Diwali Snacks From South India: Murukku, Mixture and More
South Indian Diwali snacks are built on crisp savouries such as murukku, mixture and pakkavada, with a sweet or two beside them. Make or order the savouries in advance and keep them in airtight containers so they stay crisp. Diwali this year is on Sunday 8 November 2026, with Dhanteras on Friday 6 November, so it helps to sort the list early.
Written by the Mallu Vibes kitchen team in Kerala. Mallu Vibes is a small Kerala kitchen that makes banana chips, murukku, pickles and chammanthi podi in small batches.
What goes on a South Indian Diwali table?
A fair note first: customs differ across the South. Tamil Nadu celebrates Diwali with a great deal of cooking, usually a plate of savouries and sweets made at home. In Kerala, Diwali is celebrated less widely than Onam or Vishu, though many Malayali households, especially those with ties to other states or living abroad, mark it. So there is no single right South Indian Diwali table. What follows is a practical one that suits most homes.
The usual pattern is crunch, spice and one sweet. The savouries are made ahead because frying a large batch on the festival morning is hard work.
Diwali snacks list South Indian homes rely on
Diwali murukku
The spiral that most people mean when they say South Indian Diwali snacks. Crisp, salty and easy to eat by the handful. Our murukku combo pack puts the murukku in a single order.
Mixture
The all rounder, usually fried gram flour strands, peanuts and curry leaves. Guests always find something they like in it. See our mixture.
Pakkavada
Spicier ribbons for guests who like heat. See our pakkavada.
Banana chips
The mild, lightly sweet choice that children and older guests tend to reach for first. Our Nendran banana chips are one option.
Tapioca chips
A sturdier crunch for those who want something more filling. Try tapioca chips.
Masala peanuts
Spiced peanuts in a crunchy shell, good beside tea.
One sweet
Add one sweet so the table has something soft beside the crunch. In a Kerala home it is often sharkara upperi, banana chips coated in jaggery. Otherwise use a sweet from your own kitchen or your favourite local shop.
Kerala Diwali snacks: what a Malayali table adds
Kerala Diwali snacks lean on banana and tapioca rather than besan and sugar. Alongside the murukku and mixture, a Malayali table usually has banana chips and tapioca chips, and a small bowl of chammanthi podi for anyone who wants something to eat with rice after the snacks. If you want more ideas, our guide to South Indian snacks online covers the wider range.
How do I build a Diwali snack table?
Pick one mild, one spicy and one sturdy snack, then add something with peanuts and one sweet. Serve in small bowls and refill from sealed containers so the rest stays crisp. Put the spiciest item at one end and label it, so nobody is caught out.
Can I give these as Diwali gifts?
Yes. Dry snacks are a good gift because they keep and need no refrigeration. A box that pairs two savouries with a jar of pickle works well. Our Diwali gift combos page has the set boxes. For ideas person by person, read our guide to gift ideas for relatives and family, or gifts for your team if you are buying at work. Delivery dates are estimates, and a courier can delay a parcel.
When should I order for Diwali?
Order as early as you can. Delivery slows in the week before a big festival, and parcels going abroad need longer. Check the delivery details for your country before you pay. If you are choosing a box, read the seven checks before you order a hamper.
FAQs
1. When is Diwali in 2026?
Sunday 8 November 2026. Dhanteras falls on Friday 6 November.
2. How far ahead can I make or order Diwali snacks?
Dry fried snacks keep best in a sealed container away from sunlight and moisture. Check the best before date on the pack, and open the crunchy ones just before guests arrive.
3. Which snack is best for Diwali gifting?
Murukku and mixture are the usual choices because they are dry and travel well.
4. Do you ship Diwali boxes abroad?
Our Diwali gift combos ship across India and abroad. Rules differ by country, especially for meat and fish pickles, so check the delivery details before you order.
