18 Incredible Indian Appetizers

Indian cuisine is known for its spicy and flavorsome food. So if you want to make appetizers that are guaranteed to be a hit at your next dinner party, we recommend using recipes that are inspired by Indian cuisine.

18 Incredible Indian Appetizers

So if you aren’t afraid to eat food that’s a little spicy, here are 18 excellent Indian appetizers that you are bound to adore!

1. Mini Dosas

In India, dosa is a type of thin pancake. Unlike American or European pancakes, these dosa are rarely sweet. Instead, they are often savory treats that can sometimes be stuffed with vegetables and served with chutney.

Using this phenomenal recipe, you can make adorable mini dosas that work wonderfully as appetizers. Yet, they are also a brilliant breakfast option if you. These pancakes are light, fluffy, and packed with flavor.

2. Vegetable Pakora

Pakoras are one of the most popular appetizers in India. As a result, we’ve included quite a few on this list. If you are searching for a vegetarian appetizer, these vegetable pakoras are an incredible choice.

Thanks to spices like turmeric powder, coriander seeds, and chili powder, these pakoras are bursting with spicy flavors.

By serving these pakoras, you will provide an authentic taste of India. After all, they are commonly sold by street vendors.

3. Naan Bread

Naan bread is commonly used as a side dish, particularly for curries. But it can also make a great appetizer, especially when served with chutney or curry sauce.

If you want to make authentic naan bread, simply follow this delectable recipe. It nails the perfect texture of this flatbread. It’s soft, light, and slightly chewy.

Seasoned with cilantro and garlic, this naan bread has a potent flavor that you’re bound to adore.

4. Chicken Samosas

Like pakoras, samosas are another popular Indian snack. Essentially, they are delicious parcels of goodness.

We particularly adore these irresistible chicken samosas. They are incredibly fragrant and so are guaranteed to flood your kitchen with delicious aromas.

The chicken filling has been perfectly seasoned with carefully chosen spices to maximize the flavor.

Serving these samosas with chutney is an incredible idea, as the chutney is sure to take some of the edge off the spiciness of these samosas.

5. Sev Khamani

Up next, sev khamani is a well-liked Indian dish made with chickpeas. It’s a little spicy, but this flavor is not overpowering. Therefore, even people who avoid spicy food can still enjoy this amazing appetizer.

The addition of cranberry seeds to this dish is wonderful, as they provide a sweet taste that contrasts nicely with the spicy flavors of this dish. These cranberries prove to be incredibly refreshing.

6. Cauliflower Pakora

One of the best pakora fillings is cauliflower. Using cauliflower to make this dish is a great way of adding flavor to this vegetable, which can sometimes taste bland. Luckily, this cauliflower pakora recipe is far from boring.

Seasoned with turmeric, salt, garlic, and ginger, these pakoras are filled with flavors. Simply serve these pakoras with a little bit of salad for an effective Indian appetizer.

Ready in just 15 minutes, this cauliflower pakora recipe is ideal if you crave something quick and easy.

7. Kachumber Salad

Kachumber is a common salad dish in Indian cuisine. Thus, if you crave something fresh and healthy, this is an incredible appetizer.

Made with vegetables such as onions and cucumbers, this salad dish is not only bursting with flavors but there’s a range of different textures too.

The taste of this dish is enhanced by the addition of mint leaves and lemon juice.

This kachumber recipe is also slightly spicy due to the inclusion of green chilis and chili powder.

8. Khaman Dhokla

Dhokla is an incredibly versatile Indian dish that can be eaten at breakfast, dinner, or, most importantly, as an appetizer (see also ‘26 Indian Breakfast Recipes‘).

This fabulous recipe is a great way to make a traditional dhokla. Made with chickpeas, these savory cakes have a soft texture.

They have a vibrant yellow hue, which is sure to grab the attention of anyone who tries these khaman dhoklas.

9. Masala Vada

Masala vada is a form of spiced fritter with a delightfully crunchy texture. Simply serve these flavorsome fritters with a delicious dip to make an excellent appetizer.

Vegan, vegetarian, and gluten-free, this masala vada recipe is suitable for most guests. Consequently, it’s a great appetizer for your next dinner party.

Thanks to ingredients like ginger, coriander leaves, and green chili, they have a potent taste.

10. Tandoori Prawns

Are you a fan of seafood? If so, why not make these luscious tandoori prawns?

