8 healthy and tasty chikki recipes

Chikki is a traditional Indian sweet snack like brittle made with jaggery, nuts, and seeds. Various roasted crunchy ingredients like peanuts, almonds, cashews, sesame seeds, puffed rice, etc are used for making this delicious snack but you can put anything you like. This is a very travel-friendly snack and quite filling so you can easily carry it while you are hiking or travelling by road or if you are visiting somewhere remote and with preservation facilities. In this article, we have compiled some healthy chikki recipes for all of you who are missing out on this delicacy due to strict diets or individual weight loss goals.

Health Benefits of Chikki:

1. Energy-Packed Delight:

Chikki, a time-honoured snack in Indian households, is a robust energy booster. The combination of proteins from nuts and carbohydrates from jaggery provides an immediate surge of energy, making it an ideal choice to ward off mid-day lethargy.

2. Nutrient-Rich Marvel:

Beyond being a typical Indian sweet, Chikki stands out as a reservoir of essential vitamins and minerals. Peanuts, a key ingredient in most Chikkis, boast high levels of protein, healthy fats, and fibre. Moreover, they deliver a range of vitamins and minerals such as Vitamin E, B3, B6, folate, magnesium, and more.

3. Outstanding Antioxidant Hub:

The inclusion of jaggery in Chikki introduces a rich source of antioxidants, supporting the body in combatting harmful free radicals. This traditional sweetener not only aids digestion but also, when combined with peanuts, creates a winning combination that promotes overall health during snacking.

4. Ideal Winter Indulgence:

In India, Chikki is a customary treat during the winter season. The warmth emanating from jaggery and the nourishment from peanuts make it a preferred snack that provides inner warmth. With Chikki, you don’t have to compromise your taste for health, especially when the weather turns chilly.

Flaxseed Chikki:

Savour the goodness of Flax Seed Chikki, a protein-rich health bar. Packed with vegetarian omega-3, antioxidants, and fibre, this gluten-free delight promotes overall health. The nutrients in flax seed chikki may help lower the risk of diabetes, cancer, and heart disease as it contains flax seeds and jaggery as the main ingredients.

• • Ingredients:

    1. 1 cup flaxseeds
    2. 1/2 cup jaggery (gur)
    3. 1 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter)

  • Instructions:

    1. Dry roast the flaxseeds in a pan until they become fragrant and start popping. Remove from heat and set aside.
    2. In the same pan, melt the ghee and add the jaggery. Cook until the jaggery melts and forms a syrup-like consistency.
    3. Add the roasted flaxseeds to the jaggery syrup and mix well until the flaxseeds are evenly coated.
    4. Transfer the mixture to a greased plate or tray and flatten it with a spatula.
    5. Let it cool completely before cutting into chikki bars. 

Sesame Seed and Date Chikki:

Sesame seeds, also known as Til, are a fibre-rich and warming addition to winter diets, whether in crispy chikkis or flavorful laddoos. They promote digestive health, boost immunity, and enhance bone health with their impressive micronutrient content.

• • Ingredients:

    1. 1 cup sesame seeds
    2. 1 cup pitted dates, chopped
    3. 1/4 cup honey

  • Instructions:

    1. Dry roast the sesame seeds in a pan until they turn golden brown. Remove from heat and set aside.
    2. In a separate pan, heat the chopped dates and honey together until the dates soften and form a sticky paste.
    3. Add the roasted sesame seeds to the date-honey mixture and mix well.
    4. Transfer the mixture to a greased plate or tray and press it down evenly with a spatula.
    5. Let it cool completely before cutting it into chikki pieces.

Almond and Walnut Chikki:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup almonds,
• chopped1/2 cup walnuts,
• chopped1/2 cup jaggery (gur)

Instructions:

• Dry roast the chopped almonds and walnuts in a pan until they turn golden brown and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
• In the same pan, melt the jaggery until it forms a syrup-like consistency.
• Add the roasted almonds and walnuts to the jaggery syrup and mix well until they are evenly coated.
• Transfer the mixture to a greased plate or tray and flatten it with a spatula.
• Let it cool completely before cutting into chikki bars.

These chikki recipes provide a delicious way to incorporate hormone-friendly ingredients. Enjoy these nutritious treats as a snack or dessert!

Date and Nut Bars:

Making these date nut bars is incredibly simple, they require only a handful of basic ingredients. Easily customizable for added protein and diverse nuts, they serve as an ideal late-afternoon snack. Post a workout, these bars provide a much-needed energy boost, bridging the gap between your exercise and your main meal.

• • Ingredients:

    1. 1 cup pitted dates
    2. 1/2 cup mixed nuts (almonds, cashews, pistachios)
    3. 1/4 cup desiccated coconut
    4. 2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter)

       • Instructions:

         1. Blend the dates and mixed nuts in a food processor until they form a sticky paste.
         2. Add the desiccated coconut and ghee to the mixture and blend again until well combined.
         3. Press the mixture into a lined baking dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
         4. Cut into bars and enjoy!

