You’ve been at work for five hours. Somewhere between your twenty-fifth meeting of the day and your hundredth cup of coffee (we maybe be exaggerating for effect), your hand reaches for the snack drawer on its own. Crunchy, savoury, and hard to put down, whether it’s a bag of chips or a bowl of bhujia, your go-to snack is, unfortunately, rarely the healthy answer to an afternoon craving.
Indian snack brands have noticed. The new crop of chips is popped, baked, or puffed instead of fried. Made from ragi, rice, chickpeas, or chicken, this new generation often carries an impressive protein count (yes, ‘healthy’ chips is a thing now). The flavours have gotten bolder too, with pani puri, kadi patta, kimchi, and even martinis making their way into the mix. Even your childhood favourites—cheeseballs and Crax rings—have fancier new versions, all grown up and ready for the charcuterie board.
With Bite Club, The Nod’s new snack review series, we’ve got our team trying out a bunch of snack options to help you figure out which ones deserve a spot in your drawer.
And if you’re looking for more inspiration beyond what made it to the tasting table, we’ve also rounded up a few more options below.
Banner & Co sweet sriracha popped chips
Banner & Co uses a popping rather than frying process for its potatoes, so you can keep popping these chips shamelessly. They come in a range of flavours, but our picks are the ghost pepper, sweet chilli barbecue, and sweet sriracha ones.
Crax rings defined your childhood, and the company now has something for your fancy adult palate. Their truffle fries are oven-baked and coated with premium black truffle and parmesan cheese flavours. Whether you’re chasing a little nostalgia or spoiling your Gen Alpha niece and nephew, you’re in for a treat.
BRB chips created Agent Nono to combat a world full of nos. 1) You aren’t allowed to say no to these toasties, and why would you? They’re made of wheat, not maida, and baked instead of fried. Not in the mood for a hot Schezwan or a fiery Carolina Reaper? Go for their creamy Fusion Cheese or Garlic Bread.
SuperYou protein chips
Agent Jaskirat Singh Rangi’s latest side-quest is making sure you hit your protein goals. Each 40 gm packet of SuperYou’s protein chips contains 10 gm of protein from a multigrain base and soya protein isolate. They come in four different flavours, with pudina and Masala being crowd favourites.
Sweet Karam Coffee Madras curry leaves chips
Herbal, earthy, and nutty, the humble kadi patta finally gets its spotlight in these chips by Sweet Karam Coffee. Familiar yet groundbreaking all at once, they make for the perfect indulgence paired with a hot cup of chai.
Stranger & Sons dirty martini chips
The result of a limited-edition collaboration between Kettle Studios and Stranger & Sons craft gin, these dirty martini chips (available only in select stores) are your next cocktail’s intended. With the flavour of salt, vinegar and dill, they’re also small-batch and cooked with 30 per cent less oil than regular Kettle Studios chips.
Atom Eats makes crisps so thin they’ll melt in your mouth. They have four flavours, each a product of potato-chip mascot Ollie’s adventures. Hot honey and dill pickle are big hits.
Looking to fill your tummy and clear your sinuses? Natch has your back. Their Wasabi Thai rice chips are crafted from Thai sticky rice and coated with wasabi. Plant-based and gluten-free, these make for a light, healthy treat that culminates in a kick.
Taali brings you your childhood cheeseballs reinvented as healthy protein puffs. From Smoky Barbecue to Pudina Punch, their range of six flavours is classic, tasty, and satisfying. If you’re a fan of the best Lay’s flavour ever (there’s only one right answer), be sure to try their Masala Mania.
If you’re on a protein kick and looking for a low-cal snack, DOKi is for you. India’s first meat snack brand, their chicken chips come with 10 gm protein. Their flavours span classics like cheddar, sea salt, peri peri, as well as Indian options like Amritsari Achari.
Bombay Sweet Shop kimchi popped chips
Want to make an impression as the cool, hip relative this Diwali? Head to Bombay Sweet Shop and order their kimchi popped chips in bulk. While the packaging makes it gifting-friendly, they’re also vegan, gluten-free, and lactose-free, so they’re (kinda) good for you too.
Healthy Binge’s ragi chips come with zero cholesterol, zero refined sugar, zero white flour, and in two zippy flavours—Chatpata Chaat and Cajun Spice—both being crowd-pleasers.
Snackible pani puri protein popped chips
Snackible sent your pani puri to the gym, and it came back jacked. This popped chip includes everything you love about pani puri, with protein to back it up. Eat it straight from the bag or add it to your potato and pudina pani stack if you’d prefer.
The Cinnamon Kitchen cheddar nut and seed crackers
Looking for a worthy addition to your charcuterie board? Try The Cinnamon Kitchen’s cheddar nut and seed crackers. Handcrafted with pumpkin and flax seeds, these crackers deliver a tangy cheddar flavour that makes for a satiating snack solo or paired with your go-to cheese.
Tired of all your chips being potato-based? TBH, us too. From beetroot to jackfruit to sweet potatoes, To Be Honest has all your favourite fruits and veggies reimagined as crisps. Made from 100 per cent real produce, these make for super-simple, super-healthy snacks.
If you’re craving a gourmet snack, India’s bougiest popcorn brand now brings you nachos. From guacamole to pineapple salsa, their range spans all your favourite taco toppings, and most flavours are cooked in antioxidant-rich avocado oil. Their Korean kimchi flavour has rave reviews, and really does taste like the condiment, according to some Redditors.
Nutty Gritties smoked cocktail nut mix
Nutty Gritties’ smoked cocktail nut mix includes roasted almonds, cashews, and pistachios coated in a smoky, savoury seasoning. It’s a snack that works for movie nights as well as a pick-me-up after a stressful day at work, and even pairs well with a cold beer.
Open Secret’s Unjunked bhujia is baked instead of fried, and it’s made without palm oil, trans fat or cholesterol. It’s the same tea-time namkeen you love, just made a little lighter. If bhujia is part of your evening chai ritual, this is an easy swap to make.
Gobbleright’s crunchies are baked chips made with chickpea flour, chia seeds, and flax seeds. Grain-free, gluten-free, and vegan, they make for a satisfying, healthy snack alone or dipped in a condiment of your choice.
