30+ Ultimate Indian Party Snacks and Starter Ideas for Your New Year's Eve Bash
The sight of piping-hot pakoras, juicy kebabs and bright green chutney should have your guests licking their lips just looking at the spread.
If your guest’s plate’s not full, is it even a party?
The countdown to midnight is not just about music, cocktails and fireworks; it’s also about the unmistakable aroma of frying spices and the quiet satisfaction of licking masala off your fingers.
Everyone remembers the flavours that defined the celebration long after the night is over.
Whether it’s a plate of sizzling paneer tikka or crispy mutton samosas, the starter course is where the crowd gathers, conversations spark, and the real celebration begins.
In this curated guide, we bring together over 30 iconic Indian party snacks or starters that are perfect for your New Year’s Eve bash. From street-style chaat to tandoori classics and Indo-Chinese favourites, we’ve got flavour-packed ideas you can prep fast and serve in style.
A] 13 All-Time Favourite Indian Party Starters That Never Fail
Popular Indian starters you can include in your party menu:
1. Hara Bhara Kabab
If you love vibrant, green, wholesome snacks, Hara Bhara Kabab should be your go-to option. Packed with spinach, peas, and potatoes, these kababs have a beautiful, earthy flavour and a melt-in-your-mouth texture when cooked right. You can serve them straight off the pan with cool mint chutney. Bonus tip: slide them into a burger bun with lettuce and sauce, and you get the healthiest and most guilt-free burger ever.
2. Paneer Tikka
A restaurant favourite you can easily bring home: Paneer Tikka. Cubes of soft paneer are first marinated in a flavourful yoghurt-spice tandoori marinade. It is then skewered with onions and bell peppers and grilled till smoky and slightly charred. Whether you pop them into the oven or over a stovetop grill, each bite bursts with creamy, tangy, and spiced perfection.
3. Paneer Malai Tikka
If you are looking for a slightly milder yet irresistibly rich paneer starter, then look no further than the paneer malai tikka. Marinate paneer cubes in thick hung curd, fresh cream, and aromatic herbs, or just use our malai tikka base instead. The result is soft, melt-in-the-mouth tikka that’s subtly spiced and luxuriously creamy, perfect for dinner parties.
4. Avocado Toast (Easy and Healthy)
A creamy avocado spread on crisp, warm bread, topped with a sprinkle of salt, chilli flakes, and a drizzle of olive oil. For an extra kick, pair it with garlic bread and top it with your favourite veggies or microgreens. It’s wholesome, vegan-friendly, and ridiculously simple, a perfect balance of flavour, texture, and health on a plate.
5. Cheese-Corn Balls
The moment the crispy golden shell gives way to gooey melted cheese and sweet corn deliciousness inside, it makes this everyone’s favourite party starter. Serve with a side of spicy mayo or tangy tomato dip, and you can just watch everybody fight over the last one.
6. Potato Wedges (Fried or Baked)
The ultimate comfort snack and the perfect option for the “aloo is life” brigade. You can add a touch of rice flour for an extra crunch and make them naturally gluten-free. Pair them with your favourite dipping sauce, from cheesy jalapeño to simple ketchup, and you’ve got the perfect party snack ready in under 30 minutes.
7. Kakori Kebabs
Originating from the nawabi kitchens of Lucknow, these melt-on-your-tongue kebabs are soft, juicy, and delicately spiced. Serve this popular Indian party snack to your guests with mint chutney, a squeeze of lemon, some chaat masala, and onion rings on the side.
8. Cheese Chicken Kebabs
If you think kebabs can’t get any better, wait until you try cheese chicken kebabs. Marinate tender chicken chunks in a rich mixture of yogurt, grated cheese, spices, and a hint of chilli, then grill until smoky and golden. The cheese adds a creamy twist that balances the spiciness perfectly. These kebabs are so addictive that people will be asking you for the recipe long before the night ends.
