Healthy Appetizers For a Super-Hit Party

Searching for easy healthy appetizers finger foods and healthy appetizers without cheese? Look no further. 

We list out fifteen vegetarian and non-vegetarian healthy appetizers for you to make and delight your guests. Browse through our collection of instant recipes and make ahead healthy appetizers to make sure your party is a hit!

We recommend using a microwave to make these recipes for the best results.

Steps for Healthy Tawa Frying (in a microwave)

The Tawa is first preheated in the oven and then the food is placed on it. The time is now set. It is always best to set the maximum time given in the recipe, as you can always open the oven and check if needed. When you close the oven and start, the oven will continue to cook for the remaining time.

1. Place low rack on the glass turntable. Keep tawa on the low rack.
2. Press ‘Heater selector’ option twice, for selecting H2 option.
3. Press start. The microwave oven will preheat for 2 minutes.
4. The microwave oven will beep after preheating.
5. Place food on the hot tawa.
6. Set the cooking time, e.g. 12-15 minutes.
7. Check after 12 minutes. Discontinue cooking if the food is cooked.

 

Healthy Appetizers: Vegetarian Recipes

1. Nugget Lollipops

Makes: 8

Ingredients:

½ tsp amchoor

½ tsp red chilli powder

6 ice-cream sticks or wooden spoons

½ tsp garam masala

1 tsp salt

3 tsp tomato ketchup

2 slices of bread (preferably brown bread) — dip in water and crumble

2 potatoes, boiled

½ cup kale chane, soaked and boiled with just enough water

 

Method:

1. Pressure cook chanas until soft. If there is any water left, cook on fire till almost dry. Remove from fire and cool. 
2. Grind the chanas to a paste.
3. Mix amchoor, red chilli powder, garam masala, salt, ketchup, bread and boiled potatoes.
4. Make balls and insert a stick in each. Flatten the ball on a stick.
5. Put the tawa on the rack in the oven. Preheat the oven on H2 for tawa frying with the tawa inside.
6. Brush lollipops with oil. Place the lollipops on the tawa. Cook for 14 minutes. 
7. Serve hot.

 

2. Crunchy Dalia Patties

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

1 tsp lemon juice

2-3 tbsp coriander leaves, chopped

1 ¼ tsp dry mango powder (amchoor)

½ tsp garam masala

1 tsp coriander powder

½” piece of ginger, finely chopped

2-3 green chillies, finely chopped

¾ tsp red chilli powder

1 ½ tsp salt

1 cup home-made paneer or mashed boiled potato

½ cup dalia (cracked wheat)

1 cup cauliflower, grated and soaked in hot water for 10 minutes

 

Method:

1. To roast dalia in the microwave, spread dalia on a plate and microwave for 3 minutes. Soak roasted dalia in water for an hour. Strain. Squeeze out excess water by pressing well. 
2. Strain the soaked cauliflower. Press cauliflower in the strainer to drain off all the water.
3. Squeeze home-made paneer through a muslin cloth and mash or use 1 cup mashed potatoes instead.
4. Mix cauliflower and all other ingredients to the dalia. Mix it well. Form into 4 diamond or square-shaped patties.
5. Put the tawa on the rack in the oven. Preheat the oven on H2 for tawa frying with the tawa inside.
6. Brush patties with oil. Place the patties on the tawa. Cook for 15 minutes. After 10 minutes, turn side and cook for remaining 5 minutes. 
7. Serve dotted with chutney.

 

3. French Fries

Serves: 2

Ingredients:

¼ tsp pepper

¼ tsp salt

2-3 potatoes

 

Method:

1. Peel and cut potatoes into thin strips or fingers of same thickness.
2. Keep for about ten minutes in cold water to which 1-2 tsp salt has been added.
3. Drain and wipe dry on a clean kitchen towel.
4. Put the tawa on the rack in the oven. Preheat the oven on H2 for tawa inside to the heat tawa.
5. Place the potatoes on the tawa and cook for 12-15 minutes. Immediately sprinkle salt and pepper. 
6. Serve hot.

