South Indian Diwali snacks are a joyful part of the festival, filled with lights and scrumptious food. Sweet treats often steal the show, but during this festival of lights, snacks play a major role. During your Diwali celebrations, lots of crunchy South Indian Diwali snacks will have been made in South Indian homes, including muruku, mixture, etc. Not only are the traditional snacks tasty, but they create memories of warmth, family, togetherness, and celebration. In this blog, we will explore some of the delicious Diwali party snacks that fill South Indian homes during Diwali festivities. So, if you like to have something crispy to munch on during Diwali, this is the right list for you!

Muruku or Chakli is a favorite Diwali snack in South India. It is spiral-shaped, crispy, and mildly spicy. It is made of rice flour and urad dal flour mixed with butter, sesame seeds, and spices, and fried golden. You can also find chaklis in various flavors like palak, ragi, masala, etc. It is a Udupi famous snack and is also a favorite in Tamil Nadu. It is ideal to crunch while having tea or serve as a tea-time snack to guests during Diwali. It lasts for a few weeks, so it is made in large quantities at a time and stored in air-tight containers. Muruku for Diwali celebrations is a must-have savory snacks on many festive tables.
Kodubale

Kodubale is a crunchy snack in the shape of small rings. It is spicy and nutty in flavor since it is prepared with rice flour, roasted gram flour, grated coconut, and red chili powder. It is a famous snacks in Karnataka and is prepared in every household during the festival. It is fried golden and can be consumed with tea or as a merry snack while gossiping with family.
Nippattu

Nippattu is a spicy, flat, and round snack, which is extremely delicious. Nippattu is prepared using rice flour, peanuts, roasted chana dal, and spices. The dough is flattened into thin discs and deep-fried. It is a popular Diwali snack consumed in Andhra Pradesh and Karnataka. This spicy and crispy Andhra snack is excellent to munch on with coffee or as a Diwali snack.
Kara Sev

Kara Sev is a pungent and easy snack made from rice flour, gram flour, black pepper, and garlic. The mixture is fed through a sev-maker and fried until crispy and golden. Kara Sev is a popular snack in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh. Kara Sev can be enjoyed as a snack by itself or as a topping on a serving of festive mix. Kara Sev gives you a nice crunch and a touch of spiciness to your Diwali treats and is loved among many Tamil snacks.
Khara Boondi

Khara Boondi are crispy little balls of gram flour fried in hot oil and mixed with curry leaves, red chilies, and peanuts. It is crunchy and salty and has a delicious bite. It is used as a common snack in South India and is generally found in combinations of snacks. You can eat it separately or put it on curd rice for some added crunch.
Spicy Shankarpali

Spicy Shankarpali is a crispy square snack that is very delicious. It is prepared using maida (all-purpose flour), spices, and a small amount of butter or ghee. The dough is rolled, cut into small pieces, and fried. Sweet shankarpali is very popular in Maharashtra, but the spicy one is liked by quite a number of people in Karnataka and Andhra Pradesh as well. It is ideal to have when there is a festive occasion, and it is good with a hot cup of chai.
Thattai

Thattai is a rice flour, urad dal flour, and spice-based thin crisp disc, including chili powder and asafoetida. Roasted chana dal and curry leaves are included in some varieties. It is a highly common snack in Tamil Nadu and is prepared during festivals such as Diwali and Krishna Jayanthi. It is crispy, delicious, and can be kept in a jar and eaten at any time of the season. Thattai is one of the most loved Tamil Nadu Diwali snacks.
Banana Chips

Banana chips are raw banana slices fried in coconut oil and salted with a little salt. They are crunchy and also available in spicy flavors. They are extremely popular in Kerala. They form a part of every South Indian home during Diwali and Onam. Banana chips can be consumed as a snack along with sweets or even served as a snack to guests. These Kerala snacks add a unique crunch and flavor to the festival table.
Karida Avalakki

Karida Avalakki means "fried flattened rice" in Kannada. It is a light and crunchy snack made from poha (flattened rice), peanuts, curry leaves, and spices, all fried together until crispy. It is normally made by Karnataka people on Diwali. It is lightly spicy and is ideal for munching without feeling too full. It is nice to have with tea or coffee. This is one of the famous snacks in Karnataka during the festive season.
Khara Mixture

Khara Mixture is a delicious blend of sev, boondi, nuts, curry leaves, and fried poha, all combined with spices. It is salty, spicy, crunchy, and contains so many different textures. It is made differently in each place, but it is very popular in Tamil Nadu and Karnataka. You can serve it in small bowls to visitors or place it in boxes to share with neighbors and friends on Diwali. This spicy and savory snack mix is a perfect choice for Diwali party snacks or to enjoy anytime during the festivities.
For many who live away from home, South Indian Diwali snacks are a meaningful way to reconnect with tradition, family, and roots. This festive crunchiness brings the festival flavor, no matter if you are in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, or elsewhere. The Desi Food delivers authentic South Indian snacks to 80+ countries worldwide, including all major destinations. This Diwali, share that love and food from home with those you love, no matter how far away they are. Order from The Desi Food and make your festival celebrations special!
Are South Indian Diwali snacks vegetarian?
Yes, most South Indian snacks are vegetarian, as they are made using rice flour, lentils, spices, and oil, making them ideal vegetarian foods for this festive time of year.
Can I give these snacks as a gift during Diwali?
Of course! These crunchy, flavourful snacks make great gifts. Put them into some festive boxes and give them away separately, or you can order them online as a gift pack, such as from The Desi Food.
Are any of these snacks gluten-free?
Yes, there are many snacks (murukku, thattai, banana chips, avalakki, etc.) that are gluten-free, as rice flour or poha are the ingredients used to make them. Just ensure to read the ingredients if you are buying prepared snacks.
Will I need any special equipment to make them at home?
Some snacks, like murukku or kara sev, require a press, but snacks like banana chips or a mixture can be made with typical kitchen equipment.
How are these snacks usually served during Diwali?
These snacks are served as tea time snacks, festive party snacks, or they are just added to Diwali hampers. Most of these snacks are easy to store, so they make a perfect treat to munch on throughout the festival for a week.