9. Peri-Peri Fish Fingers
This spicy, crunchy, and downright irresistible appetiser is made with fresh fish fillets that are triple-coated with seasoned flour, whisked egg, and breadcrumbs for a perfect, crispy coating. Then you toss them in peri-peri masala to give them a fiery kick. Ideal for parties, game nights, or a weekend treat, serve them once and they’ll be gone in seconds.
10. Mozzarella- and Parmesan-Stuffed Meatballs
Each meatball is loaded with melty mozzarella and sharp parmesan, simmered gently in a rich tomato and herb sauce to provide a burst of cheese and flavour with every bite. You can pair them with spaghetti, rice, or even garlic bread and watch how your guests won’t stop at just one.
11. Hariyali Chicken Tikka
Fresh, vibrant, and packed with flavour, this starter consists of tender chicken chunks marinated in a zesty blend of coriander, mint, and ginger-garlic paste, which gives it a vibrant colour and taste. It’s a must-have for any party spread or barbecue night that will never fail to impress your guests.
12. Dum Ke Shami Kebab
If you’re looking for a kebab that combines tenderness with a deep, smoky flavour, Dum Ke Shami Kebab is the one to try. Slow-cooked marinated mutton is pressure-cooked until soft, minced, and then mixed with flavourful spices, and shaped into patties before being pan-fried to perfection. You then smoke them over hot coal to add that signature dum aroma that makes every bite unforgettable. Perfect for whenever you want to treat your guests to something truly special.
13. Macher Chop
A popular Bengali party staple: Macher Chop. These golden, lightly spiced fish croquettes are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside, making them perfect to serve with Kasundi. Serve them piping hot and watch how fast they vanish.
B] 10 Indian Street Food and Chaat Snacks
1. Papdi Chaat (Delhi-Style Papri Chaat)
Crispy papdis stacked with tender chickpeas, chunks of potato, chilled curd, and a riot of chutneys. One bite and you get crunch, creaminess, tang, heat, and a bit of sweetness all in one. The result is the kind of chaat that is sure to make your guests close their eyes and smile, as it delivers an explosion of flavours in every mouthful.
2. Dahi Vada
Soft lentil dumplings that practically melt the second they touch your tongue, soaked in velvety yoghurt and splashed with sweet-and-spicy chutneys. Dahi Vada is a popular comfort food that is sure to delight your guests.
3. Aloo Tikki
Hot, crisp Aloo Tikki straight off the tawa is utterly irresistible and has its own extensive following. Mashed potatoes seasoned with spices and herbs, shaped into patties, occasionally stuffed with peas, lentils, or paneer, and pan-fried until golden, are sure to excite your guests’ taste buds.
4. Bhel Puri (Mumbai Street Style)
Light puffed rice tossed with onions, tomatoes, and zesty chutneys. Bhel Puri is that perfect snack when you want something flavourful and exciting but not heavy. Each spoonful is a burst of flavour that brings with it a wave of nostalgia.
5. Pav Bhaji (The Mumbai Classic)
This buttery mashed vegetable curry served on a pillowy pav toast, toasted in even more butter, is sure to leave your guests craving more. Garnish with some onions, lemon, and coriander for added freshness and flavour.
6. Khasta Kachori with Moong Dal
A good Khasta Kachori breaks beautifully and is never too soft or chewy, always perfectly flaky. Stuff it with a moong dal filling that’s mildly tangy, warming, and spiced just right, and you will have a snack that everybody will queue up to grab.
7. Mutton Galouti Kebab
Say the word ‘Galouti’ and anyone from Lucknow will get slightly emotional, and for good reason. Marinated patiently and cooked with care, these melt-in-your-mouth kebabs will delight even the most discerning palate.
8. Mutton Keema Samosa
The Mutton Keema Samosa, or Mangsher Singara, as the Bengalis lovingly call it, is crispy outside and juicy and flavourful inside. It is the kind of snack that turns casual chai time into a celebration.
9. Butter Chicken Pani Puri
Take the crisp shell of a pani puri, tuck in a spoon of creamy butter chicken, and top it off with cooling mint yoghurt. Perfect for impressing guests who think they’ve seen everything.
