5 Navratri Snacks That Are Tastier Than Street Food

Riya Kumari | Sep 24, 2025, 17:31 IST

Cutlet

( Image credit : Freepik )

Highlight of the story: Let’s be real: Navratri fasting is less “zen goddess in a glowing aura” and more “hangry mortal calculating how many minutes until sundown.” You start the day radiant in your best ethnic fit, but by 4 p.m. you’re mentally side-eyeing anyone chewing loudly. The trick? Outsmart the hunger pangs with snacks so good they feel almost sinful, except they’re totally legit. Think of this as your delicious loophole list.

Navratri is more than a ritual of avoiding grains or salt. It’s a deliberate slowing down, a time to clean the mind by disciplining the body. Fasting here isn’t about denying yourself joy, it’s about discovering how joy can come from simplicity. What you eat matters, not only because of tradition but because every bite can either weigh you down or quietly lift you. These five snacks respect the sacred rules of vrat while reminding you that food, when chosen with care, is also a form of prayer.

1. Sabudana Tikki

Sabudana pearls are almost meditative: soft, translucent, and gentle on the stomach. When shaped into tikkis with mashed potato, crushed peanuts, and a squeeze of lime, they become little discs of strength. Pan-fried in ghee until golden, they give steady energy without heaviness. Eating a sabudana tikki is like a quiet assurance, you’re nourished, you’re light, and you can keep going.
Sabudana is rich in carbohydrates, offering a slow release of energy. Peanuts add protein and crunch, balancing the dish so your fast feels purposeful, not punishing.

2. Sweet Potato Chaat

Sweet potato carries a subtle sweetness that feels almost like an offering. Roast or boil the cubes until soft, then toss with rock salt, a pinch of roasted cumin, a squeeze of lemon. The earthy heat of cumin against the gentle sweetness of the potato is a reminder that contrasts, sweet and sharp, warm and cool, can coexist beautifully.
Sweet potatoes are rich in fiber and beta carotene, helping keep blood sugar stable during long fasting hours. It’s comfort food that also keeps you alert.

3. Kuttu Crispy Pakora

Buckwheat flour, or kuttu ka atta, is a vrat staple. When whisked into a smooth batter with sendha namak (rock salt), it coats slices of potato or raw banana. Deep-fried in ghee or cold-pressed oil, the pakoras come out hot and crisp, filling the house with an aroma that feels both festive and grounding.
Buckwheat is naturally gluten-free, high in fiber, and surprisingly rich in minerals like magnesium, vital for energy and muscle health while you fast.

4. Roasted Makhana with Ghee & Peanuts

Makhanas, or fox nuts, roast beautifully in a touch of ghee. Add lightly fried peanuts, a pinch of sendha namak. They’re airy, crunchy, and deeply satisfying, perfect for those late-evening moments when the day’s quiet catches up with you.
Makhanas are high in protein and low in calories, making them a heart-healthy snack that feels indulgent without being heavy.

5. Banana Chips

Raw banana slices, thin and sun-kissed in oil or ghee, sprinkled with rock salt, this is simplicity at its finest. Each crisp bite carries the ease of tradition, the kind of snack that can turn an ordinary tea break into a small celebration.
Raw bananas are rich in potassium and resistant starch, supporting digestion and steady energy.

Beyond the Plate

Navratri isn’t about avoiding food; it’s about eating with intention. These snacks don’t just fit the rules of fasting, they invite you to reflect. Every ingredient has a story, every bite a lesson: that nourishment can be pure, joy can be simple, and the act of eating can be a quiet form of devotion.
So as you fast, don’t merely count the hours until the next meal. Let the food you choose remind you of balance, between body and spirit, flavor and restraint, tradition and the small personal rituals that make these nine nights a journey inward.