Do you love snacking on crunchy, salty treats but want to avoid animal products and unhealthy ingredients? If so, you are not alone. Many people who follow a vegan lifestyle or a plant-based diet struggle with finding satisfying snacks that meet their dietary preferences and nutritional needs. Fortunately, there are plenty of options for vegan crunchy snacks that are delicious, easy to make, and guilt-free. In this blog post, we will explore some of the best vegan chips, crisps, namkeen, and other snacks for cravings, as well as some tips on how to make them at home and where to find them in your area.
What are vegan crunchy snacks?
Vegan crunchy snacks are snacks that are made without any animal products, such as meat, dairy, eggs, honey, or gelatin. They are also free of artificial colors, flavors, preservatives, and other additives that may harm your health or the environment. Vegan crunchy snacks can be made from a variety of plant-based ingredients, such as fruits, vegetables, grains, nuts, seeds, legumes, herbs, and spices. Some examples of vegan crunchy snacks are:
Vegan chips: These are thin slices of potatoes, sweet potatoes, beets, carrots, kale, or other vegetables that are baked, fried, or dehydrated until crisp. They can be seasoned with salt, pepper, vinegar, herbs, spices, or vegan cheese. Some popular brands of vegan chips are Kettle Brand, Terra, and Rhythm Superfoods.
Vegan crisps: These are similar to vegan chips, but they are made from tortillas, pita bread, rice cakes, or other flatbreads that are cut into triangles or squares and baked or fried until crisp. They can be seasoned with salt, pepper, salsa, hummus, guacamole, or vegan cheese. Some popular brands of vegan crisps are Beanfields, Hippeas, and Eat Real.
Vegan namkeen: These are Indian snacks that are made from roasted or fried chickpeas, lentils, peanuts, rice flakes, corn flakes, or other ingredients that are mixed with salt, spices, and oil. They can be eaten as a snack or as a side dish with tea or coffee. Some popular types of vegan namkeen are chivda, sev, bhujia, and murmura.
Why are vegan crunchy snacks good for you?
Vegan crunchy snacks are not only tasty, but they also have many health benefits. They are rich in fiber, protein, healthy fats, vitamins, minerals, antioxidants, and phytochemicals that can help you feel full, energize your body, boost your immunity, lower your cholesterol, regulate your blood sugar, and prevent diseases. Some of the nutrients that you can get from vegan crunchy snacks are:
Fiber: Fiber is a type of carbohydrate that helps you digest food, prevent constipation, lower cholesterol, control blood sugar, and reduce the risk of colon cancer and heart disease. Vegan chips, crisps, and namkeen are high in fiber, especially if they are made from whole grains, beans, or nuts. Fiber also helps you feel full longer, which can prevent overeating and weight gain.
Protein: Protein is a type of macronutrient that helps you build and repair muscles, bones, skin, hair, and nails. It also helps you produce hormones, enzymes, and antibodies that regulate your body functions. Vegan chips, crisps, and namkeen are good sources of protein, especially if they are made from beans, lentils, nuts, or seeds. Protein also helps you feel full longer, which can curb your appetite and cravings.
Healthy fats: Healthy fats are a type of macronutrient that helps you absorb vitamins, protect your organs, maintain your body temperature, and support your brain function. Vegan chips, crisps, and namkeen contain healthy fats, especially if they are made from nuts, seeds, or oils that are rich in omega-3 and omega-6 fatty acids. These fats can lower your inflammation, improve your mood, and prevent cardiovascular diseases and cognitive decline.
Vitamins and minerals: Vitamins and minerals are types of micronutrients that help you perform various biochemical reactions, maintain your immune system, and prevent deficiencies and diseases. Vegan chips, crisps, and namkeen contain various vitamins and minerals, depending on the ingredients they are made from. For example, potatoes are rich in vitamin C, sweet potatoes are rich in vitamin A, beets are rich in folate, kale is rich in vitamin K, and carrots are rich in beta-carotene. These nutrients can help you fight infections, heal wounds, produce collagen, and protect your eyesight.
