The simplest healthy snacks to keep at home are the ones that need no cooking: a handful of nuts, a bowl of makhana, a few dates or some dried fruit. They travel well, keep for weeks in a closed jar, and fill the gap between meals without a packet of fried namkeen.
Here is what we would pack for each part of the day, and how much is a sensible amount.
Dry snacks for the office drawer
An office snack has to survive a drawer for a week and not make a mess on the keyboard. A small jar of Trial Mix with 12 Nuts & Dry Fruits does both: nuts for crunch, dried fruit for sweetness, and no need to choose.
If the afternoon slump is really a craving for something salty, Roasted Almonds (Badam) scratch the same itch as chips. Keep the lid shut between handfuls. Nuts left open near an air conditioner or a window lose their crunch fast.
School tiffin and after-school hunger
For children, small and mixed works best. A few pieces of kaju, two or three kishmish and a date fill a corner of the tiffin without taking over the lunch. Black Dates – Khajoor are soft and easy for younger children to eat. Remove the seed first, and see how to judge a good khajur if you are buying them for the first time.
Two practical points. Some schools restrict nuts because of allergies, so check your school’s rule before packing any. And whole nuts can be a choking risk for small children, so chop or crush them for the youngest.
After school, a bowl of roasted makhana is a good bridge to dinner. It is light, crunchy and easy to season.
Fox nut snacks for evening hunger
Makhana (Fox Nut) is the evening snack we would reach for first. A big bowl weighs very little, so it feels generous. Roast it in a pan on a low flame with a little ghee for about eight minutes, until one breaks with a crunch when pressed, then toss it with salt, pepper or chaat masala.
For something heartier with evening chai, mix roasted makhana with a handful of roasted kaju and a spoon of Pumpkin Seeds. It keeps in a jar for a week or so.
Snacks for travel
On trains, flights and long drives, dry snacks beat anything that needs a fridge. Pack each person’s share in a separate small box or zip bag so one packet is not passed around all journey. Nuts, dates and dried fruit all handle heat better than sandwiches, though in summer it is still wise to keep them out of direct sun.
We would pack a mix of one nut, one dried fruit and makhana. The makhana keeps you busy, the nut fills you up, and the fruit covers the craving for something sweet.
Building a party snack box
A party snack box is easy to build from single packs. Use one section each for:
- a plain nut, such as roasted badam or pista
- a spiced nut, such as masala or peri peri kaju
- a dried fruit, such as kishmish, anjeer or dates
- roasted makhana made at home
- a little mukhwas to finish
For a ready mix and ideas on making your own, see our page on mixed dry fruits. Everything else is on the dry fruits shelf. Orders start at ₹1,500 and ship free.
How much is a sensible portion
Nuts and dried fruit are nourishing but dense, so the amount matters more than the choice. As a general guide for adults:
- Nuts: a small handful, about 30 g, once or twice a day
- Dates: two or three
- Dried fruit such as kishmish or anjeer: a small handful
- Makhana: a cup or two, roasted
- Seeds: a tablespoon sprinkled on something else
The easy mistake is eating straight from a large packet. Pour a portion into a small bowl and close the pack.
Questions people ask
What are some healthy snacks to buy online?
Nuts such as badam, kaju and akhrot, makhana, dates, dried fruit and seeds. They need no cooking and keep well in a closed jar.
Is makhana a good snack?
Makhana is light, filling and low in fat when roasted with only a little ghee or oil. It makes a good alternative to fried snacks in the evening.
How long do dry snacks stay fresh?
In an airtight jar kept cool and dry, raw nuts and dried fruit last for weeks. Roasted and flavoured nuts are best finished within a few weeks of opening, and home-roasted makhana within a week or two.
Are dates and dried fruit fine for someone with diabetes?
Dates and dried fruit are naturally high in sugar. Anyone with diabetes, or anyone who is pregnant, should ask their doctor how much suits them.