Recipes · 4 min read · 30 Sep 2026
Makhana five ways, from 2-minute snack to kheer
One pack of makhana, five very different things to make with it.
Makhana (fox nut) is the snack our mothers ate during every vrat. It's light, crunchy and takes on any flavour. Here are five ways to use one pack.
1. Ghee-roasted, 2 minutes
Dry-roast a cup of makhana on low heat until it crunches when pressed. Toss with a teaspoon of ghee, a pinch of salt and kali mirch.
2. Chatpata
Roast as above, then toss with chaat masala and a little amchur. The best tea-time snack.
3. Makhana kheer
Crush roasted makhana roughly, simmer in milk until soft, sweeten and finish with crushed hari elaichi and a few kishmish.
4. Makhana curry
Add roasted makhana to a cashew-tomato gravy just before serving so it stays slightly crisp.
5. Trail mix
Mix roasted makhana with badam, akhrot and pumpkin seeds for a desk snack.
By the Sri Sarayu kitchen team
