Festivity in the air, you know there’s something magical about Diwali mornings that is so different and good. Remember the aroma of desi ghee in the kitchen when mother and grandmother used to cook, that steady humming of laughter coming from a group of children standing at the corner of street, and the sparkle of fairy lights waiting to glow.
Do you know what makes these moments even more memorable? When little kiddos join you in making diwali snacks! Cook with your kids to celebrate this Diwali. Transform your kitchen into a playground and make laddoos, mathris, along with so many memories together.
Why Cooking Diwali Snacks with Kids Is So Special
Well cooking with your cute kiddos is an opportunity to build a unique connection. Imagine tiny hands helping roll out laddoos or even spoon chivda into bowls, first of all they look so sweet doing so. Then your little masterchefs learn recipes, know about your family, tradition, along with creativity. It is also like a sensory adventure, where your kids explore different textures, colors, and aromas.
However, always opt for the safety first approach! Always handle tasks like frying, baking, and chopping all by yourself. It’s good to let your kids tackle mixing, shaping, decorating, or sprinkling. It not only keeps them engaged but also ensures you all have a stress-free celebration! But what will you cook? Let’s have a look at some mouth watering, easy to make diwali recipes:
1. Sweet Coconut Laddoos (No-Cook Wonder)
Running out of time? This recipe is perfect, takes less time to cook and it’s next level delicious. These are packed with refreshing flavors, essential minerals like manganese, copper, and iron that not only supports metabolism but also supports bone health. It also contains dietary fiber that improves digestion.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of grated fresh coconut
- 1 cup of condensed milk (milk made or any)
- ½ teaspoon cardamom powder (for flavor)
- Chopped nuts like almonds and cashews (optional)
Process:
- Take a mixing bowl
- Put grated coconut, condensed milk, and cardamom powder in it.
- Help kids in taking turns and mixing the mixture. Let them explore its soft and squishy texture!
- Guide your kiddos how to form small balls and roll them in shredded coconut for garnish.
- Keep the laddoos in the refrigerator for at least 15 minutes before serving.
- Take laddoos out, wrap them in colorful foil paper, and place them in mini decorative boxes for gifting!
You can play a game called “hide the nuts in laddoo”, so they will be curious to find it while eating. They will easily get friendly with dry fruits.
2. Mini Masala Mathris (Crispy Fun to Shape)
Say mathris and you will dive into the flashbacks of tea time, travel time or midnight crackles. Mathris is the most loved nostalgic and crispy snack. What’s the twist? Make them in mini-size and let your kiddos shape them into different shapes like stars, hearts, or diyas with the help of cookie cutters. It will enhance their creativity.
Ingredients:
- 1 teaspoon of carom seeds (ajwain)
- 2 cups of wheat flour
- 2 tablespoons of pure desi ghee (Try Bilona Ghee by Gaudhuli Parivaar)
- Salt according to taste
- Spices of your choice for flavors
- Water as required
Process:
- Take a bowl or you can do it on a slab.
Put wheat flour, carom seeds, salt, and ghee into it. Mix it and knit it well until you get a stiff dough. - Teach your kiddos how to cut fun shapes.
- Once the cutouts are ready, you can bake or air-fry them till they get golden and crisp.
Make sure to brush mathris with a tad of ghee post-baking for extra flavor and shiny look.
3. Fruity Chivda (Healthy Twist to a Classic)
Looking for something light yet a festive snack? Chivda can be your all time favorite. In this recipe you will get a fruity surprise. You can celebrate with the goodness of dried mango, raisins, and cranberries. These are the natural source of vitamins, antioxidants, and dietary fiber. Also helps to improve digestion and boosts your immune system.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups of flattened rice (chivda or poha)
- ½ cup of mixed nuts (Almonds, Cashews, Apricots and Peanuts)
- ¼ cup of dried fruits (dried mango, raisins, and cranberries)
- 1 teaspoon of mustard seeds
- Fresh Curry leaves
- Salt to taste
- Turmeric powder
- Oil
Process:
- Take a pan and toast poha until it gets crisp.
- Take another pan and heat a bit of oil.
- Put mustard seeds, curry leaves, nuts, turmeric powder, and salt in it. Saute it until aromatic.
- Add poha and toss it well.
- Let it cool down and ask your kiddos to sprinkle the dried fruits. Mix it well and enjoy.
To preserve it you should store it in airtight jars. It is a perfect school snack too!
4. Mini Chocolate Diyas or Rice Krispie Laddoos
Embrace your Diwali celebrations with a delicious chocolaty touch. If your kiddos love experimenting with food, it’s the perfect diwali snack for their sweet cravings.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup of dark or milk chocolate (melted)
- 2 cups of puffed rice (rice cereal)
- Sprinkles or your favorite nuts for garnishing
Process:
- Take a bowl and put puffed rice and some melted chocolate in it.
- Ask your kiddos to mix it and mold them in different shapes like diyas or balls. Sprinkles nuts to decorate
- Keep it in the refrigerator for 20 minutes and it’s all done!
You can use silicon molds to shape the mixture easily.
5. Baked Samosa Bites (Little Hands, Big Flavors)
Yippee, now it’s time for Samosas. Keep them interesting and fun-sized! These are perfect for your little ones’ lunch boxes and festive platters.
Ingredients:
- Make maida dough or get the readymade one or puff pastry sheets
- Your favorite filling: mashed potato & peas, or cheese & corn
- Butter or Oil for Brushing
Process:
- Pick up the dough cut into small circles.
- Spoon in the filling.
- Fold it properly and seal it with a fork.
- Ask your kid to brush them with butter.
- Then keep them in a baking tray and bake at 180°C for 20 minutes.
You can serve it with a mint chutney or tangy tomato dip or any of your favorite chutney as a crowd-pleaser and palette cleanser.
Presentation, Packaging & Gifting Ideas
This diwali unveils culinary artists in you! Play around with colorful trays, brass bowls, or paper cones while cooking diwali snacks. Cherish the “cook with kiddos day” with some more creativity. Ask your kids to help you tie silk ribbons or paste cute doodled stickers on snack jars. You can also use eco-friendly wrapping options like fabric potlis or paper boxes with handwritten and personalised notes. For more delicious healthy recipes stay tuned with us at Chef’s Home Around!
