FSSAI has set a limit of 25 percent total polar compounds for frying oil, and the Indian food regulator says oil above that level is not suitable for use, as reported by The News Minute. That matters at Diwali, when a home kitchen may fry several batches of namkeen in a single day. Crisp, golden snacks start with clean oil.
Diwali falls on Sunday, November 8, 2026, and guests drop in from Dhanteras on November 6 through Bhai Dooj. This guide gives you 15 Diwali snacks recipes, from chakli and mathri to poha chivda and baked options, with make-ahead timing, storage rules and safe frying habits, so the snack table fills itself without a last-day scramble.
Why Diwali Snacks Matter as Much as Sweets
Wikipedia notes that families share a feast and mithai after the evening puja on Diwali, and that guests visit throughout the five days. Sweets get the attention, but a plate of crisp namkeen is what people reach for between rounds of sugar.
A good Diwali snack table has three types of items: fried crunchy snacks, light roasted or baked snacks and a few filling items for guests who stay longer. The 15 ideas below cover all three.
15 Diwali Snacks Recipes at a Glance
| # | Snack | Method | Make ahead |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Chakli | Deep fry | 5 days |
| 2 | Murukku | Deep fry | 5 days |
| 3 | Mathri | Deep fry or bake | 5 days |
| 4 | Namak para | Deep fry or bake | 5 days |
| 5 | Sev | Deep fry | 5 days |
| 6 | Ribbon pakoda | Deep fry | 5 days |
| 7 | Poha chivda | Pan roast | 7 days |
| 8 | Bombay mix | Mixed from fried items | 7 days |
| 9 | Roasted makhana | Pan roast | 5 days |
| 10 | Masala peanuts | Roast or fry | 5 days |
| 11 | Roasted chana and nut mix | Dry roast | 7 days |
| 12 | Methi puri | Deep fry or bake | 4 days |
| 13 | Baked samosa | Bake or air-fry | Same day |
| 14 | Khasta kachori | Deep fry | 2 days |
| 15 | Air-fried paneer tikka bites | Air-fry | Same day |
Make-ahead times are practical estimates for items stored in airtight tins at room temperature, so judge by smell and crunch. Anything with paneer or a moist filling should be made on the day or refrigerated.
Fried Diwali Namkeen: Chakli, Mathri, Sev and More
Chakli and Murukku
Chakli is a spiral snack made from rice flour and urad dal flour, spiced with cumin, sesame and chilli, and pressed through a star mould. Murukku is the South Indian cousin, often made with rice flour and urad dal. For both, knead a smooth, soft dough and press directly into hot oil, then drain on paper.
Mathri and Namak Para
Mathri and namak para are flaky flour discs and diamonds, spiced with ajwain and pepper. The secret to flakiness is moyan, which is oil or ghee rubbed into the flour before water goes in. Prick the shapes with a fork, and fry on low heat so they cook through before they brown.
Sev and Ribbon Pakoda
Sev is a thin gram flour noodle fried until crisp, while ribbon pakoda is a flat, pleated gram and rice flour snack. Keep the batter smooth, press through the right plate and fry in small batches so the oil stays hot.
Frying Oil Rules You Should Follow
The News Minute reports that FSSAI rules tell businesses not to reuse cooking oil more than three times and not to top up oil beyond the 25 percent total polar compound limit with fresh oil. Home cooks have no meter, so use simple signals: discard oil that is dark, smoky, foamy or smells off, and use fresh oil for delicate snacks. FoodTechBiz reports that FSSAI also asks food businesses to monitor frying oil quality during festive season.
Light and Roasted Diwali Snacks for Guests
Poha Chivda
Poha chivda is the classic no-fuss Diwali snack. Dry-roast thin poha until crisp, then temper with oil, mustard seeds, curry leaves, peanuts, and turmeric, and toss it all together with salt and a little sugar. It keeps well for a week and suits every age.
Roasted Makhana and Masala Peanuts
Roasted makhana (fox nuts) needs only a spoon of ghee, salt and pepper. Masala peanuts can be coated in a besan batter and fried, or dry roasted with chaat masala for a lighter version.
Roasted Chana and Nut Mix
Combine roasted chana, almonds, cashews and a spoon of spices for a snack that suits guests who skip fried food. Our healthy snack recipes include more ideas for balanced snacks you can add to the table.
Baked and Air-Fried Options
Baked samosas, air-fried paneer tikka bites and baked mathri give guests a lighter choice. Our air fryer recipes show the basic temperature and timing logic you can adapt to these snacks.
Make-Ahead Plan and Storage for Diwali Namkeen
| Dates | Cook | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| November 1 to 3 | Chakli, murukku, mathri, namak para, sev | Fry in batches, cool fully |
| November 4 to 5 | Poha chivda, roasted makhana, nut mix, masala peanuts | Roasted snacks stay crisp |
| November 6 to 7 | Methi puri, khasta kachori | Fresh for Dhanteras and Chhoti Diwali guests |
| November 8 | Baked samosa, paneer tikka bites | Serve warm |
How to Store Namkeen So It Stays Crisp
Cool every snack fully before sealing it. Store in airtight steel or glass containers, away from heat and sunlight. Do not mix different snacks in a single tin, because stronger spices and moisture transfer. If a snack softens, re-crisp it on a dry pan for a few minutes.
Serving Ideas
Serve a small bowl of each snack with a tea or chai tray, and refill from the tin so the snacks stay crisp through the evening. Keep a separate bowl for guests who avoid fried food or nuts.
