Easy Vegetarian Indian Appetizers

Enjoy 21 Indian appetizer recipes for your next meal or party! Many of these appetizers can be made ahead for parties. All are vegetarian and most vegan. This also includes how to make an easy delicious chutney crostini appetizer.
Cheddar Jalapeno Baked Samosa Recipe (13 of 17)

The best Indian appetizers or Indian starter recipes to start off your meal right! Let’s be real, sometimes the appetizers are the best part of a meal!

 This round up includes starter ideas that are common in Indian households plus some new Indian fusion appetizer ideas to help you change things up!

I’m sure you can find some ideas for your next dinner party!

This list of Indian Starters recipes Is:

  • Vegetarian, many vegan
  • Easy, many don’t take a long time to make!
  • Inclusive of make ahead, party ready appetizers
  • Many can also be served as brunch or lunch

I’ve broken this list into three categories:

  • Traditional appetizers: A few North Indian appetizers, particularly from Gujarat are up so far. Will be updated with more!

  • Samosas: There are a huge variety of types of samosas, since I have a few up, I thought I’d group the popular appetizer

  • Indian Fusion Appetizers: These are new ideas, fusing traditional Indian recipes or flavors with new ideas

Quick links:

Indian cuisine is varied and flavorful. There is also a great deal of room for experimentation to delight your guests or family with something different. I hope this list inspires you with some new ideas.

Traditional Indian Appetizers

Khaman is a popular Indian snack made from gram flour (besan), steamed to perfection and seasoned with a tangy blend of spices, offering a delightful and fluffy texture with a burst of flavors.

Khaman with tadka poured on top and dessicated coconut.

Instant 30 Minute Khaman Dhokla Recipe – (Besan)

Moist and spongy traditional Gujarati khaman dhokla recipe! This instant savory besan (gram flour) khaman is a flavorful, steamed and so tasty.  This recipe uses no yogurt or curd so it is both vegetarian and vegan.
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Paneer tikka is a very popular appetizer! Pair it with a green chutney for a delicious app.

Cubes of paneer (Indian cottage cheese) are marinated in a spiced yogurt mixture, grilled to perfection, and served with a tantalizing smoky flavor that pairs beautifully with the creamy texture of the paneer.

Grilled paneer tikka on skewers on a metal tray with chaat masala, green chutney and lemon to the side.

Paneer Tikka

Dry paneer tikka is a popular vegetarian appetizer in which melt in your mouth paneer and pieces of crunchy and sweet bell pepper/capsicum and onions are tossed in a spiced Greek yogurt marinade. Tradtionally, paneer tikka is made in a tandoori clay oven which gives it a charcoal flavor like grilled paneer. In this easy recipe you can make it stovetop, in a tawa, oven or even grill it.
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Samosa chaat is a delightful Indian street food that combines crispy samosas, crushed and topped with a medley of chutneys, yogurt, onions, and spices like Chaat Masala.

It is both both savory and tangy, making it a perfect snack or appetizer.

Prepared samosa chaat in a white lace trim plate.

Quick Mouth-Watering Samosa Chaat with Spiced Chana

Delicious Indian street style, samosa chaat made quickly at home!  This popular dish is the perfect balance of tang, spice, sweet and bursts with full of flavor.
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Sev Khamani is a popular Gujarati snack made from crumbled and tempered khaman dhokla, garnished with crunchy sev, pomegranate seeds, and a medley of chutneys.

It is also a great way to use leftover khaman!

Sev khamani on a gray plate with pomegranate and sev in the background on plates.

Sev Khamani

Surti sev khamani, also known as amiri khaman is a delicious, popular Gujarati snack made of chana dal khaman.  The khaman is topped with tadka, sev, pomegranate and optionally some chutney.  It is quick to make and protein packed.
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Methi na Gota is a traditional Gujarati snack made from a batter of fenugreek leaves (methi) and chickpea flour, deep-fried to perfection, resulting in crispy and flavorful fritters.

They are delicious served with a side of chutney or tea.

methi na gota pakora

Methi Na Gota

Methi na gota or methi pakora is a traditional Gujarati snack. This is one of many recipes by my Mom that everyone loves.
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Without chutneys, your appetizers will just not be complete!

Here is a collection of 12+ chutneys with some new ideas to delight your guests.

4 chutneys in a collage for 12+ chutney recipes

What is Chutney? + 12 Chutney Recipes

Chutney is a savory or sweet and spiced condiment or accompaniment to many dishes.  They are quick to make at home and will help you to level up and add depth to your everyday dishes! See recipe card for 10 minute mint green chutney for samosas, sandwiches and so much more. Plus, learn 12 more chutney recipes.
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Samosas, A popular Indian Appetizer

I felt due to their popularity (and my love of them!), samosas deserved their own section.

While samosas are usually deep fried, I love to make easy baked versions using puff pastry. Pair any one of these with a cup of hot masala chai and chutney and you are set!

samosa pinwheels with green chutney

Samosa Pinwheels (Baked)

Flaky,delicious baked puff pastry samosas that are quick to pull together and would taste delicious with a cup of chai and green chutney
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A puff pastry samosa wreath or pull apart samosa, is a great way to make a centerpiece for your appetizer table.

Baked in with delicious flavors of spice and chutney, you can’t go wrong with this one.

Samosa puff pastry wreath on a white platter with cranberry chutney in the center laying on a pink tablecloth.

