Namkeen (Puffed Millet)

My family loves namkeen, a sweet and savory Indian snack. It’s often loaded with fat, salt, sugar, and other additives, though, so I came up with this healthy whole-grain version packed with flavor and goodness. The best part is that it’s ready in less than 30 minutes, of which about 15 minutes is just bake time. This stores very well in an airtight container, but that doesn’t really matter in my house because when I make this it’s gone in less than 24 hours. I wish the same would happen with salad!  

What is Namkeen?

Namkeen is the Hindi word for savory snacks, a category that covers everything from fried lentils to spiced nuts to puffed grains. These snacks are almost always crunchy and have savory spices on them. This version is a crunchy blend of puffed millet, peanuts, mustard seeds, curry leaves, curry powder, raisins, and more, resulting in a snack that is fragrant and delicious. While traditional namkeen is often fried, this version is lighter than traditional fried namkeen because it is baked.

Why This Recipe is Different

If you are looking for a healthy namkeen recipe, then this puffed millet recipe is a good place to start. Many versions of namkeen can be high in fat and sodium, while lacking quality nutrition. This namkeen recipe with puffed millet is high in fiber compared to other namkeen recipes as the millet is a whole grain. Additionally, it is lower in fat as it is baked rather than being fried in oil, as is the case of more traditional recipes.

Commercial varieties of namkeen also often contain preservatives, but by making it at home yourself, you can control the ingredients. This millet namkeen recipe only contains real foods and spices, ensuring that you can feel good about what you are serving to your family.

Ingredients

This recipe includes several Indian ingredients that amplify the millet, making it truly addictive. There are a few ingredients that are more common, too.

• Chat masala — This is a tangy, spicy spice blend that gives namkeen its signature flavor. You can find it at Indian grocery stores or online.
• Curry leaves — Fresh is preferred but you could use frozen if fresh are unavailable. Dried are not a good substitute for fresh or frozen curry leaves in this recipe.
• Puffed millet — This will be labeled as “puffed millet” or “millet puffs” at Indian grocery stores, health food stores, and Amazon. Look for unsweetened varieties for the healthiest options.
• Raisins — Raisins add a sweet contrast but can be omitted for a fully savory version.

Storage

This puffed millet recipe is a perfect make-ahead snack as it stores beautifully in an airtight container in the cupboard. It should stay good for a couple of weeks but it is usually best to consume it within a week for the optimal texture and freshness.

This dish’s make-ahead nature means that you can prep it ahead of holidays like Diwali or large parties and get-togethers. Simply serve it in a bowl on a snack table or package it up to gift to guests.

For more Indian snacks to serve at your gathering, you could consider trying my Spicy Cocktail Peanuts with jalapeno and cilantro, or any other snack recipes listed on Veggiecurean.

 

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