Namkeens are probably the favourite snacking options for us Indians. 

Morning or evening, we just need an excuse to munch on these tasty mouthwatering crunchy Namkeens/snacks.

Bhujia, Khatta Meetha, Mixture, Fata-Fat Bhel, Gupshup Peanuts, Chewda or Khakhra. We love them all.

But are you aware of what goes into making your favourite namkeens? Loads of salt, hydrogenated oils, artificial flavours and colours to say the least.

So if you want to cut that extra fat or just want to maintain a healthy lifestyle, you should know the best namkeens in the Indian market. Stay tuned.

In search of the best namkeens in the Indian market, I went from the shelves of the local supermarkets to the amazon’s best sellers and picked up almost 30 namkeens.

After thoroughly going through the ingredients list and nutritional information of each one of them, I have categorized all these namkeens into four categories.

Everyone’s Favourite [And Unhealthiest of All]

Bhujia, Aloo Bhujia, Khatta Meetha, Fata-fat Bhel, Chana Jor Garam, Moong Dal, Navratan Mix, Panchrattan Mix and Gupshup Peanuts.

These may be your favourite namkeens, but you should know that they are the unhealthiest of all.

Apart from being prepared from refined flours, deep-fried in bad quality refined oils with chemically refined salts sprinkled over them.

Some even have hydrogenated oils, synthetic colours, nature-identical chemical flavours, leavening agents and anti-caking agents, flavour enhancers and highly processed additives like Maltodextrin.

These have been manufactured just with an intention to make them tasty with absolutely no consideration of their harmful effects on your health.

Most of them even hide the amount of Sodium present in them. 

It would be best if you had to be seriously delusional to think that the slow poisons present in them in the form of their highly processed ingredients won’t harm you later.

When you consume any one of these, you are literally consuming a de-fried mixture of refined flours, refined oils and loads of salts, spices and fillers.

If a healthy lifestyle is what you are looking for? Then you should stay away from these namkeens as much as possible. Your body deserves better.

Genius Namkeen Manufacturers [Over-Smart Marketing]

The manufacturer of these Namkeens is truly a genius.

Genius not because of the quality of their product but because of their over smart marketing tactics. 

These manufacturers are taking undue advantage of people’s good intentions to eat healthily.

Most of us eat salty peanuts and roasted chana considering them to be healthier choices.

The front label even promises it to be a healthy treat, but the back cover will knock your socks off when you know that Maltodextrin, refined oils and chemical flavours have been used to prepare them.

Haldiram’s Chai-Puri & Haldiram’s Salted Peanuts

Haldiram’s Chai Puri looks like a wheat snack, but all it has Maida, refined oil and even hydrogenated oil, which made it higher in trans fats.

Mr.Makhana

Makhana (Lotus Seeds) is a super healthy snack, but Mr.Makhana is quite the opposite.

No doubt its roasted in olive oil even has Himalayan pink and pepper has boosted on its front label.

But the real story is written at the back, which includes Maltodextrin, Flavour enhancers, petroleum-derived preservatives like TBHQ along with chemical flavours.

Even though it has added peanut protein in it, you won’t get even 2 grams of protein per serving.

Garden’s Diet Chivda

Garden’s Diet Chivda is made from refined palm oil, cornstarch and chemically processed salt. I don’t understand which diet they are referring to here, Probably the ‘Diet of Ignorance”.

Patanjali’s Soya Katori & Rice Crispy Mixture

Here comes Patanjali, which had some interesting options in the biscuit blog. 

However, it fails to impress because both these products are not just prepared from refined grains, but also loaded with chemical fillers and flavours.

The amount of Soy in Soya Katori is just 9%, mostly being Maida (Refined Flour).

Check out the quantity of Sodium in Patanjali’s roasted diet rice crispy mixture. 1900 mg per 100gms, too high. This diet makes me look like a sure shot road to blood pressure problems.

Life’s Oat Chips, Life’s Ragi chips, Life’s Soya Stixx

Life’s so-called Healthy Crisps are again a disappointment

The Healthy Cravings Co. Jowar Puffs

The Healthy Cravings Co. Jowar Puffs deep-fried in bad oils are surely not worth the crave.

Fabbox’s Sweet Potato Chips

Fab box loudly marketed Peri-Peri Sweet potato chips are no different.

Urban Platter Roasted Ragi Millet Sticks & Haldiram’s Murukku Crispy Rice Flour Sticks

Check out these Urban Platter’s Roasted Ragi Millet sticks. If you compare it with Haldiram’s rice flour sticks, the ingredients are more or less the same.

The only difference is that urban platter is five times pricier. That’s probably to pay their marketing team for their effort.

Wingreens Farms Baked Pita Bread Crisps

Wingreens Farms Baked Pita Bread Crisps are made in refined oil. Surely not the traditional way to make them.

Roasted Chana Nimbu Pudina by Roast Way foods

Then this Amazon’s bestseller Roast Way foods need a special mention. 

Very cleverly, they have hidden the ingredients here. But once you get them delivered to you, you know how full of lies they are.

What makes me sad the most about the namkeens in this category that people would go out of their way to pay premium prices to buy them because they want to take care of their health.

Mother’s would prefer them for their kids without knowing that they aren’t any different from the worst in the market. Some are even worse. 

This is a stab at the back.

Good Intention But Missed by a Whisker

These are the products that have shown the good intention to serve you healthy but just missed by a whisker.

For example – 

Shubhashree’s Khakra

Consider this Shubhashree’s Khakra made from whole wheat flour and pure cow ghee. 

It could have been in the best category only if it would have used rock salt and jaggery in place of refined salt and sugar.

D for Diet Protein Mix

Similarly, Protein Mix by D for Diet has used refined salt else is all good.

Coconut Chips BY Nature

Coconut chips By Nature are a bit interesting. The ingredients are all good coconut, a pinch of organic sugar and sea salt. 

But when you go through the nutritional information, you will be shocked to know that their pinch is that big.

Yes, more than two teaspoons of sugar in just one serving.

The Namkeens in this category are much better than the once discussed in the previous two categories, but the best are yet to come.

After going through so many namkeens both online and offline, I’m actually very satisfied and delighted to find some of the best namkeens in the Indian market. 

Added them in Category number 4, healthiest among all category – 

Healthiest Namkeens

As you can see, not only this category has a wide array of Namkeen varieties, but they are also pocket friendly, and most importantly, you need not have to compromise on your health while delving into them.

Which includes Chivda, Nugrey, and Masala Peanuts

Matratva’s Gathiya, Chivda, Nugrey, Masala Peanuts

I am highly impressed by Matratva, an organization owned and run by women and have produced some of the best namkeens using organic whole flours, whole spices and cold-pressed oils. Can’t get better than this.

Neelam’s Roasted Makhana & Roasted Sunflower Seeds by Healthie

Neelam’s Makhana roasted in olive oil, and Himalayan pink salts sprinkled over it is another great option. The same goes for roasted sunflower seeds by Healthy as well.

Unsalted – Indiana Roasted Chana, and Shrego’s Roasted Unsalted Peanuts

Looking for some unsalted options, then Indiana’s roasted chana and Shrego’s light roasted peanuts are too good options to munch on.

So far these are the best namkeens available in the Indian market. The authentic taste of Indian snacks. Go for it.

I want to confirm that whatever I’ve told here is my honest opinion. 

None of the brands mentioned in any of the categories has paid me. I am not with or against any brand. I rate a product on its merit.

Friends, that’s all I hope you are reading this line, If yes, please share your opinion about this article in the comments below. 

I hope this article helped you.