Peanut Chikki Bars:

This renowned Indian sweet, made with brown or sticky jaggery and roasted peanuts, is known as groundnut chikki. However, it can also be crafted using sesame seeds, puffed rice, and beaten rice.

• • Ingredients:

    1. 1 cup peanuts
    2. 1/2 cup jaggery (gur)
    3. 1 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter)

  • Instructions:

    1. Dry roast the peanuts in a pan until they are lightly golden and fragrant. Remove from heat and let them cool.
    2. In the same pan, melt the ghee and add the jaggery. Cook until the jaggery melts and forms a syrup-like consistency.
    3. Add the roasted peanuts to the jaggery syrup and mix well.
    4. Transfer the mixture to a greased plate or tray and flatten it with a spatula.
    5. Let it cool completely before cutting into bars.

Coconut and Cardamom Bars:

This uncomplicated Indian dessert, perfect for occasions like Diwali, features desiccated coconut soaked in milk. Cooked with condensed milk and cardamom. Simple, delicious, and crafted with minimal ingredients.

• • Ingredients:

    1. 1 cup desiccated coconut
    2. 1/2 cup condensed milk
    3. 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
    4. 2 tablespoons chopped nuts (cashews, almonds)

  • Instructions:

    1. In a mixing bowl, combine the desiccated coconut, condensed milk, and cardamom powder until well mixed.
    2. Fold in the chopped nuts.
    3. Press the mixture into a lined baking dish and sprinkle some extra desiccated coconut on top.
    4. Refrigerate for at least 2 hours before cutting into bars.

Almond and Fig Bars:

Figs, rich in fibre, may contribute to weight management as high-fibre foods show positive effects. Essential for our daily diet, fibre benefits digestion and has associations with lowered risks of cancer and type 2 diabetes.

• • Ingredients:

    1. 1 cup almonds
    2. 1 cup dried figs
    3. 2 tablespoons honey
    4. 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder

  • Instructions:

    1. In a food processor, pulse the almonds and dried figs until they are finely chopped and stick together.
    2. Add the honey and cinnamon powder to the mixture and pulse again until well combined.
    3. Press the mixture into a lined baking dish and refrigerate for at least 2 hours.
    4. Cut into bars and enjoy!

Sesame Seed and Jaggery Bars:

Indulge in these delightful bars, a winter treat cherished throughout the season. Sesame seeds and jaggery, packed with energy, provide nourishment and keep the body warm during the winter months.

• • Ingredients:

    1. 1 cup sesame seeds
    2. 1/2 cup jaggery (gur)
    3. 1 tablespoon ghee (clarified butter)

  • Instructions:

    1. Dry roast the sesame seeds in a pan until they are golden brown and fragrant. Remove from heat and set aside.
    2. In the same pan, melt the ghee and add the jaggery. Cook until the jaggery melts and forms a syrup-like consistency.
    3. Add the roasted sesame seeds to the jaggery syrup and mix well.
    4. Transfer the mixture to a greased plate or tray and flatten it with a spatula.
    5. Let it cool completely before cutting into bars.

Ways to Incorporate Chikki into Your Daily Diet

Integrating Chikki into your daily dietary routine is effortless, given its versatility and diverse flavours. This energy-packed, nutrient-rich snack can become your go-to solution for various snacking needs, demonstrating that maintaining a healthy diet doesn’t have to be tedious. Here are ways to enjoy Chikki daily without disrupting your balanced diet:

1. Post-Workout Refuel:

Following a challenging workout, your body requires a combination of proteins and carbohydrates to restore lost energy and facilitate muscle repair. Chikki excels in this regard. A piece of Chikki after your workout, with its high protein content from nuts and energy-boosting jaggery, can supply the essential nutrients your body needs.

2. Mid-Meal Gratification:

During those in-between meal hours, it’s common to reach for less healthy snacks. Opting for a Chikki bar instead of potato chips or cookies can satisfy your hunger while providing a variety of nutrients.

3. Travel Companion:

When on the go, unhealthy eating habits may easily creep in. Packing a few Chikki bars for your journey ensures a healthy, filling snack is readily available whenever hunger strikes. Additionally, they are convenient to carry and mess-free.

4. Evening Pleasure:

Evenings often bring a desire for something sweet. Instead of indulging in cake or candy, a small piece of Chikki can satisfy your sugar cravings more healthily. The natural sweetness of jaggery in Chikki is a better choice for your body compared to refined sugars.

5. Culinary Creativity:

Chikki doesn’t have to be confined to a solo snack. Get inventive in the kitchen by incorporating Chikki into other dishes. Consider crushing Chikki into your morning bowl of oatmeal or sprinkling it over your favourite frozen yoghurt for a delightful crunch and a touch of tradition in your meals.

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