Sharaarat and Snacks, It’s Time To Bring Back The 2000s Treats That Lit Up Our Childhood

There’s something about April that still makes me feel like I’m in 1st grade again—counting down the days to summer vacation, heart full of plans, and zero intention of studying. Back then, summer meant only three things: unlimited TV, no homework, and amazing snacks I’d only get during holidays.

TV Marathons and Snack Sessions
As soon as the vacations started, my days revolved around shows like Sharaarat, Shaktimaan, and Karishma Ka Karishma. I’d sprawl in front of the TV with a snack in hand (including the orange candies I said I hated), completely lost in that magical world of teleporting aunts and superhero drama. What made those shows even better? The snacks that accompanied them—some rare packaged goodies and others lovingly prepared by my mother.

She had one rule: packaged snacks only during the holidays. That made every bite of Kurkure feel like rebellion. But even better were the homemade treats—created with summer fruits, a whole lot of love, and just the right touch of nostalgia.

Why not try these recipes at home this summer? I know I will, and this time, my mother will be the one enjoying these snacks as we watch reruns of these amazing shows from the 2000s.

Kurkure Bhel: The Crunch Craze
This was my personal twist on bhel puri, using Kurkure instead of murmura. My mom would help me toss it with chopped onions, tomatoes, cucumber, coriander, lemon juice, and sometimes peanuts. It was crunchy, spicy, tangy—and fnostalgia, 2000s snacks, childhood memories, summer recipes, homemade treats, Kurkure bhel, aam papadelt like a party in a bowl.

Personal tip: Eat it immediately. The longer it sits, the soggier it gets—and that ruins the whole fun.

Aam Papad: Sunshine on a Plate
This one needed serious patience. My mom would slowly cook mango pulp with sugar and lemon, spread it thin on steel plates, and sun-dry it for days. I’d check on it every few hours, hoping it was ready. The result? Sticky, sweet aam papad that melted in your mouth.

Worth every minute of the wait—and far better than store-bought versions!

Aam Panna Ice Pops: The OG Coolers
Forget fancy packaged popsicles. These homemade aam panna pops were the real cool treats of summer. Made with raw mango, mint, black salt, red chili, and cumin, they were frozen into little molds. I’d run to the freezer a dozen times to check if they were fully set or not.

Tip: Add a pinch of chaat masala before enjoying it for that extra chatpata punch.

Pepsi Cola Ice Lollies: Freeze, Suck, Repeat
I remember buying these ice lollies from shops, but my mother worried that I would get sick sooner or later. So, she decided to make them at home from scratch. And the best thing? While she sneaked in fresh fruits to these lollies, they tasted amazing and I didn't have to waste my pocket money (Re.1 for each lolly) on buying them ever again!

Pro tip: Mix Pepsi with a splash of lemon juice and black salt before freezing—it gives it that classic street-style taste!

Jhaal Muri: My ‘I’m Grown-Up’ Snack
There was something so serious and “adult” about this one. The pungent mustard oil, the green chilies, the crunchy peanuts—I felt very mature eating it, especially when I’d watch my father inhale a whole box of it. It was my go-to when I wanted to feel like I had important things to think about (even if I was just 8 and dying of spice).

My advice: Don’t skip the mustard oil. It’s what gives jhaal muri its identity and that nose-twitching spice.

More Than Just Snacks
Looking back, those snacks weren’t just about taste. They were time markers. They told me summer had started, that the rules had relaxed, and that home had a different rhythm now. Whether it was aam papad slowly drying on the balcony or the scent of mustard oil wafting from the kitchen, every moment came with a side of something delicious.

I didn’t know it then, but these snacks were my mom’s way of giving me a summer full of joy, color, and memories—one bite at a time. What is your favorite snack from the 2000s?