Samosa Wreath

Flaky, delicious flavor packed puff pastry with samosa filling that is party friendly! Easy to make and great for a party, holiday appetizer or a tea time snack served with chutney and a cup of masala chai.
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The next samosa is a fusion – Cheddar Jalapeno Samosa. I used puff pastry again, because it’s easy and delicious!

Baked to brown perfection, you’ll love these easy appetizers.

baked samosas with puff pastry on a white plate.

Cheddar Jalapeno Samosa Recipe (Baked)

Flavor packed potato filled samosas with the addition of infused jalapeno flavor and cheddar. Baked samosa using puff pastry.
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Once of my favorites, Samosa Quesadillas!

Easy to make, these can be an appetizer or a whole meal. It’s a great way to get in the flavor of samosa without all that deep frying.

samosadilla

Samosadilla – Samosa Quesadillas (Indian Mexican Fusion)

Samosadillas are a mashup of samosa and quesadilla in an easy to make recipe! A delicious Indian Mexican fusion meal.
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Up your samosa game by trying out classic and fusion samosa dipping sauces!

I bet you’ll find something new to try in this list below.

Samosa Dipping sauces

12+ Authentic & Flavorful Samosa Dipping Sauces / Samosa Chutneys Including Green Samosa Sauce

Delicious green samosa sauce perfect for dipping samosas. Plus, enjoy 12 more samosa chutney recipes to elevate samosa snacking!
Get the recipe

Indian Fusion Appetizers

Paneer momos on a gray plate with chutney in a small bowl to the side.

Homemade Paneer Momo (Steamed or Pan Fried) Vegetable Paneer Momos

Vegetable paneer momos are dumplings with a big burst of flavor which are served with a street style tomato – chilli momo chutney. They are easy to make at home and are commonly served as an appetizer, side dish or snack.
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Pav Bhaji Nachos Indian Mexican Fusion

Indian Mexican fusion meal combining a popular Indian street food, pav bhaji with nachos!
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Indian cheese board.

Indian Cheeseboard

Fun Indian flavors inspired cheeseboard. Makes for a great easy way to entertain!
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Chili cheese toast with veggies and spiced cheese on top.

Yummy Chili Cheese Toast

Indian style chilli cheese toast with buttery toast, cheese, spices and vegetables. Makes for a great snack or light lunch.
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Tandoori queso in a bowl with corn chips in a steel tray

Tandoori Cheese Queso – Indian Mexican Fusion

Queso filled with tandoori spice flavors and finely chopped veggies.
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Cheddar Pani Puri Masala Hasselback Potatoes

Spicy, tangy, minty potatoes with cheddar cheese. Inspired by a very popular Indian street food.
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goat cheese crostini

Goat Cheese Crostini with Cranberry Chutney

A quick appetizer using goat cheese, topped with cranberry chutney and candied walnuts for a crunch on a crostini
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grilled garlic basil paneer on a plate with tomato

Grilled Garlic Basil Paneer Recipe

Paneer infused with flavors of garlic and basil and grilled for a smoky flavor. Can be served so many ways, such as caprese salad style with fresh tomatoes, basil and balsamic reduction.
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dry chilli chana with quinoa

Chilli Chana

Chilli chana is a popular Indian-chinese appetizer. Crunchy chick peas are tossed in a spicy sauce with capsicum, onions and garlic. While it is traditionally deep fried, this recipe offers a pan fry and bake option to make a healthier version.
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Crispy Baked Masala Fries

Healthy, flavorful baked fries that are easy to make
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While the recipe below is for a burger, aloo tikkis (potato patties) are often served as an appetizer with chutney. So, you can just make the patties for a quick appetizer.

aloo tikki burger sweet potato tikki burger

Aloo Tikki Burger – Sweet potato burger

Aloo tikkis are turned into an Indian fusion potato burger that blends sweet potatoes, veggies, and spices
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Try It? Leave A Review, Love To Hear Feedback! Or Tag Me On Instagram @some_indian_girl

Cheddar Jalapeno Baked Samosa Recipe (13 of 17)

21+ Easy Veg Indian Appetizers Plus Chutney Crostini Recipe

Shilpa Joshi
Enjoy 21 Indian appetizer recipes for your next meal or party! Many of these appetizers can be made ahead for parties. All are vegetarian and most vegan. This also includes how to make an easy delicious chutney crostini appetizer.
5 from 4 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Course Appetizer
Cuisine American
Servings 30 crostinis
Calories 150 kcal

Equipment

  • sauce pan
  • pan

Ingredients
  

  • 30 crostinis I used small ones from Whole Foods
  • 4 oz goat cheese
  • 2 oz cream cheese
  • ½ cup walnuts
  • ½ tbsp butter
  • cup sugar

Instructions
 

Prep cheese spread

  • Mix room temperature goat cheese and cream cheese together

Candy the walnuts

  • Heat butter, sugar and walnuts in a pan on medium. Mixing until melted and coated, about 3-4 minutes. Take off heat and lay on parchment paper. Ensuring they are separated so the walnuts don't stick together. Let cool and dry.

Assemble goat cheese crostinis

  • Spread cheese mixture on crostini, top with cranberry chutney and a few candied walnuts. Optionally garnish with rosemary.

Notes

Note: you can do so many variations of this using different chutneys and cheese spreads.
Link to 12+ chutney ideas is here
Cranberry chutney recipe is here: https://someindiangirl.com/easy-cranberry-chutney-recipe/

Nutrition

Calories: 150kcalCarbohydrates: 23gProtein: 5gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gCholesterol: 4mgSodium: 283mgPotassium: 58mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 70IUCalcium: 42mgIron: 1mg
Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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