orange kind)
These are crack. I keep a giant jar on my counter and just… graze. My dentist hates me, my tongue is permanently stained, and I have zero regrets.
3. Chakli / murukku 10 Crispy Indian Snacks
My roommate calls them “Indian Cheetos” and honestly? Accurate. I buy the Chitale brand because they’re stupid crunchy and last exactly 2.4 days in this apartment. https://chitalebandhu.in/collections/bhakri-chakli
4. Aloo bhujia (don’t judge me) 10 Crispy Indian Snacks
I put this on everything: Maggi, rice, straight into my mouth at 2 a.m. while doomscrolling. Haldiram’s is elite, fight me.
5. Pakoras (onion + spinach + whatever’s dying in my fridge)
This is where I pretend I can cook. I’ve set off my smoke detector four separate times making these. My upstairs neighbor now knocks whenever he smells ghee. We have a system.
6. Paneer 65 10 Crispy Indian Snacks
I found a place in Devon Avenue that does these stupidly crispy and I’ve been back six times in two weeks. Send help (or more paneer 65).
7. Corn cheese balls 10 Crispy Indian Snacks
Look, I know these are basically Indian jalapeño poppers, but when they’re fresh and the cheese is still molten? I would commit crimes.
8. Moong dal pakodi 10 Crispy Indian Snacks
These little fried lentil nuggets are my “I’m being healthy” snack. (Narrator: she was not being healthy.)
9. Khakhra (but only the methi ones toasted until they’re basically crackers)
I eat these when I’m pretending to diet. They’re crunchy and taste like guilt.
10. Banana chips with chai 10 Crispy Indian Snacks
Sweet, salty, crispy perfection. I buy the giant Kerala bags and hide them from myself. Doesn’t work.
My Very Chaotic Tips for Surviving American Winters with Crispy Indian Snacks
- Keep a dedicated “snack towel” because your hands will be orange for three days
- Buy a splatter screen unless you enjoy cleaning oil off your ceiling (I don’t)
- Always have imli chutney in the fridge. Always.
- If you burn something, just call it “extra charred” and post it on Instagram stories. People will think it’s intentional.
Anyway, I just burned my third batch of pakoras tonight and my apartment smells like a Delhi street cart and I’m weirdly happy about it. If you’re also depressed at 5 p.m. and need something to violently crunch, try any of these crispy Indian snacks. Your tastebuds will thank you. Your waistband… maybe not.
What’s your go-to evening munchie? Drop it below because I’m always looking for new ways to ruin my health. ♡
