23 Exclusive Indian Food Potluck Ideas

Last Updated on November 16, 2023 by Amanda P. Brown

Try these 23 simple and delicious Indian food Potluck ideas to liven up your gathering. Start with tasty Masala Vada and crunchy Paneer Pakora, which are ideal for small snacks. Munch on Pani Puri in the street style or savor the verdant beauty of Hara Bhara Kabab.

Enjoy the comforting Veg Noodles, the flavorful Pulao, or simple Roti for a heartier meal. Use aromatic halwa, rasgulla, or kheer to sweeten the occasion. Refresh yourself with traditional Lassi, Shikanji, or Thandai to quench your thirst.

This rich variety of Indian tastes will make your potluck more interesting. They will offer you a combination of taste with simplicity and a traditional touch. Your potluck gathering will all love each of these items.

23 Indian Food Potluck Ideas

Below is the list of the best 23 Indian Potluck Ideas:

Paneer Pakora
Masala Vada
Pani Puri
Hara Bhara Kabab
Pnion Pakora
Aloo Pakora
Vegetable Manchurian
Roti
Pori
Paratha
Idli
Dosa
Pulao
Kulcha
Veg Noodles
Khichdi
Pasta
Kheer
Halwa
Rasgulla
Thandai
Shikanji
Lassi

Appetizers for Potluck

1. Paneer Pakora

Paneer pakora is one of the popular and delicious Indian potluck dishes. This pakora recipe comprises paneer cubes covered in a spicy gram flour batter and deep-fried to golden perfection.

This crispy snack is also called paneer bhaji. Season it with turmeric, red chile, and garam masala to add flavor. You can serve it with chutneys.

2. Masala Vada

Masala vada, also known as masala vadai. This vada masala is one of the famous South Indian snacks. Masala vada pav is a common Indian street food where masala vada and pav cross together.

However, it is usually made with roughly mashed peeled black gram (urad dal) with spices and herbs. The mixture is formed into small, flat rounds. Then, deep-fried until light brown and crunchy.

You can enjoy this dish with spicy and tangy chutney at your potluck party.

3. Pani Puri

Pani puri is also familiar as puchka or golgappa in different regions of India. It is a popular street meal and snack. It comprises small, round, hollow puris (crispy, thin shells) filled with tangy and spicy tamarind water, cooked chickpeas, mashed potatoes, chopped onions, and various spices.

Pani puri is often swallowed in one bite. Each bite is packed with tastes and textures. It can be one of the great Indian potluck dishes ideas for your next plan.

4. Hara Bhara kabab

Hara Bhara Kebab is one of the famous and easy Indian vegetarian potluck recipes. These green color kebabs are made with a blend of mashed potatoes, green vegetables, and spices such as spinach, coriander, peas, and mint. You can enjoy this flavorful Hara Bhara kabab veg with chutney. This recipe is so simple to prepare. You can go with Hara Bhara kabab frozen for a more handy option.

5. Onion Pakora

Deep-frying rings or slices of onions covered in a spiced chickpea flour (besan) batter is Onion pakora. Cumin, coriander, and red chili powder boost the flavor of this easy onion pakoras recipes. Sometimes baking soda is added for crispiness. You can simply make an onion pakora air fryer.

However, many Indians call them different names, such as onion bhaji or pyaaz ke pakode. You can try this at your potluck party with sauce or chutney. With tea, these pakoras can improve anyone’s mood, especially in the rainy season.

6. Aloo Pakora

Another common Indian pakora is Aloo pakora. You can call it aloo bhaji or potato pakora. This Indian snack is made by coating potato slices in a spiced chickpea flour (besan) batter. Enjoy this crispy golden snack at your tea-time break or kitty parties.

7. Vegetable Manchurian

One of the famous Indo-Chinese dishes is Vegetable Manchurian. For vegetable lovers, it is a great snack idea. You can add vegetables like carrots, cabbage, capsicum, flour or cornstarch, and various spices. Then, form a ball of the combination and cook it in hot oil. Next, toss them in a spicy sauce. You can enjoy this tangy, savory dish with fried or noodles.

Read More: Picnic Food Ideas Indian

Potluck Main Dishes Ideas

8. Roti

Indian one of the staple dishes is Roti. These Rotis are made from simple unleavened flatbread. You just need to take whole wheat flour, water, and salt to make roti recipes. Then, you need to roll it into thin circles and cook on a flat griddle or skillet.

However, You can serve this versatile chapati/roti dish with many other dishes such as meat dishes, sabzi-bhaji, etc. Moreover, you can pair it with kheer or gulab jamun.

9. Poori

Poori is a type of fried bread in India made from unleavened wheat flour dough. The dough is formed into tiny circles and deep-fried until puffy. Pooris/ puris are loved during festive meals and special events for their crispness and adaptability and are frequently served with side dishes like potato curry.

10. Paratha

The most common Indian flatbread is paratha. Layer and roll unleavened wheat dough with ghee or oil to make it. Before being fried on a griddle, the rolled-out dough is folded and re-rolled to form numerous layers.

Parathas can be stuffed with various ingredients, such as spiced potatoes (aloo paratha) or paneer (paneer paratha), or you can eat plain. So it can be a versatile and easy Indian potluck dishes for your gathering.

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11. Idli

Idli is a steamed rice cake from South India. It is made from matured urad dal (black gram) and idli rice batter. This batter is fermented overnight, which gives idlis their unique spongy feel. Idlis usually come with chutney and sambar. The batter can also be used to make dosas, which are thin and crispy crepes known as “idli dosa” in South Indian cuisine.