10. Chicken Koliwada
If you want to include a dish that embodies Mumbai’s coastal spice and crunch, then the classic chicken koliwada is a popular crowd-pleaser. This party favourite features juicy boneless chicken pieces coated in a chickpea flour batter that’s seasoned to perfection with bold Indian spices and deep-fried until crisp and golden. Serve them straight from the fryer with lemon wedges and spicy chutney, and watch them vanish before anyone can even grab a second piece.
C] 10 Traditional and Indo-Chinese Starters for New Year Nostalgia
1. Gobi Manchurian
If there’s one dish that captures the hearts of Indo-Chinese food lovers, it’s the all-time favourite Gobi Manchurian. You begin by coating cauliflower florets in a light batter, frying until crunchy, and then tossing them in a spicy, garlicky, umami-packed sauce. The mix of soy, ketchup, chillies, and aromatics creates that signature street-style zing that your guests can’t do without.
2. Spring Rolls
These crunchy little rolls are stuffed with a flavourful mix of sautéed veggies, like cabbage, carrots, and peppers, seasoned with just the right hint of spice and soy. You then wrap them up neatly and fry them until golden brown. Pair them with some sweet chilli sauce or a hot garlic dip, and your guests are in for a serious flavour fest.
3. Chilli Paneer
The ultimate Indo-Chinese crowd-pleaser. Tender cubes of paneer are lightly battered, fried until crisp, and then tossed in a rich, glossy sauce bursting with garlic, ginger, peppers, and chilli. It’s spicy, tangy, slightly sweet, and loaded with flavour in every bite. You can serve it as an appetiser or pair it with fried rice to delight your guests with the combination of crisp texture and bold sauce.
4. Paneer 65
If you want to include a spicy snack with bold South Indian flair, Paneer 65 should instantly win a place on your menu. You begin by crispy frying paneer cubes that are coated in a fiery red marinade packed with curry leaves, chilli, and spices. It’s crunchy on the outside, soft inside, and a guaranteed party hit for spicy food lovers everywhere.
5. Mushroom Manchurian
Juicy mushrooms are dipped in batter, fried until golden, and tossed in a sizzling wok with spring onions, garlic, and a bold, tangy sauce. It’s spicy, slightly sweet, and bursting with umami, the kind of dish your guests will devour the moment it hits the table.
6. Chilli Chicken
A classic non-veg appetiser that never goes out of style. Juicy chicken bites are fried until crisp, then tossed in a hot, sweet, and tangy sauce. The glossy coating, the pop of bell peppers, and the balance of heat and flavour will give it the look of a restaurant-style starter that will steal the spotlight at your dinner table.
7. Chicken Lollipop
If you grew up loving Indo-Chinese cuisine, you already know that chicken lollipops are a cult favourite. These spicy, crispy, saucy chicken wings are fried to perfection and coated in a fiery red batter that’s equal parts tangy and irresistible. The perfect finger food, these lollipops are crunchy on the outside, juicy inside, and bursting with flavour, making them the first to vanish at any gathering.
8. Chilli Prawns
Chilli prawns (or chilli shrimp) are the ultimate seafood indulgence for all the spice lovers attending your event. Crispy fried prawns are tossed in a glossy, hot, and tangy chilli sauce that’s loaded with garlic, ginger, and peppers. It’s that perfect mix of crisp, juicy, and fiery that will keep your guests coming back for more.
9. Lemon Chicken
Tender chicken pieces are cooked in a tangy lemon-based sauce with a hint of spice and sweetness that ties it all together beautifully. The sauce clings perfectly to each bite, giving your guests a bright burst of citrus and savouriness.
10. Dragon Chicken
A restaurant-style Indo-Chinese delicacy, it’s spicy, tangy, and beautifully balanced. Thin strips of chicken are marinated, fried, and then tossed in a fiery red sauce that looks fierce but goes easy on the heat. It’s the ultimate party starter that’ll have your guests breathing fire in the most enjoyable way possible.
D] How to Curate a Balanced Starter Menu for a Party or Event
If you are planning a starter or snack menu, the most important thing to keep in mind is the balance between flavour, variety, texture, and prep time.
