Fun Indian Appetizers You Can Make with Your Kids

Cooking together can be a fun and educational experience for kids. Indian cuisine, known for its vibrant flavors and diverse ingredients, offers plenty of opportunities for delicious appetizers that you can make with your little ones. Here are some fun Indian appetizers that are easy to prepare and sure to delight your family.

1. Vegetable Pakoras

Vegetable pakoras are a popular Indian snack made from a variety of vegetables dipped in a seasoned chickpea flour batter and deep-fried until crispy. Kids can help by washing and cutting vegetables like potatoes, onions, and spinach. Mix the chopped veggies in a bowl with chickpea flour, spices, and water to create the batter. Once the batter is ready, let your kids drop spoonfuls of the mixture into hot oil for frying (with adult supervision, of course). Serve them hot with chutney for dipping.

2. Aloo Tikki (Potato Patties)

Aloo tikki are spiced potato patties that can be served as appetizers or snacks. After boiling and mashing the potatoes, kids can assist by mixing in spices like cumin, coriander, and garam masala along with breadcrumbs for texture. Shape the mixture into small patties and pan-fry them until golden brown. These crispy delights can be served with mint chutney or tamarind sauce.

3. Paneer Tikka

Paneer tikka is a mouthwatering appetizer made from cubes of paneer marinated in yogurt and spices, then grilled or baked. Kids can help mix yogurt, spices, and lemon juice for the marinade. Cube the paneer and let them thread it onto skewers with bell peppers and onions. Once assembled, you can grill or bake the skewers until they are slightly charred and delicious.

4. Dhokla (Steamed Chickpea Cake)

Dhokla is a healthy and fluffy steamed snack made from fermented chickpea batter. Kids love the bright yellow color and can assist in mixing the batter by combining chickpea flour, yogurt, and spices. Once the batter is ready, pour it into a greased steaming tray and set it in a steamer. After about 20 minutes, you’ll have delicious, spongy dhoklas that can be garnished with coriander and served with green chutney.

5. Pani Puri (Golgappa)

Pani puri, also known as golgappa, is a fun and interactive appetizer. These crispy hollow puris are filled with a spicy mixture of chickpeas, potatoes, and tangy flavored water. Kids can help prepare the filling and assemble the puris. They can also pour the flavored water into the puris just before enjoying them, making it a messy but fun experience. This is sure to be a hit at any family gathering!

6. Vegetable Spring Rolls

Spring rolls may not be originally Indian, but they’ve been widely embraced in Indian cuisine. They’re versatile, and kids can get creative with fillings. Use shredded carrots, cabbage, and even cooked noodles. Kids can help fill and roll the wrappers, making it a hands-on activity. Once rolled, the spring rolls can be deep-fried or baked, and served with a sweet chilli sauce for an added zing!

7. Mini Samosas

Samosas are a classic Indian snack filled with spiced potatoes, peas, and sometimes meat. Making mini samosas can be a fun project for kids. They can help by filling the dough with the spicy mixture after you’ve prepared the filling. Kids will love folding and sealing their own samosas, and they can take pride in knowing they made them from scratch. Fry or bake them until crispy and serve with tamarind chutney.

Engaging children in cooking not only teaches them valuable life skills but also allows them to appreciate the joy of home-cooked food. Try making these fun Indian appetizers together and create lasting memories in the kitchen!