 

4. Green Oat Cakes

Makes: 8

Ingredients:

2 tsp lemon juice

1 tsp oregano

½ tsp black pepper

¾ tsp salt 

1 tsp ginger, finely chopped

3 tsp fresh coriander

1 green chilli, finely chopped

1 small potato, boiled and grated

¾ cup oats

1 cup spinach, chopped

½ cup peas, boiled or frozen

2 tbsp yoghurt

 

Method:

1. To roast oats, spread in a microwave plate and microwave for 3 minutes. Keep aside.
2. Put all the ingredients in a grinder and grind to a rough paste with some water.
3. Remove from the grinder and mix very well. Check seasoning.
4. Divide into 8 balls. Flatten the balls to get square pieces of ½” thickness.
5. Put the tawa on the rack in the oven. Preheat the oven on H2 for tawa frying with the tawa inside.
6. Brush the cakes with oil and place them on the tawa. Cook for 10 minutes. After 6 minutes, turn side and cook for the remaining 4 minutes. 
7. Serve hot with tomato ketchup.

 

5. Lentil and Brown Rice Tikki

Makes: 10

Ingredients:

1-2 tbsp roasted chana, grind in a mixer until a fine powder is obtained

2 tbsp fresh coriander leaves, finely chopped

1-2 green chillies, finely chopped

2 tsp lemon juice

½ tsp black pepper powder

1 ½ tsp salt

¾ tsp garam masala

½ cup brown rice, soaked in water for 15 minutes

1 tsp garlic paste

4 tbsp fresh mint leaves, finely chopped

1 tsp ginger, finely chopped

½ tsp turmeric

½ cup red lentils

To coat:

½ cup dry bread crumbs

 

Method:

1. Drain soaked rice and put it in a flat dish. Add lentil, ½ tsp salt, ½ tsp turmeric and 2 cups of water. Cover and microwave for 12 minutes. Keep aside for 5 minutes to absorb all water.
2. Add all the other ingredients. Mix enough roasted chana powder to shape into round tikkis. Roll each in bread crumbs to coat all over. 
3. Put the tawa on the rack in the oven. Preheat the oven on H2 for tawa frying with the tawa inside.
4. Brush tikkis with oil. Place them on the tawa and cook for 12 minutes.

 

6. Vegetable Pancakes

Makes: 6

Ingredients:

¼ tsp chaat masala

1 green chilli, deseeded and finely chopped

½ tomato, deseeded and finely chopped

½ onion, chopped

2 tbsp green coriander, finely chopped

¼ cup french beans, finely chopped

1 tsp salt

½ tsp red chilli powder

¼ tsp carom seeds

1 cup water

¼ cup yoghurt

1 cup gram flour

 

Method:

1. Mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. Beat well to make a batter of pouring consistency.
2. Grease the tawa and put in the oven. Preheat the oven for H2 for twat frying with the greased tawa inside.
3. Pour one spoon of butter on the tawa. Spread it lightly.
4. Cook for 8 minutes till edges turn golden brown. 
5. Serve immediately with mint chutney.

 

7. Yoghurt Chickpea Tikkis

Makes: 12

Ingredients:

½ cup dry bread crumbs

1 tsp dry mint

2 + 2 tbsp yoghurt

1 green chilli, finely chopped

Black pepper

½ tsp salt

2 tbsp coriander leaves, chopped

½” piece of ginger, crushed to a paste

1 cup chickpeas, soaked overnight

 

Method:

1. Drain soaked chanas. Add ½ tsp salt and enough water to cover the chanas. Pressure cook chanas for 10 minutes or until soft. Remove from fire. Drain. Let it cool. 
2. Mash the chana with a potato masher.
3. Add ginger-garlic paste, chilli, coriander, salt, pepper and 2 tbsp yoghurt and mix using your hands.
4. Divide the mixture into 12 equal balls. Flatten to shape them. Mix 2 tbsp yoghurt with mint and spread this over the tikkis. Sprinkle bread crumbs well such that they coat all the sides.
5. Put the tawa on the rack in the oven. Preheat the oven on H2 for tawa frying with the tawa inside.
6. Brush tikkis with oil. Place them on the tawa and cook for 12 minutes.
7. Serve hot.

