Namkeen (Puffed Millet)

My family loves namkeen (puffed millet), 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!  

“Namk” means “salt” in Hindi and namkeen refers to savory, salty snack foods in Indian cuisine. It covers a broad category: fried snacks like sev, bhujia, chivda, and mixture/farsan blends, as well as things like spiced nuts, fried lentils, and crunchy noodle-like strands made from gram flour (besan). Namkeen is for general savory snacking as it is eaten with tea or as a between-meal nibble, or served to guests.

A good namkeen is highly additive. I am not kidding – you cannot stop at one tablespoon. It has sweetness, saltiness, and tanginess from chat masala, crunch from the base, and aroma from oil and spices.

Generally speaking, it is not healthy as it’s mostly made with palm oil and is really high in salt and sugar, and the base is almost always corn. I took the challenge to make a healthy version of the packaged namkeen that is sold all over India. I cut the sugar and added raisins, and instead of using corn as the base, I used healthy puffed millet. With these substitutions, I made the namkeen healthy while keeping the flavor.

It is hard to say when I was was introduced to namkeen. I have been having it it for as long as I can remember. After dal chawal (dal & rice), it is my next favorite comfort food. I have had it for a morning snack or late night snack, and I have even made a meal out of it. It’s one of my favorite comfort foods. Smear some ketchup on a slice of bread and top it with namkeen and I kid you not, it’s one of the best college late night meals on a budget and has been for generations – my parents had it, I had it a lot in college and so did our kids. You can also have it with green chutney like my Mint Cilantro Chutney or a tamarind chutney.

We also like to take this namkeen on long road trips along with my Masala Makhana and some fruit.

If you have never had namkeen and do not have the time to make it, here is my favorite store-bought version, Haldiram’s Khatta Meetha. Honestly, any of the Haldiram’s namkeens are so good. They are not healthy but they taste really good and have bold flavors.

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. Puffed millet is also high in protein and is generally considered a healthy grain, making puffed millet snacks perfect for those who are looking to increase their protein intake.

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 (I like this chat masala brand), ensuring that you can feel good about what you are serving to your family.

How to Puff Millet at Home

If you are new to puffed millet recipes, you may be wondering how to puff millet at home or whether it is easy to find at the grocery store. I have not puffed millet at home and instead purchase it from Amazon. The product I get from Amazon is good quality and has only one ingredient. However, if you would like to try your hand at making puff millet in your kitchen, it is very similar to making homemade popcorn on the stove. Here are some general instructions:

1. Rinse the millet and allow it to dry completely.
2. Heat cooking oil in a pot over medium-high heat. Add the millet, cover the pot with a lid, and shake it continuously while the millet pops.
3. Once you don’t hear anymore popping sounds, you can remove it from the heat, and spread the puffed millet on a large baking sheet or tray to cool.

Ingredients

This millet namkeen 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. This chat masala is my preferred brand for this namkeen recipe.
• 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. I like this puffed millet from Amazon as it is of good quality and only contains one ingredient.
• Raisins — Raisins add a sweet contrast but can be omitted for a fully savory version.

Storage

This healthy namkeen 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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