A good rule of thumb is to mix familiar favourites with a few interesting surprises.
Here’s how you can go about it:
- Balancing veg and non-veg starter options: Depending on the size of your expected crowd and their food preferences, include 2 to 3 options of each. Popular kebab items like paneer tikka, hara bhara kebab, seekh kebabs, and chicken malai tikka are all safe bets to include in your menu.
- Have a good mix of fried and grilled options: Having too many fried options can make the menu feel repetitive and heavy while also unnecessarily increasing kitchen prep times. Add baked or grilled appetisers for variety and to also provide your guests with lighter alternatives.
- Include a dry + saucy combo: Some of your guests might enjoy dry finger food, while others might prefer their starters to be more saucy. Include both options in your menu so that your guests can mix and match flavours and textures over the course of the event.
- Prep-smart picks: You should include at least two starters that can be prepped in advance and fried/grilled right before serving. This will significantly bring down your overall cooking time and ensure that you’re not stuck in the kitchen during the celebrations.
If you’re working with premixes or ready-made marinades (such as spice rubs or pre-flavoured sauces), you can speed up prep time without compromising flavour. This will come in especially handy when you’re trying to juggle multiple courses with guest management responsibilities.
E] Tips for Restaurant Owners and Caterers: Curating a New Year Starter Menu
For food businesses, New Year’s Eve menus are all about speed, taste, and visual impact, and starters are often the first impression you make.
Here’s how to optimise your menu for both efficiency and guest delight:
- Use fast-finish items: Pre-marinated proteins and paneer, ready-to-use Indian gravies, or frozen batters help reduce last-minute prep and labour.
- Offer sampler platters: Sampler menus are in vogue right now, and you should consider including such an option in your menu. Combine 3-4 mini portions of different starters on a plate and offer them to your guests. This will allow your guests to sample more variety in one serving, making the overall menu feel richer and more expansive.
- Standardise and Scale with Ease: When planning for a busy event menu, you should look to include high-impact, low-complexity items that scale well. Think of including options like paneer tikkas, hariyali tikka kebabs, masala cutlets, and chaat-style canapés as part of your starter menu. They’re perfectly suited for large batch cooking and offer reliable prep-to-plate timelines. Using HoReCa-friendly FSIPL products like tandoori marinade premixes or ready-made chutneys will help you maintain flavour consistency across batches.
- Prep in advance: You can make and freeze items like kebabs or samosas a day ahead. All you need to do during the service is thaw and heat them quickly before serving.
- Fast Turnaround During Peak Hours: Sometimes it doesn’t matter how prepared you are going into the event; peak dinner hours can overwhelm even the most seasoned kitchen veterans. By using FSIPL’s makhani gravy base, cashew gravy base, or chipotle mayo, you can cut down line prep while also eliminating the need to make sauces from scratch and speeding up your service without compromising taste.
- Upsell with Signature Dips and Garnishes: You can creatively drive up order value by pairing your starters with standout dips and garnishes. A smoked tomato chutney made using Sunbay tomato puree, or a tangy salsa dip, can end up becoming signature sides in your menu. It’s these small touches that will help you to create memorable plating experiences for your guests.
- Train for visual appeal: You can make even simple starters look restaurant-grade with creative plating and presentation. Add microgreens, edible flowers, or crisp garnish to provide a burst of colour and texture, transforming simple snacks into appealing appetiser courses.
By following these tips, you can not only maximise kitchen productivity but also improve customer satisfaction, which can lead to more repeat orders and referrals.
Conclusion:
Starters may be small in portions, but they’re big on first impressions.
Whether you’re planning a house party or running a fast-paced kitchen, a well-curated snack menu can spark nostalgia and get the party mood going among your guests.
If you’re a restaurateur, chef or caterer, this is also a prime revenue opportunity, which you can capitalise on with the right product support, premixes, and food product distributor.
You will be able to deliver restaurant-style dishes in minutes with batch consistency that keeps the compliments coming.
Let your New Year’s menu start the stories they’ll retell next December.
