Onam 2025: 10 Authentic Kerala Snacks to Add Crunch and Sweetness to Your Celebrations

Onam isn’t just a festival — it’s a grand celebration of Kerala’s vibrant culture, heritage, and most importantly, its irresistible food. While the iconic Onam Sadhya steals the spotlight with its elaborate spread on banana leaves, the festival isn’t truly complete without the traditional snacks that bring along crunchy textures, warm spices, and nostalgic flavors.

Whether it’s a cup of evening tea or a festive gathering with family, these classic Kerala snacks add the perfect finishing touch to the Onam vibe. Here are 10 time-honored snacks that make Onam even more delightful:

1. Upperi (Banana Chips)

No Onam platter is complete without a handful of crispy Upperi. Made by thinly slicing raw bananas and frying them to a perfect golden crunch in pure coconut oil, these chips are lightly salted and served at the beginning of a Sadhya. They provide that first bite of crispness that instantly awakens the taste buds.

2. Sharkara Varatti

If you’re looking for something sweet with a spicy kick, Sharkara Varatti is your go-to snack. These are thick-cut banana chips coated in a glossy mix of jaggery syrup, dry ginger powder, and cumin. The result? A crunchy, sticky treat that balances sweetness with a punch of traditional spice.

3. Murukku

This twisted, spiral-shaped snack is a tea-time favorite across South India, but it holds a special place during Onam. Made from a blend of rice flour and urad dal, Murukku is deep-fried to a crisp and offers a savory, slightly salty taste with each bite. It pairs beautifully with evening tea or coffee.

4. Achappam (Rose Cookies)

Beautifully patterned and slightly sweet, Achappam is made using a traditional iron mould. A batter of rice flour, coconut milk, sugar, and sesame seeds is dipped and fried until light and crispy. The result is a delicately flavored, flower-shaped snack that’s just as lovely to look at as it is to eat.

5. Unniyappam

Soft, sweet, and slightly chewy, Unniyappam is made with a mix of rice flour, ripe bananas, jaggery, coconut bits, and cardamom. Shaped into small balls and fried in oil, these snacks are incredibly aromatic and full of traditional Kerala flavor — a true festive delight.

6. Sukhiyan

A beloved tea-time snack during Onam, Sukhiyan consists of a filling made from cooked green gram (moong dal) sweetened with jaggery and flavored with cardamom. This filling is coated in a light batter and deep-fried until golden brown. It’s nutritious, sweet, and filling all at once.

7. Ela Ada

Ela Ada is both a snack and a light dessert. It features a soft rice flour dough filled with a mixture of jaggery and freshly grated coconut, all neatly wrapped in banana leaves and steamed. The banana leaf imparts a unique aroma, making every bite rich and earthy.

8. Kuzhalappam

Crispy on the outside and subtly spiced, Kuzhalappam are cylindrical snacks made from a dough of rice flour, grated coconut, cumin seeds, and a touch of garlic. They’re rolled thin, shaped into tubes, and fried to perfection — offering a satisfying crunch with every bite.

9. Parippu Vada (Dal Fritters)

A favorite across Kerala, Parippu Vada is made by grinding soaked chana dal with spices, curry leaves, green chilies, and onions. Shaped into patties and deep-fried, these spicy fritters are best served hot with a cup of tea, making them a must-have during Onam gatherings.

10. Neyyappam

Similar to Unniyappam but with a thinner batter, Neyyappam is traditionally fried in ghee, giving it a rich flavor and a beautiful golden brown finish. The batter includes rice flour, jaggery, mashed bananas, and cardamom — making this snack soft on the inside and slightly crisp on the outside.