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!
- Use basic Indian spices
- Inclusive of make ahead, party ready appetizers
- Many can also be served as brunch or lunch
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.
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
Traditional Indian Appetizers
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.
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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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
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
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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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
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 (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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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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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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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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11 Authentic & Flavorful Samosa Dipping Sauces / Samosa Chutneys Including Green Samosa Sauce
Delicious green samosa sauce perfect for dipping samosas. Plus, enjoy 11 more samosa chutney recipes to elevate samosa snacking!
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Indian Fusion Appetizers
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 Cheeseboard
Fun Indian flavors inspired cheeseboard. Makes for a great easy way to entertain!
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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 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 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 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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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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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 burger
Aloo tikkis are turned into an Indian fusion potato burger that blends sweet potatoes, veggies, and spices
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21+ Easy Veg Indian Appetizers Plus Chutney Crostini Recipe
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.
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
- ⅛ cup sugar
Instructions
Make cranberry chutney
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!