Growing up mamra (murmura) used to be a go-to snack! My mom always had a dabba full of murmura at home. We would enjoy it just as is, or sometimes make sukha bhel. At that time, makhana aka foxnuts was not popular in Gujarat. Since foxnuts are a superfood, I try to indulge in them and keep a stash ready at home, if my family and I want to eat crunchy snacks. If you want to incorporate eating more nuts and have a sweet tooth, you must try my Foxnuts Energy Balls.
What is a Chivda?
Chivda is a delicious, crunchy Indian snack or namkeen, popularly made with flattened rice (poha), spices, ghee, and curry leaves! The chivda is a delightful treat usually during tea time, which is crunchy, delicious, salty and sweet. The Chivda comes in many varieties, and everything about is so addictive! You just can’t stop enjoying munching on it, and talking to your family and friends!
What are Makhanas?
Phool Makhana aka foxnuts is produced across Asia, and used for medicinal purposes. These seeds are a part of water lily plants, that grow in ponds, and swampy lands. The seeds are popularly used in India, to make sweets like kheer, Indian curries, and snacks. They have gained popularity worldwide for their health benefits and the nutrition they provide. I like to add this to my daily diet, as it is a good source of nutrients, protein, and fiber. It helps me feel full if I am hungry, and making a variety of things helps me not get bored of makhana.
How to Make Roasted Makhana and Nuts Chivda
I love a good snack! And this makhana namkeen is a delicious crunchy spicy, and chatpata snack to hold me for those hunger pangs! You must be thinking, that making this recipe might be a lot of work, but trust me, it is super easy to make. Do you have an air fryer? Your life will be even more easy! Roasting the foxnuts, almonds, and cashews is so easy in an air fryer. I add a very simple spice mix, and delicious tempering to mix. I like to use turmeric, chaat masala, and salt for the spices. And I like to prepare the tempering, with ghee, mustard seeds, green chilies, and curry leaves.
Ingredients To Make Foxnuts Chivda
This chivda uses very basic ingredients. I like to use store-bought chaat masala, which you can find in any Indian grocery store near you. Nuts - I am using cashews and almonds to make this chivda, but you can also add peanuts and coconut. Spice - A mix of turmeric, chaat masala, and salt is a delicious mix to give you a nice chatpata chivda. If you like sweetness in your chivda add some powdered sugar. Ghee - I like to use ghee, but if you want to make it vegan, I recommend using coconut oil. Tempering - I like to use mustard seeds, green chilies, and curry leaves.
Expert Tips and Variations
It is important to pay attention to your nuts and foxnuts. They can burn easily. Each air fryer is different, so temperature times may be different. So you should keep a close eye on them. I recommend, checking every minute or 2 minutes if you are using the air fryer. If you are roasting the foxnuts, and nuts on the stovetop, never roast them on high heat. I like to roast it on medium-low heat, the makhanas get nicely crispy and crunchy. I like to make big batches of this chivda, so I roast the makhanas in batches, then overcrowding the air fryer basket, or the pot. Cooking makhanas in batches will ensure they roast properly. To make it vegan, use coconut oil instead ghee. You can also add peanuts and coconut chips to the chivda. If you like sweetness in the chivda, you can add raisins. You can make different spice mixes, like peri peri masala, dry mango powder, mint powder, etc. Different flavorings make this chivda taste amazing
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