12. Dosa

Dosa is a thin, crispy South Indian pancake or crepe prepared with urad dal (black gram) and rice-fermented batter. It is another common Indian dishes for potluck. The batter is thinly spread on a hot griddle or flat pan and fry until golden brown and crispy.

You can serve this Indian dosa simply or with various fillings such as spicy potatoes, veggies, or paneer. They’re usually paired with coconut chutney and sambar, a lentil-based vegetable stew. Dosas are a popular and flexible breakfast, lunch, and dinner dish.

13. Pulao

A fragrant and savory rice meal is pulao. It is sometimes called pilaf also. It is made by cooking aromatic spices with basmati rice. It frequently consists of a combination of veggies, meat, or both.

Rice, water, or broth are usually added after the ingredients have been sautéed in ghee or oil. The outcome is a fragrant, flavorful, and perfectly seasoned one-pot meal featuring distinct rice grains. Indian pulao is a well-liked dish appreciated for its adaptability and simplicity.

14. kulcha

Indian kulcha is a delectable bread. It’s fluffy and round. Amritsari kulcha has another level of popularity. However, It is typically made with flour, baking powder, and yogurt.

Indians prepare it in a tandoori (a sort of clay oven). Kulcha is crunchy and golden. It goes well with curry or chickpeas. Certain kulchas, like kulcha naan, contain paneer or potatoes inside them. It’s good and usually consumed at dinner. For your potluck gathering, you can go with it.

15. Veg Noodles

Vegetable noodles are delicious when stir-fried with vibrant vegetables. You can use Rice or wheat to make homemade noodles.

Prepare your vegetables with flavorful soy sauce and seasoning. Then, pour your noodles in it. Now, your veg noodles are ready to enjoy. It is one of the cherished potluck ideas Indian food for its excellent blend of flavors and textures.

16. Khichdi

Khichdi is simple and comforting Indian food. It’s made with Rice and lentils, seasoned with turmeric and spices. Sometimes, veggies are added. It’s like porridge. People eat it with yogurt, pickles, or ghee. Khichdi is a basic, nutritious meal, easy to digest, and often enjoyed as comfort food in Indian homes.

17. Pasta

Indian cuisine pasta is a delectable combination that combines traditional Italian spaghetti with fragrant Indian spices. You can consider the masala pasta with loaded indian flavor for your potluck gathering.

Alternatively, “Paneer Tikka Pasta” mixes Indian cottage cheese (paneer) in a smooth tomato sauce. Perfect for potlucks, these Indian-inspired dishes offer a unique twist.

Potluck Desserts Ideas

18. Kheer

Kheer is a traditional Indian rice pudding. You can simply make it by boiling Rice with sugar and milk. It is usually flavored with saffron, cardamom, and nuts such as pistachios or almonds.

It comprises a creamy texture and rich, aromatic flavor. During holiday celebrations in India, rice kheer serves as a beloved dessert. You can get ready-made kheer mix in an easy and fast way.

19. Halwa

Halwa is a traditional sweet dish in various cultures, including India. It is mainly created with ingredients like semolina (sooji), lentils, or vegetables. Then, the base requires ghee (clarified butter), sugar, cardamom, or saffron.

To boost taste, you can include raisins and nuts. With this simple process, you can make different fusions of this Indian halwa like Suji halwa, Gajar halwa, etc. However, Halwa Puri is a great Indian combo dish for potluck gatherings and occasions.

20. Rasgulla

Rasgulla is a traditional and famous Indian sweet, especially in Bengali cuisine. It’s created from chhena dough kneaded and formed into little balls. Here, chhena refers to Indian cottage cheese.

Then, you need to cook these balls in a sugar syrup until they soak it and turn spongy and mushy. Rasgullas are popular for their airy and delicate texture and are frequently served chilled.

They are a common dessert during festivals and special occasions. You can try this easy rasgulla recipe as a sweet Indian potluck dishes option.

Potluck Drink Ideas

21. Thandai

Thandai is a traditional Indian drink mostly popular during the Holi festival. It is a refreshing drink produced by combining or soaking various ingredients in milk, such as fennel seeds, almonds, poppy seeds, rose petals, cardamom, and melon seeds.

After that, the mixture is filtered and sweetened with sugar. Thandai is loved for its refreshing and aromatic flavor and is frequently connected with celebratory festivals.

22. Shikanji

Shikanji is known as Nimbu Pani and is a popular lemonade or lemon drink in India. It combines freshly squeezed lemon juice with water and adds sugar and spices such as roasted cumin powder, black salt, and sometimes mint.

Shikanji is a delicious and hydrating beverage particularly popular during hot weather. It has a delectable blend of sweet, tangy, and savory flavors.

23. Lassi

Lassi is an Indian traditional drink comprising yogurt, water, and spices. It can be either sweet or savory. Sweet lassi has sugar, fruits, or flavored syrups, whereas savory lassi contains salt, cumin, or other spices. It is a popular and pleasant beverage frequently consumed to cool down in hot weather or as a compliment to spicy Indian food. A popular variety is mango lassi, which is created from mango pulp.

Final Verdict

Delight your potluck with an array of easy and mouth-watering Indian dishes. Start with crispy Paneer Pakora and savory Masala Vada, perfect for snacking. Dive into the street food magic of Pani Puri or relish the green goodness of Hara Bhara Kabab.

For main courses, explore the simplicity of Roti, the indulgence of Veg Noodles, or the aromatic charm of Pulao. Sweeten the occasion with Rasgulla, Kheer, or aromatic Halwa.

Wash it down with refreshing Thandai, Shikanji, or a traditional Lassi. Elevate your potluck with the rich tapestry of Indian flavors, blending tradition with simplicity for a feast that delights every palate.

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