Antioxidants and phytochemicals: Antioxidants and phytochemicals are types of compounds that help you fight free radicals, reduce oxidative stress, and prevent cellular damage. Vegan chips, crisps, and namkeen contain various antioxidants and phytochemicals, depending on the ingredients they are made from. For example, vinegar is rich in acetic acid, herbs and spices are rich in flavonoids, and vegan cheese is rich in probiotics. These compounds can help you lower your blood pressure, improve your digestion, and prevent cancer and diabetes.
How to make vegan crunchy snacks at home?
Making vegan crunchy snacks at home is easy, fun, and cost-effective. You can use simple ingredients that you may already have in your pantry, or you can experiment with new flavors and combinations. Here are some tips on how to make vegan crunchy snacks at home:
Vegan chips: To make vegan chips, you need to slice your vegetables thinly and evenly, using a mandoline, a knife, or a food processor. Then, you need to season them with salt, pepper, vinegar, herbs, spices, or vegan cheese, and toss them well to coat them. Next, you need to spread them on a baking sheet, making sure they don’t overlap, and bake them in a preheated oven at 375°F for 15 to 25 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are crisp and golden. Alternatively, you can fry them in a skillet with oil over medium-high heat, or dehydrate them in a dehydrator at 125°F for 6 to 8 hours, until they are crisp and dry.
Vegan crisps: To make vegan crisps, you need to cut your flatbreads into triangles or squares, using a knife or a pizza cutter. Then, you need to season them with salt, pepper, salsa, hummus, guacamole, or vegan cheese, and toss them well to coat them. Next, you need to spread them on a baking sheet, making sure they don’t overlap, and bake them in a preheated oven at 375°F for 10 to 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are crisp and golden. Alternatively, you can fry them in a skillet with oil over medium-high heat, or dehydrate them in a dehydrator at 125°F for 4 to 6 hours, until they are crisp and dry.
Vegan namkeen: To make vegan namkeen, you need to roast or fry your ingredients separately, using a skillet or a wok with oil over medium-high heat, until they are crisp and golden. For example, you can roast or fry chickpeas, lentils, peanuts, rice flakes, corn flakes, or other ingredients, and season them with salt, spices, and oil. Then, you need to mix them together in a large bowl, and add more salt, spices, and oil if needed. You can also add some chopped onions, tomatoes, cilantro, lemon juice, or other toppings for extra flavor and freshness.
Where to find vegan crunchy snacks in your area?
If you don’t have time or energy to make vegan crunchy snacks at home, you can also find them in your local grocery stores, health food stores, online shops, or vegan restaurants. Here are some tips on where to find vegan crunchy snacks in your area:
USA: If you live in the USA, you can find vegan chips, crisps, and other snacks in most grocery stores, such as Walmart, Target, Whole Foods, Trader Joe’s, or Sprouts. You can also order them online from Amazon, Thrive Market, Vegan Essentials, or Pangea. If you want to try some vegan restaurants that serve vegan crunchy snacks, you can check out HappyCow, Veggie Grill, Native Foods, or Chipotle.
UK: If you live in the UK, you can find vegan crisps, chips, and other snacks in most grocery stores, such as Tesco, Sainsbury’s, Asda, Waitrose, or Marks & Spencer. You can also order them online from Ocado, The Vegan Kind, GreenBay, or Ethical Superstore. If you want to try some vegan restaurants that serve vegan crunchy snacks, you can check out HappyCow, Wagamama, Zizzi, or Pizza Express.
India: If you live in India, you can find vegan nankeen, chips, and other snacks in most grocery stores, such as Big Bazaar, Reliance Fresh, DMart and Spencer’s. You can also order them online from BigBasket, Grofers, Amazon, or Flipkart.
If you want to try some vegan restaurants that serve vegan crunchy snacks, you can check out HappyCow, Vegan Bites, Carrots, or Greenr.
Conclusion
Vegan crunchy snacks are a great way to satisfy your cravings for salty snacks the vegan way. They are delicious, healthy, easy to make, and widely available. You can enjoy them as a snack or as a side dish with your favorite vegan dips, sauces, or toppings. Whether you prefer vegan chips, crisps, namkeen, or other snacks, you can find them in your local grocery stores, online shops, or vegan restaurants. Or, you can make them at home with simple ingredients and seasonings. Try some of these vegan crunchy snacks today and see how they can make your snacking more fun and flavorful. Happy snacking! 😋
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