Gujarati snacks have a special vibe about them which is so endearing and makes you addicted to them. As a line from a one-time, popular commercial says, “Control hi nahin hota,” when it comes to the array of mouth-watering Gujarati snacks. If the Gujarati Thali is the superstar of Gujarati cuisine, the snacks are megastars in their own right. Here are 6 irresistible Gujarati snacks that are sure to blow your mind away, that is if they haven’t already.

Irresistible Gujarati Snacks – That Pack The Flavour Of Gujarat

Gujarati snacks have such a warm and homely feeling associated with them. This is of course not only for those who call Gujarat their home or those who have spent a considerable part of their lives there, like us. This is a feeling that will assail you, even if you are trying them out for the first time.

Be it Ahmedabad, Junagadh, Rajkot, Dwarka, or Somnath, the aroma of these snacks being fried is sure to draw you like magic to its source.

It is not as if you cannot enjoy the ecstasy of authentic Gujarati snacks outside of the state, but experiencing them in Gujarat is a different, “snack game,” altogether. So read on for a mouth-watering experience of 5 irresistible Gujarati snacks.

1. Fafda – Irresistible Gujarati Snacks

Years ago in Ahmedabad, we were introduced to Fafda. On an early morning walk, we spotted a big crowd by the side of a road. Closer inspection revealed a man who seemed to be creating magic with his hands. He was spreading thin layers of batter on a flat plate and then with remarkable skill flinging them into a huge frying pan where boiling oil waited for the moment of union.

What we had witnessed was the making of Fafda, a snack you could consume early in the morning or get down from a train well past midnight to have a nocturnal feast in a godforsaken railway station.

Fafda is eaten with grated raw Papaya, and a Kadi, which is of course made from sour curds, and not to forget the fried green chillies. The main ingredient of Fafda like most irresistible Gujarati snacks is Besan or Chickpea flour. The Fafdas are best eaten, straight off the frying pan, steaming hot!

One of the unique traditions of Gujarat is that of eating Fafda and Jalebi on the day of the Dussehra festival.

2. Methi Na Gota – Popular Gujarati Snacks

Another irresistible Gujarati Snack is the ubiquitous Methi Na Gota aka Methi Pakoda. Methi Na Gota has a unique flavour and aroma and is totally different to any other pakodas or fritters that you would have eaten. The golden brown Gota promises epicurean ecstasy and as soon as you take the first bite, the different flavours, textures, and aromas envelop you in a tantalizing web of magic.

The Methi Na Gota. is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The taste is a sizzling medley of flavours, hot, sour, sweet, and bitter. The bitterness is because of the fenugreek leaves or Methi. Fenugreek leaves are of course the protagonist of the Methi Gota recipe and not only provide it with a unique taste but also lend it with a fresh and unique aroma. Methi Na Gota is best eaten with Kadhi chutney and with fried green chillies.

3. Gathiya – Famous Gujarati Snacks

Gathiya is another Gujarati snack made from Chickpea flour. It is similar to Sev but is thicker. Bhavnagar and Rajkot are the best places to enjoy authentic Ganthiya. Dry Ganthiya has a long shelf life and you store it at home and use it as a tasty accompaniment with tea or coffee. However, the best Gathiya that we have had were eaten fresh from the frying pan and scalding hot, soft, rather than crispy. Fried green chillies strike an awesome note with hot ganthiyas.

4. Dhokla – Gujarati Famous Snacks

Another very popular and iconic Gujarati Snack is Dhokla and its different variants. Dhokla is a relatively healthier snack as compared to many other Gujarati snacks as it is not fried in oil. In fact, it is a steamed dish, made of a fermented batter which is a mix of rice, Bengal Gram, or chickpea flour.

What is the most appealing aspect of Dhoklas is their sponginess, which makes them melt in your mouth. The second highlight of the snack is the garnishing of mustard seeds, coriander leaves, and sesame seeds. Dhoklas are light on the stomach and make for a healthy and quick snack. Like many other Gujarati snacks, green chillies and Kadhi add to the flavour of the Dhokla.

Did you know that an ancient Jain text of 1066 CE mentions Dukkia, which is believed to be the precursor of Dhokla?

5. Thepla – Irresistible Gujarati Snacks

“Necessity is the mother of invention,” and it was a necessity that led to the invention of one of Gujarat’s most enduring and endearing snacks, the Thepla. Actually, the Thepla is much more of a snack, it can be a complete meal in itself.

Many years ago Gujarat’s womenfolk felt the necessity to pack something that would not only be filling and healthy but would also stay fresh for a longer time, for their husbands. The Gujaratis have traditionally been merchants, and they used to travel on business and Theplas would accompany them on their journeys. Theplas filled their stomachs and also reminded them of the love of their wives and evoked the feeling of home in faraway lands.

Even today when the Gujarati leaves home on flights that take him to the USA, Canada, Europe, and different corners of the world, a box full of Theplas is sure to form an important part of his baggage.

Theplas can be eaten hot or cold, with pickles, curds, butter, or simply plain. They are really versatile and can be munched along with sips of hot tea. The authentic Gujarati Thepla is wafer-thin and perfectly round. It is made from a batter which is a mix of wheat flour, chickpea flour, and millet flour. Chopped fenugreek leaves, a pinch of sugar, some amount of curds, a dash of spice, and steaming hot Theplas are ready!

The next time you travel do not forget to pack a box of Theplas, they will stand in good stead on your journey.

We are sure you are tempted to immediately order your favourite Gujarati snack this very minute, go ahead do it, and bon appetite!

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