Beyond Popcorn, Noodles & Chips:

5-Minute Dishes

To Enjoy When Binge-Watching

Roasted Foxnuts

Don’t restrict foxnuts, or makhanas, to just fasting. You can opt for store-bought makhanas or simply roast a big batch at home and consume during the week. Because this nutritious, low-calorie, and gluten-free snack can be stored in an airtight container for up to two weeks, if not more. For a quick, oil-free, and homemade version, roast makhanas in a preheated air fryer at 180°C–200°C for 5–8 minutes. Open the basket halfway through (at the 3-minute mark) to shake or stir them. The makhana are done when they are light, crunchy, and break easily with a snap when crushed. Season them with salt immediately after taking them out of the fryer, when they are still hot. 

Instant Pasta

Instant noodles, even the cup version, taste amazing but are also extremely common. Switch things up by opting for instant pasta that also comes together in just five to eight minutes. You can opt for Sunfeast YiPPee! Pasta, which is made from suji and thus healthier than maida versions. There are four varieties available, namely cheese, tomato-cheese, sour cream and onion, and masala. You can even opt for tricolour pasta–available in creamy corn and masala versions—if you’re hosting a kids movie night. Confused about which one to pick? Start with Tricolour Pasta Creamy Corn, which is buttery smooth, delectable, and wholesome. 

Ice-Cream Sundae

Snacking, but make it sweet, with this simple ice-cream sundae. Add two scoops of ice cream to a bowl, and top it with sliced fruits of your choice, chocolate sauce, and chopped nuts or sprinkles for the ultimate binge-watching dessert. You can opt for sugar-free or flavoured ice creams, swap chocolate sauce with maple syrup, and even top with crushed cornflakes — the possibilities are endless with this 5-minute dish. 

Chips Chaat

Plain, simple chips? Boring. Chips chaat that adds chopped veggies, sev, sauces or chutneys to the mix? An inspired 5-minute dish! Yes, it’s as easy as it sounds. Just grab a cup of potato chips (this dish makes great use of leftover chips, if you ever end up with some), crush them and add to a bowl along with chopped onions, cucumber, tomatoes, and chillies (you can choose any of these). Now, add ¼ cup of boiled corn kernels (you can skip this if not available), along with tamarind and mint chutneys, chaat masala powder, black salt, and red chilli powder. Give it a good mix. Top with sev, or even more crushed chips. You can also customise the dish with toppings of your choice, and even mix different chips for a unique flavour. 

Sandwiches

When it comes to 5-minute dishes, sandwiches should ideally be at the top of the list, but often get forgotten. Well, no time like now to change the game. Opt for an open sandwich or toast, like the creamy avocado toast that can be made by toasting bread and topping it with sliced avocados and grilled paneer or halloumi. Alternatively, spread butter between two slices. Now add sliced onions, cucumber, and tomatoes and chaat masala, or cheese and chutney. Combine the slices and grill in a preheated sandwich griller. For the simplest, no-grill option, combine bread slices with readily available spreads. A popular option includes a bhujia-ketchup sandwich. Spread ketchup on two bread slices, add bhujia on one, and top it with the other slice. It’s salty, sweet, and crunchy in the best way. 

Bruschetta

Just because it sounds fancy does not mean it can’t be added to your repertoire of 5-minute dishes. Case in point: bruschetta. For a 5-minute bruschetta, you need a baguette, tomatoes, garlic, basil, oil, and vinegar.  Slice the baguette and toast in a pan, toaster, or oven broiler until golden. While it toasts, mix chopped tomatoes, garlic, basil, oil, and vinegar in a bowl. Rub a raw garlic clove onto the toasted bread for extra flavour, then top with the tomato mixture. Drizzle with more olive oil and consume fresh.

Quick Apple "Nachos"

For a sweet, crunchy, and healthy treat, try these quick apple nachos. Start by slicing one large apple into thin wedges. Arrange the wedges on a plate and drizzle 2-3 tbsp over them. If the peanut butter is too thick, microwave it for 15-20 seconds until drizzling consistency. Sprinkle with chocolate chips, nuts, sunflower seeds, or granola for an extra crunch. It’s sweet, protein-rich, and arguably one of the healthiest 5-minute dishes on the list. 

No-Interval Meals

Snacking does not have to break your binge marathon. Viewing parties do not mean relying on expensive takeout. And exciting 5-minute dishes do not require complicated ingredients. This list is proof of all this. So the next time the urge to snack strikes in the middle of an exciting scene, don’t grab the nearest popcorn packet. Rather, step into your kitchen and whip up a dish as exciting as the show on the screen.