They are incredibly easy to make. So if you are looking for a no-fuss appetizer recipe, we suggest making these tandoori prawns.

They have been seasoned with a plethora of Indian spices, resulting in a spicy and pungent taste. This includes chili powder and turmeric, so be prepared for these prawns to have a sharp kick.

11. Methi Na Gota

Methi na gota is a less common Indian dish that is one of our favorite appetizers. It’s packed with unique flavors.

Another fantastic feature of this recipe is that it will only take 15 minutes to make. So you won’t have to spend ages in the kitchen making this Indian appetizer.

Just bear in mind that this dish is made with a lot of ingredients, some of which may be difficult to obtain. But if you can get these ingredients, it’s worth making this superb savory snack.

12. Papri Chaat

Papri chaat, also known as papdi chaat, is a common form of street food in India. So if you want to capture the authentic taste of India, papri chaat can be an amazing appetizer.

What we like most about papri chaat is how diverse it is. It not only contains a variety of flavors, but also a range of different textures.

This superb recipe is a straightforward way of making this delicious treat.

13. Samosa Pinwheels

An alternative way of serving samosas is to make these fun pinwheels.

They have an amazing aesthetic, meaning that this appetizer is guaranteed to impress. These pinwheels are made with a spicy potato and pea filling that’s absolutely divine.

Another reason why we love this recipe is that it can be baked with ready-made puff pastry. Pastry has a reputation for being difficult to make, so we appreciate how simple this recipe is.

14. Onion Bhaji

Next, onion bhajis are commonly served at Indian restaurants and takeaways. Yet, it’s super simple to make homemade onion bhajis. These fried treats have a golden color and a crispy texture.

The onion filling has a sharp and tangy taste, which is only enhanced by the spiced batter. These bhajis are brilliant for dipping into a sauce.

15. Masala French Toast

This masala toast recipe represents a merging of French and Indian cuisine.

Unlike traditional French toast, it doesn’t have a sweet taste. Instead, it has a spicy flavor that works surprisingly well. This is thanks to the use of red chili flakes.

So if you are looking for a unique Indian appetizer recipe that’s unlike anything you’ve tried before, this masala French toast is sure to be a hit.

16. Indian Spring Rolls

Though spring rolls are associated with China, these Indian-inspired spring roll recipes are mouth-watering. This flavorsome chicken and vegetable filling is wrapped in a light spring roll wrapper.

To make the most of these Indian spring rolls, serve them alongside some delectable dips or chutney.

17. Paneer Momos

Paneer momos are a form of vegetarian dumpling. So if you are planning a vegetarian dinner party, these paneer momos are sure to enhance your meal. Be sure to serve them with some delicious sauces.

These dumplings have a tasty vegetable filling, which has been seasoned with soy sauce for extra flavor.

Coated in Schezwan sauce, which provides them with a sensational spicy taste. Therefore, if you appreciate spicy food, this recipe will be delightful.

18. Khandvi

Finally, khandvi is a yogurt-based savory snack that is popular in India. These snacks have a distinctive yellow color thanks to the use of flavorings.

Seasoned with turmeric, chili, and ginger, this appetizer is truly tasty. They have a somewhat spicy taste, but thankfully this is not overwhelming. As a result, this snack also works well for breakfast.

Frequently Asked Questions

What Foods Are Associated With India?

India is known for spicy food, including curry. Lots of different curries are heavily associated with this country, such as jalfrezi, vindaloo, and pasanda.

Other iconic Indian dishes include samosa, naan bread, and pakora.

What Dessert Should I Serve For My Indian-Themed Dinner?

Though India is known for lots of different savory dishes, there are not many Indian desserts that are widely known outside of the country.

So if you are looking for an Indian dessert, we recommend making falooda, gulab jamun, or kalakand.

Final Thoughts

As you can see, India has a rich and diverse cuisine. So if you want to add some spicy flavors to your meal, why not make some of these delicious Indian appetizers? They are guaranteed to increase your appetite before your main meal!

18 Incredible Indian Appetizers

18 Incredible Indian Appetizers

Recipe by Jenna

Are you interested in Indian cuisine? If so, why not make some delicious Indian appetizers to start your meal? Here are 18 excellent recipes for you!

Course: Appetizers
5 from 1 vote

Directions

  • Pick a recipe from the list above
  • Click the recipe name and visit the website
  • Collect the ingredients and cook the food
  • Enjoy – don’t forget to leave a review

Recipe Video

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