Roasted makhana are a healthy and delicious snack or munchie. Loaded with health benefits, it is super easy to make.
Foxnut is also known as makhana or phool makhana or lotus seed. It is used to make roasted makhana snack that is very healthy as well as tasty.
Of late, makhana has been touted as a superfood, replete as it is with essential vitamins, minerals and protein.
Makhana is also perfect to have during vrat or upvas on Navratri. It is gluten free and is consumed as a roasted makhana snack, makhana kheer or aloo makhana during Navratri.
My kids love this roasted makhana snack. It is very quick and easy to make and gets over quickly too.
Health Benefits of Makhana or Foxnut
- High Protein: Makhana are a rich source of protein and are very low in Calories. Thus, they are perfect both as a snack and in curries.
- High in antioxidants: Makhanas are good for your skin as it has anti-ageing properties.
- High in Fibre: Makhana keeps you full for longer and is wonderful if you are on a weight watching diet.
- Gluten free: Makhana is perfect for those with gluten allergies.
- High in vitamins and minerals: Phool makhana is high in potassium and magnesium and low in sodium. This is perfect for anyone suffering from hypertension.
- Vegan: If you use coconut oil in place of ghee or clarified butter.
This is how I make easy roasted makhana made in Air fryer and on tawa:
Ingredients:
2 cups phool makhana or foxnuts
2 tbsp. ghee or clarified butter or olive oil (vegan) only for shallow frying. Use about 2 tsp. for air fried.
black salt or salt to taste
1 tsp. pepper powder
Recipe:
For Air frying
Preheat Air fryer at 200 C or 390 F for 3 minutes.
Lightly brush the Air fryer basket with a little ghee or olive oil (for vegans).
Add your foxnuts or lotus seeds taking care to only fill the basket to less than half the volume.
You can also cover with a steel mesh or sieve that fits in the air fryer to prevent the makhanas from flying up to the coil.
Air fry for 2-3 minutes at 390 F or 200C. Keep checking at 2 minutes.
It is done very quickly and burn as quickly too. Once it is creamish or brownish, remove.
When hot, toss with your favourite seasonings added to ghee/oil and serve crunchy and tasty.
Your roasted makhana is ready.
For skillet or tava
Heat ghee in a wide-bottomed pan.
Keep on a low flame and add black salt and pepper powder.
Now add phool makhana or foxnuts and keep roasting makhana on low heat for about 8-10 minutes.
Keep turning them continuously till they turn golden brown and are crispy.
Now cool them down and store in an airtight container and consume.
Pro tips:
- Keep watching out when making makhana in Air fryer. It cooks very quickly. You don't need to apply any oil to the foxnuts just the Air fryer basket.
- You must roast makhana on a low flame when doing on skillet or tawa.
- Do not crowd your pan too much.
- There is no need to use too much ghee, just use enough for dry roasting and for the spices to adhere to your foxnuts.
- Roasting with ghee gives a delectable flavour to your makhana.
- You can use normal salt if not using for fasting.
- You can try other flavour combinations eg. Chilli powder, chaat masala, peri peri powder etc. as per your wish.
- You can also make something on the lines of caramel popcorn, by using jaggery and roasting makhana in it for a sweet touch.
Your roast makhana snack is ready to eat. Try making it in Air fryer or roasting on skillet. Enjoy as a snack or anytime munchie. This recipe is perfect for Navratri when you are fasting.
You can also try
Caramel Foxnuts or Gur Makhana
Do try other Navratri recipes here.
📖 Recipe Card
Roasted Makhana Snack Recipe
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 cups phool makhana or foxnuts
- 2 tsp. ghee or clarified butter or olive oil for vegan
- salt to taste
- 1 tsp. pepper powder or cayenne
Instructions
For Air frying
- Preheat Air fryer at 200 C or 390 F for 3 minutes. Lightly brush the Air fryer basket with a little ghee or olive oil (for vegans).
- Add your foxnuts or lotus seeds taking care to only fill the basket to less than half the volume.Or use a wire mesh or sieve on top of makhanas to prevent them from flying.
- Air fry for 2-3 minutes at 390 F or 200C. Keep checking at 2 minutes. It is done very quickly and burn as quickly too. Once it is creamish or brownish, remove.
- When hot, toss with your favourite seasoning mixed with ghee or oil and serve crunchy and tasty. Your roasted makhana is ready.
On skillet or tawa
- Heat ghee in a wide-bottomed pan.
- Keep on a low flame and add black salt and pepper powder.
- Now add phool makhana or foxnuts and keep roasting makhana on low heat for about 8-10 minutes.
- Keep turning them continuously till they turn golden brown and are crispy.
- Now cool them down and store in an airtight container and consume.
Video
Notes
- Keep watching out when making makhana in Air fryer. It cooks very quickly. You don't need to apply any oil to the foxnuts just the Air fryer basket.
- You must roast makhana on a low flame when doing on skillet or tawa.
- Do not crowd your pan too much.
- There is no need to use too much ghee, just use enough for dry roasting and for the spices to adhere to your foxnuts.
- Roasting with ghee gives a delectable flavour to your makhana.
- You can use normal salt if not using for fasting.
- You can try other flavour combinations eg. Chilli powder, chaat masala, peri peri powder etc. as per your wish.
- You can also make something on the lines of caramel popcorn, by using jaggery and roasting makhana in it for a sweet touch.
- Your roast makhana snack is ready to eat. Enjoy as a snack or anytime munchie. This recipe is perfect for Navratri when you are fasting.
Nutrition
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Shailaja Vishwanath says
I've been seeing these Makhana seeds in the supermarket whenever I visit and have been tempted to buy them, but didn't know what to do with them. Will ensure I pick up a batch next time and do this. It's so simple. I had no idea 🙂
Rajlakshmi says
I have never had makhana before. Think i should go to the Indian store and find them . They are so nutritious. It's tempting.
Ramya Abhinand says
my kids love makhana. I roast them with ghee an add just a bit of salt and pepper. Its turns out yum
The Love of Spice says
These are literally the only crunchy snacks that I love that are healthy too!
Soumya says
I love makhana! They are so simple to make and taste so delicious. The health benefits is another plus.
I have always made it simple with salt and spice, but I've heard the honey and tangy one is good too. Need to try that out someday. You got a recipe? 🙂
Obsessivemom says
This was so much a part of my mom's Friday fasting that we never gave it second thought. Now suddenly it's become this miracle snack. I didn't know it was called Foxnut :-).
Rachna says
I know, right!