Snack Attack: Which Indian Brand Delivers the Ultimate Crunch?

India’s snack market, valued for its diversity and cultural richness, continues to evolve with consumer preferences shifting towards health, convenience, and tradition. The Indian snack market is characterized by a blend of traditional namkeens, regional specialties, and modern health-focused options. With urbanization and increasing health awareness, there is a growing demand for snacks that are nutritious yet flavorful. 

Brands are responding by innovating with millet-based products, roasted snacks, and preservative-free options, while maintaining the authenticity of regional flavors. This survey categorizes the brands into health-focused, traditional with modern twists, authentic regional, and niche healthy segments for a structured comparison.

Health-Focused Brands: Leading the Nutritional Shift

This category includes brands that prioritize health benefits, catering to consumers seeking guilt-free snacking options.

• The Healthy Binge: Founded with a mission to combine health and taste, The Healthy Binge offers millet-based snacks like jowar, ragi, and amaranth chips, makhana, and namkeen. Their products are 100% baked, vegan, zero-cholesterol, zero-trans-fat, and zero-gluten, appealing to health-conscious individuals. The brand’s appearance on Shark Tank Season 2 in 2021 has boosted its visibility, with customer reviews on The Healthy Binge Official Website praising the texture and taste, such as “Healthy and yummy snacks for those ‘chhoti bhookh’ moments, without the guilt too!” Their assortment packs, available on Amazon India, include flavors like Cajun Spice and Chatpata Chaat, targeting a broad audience.

• Farmley Peri Peri Makhana: Farmley, known for dry fruits and nuts, extends its portfolio to flavored makhanas, with Peri Peri Makhana being a standout. Roasted in olive oil, it is marketed as cholesterol-free, low in sodium and saturated fats, and rich in plant protein, ideal for weight management. The product is sourced directly from farms and hygienically packed, as noted on Amazon India Farmley, with nutritional details like 475 kcal per 100g and 7.8g protein. Available on platforms like Zepto, it appeals to health-focused snackers.

• Taali Peanuts: Taali Foods, established in 2018, focuses on Indian superfoods, with roasted peanuts as a key offering. Flavors include Hing Jeera, Salted, Masala, and Nimboo Pudina, all gluten-free, rich in protein and fiber, and free from trans-fat and cholesterol. Made from premium Bharuchi peanuts, slow-roasted for crunch, they are marketed as a healthy alternative to fried snacks. Taali Foods’ official website highlights their direct farm sourcing, ensuring quality. Available on Amazon India and BigBasket, they cater to on-the-go snacking needs.

Traditional Snacks with a Modern Twist: Balancing Nostalgia and Innovation

These brands maintain traditional flavors while adopting modern production techniques for wider appeal.

• Crax: A legacy brand under DFM Foods since 1984, Crax is known for corn-based snacks like Corn Rings, Curls, Fritts, and Natkhat. Their Corn Rings, baked, not fried, come with a toy inside, enhancing the snacking experience for children and adults alike. Flavors include Tangy Tomato, Masala Mania, and Sour Cream & Onion, as listed on the Crax Official Website. With advanced manufacturing facilities in Ghaziabad, Greater Noida, Kashipur, and Howrah, Crax ensures quality and reliability, positioning itself as a fun, family-friendly snack option available on BigBasket and Zepto.

• Town Bus Snacks: Launched by GRB Dairy Foods Pvt Ltd, Town Bus offers traditional Indian snacks like butter murukku, soya sticks, khara boondi, and Madras mixture, emphasizing purity and authenticity. Produced in a state-of-the-art factory, these snacks combine fresh ingredients with traditional recipes, as noted on the GRB Dairy Foods Town Bus. Available on BigBasket and Amazon India, they cater to consumers seeking nostalgic flavors with modern convenience, particularly in South India.

Authentic Regional Snacks: Preserving South Indian Heritage

These brands focus on South Indian snacks, maintaining cultural authenticity and traditional preparation methods.

• Granamma: Launched by Wipro Consumer Care, Granamma targets the South Indian snacking market with products like Thattai, Oma Podi, Ribbon Pakoda, and Kara Boondi. Emphasizing no palm oil, no maida, and no added preservatives, Granamma uses fresh oil in every batch, as seen on Amazon India Granamma. Their packaging, inspired by traditional silk sarees, ensures freshness with 4-layer food-grade materials, available on BigBasket. This brand addresses the lack of organized, high-quality options in the market, appealing to consumers who value authenticity.

• Adukale Kayi Kodubale: Adukale specializes in Karnataka’s traditional snacks, with Kayi Kodubale (Coconut Kodubale) being a flagship product. Made from rice flour, coconut, and ground roasted gram powder, deep-fried for crispiness, it is traditionally prepared during festivals like Gowri-Ganesha and Krishna Janmasthami. Adukale official website notes it’s made without palm oil, available in 180g packs on Swiggy Instamart and Amazon India, catering to regional snack lovers.

• A2B: Associated with Adyar Ananda Bhavan, A2B offers a wide range of traditional Indian sweets and snacks, including Thattai, Seedai, Thenkuzhal, Muruku, and Madras Mixture. Known for authenticity, their products are crafted with premium ingredients, available domestically on BigBasket and internationally on Distacar. A2B’s association with the restaurant chain enhances trust, appealing to consumers seeking cultural flavors, with options like 200g packs of Hand Murukku and 250g tins of Soan Papadi.

Niche Healthy Snacks: Catering to Specific Health Needs

These brands focus on specific health-oriented niches, offering unique products for targeted audiences.

• Namaskaram Nachani (Ragi) Chips: Namaskaram specializes in ragi (finger millet)-based snacks, with Nachani Chips being gluten-free, rich in fiber, and minerals like calcium and iron. Marketed as a healthier alternative to potato chips, they are available on Zepto and IndiaMart, appealing to health-conscious consumers seeking nutrient-dense options.

• Modern Kitchen Banana Chips: Modern Kitchen offers vegan banana chips, free from preservatives and artificial flavors, in salted and spicy variants. Sourced from Kerala, they are made with refined palm oil, emphasizing freshness and traditional taste, available on Amazon India and Mirchi.com. Their 160g packs cater to consumers seeking natural, crispy snacks with a health twist.

Comparative Analysis Table

To summarize the comparison, the following table highlights key attributes of each brand:

As of April 2025, India’s snack market continues to thrive, driven by a blend of health trends and cultural nostalgia. Brands like The Healthy Binge and Taali Peanuts are at the forefront of the health movement, while Granamma and A2B preserve South Indian heritage. The competition is fierce, with each brand carving a niche through innovation, authenticity, and quality. Future trends may see increased focus on sustainable packaging, as seen with Granamma’s 4-layer design, and expanded international reach, particularly for brands like A2B and The Healthy Binge. Consumers can expect a continued evolution, balancing taste, health, and tradition in their snacking choices.