 

8. Pakoda

Serves: 4

Ingredients:

¼ tsp ajwain

½ tsp coriander powder

1 tsp green chillies, finely chopped

¼ tsp garam masala

¾ tsp salt

½ tsp ginger, chopped

3 tsp coriander, chopped

¼ tsp baking powder

A pinch of baking powder

2 tbsp carrot, grated

½ cup spinach, chopped

½ potato, finely chopped

2 tbsp yoghurt

½ onion, finely chopped

½ cup gram flour

 

Method:

1. Mix all the ingredients of pakoras and gradually add about ¼ cup of water to get a thick and soft paste of dripping consistency. Beat for 2 minutes until light and fluffy.
2. Grease the tawa and put in the oven. Preheat the oven on H2 for tawa frying with the greased tawa inside.
3. Put pakora batter with a teaspoon on a plate. Leaving some space in between. Cook for 8-10 minutes till edges turn golden brown.

 

9. Bhutte Ke Seekh

Makes: 7-8 pieces

Ingredients:

Juice of ½ lemon

3 tbsp gram flour, roasted for a minute

1 tsp salt

½ tsp red chilli powder

3 tsp butter, melted

½ tsp garam masala powder

½ tbsp mint, chopped

2 tbsp coriander, chopped

2 green chillies, finely chopped

1 onion, chopped

2 potatoes, boiled and grated

4 tender, large fresh corn cobs, grated (1 cup) or 1 cup tinned or frozen corn, crush ½ cup corn in a mixer and keep in ½ cup whole kernels

 

Method:

1. Mash the boiled potatoes and the corn. Mix well.
2. Add red chilli powder, salt, 1 tbsp melted butter, garam masala, mint, coriander, green chillies and onions. Check seasoning. 
3. Add roasted besan and lemon juice.
4. Shape the mixture into kebabs.
5. Put the tawa on the rack in the oven. Preheat the oven on H2 for tawa frying with the tawa.
6. Place the kebabs on the tawa and cook for 12 minutes.

 

10. Samosa

Makes: 8 big samosas

Ingredients:

½ cup warm water

¾ tsp salt

½ tsp carom seeds

½ cup warm oil

2 cup plain flour

For the filling:

½ tsp amchoor powder

1 tsp salt

½ tsp red chilli powder

1 tsp garam masala

1 tsp cumin powder

3 tsp coriander powder

2 potatoes, boiled and roughly mashed

1 cup peas, boiled

1 green chilli, finely chopped

3 tsp ginger-garlic paste

½ tsp cumin seeds

3 tbsp oil

½ tsp turmeric powder

 

Method:

1. Mix flour, salt, carom seeds and oil together. Add enough warm water to soften the dough.
2. For the filling, microwave oil, crushed coriander and cumin for 3 minutes. Add turmeric, green chilli, ginger-garlic paste, and peas. Microwave for 2 minutes. Add all the ingredients. Microwave for 1 ½ minute.
3. Make 4 chapatis. Cut into half and put filling into it. Close it with the help of water.
4. Put the twat on low rack in the oven. Preheat the oven on H2 for tawa frying with the tawa inside.
5. Lightly brush samosas with oil. Place the samosas on the tawa in the oven and cook for 18 minutes. If you like, you can turn samosas after 14 minutes and cook for the remaining 4 minutes.

 

11. Cheese Omelette

Serves: 1

Ingredients:

½ cube or 2 tbsp cheese, grated

Pinch of salt and pepper

½ onion, chopped

2 tbsp coriander, chopped

1 green chilli, chopped

1 egg

 

Method:

1. Thoroughly beat the egg before mixing in all the ingredients.
2. Grease the tawa with olive oil and put it in the oven, preheat the oven on H2 for tawa frying with the greased tawa inside to heat the tawa.
3. Pour the beaten egg mixture on the tawa.
4. Cook for five minutes.
5. Serve hot.

