Spicy & Tangy Makhana, Mint Makhana, Caramel Makhana – 3 super healthy, yummy and easy snack recipes using Lotus seeds with video and picture instructions. Makhana has tons of health benefits. These can be used in many recipes, such as sweets, curries, snacks, chaats..etc.,

What is Makhana

Makhana are popularly known as lotus seeds, Fox nuts, Euryale Ferox, gorgon nuts, and phool makhana. It’s actually the puffed lotus seeds that have high nutritional and medicinal values and are mostly grown in state of Bihar in India. In India, Foxnuts are eaten during vrat or fasting.

How to make?

Heat ghee in a pan or kadai, add 1 cup of Makhana, and dry roast them on very low heat for 4-5 minutes until they are crisp. Keep stirring them in between so that Makhana doesn’t burn.

To check if they are correctly roasted, take one Makhana in hand and crush it. If it breaks nicely with a crunching sound, that means they are done perfectly.

How much Makhana to eat in a day?

One to two handfuls of Makhana should be okay enough to give you positive health benefits. if you aim for weight loss, it is beneficial to consume 30 grams of foxnut daily.

Health Benefits of Makhana (Fox Nuts):

Makhana/Fox nuts are great snack food for diabetics and heart patients as they contain good fat and have a low quantity of saturated fats. These properties make makhanas a good weight-loss food.
Fox nuts have really high protein content. This is why they make such an important part of fasting food because a handful can provide you with energy to last the entire day.
Fox nuts make for great anti-aging food as they have an abundance of anti-oxidants. A handful every day can keep you looking younger and making your skin glow. The catch is that they must not be consumed as a fried snack.
Fox nuts are great snack food for diabetics and heart patients as they contain good fat and have a low quantity of saturated fats. These properties make makhana good weight-loss food. Makhana extract was shown to reduce triglyceride and cholesterol levels and improve symptoms of fatty liver disease. Fox nuts are high in fibre.
Fox nuts are naturally bestowed with astringent properties which means people with weak kidneys can easily snack on fox nuts. Fox nuts have anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties which help to reduce inflammation and the effects of oxidative stress.
Helps to come out of mental health conditions such as anxiety, depression and insomnia.
Fox nuts are great detoxifying agents. They aid in flushing out toxins from the body.
Fox nuts reduces inflammation in the body. Also, fox nuts have antibacterial properties.
Foxnuts are high in calcium. These are good the bones & teeth.
Makhana help with premature ejaculation, improve the quality of semen and help women suffering from infertility.
Fox nuts have a low glycemic index which means that they release glucose slowly in the blood. This keeps you feeling full for longer.
Those suffering from wheat allergies can gorge on fox nuts as they are gluten-free but still high in protein and carbohydrate content.
They are high in magnesium and potassium and low in sodium. This makes fox nuts an ideal snack for those watching their weight. High potassium and low sodium is a great combination for patients suffering from hypertension.

Side Effects

Excess Consumption May Lead to Side Effects like: Digestive issues like constipation, gas and feeling bloated.
A spike in insulin levels may lower blood sugar levels tremendously in patients with diabetes. So excess intake must be avoided.
They can cause allergies in some people.

reference: pharmeasy @https://pharmeasy.in/blog/12-proven-health-benefits-of-makhana-fox-nuts/

More snack recipes for you:

Print Recipe

3 Yummy Makhana/Lotus seeds Snacks

3 super healthy, yummy and easy snack recipes, with tons of health benefits.

Prep Time1

Cook Time7

Total Time8

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: south indian

Keyword: diabetic friendly, fox nuts, gluten-free, lotus seeds, makhana, phool makhana, thamara ginjala snack, weight-loss

Servings: 3

Author: Sireesha

Equipment

1 pan or kadai

Ingredients

Spicy & Tangy Makhana

2 cups makhana
1 tsp red chilly powder
1 tsp chaat masala
½ tsp black pepper powder
2 tsp dry mango powder
½ tsp coriander powder
½ tsp cumin powder
½ tsp salt / to taste
2 tsp ghee

Mint Makhana

2 cups makhana
2 tsp dry mint powder
1 tsp salt
1 tsp pepper
2 tsp ghee

Caramel Makhana

2 cups roasted makhana
4 tsp powdered jaggery
1 tsp ghee/clarified butter
3 tsp roasted sesame seeds

Instructions

Spicy & Tangy Makhana

In a small bowl mix red chilly powder, chaat masala, pepper, coriander powder, cumin powder, salt, dry mango powder and keep aside.
1 tsp red chilly powder, 1 tsp chaat masala, ½ tsp black pepper powder, 2 tsp dry mango powder, ½ tsp coriander powder, ½ tsp salt / to taste, ½ tsp cumin powder
Dry roast makhana in a pan on low heat for 5-6 minutes until they become crunchy. Do not burn them.
2 cups makhana
To check if they are correctly roasted, take one Makhana in hand and crush it. If it breaks nicely with a crunching sound, that means they are done perfectly.
Create a gap in the middle of the pan, Add ghee in the middle, add 2 tsp spice mix we made and mix well. Then mix everything well to coat all makhana on very low heat.
2 tsp ghee
Turn off and serve.

Mint Makhana

Crush the dry mint leaves to make mint powder.
Dry roast makhana in a pan on low heat for 5-6 minutes until they become crunchy. Do not burn them.
2 cups makhana
To check if they are correctly roasted, take one Makhana in hand and crush it. If it breaks nicely with a crunching sound, that means they are done perfectly.
Create a gap in the middle of the pan, Add ghee in the middle, add mint powder, pepper, salt and mix well. Then mix everything well to coat all makhana on very low heat.
2 tsp dry mint powder, 1 tsp salt, 1 tsp pepper, 2 tsp ghee
Turn off and serve.

Caramel Makhana

Heat a pan and add crushed jaggery and let it melt.
4 tsp powdered jaggery
Add ghee to get shiny coat on makhana.
1 tsp ghee/clarified butter
Keep stirring the jaggery until it becomes frothy. Let it cook a little bit more.
Add roasted sesame seeds and mix.
3 tsp roasted sesame seeds
Add dry roasted makhana into jaggery and mix well quickly to coat all makhana well.
2 cups roasted makhana
When it becomes dry and all the jaggery is coated on makhana on low flame, turn off the stove and let it sit for few minutes to set and become crunchy.

Notes

All the process should be done only on low flame.
Adjust the spices as you like.
You may add 1 tbsp of water in jaggery if needed.
Makhana should be roasted until it becomes crunchy on low flame for all 3 snacks.