25 Navratri Recipes (Best Fasting Dishes)

As the fall season approaches, so does one of the most vibrant festivals in India, Navratri. These delicious Navratri recipes celebrate this joyous occasion!

This festival is celebrated over 9 days. In 2023, it’s October 15 to 24. It’s dedicated to worshipping the various forms of the Goddess Durga. 

It’s filled with traditional pujas and prayers. Navratri is also well known for its delightful selection of food prepared and relished during this time. 

There are crispy bite-sized snacks to sweet treats. Navratri recipes offer a wide range of deliciousness that is worth indulging in. Since it’s tradition to fast during the celebration, each dish is nutritious and delicious.

These tempting meals will make your festive season even more flavorful and unforgettable.

1. Kuttu Poori

One of the joys of exploring different cuisines is discovering unique and delightful flavor combinations. 

Kuttu poori is a traditional Indian dish made with buckwheat flour. Its earthy, nutty flavors are perfectly balanced by the sweetness of potatoes.

For those who are gluten intolerant, this recipe is an ideal substitute for traditional wheat-based dishes.

2. Moraiyo Khichdi 

Moraiyo khichdi is a flavorful dish combining barnyard millet with the soft texture of ghee. 

The addition of spices adds a hint of warmth and earthiness. The seasoning made with cumin seeds and peanuts provides an added crunch and nutty aroma. 

It’s a perfect blend of rustic flavors. This dish is soothing and satisfying.

3. Jain Paneer Butter Masala 

Fans of butter masala will love this take on it. The creamy paneer blended with the rich sauce will satisfy any foodie’s cravings. 

The rich and bold flavors of this recipe come from the carefully selected spices and herbs used in cooking.

It’s guaranteed to be met with smiles.

4. Buckwheat Flour Fritters (Kuttu Ke Pakore)

These buckwheat flour fritters are a beloved Navratri snack. They’re made with potatoes and spices for an irresistible and unique flavor. They’re also seasoned with spices and herbs.

These fritters are a popular fasting food during the festival. As a bonus, they’re also gluten-free.

5. Potato Fry (Vrat Wale Aloo)

This simple yet tasty recipe combines boiled potatoes with the aromatic spices of cumin and coriander. The result is a savory and spicy dish perfect for Navratri.

Serve it as a side dish with rice or roti, or even use it as a filling for sandwiches or wraps. You can’t go wrong.

6. No Onion No Garlic Chana Masala 

This tasty recipe combines the nuttiness of cashews with the tanginess of tomatoes. It’s the perfect flavor combination!

The absence of onion and garlic allows the spices to shine. This dish is simple and easy to make. But it’s always a hit with anyone who tries it.

Serve it with hot rotis or rice for a satisfying meal.

7. Falahari Paneer Makhane Gulgulle

Falahari paneer is a flavorful recipe featuring crispy makhana (fox nuts) and creamy paneer (Indian cottage cheese) balls. 

It’s perfect as a fasting dish or a unique appetizer. These snacks are gluten-free and vegetarian, so everyone can enjoy them. Serve them hot with tangy chutney or yogurt. 

8. Temple-Style Coconut Rice (Thengai Saadam)

Indulge in temple-style coconut rice. This dish embodies simplicity and divine flavors. 

Fragrant rice is cooked with freshly grated coconut and aromatic spices, and is tempered with curry leaves. 

Serve it with a side of tangy pickle or yogurt. Experience the essence of tradition and the magic of this exquisite dish.

9. Sweet Potato Cutlet (Shakarkandi Ki Cutlet)

These cutlets are such a treat! Boiled sweet potatoes are mixed with aromatic spices and shaped into patties. They’re then shallow-fried to golden perfection. 

Serve them as appetizers or in burgers, accompanied by chutneys or sauces. 

They’re a great way to incorporate nutritious sweet potatoes into your festival menu.

10. Sabudana Kheer 

Sabudana kheer is a truly special dessert for Navratri. It’ll delight your tastebuds and satisfy your sweet tooth. 

The creamy flavors of the milk and cashews are perfectly balanced with the nuttiness of the sabudana pearls. 

Served chilled, it’s the perfect end to any meal. The subtle flavors make it an ideal option for a lighter treat.

11. Raskadam

Raskadam are made by combining milk, sugar, and flavorful saffron. These soft and succulent milk balls are absolutely delicious.

Serve them chilled as a delightful dessert or offer them as a special snack during the festival.

Once you try them, you won’t be able to stop at just one!

12. Vrat Wali Arbi

Discover the flavors of this fasting recipe featuring taro roots. They’re boiled and cooked in a blend of spices. This dish is a perfect choice for religious fasting days. 

Serve it hot with yogurt and singhare ki puri (water chestnut flour flatbread) for a satisfying meal. 