 

12. Teriyaki Mince Balls

Makes: 20

Ingredients:

To make the chicken balls:

1 tbsp HP sauce

½ tsp pepper

½ tsp lemon juice

¾ tsp salt

½ tsp lemon juice

½ tsp paprika

2 tbsp parsley or coriander, chopped

1 slice of bread, ground in a mixture to get fresh crumbs

½ egg

3 tsp butter

300 chicken mince

To make the coating sauce:

3 tsp coriander, chopped

1 tsp brown sugar

3 tsp ketchup

2 tsp soya sauce

2 tbsp teriyaki or HP sauce

 

Method:

1. Break an egg in a small bowl. Beat with a fork.
2. Add half of the egg to the mince and mix well. Add all the other ingredients to the balls. Form into small marble-sized balls with oiled hands.
3. Put the tawa on the rack in the oven. Preheat the oven on H2 for tawa frying with the tawa inside.
4. In a medium bowl, mix all the coating ingredients nicely. Add the cooked chicken balls. Mix well.
5. Serve immediately.

 

13. Chicken Croquettes

Makes: 5

Ingredients:

Bread crumbs to coat

1 egg, separated and 2 tbsp white to coat

½ tsp pepper

½ tsp salt

1 slice of bread, ground to get fresh crumbs

½ tsp red chilli flakes

½ cup milk

6 tsp flour

2 green chillies, chopped

2 tbsp onion, chopped

3 tsp butter, softened

½ tsp each: mixed herbs, red chilli powder and salt

1 tsp lemon juice

200 g chicken with bones

To serve:

Mayonnaise

 

Method:

1. Mix chicken with mixed herbs, red chilli powder, salt and lemon juice. Microwave covered for 4 minutes. Shred chicken into tiny pieces. Discard the bones.
2. Mix flour, chillies, onion and butter in a dish. Microwave for 2 minutes.
3. Stir in the milk and microwave for 2 ½ minutes. Remove from the oven. Mix again. Add all the other ingredients and shape them into rolls.
4. Mix 2 tbsp egg white with 2 tbsp water to make the egg wash. Dip the rolls in egg wash and roll over the bread crumbs until evenly coated.
5. Put the tawa on the rack in the oven. Preheat the oven on H2 for tawa frying with the tawa inside.
6. Brush croquettes with oil all around. Place on the tawa and cook for 12 minutes.

 

14. Fish Fingers

Serves: 4-5

Ingredients:

1 cup dry bread crumbs for coating

3 tsp lemon juice

250 g firm white fish fillet without bones, cut into fingers

For the marinade:

1 tsp tomato ketchup

6 tsp cornflour

1 egg

½ tsp red chilli flakes

½ tsp pepper powder

1 tsp salt

6 tsp lemon juice

3 tsp ginger-garlic paste

 

Method:

1. Rub a little lemon juice on the fish fingers. Keep aside for 30 minutes.
2. Wash the fish under running water. Transfer onto a kitchen towel and pat dry.
3. Mix all the ingredients for the marinade in a flat dish. Add the fish and mix again. Keep aside for 30 minutes. Do not marinate for too long.
4. Spread bread crumbs in a flat plate. Pick up one piece of marinated fish and rollover dry bread crumbs until coated well.
5. Put the tawa on the rack in the oven. Preheat the oven on H2 for tawa frying with the tawa inside.
6. Place the fish fingers on the hot tawa and cook for 8-10 minutes. Serve hot with tartar sauce.

 

15. Crispy Chicken

Serves: 6

Ingredients:

1 cup dry bread crumbs

1 egg

400 g chicken drumsticks (small legs)

To marinate:

1 ½ tsp salt

3 tsp flour

2” stick cinnamon, powdered

2 tsp coriander powder

1 tsp cumin seeds, powdered

3 tbsp oil

1 ½ tsp chilli powder

1 ½  tsp garlic paste

 

Method:

1. Wash the chicken under running water. Transfer onto a kitchen towel and pat dry. Prick all over with a fork.
2. Mix all the ingredients required for the marinade in a flat bowl.
3. Add the chicken and let it marinate for 4 hours or overnight in the fridge. (The longer the marination time, the better as it allows the flavours to seep into the chicken.)
4. Lightly beat the egg. Add ¼ tsp salt and red chilli powder. Mix well.
5. Spread the bread crumbs in a flat plate.
6. Dip each chicken leg in the egg mixture and roll it in bread crumbs.
7. Put the tawa on the rack in the oven. Preheat the oven on H2 for tawa frying with the tawa inside.
8. Brush the chicken with oil. Place the chicken on the hot tawa and cook for 25 minutes.