Substitute taro roots with potatoes for a non-fasting version.

13. Samo Rice Chakli

Samo rice chakli is a delightful snack made from samo rice flour. It’s seasoned with spices and deep-fried to crispy perfection. 

These spiral-shaped treats are perfect to serve throughout your celebration.

Pair them with a side of chutney or enjoy them on their own. Substitute samo rice flour with gluten-free flour for a wheat-free variation.

14. Chickpea Sundal

This dish is made using boiled chickpeas. They’re toasted with a blend of spices and garnished with fresh coconut. 

The combination of flavors in this dish is simply amazing. The nutty taste of the chickpeas pairs perfectly with the earthy tones of the spices. The coconut adds a refreshing and sweet flavor and crunch to the dish.

15. Vrat Ke Aloo

This recipe is just so cozy and comforting! It consists of tender potatoes cooked in a blend of aromatic spices.

The spice blend enhances the earthy taste of the potatoes and gives them a slight kick. If you like meals with some heat, this one’s for you!

Be sure to serve it with rice or bread to soak up all the juiciness.

16. Mango Basundi

Mango basundi is a delectable, creamy dessert. It’s a perfect fusion of Indian and Western flavors. 

This popular dish is made by simmering sweetened milk. Then, cardamom, saffron, and chopped nuts are added to intensify the flavor. 

What makes this dish unique is the addition of mango puree. It adds a fruity, tangy twist to the traditional dish.

17. Sabudana Vada

Ah, sabudana vada, the delightful Indian snack that’s as fun to say as it is to eat. 

This crunchy, golden orb of goodness is made from soaked sabudana. It’s mixed with a seasoned blend of spices and potatoes. 

The flavors in this dish work together in perfect harmony, from the refreshing cilantro to the spicy chili powder.

18. Barnyard Millet Pilaf (Samak Chawal Pulao)

This dish packs a flavorful punch with a mix of earthy and warm spices.

It’s ready in just 30 minutes, and you can devour it for breakfast, lunch, or dinner. It’s packed with protein, carbs, and fiber for a filling meal.

Serve it hot with a dollop of raita or cool cucumber salad to balance out the flavors.

19. Rajgira Aloo Puri

This dish features a combination of amaranth flour, boiled potatoes, and a handful of spices. It’ll knock your socks off. 

And since it’s packed with nutrition, it’s a popular fasting recipe during Navratri.

The nutty flavor of the amaranth flour perfectly complements the earthy taste of the potatoes. And the spices bring just enough pizzazz to the party. You’ll love it!

20. Buckwheat Sprouts Chilla

Buckwheat sprouts chilla is a mouth-watering dish. It’ll spruce up your mornings with its zingy taste.

This gluten-free recipe is a perfect fusion of nutrition and taste. It’s packed with the goodness of sprouts and unique spices. 

It features a mélange of flavors, including tangy, sweet, and spicy. It’s an all-round winner, if you ask me.

21. Sweet Corn Sundal

This South Indian recipe involves cooking sweet corn in coconut oil, curry leaves, mustard seeds, urad dal, and grated coconut. 

The result is a beautiful combination of nutty and sweet flavors. It’s an easy recipe and comes together in just 5 minutes. It also happens to be kid-friendly!

Serve it as is or as a side dish with a protein of your choice.

22. Rajgira Kadhi

This dish has it all. The nuttiness of the amaranth flour balances out the sourness of the yogurt. And the spice blend of cumin, ginger, and green chilies provides a kick of heat. 

It’s the perfect recipe for fasting, as it’s easy to digest.

When it comes to serving options, the sky’s the limit! Pour it over piping hot rice or mix it in with some crispy pakoras. You can also slurp it up like soup.

23. Kuttu Atta Cookies

These delectable treats are gluten-free, vegan, and packed with nutrients. 

These cookies are crafted with the warmth of ghee (clarified butter). They’re infused with aromatic cardamom and lightly sweetened. They’re a wholesome and aromatic snack perfect for the festive occasion.

24. Indian Mint and Sweet Potato Salad

This mint salad is a refreshing dish. It’s bursting with a blend of tart, savory, and sweet flavors. It’s a favorite recipe for Navratri fasting!

It makes a wonderful light lunch, and it’s bursting with so much color. It’ll delight your senses and make your table look beautiful.

25. Sooji Halwa

Sooji halwa is a mouth-watering Indian dessert that’s quick and easy to make. 

The key ingredient, sooji, or semolina, is roasted in ghee until golden brown. This brings out the nuttiness of the grain. It pairs perfectly with the sweetness of sugar and scented notes of cardamom. 

Served with a cup of chai tea, it’s such a delight during Navratri.