27 Diwali Recipes Guaranteed To Spread Joy During The Festival Of Lights (2024)

Wishing you an abundance of love and riches this Hindu New Year!

By Camille Lowder
27 Diwali Recipes Guaranteed To Spread Joy During The Festival Of Lights (1)

Diwali, the Hindu Festival of Lights, marks the beginning of the Hindu new year and celebrates the triumph of light over darkness, hope over despair, and knowledge over ignorance. Diwali (November 10 to 15, 2023) is celebrated with food, fireworks, and ceremonies of hope, love, joy, and peace. While the celebration varies by region, special Indian dishes (and especially sweets) are always an important element of the festivities. These 27 recipes for Diwali favorites will help you spread joy and happiness to everyone in your life during the Festival of Lights.

Because Diwali is celebrated by a number of religions (including Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists), traditions and customs can vary from family to family. There is almost always a focus on enjoying mithai (or sweets). Try our peda (milk fudge), our pista kulfi (cardamom pistachio ice cream), or our coconut burfi brownie bites (kind of like a Mounds bar)—sharing and gifting confections is a huge part of the celebration too, so make extra.

As for savory options, many Indian standards show up on the holiday table. By many, we mean tons, since this is a holiday for feasting and celebrating with friends and family. Check out our chicken tikka masala, our potato curry, our saag paneer, and more—they’re delicious whether you’ve got your whole family together or are celebrating with a smaller group. If you do have a whole crowd, add some extras to the table as appetizers, like our papdi chaat, our homemade samosas, or naan served alongside tomato or mango chutneys too.

Diwali is also a time for prayer and reflection, so if you're religious, we hope you find time during this 5-day festival to contemplate the past and pray for joy in the coming year. For everyone else, we hope these recipes will help broaden your perspective and inspire you to try something new (always a great tradition for any New Year!).

1

Peda (Milk Fudge)

27 Diwali Recipes Guaranteed To Spread Joy During The Festival Of Lights (3)

Peda is a super-popular mitai (sweet) in Indian households during Diwali. It’s a milky fudge-like confection that is traditionally made from dried evaporated milk solids called khoya, though lots of people use a shortcut method of sweetened condensed milk and non-fat dry milk powder (like we did here).

Get the Peda (Milk Fudge) recipe.

2

Butter Chicken

27 Diwali Recipes Guaranteed To Spread Joy During The Festival Of Lights (4)

Butter chicken is one of the most popular dishes at most Indian restaurants, and for good reason. This chicken recipe uses deeply flavored chicken thighs, simmered in an ultra-silky and aromatic sauce of tomatoes, cream, and cashews. Spoon this dish over steamed rice or serve with warm naan for the perfect dinner.

Get the Butter Chicken recipe.

3

Papdi Chaat

27 Diwali Recipes Guaranteed To Spread Joy During The Festival Of Lights (5)

Papdi chaat can take on many variations, but this particular version is a monster of a delight with two chutneys, tender potatoes and chickpeas, tangy yogurt, a medley of eye-catching red onions, pomegranate seeds, diced tomatoes, and finished with a generous snowing of crunchy sev noodles. 😍

Get the Papdi Chaat recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

4

Tandoori Chicken

27 Diwali Recipes Guaranteed To Spread Joy During The Festival Of Lights (6)

The real standout in this timeless recipe is the use of a masala-yogurt marinade that coats the chicken throughout the cooking process, making it exceedingly juicy and extra flavorful. You can marinate the chicken in the morning, then roast it for just 30 minutes (!) when you’re ready to eat.

Get the Tandoori Chicken recipe.

5

Homemade Samosas

27 Diwali Recipes Guaranteed To Spread Joy During The Festival Of Lights (7)

Homemade samosas don't need to be intimidating! The spiced potato filling is fast and easy, and the dough comes together quickly using melted ghee. You may need to hunt down some spices and seeds, but it's well worth it for the best, most authentic-tasting samosas this Diwali.

Get the Homemade Samosas recipe.

6

Mango Chutney

27 Diwali Recipes Guaranteed To Spread Joy During The Festival Of Lights (8)

In India, where chutneys hail from, the word can refer to many different spiced dishes made with fruits, vegetables, and/or herbs. This mango version, which is spiced with fennel, mustard, cumin, and coriander seeds, plus a kick from fresh ginger, is similar to a jam or jelly, and will add flavor to nearly anything you pair it with.

Get the Mango Chutney recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

7

Chicken Madras

27 Diwali Recipes Guaranteed To Spread Joy During The Festival Of Lights (9)

If you love spice, you’ve got to try this chicken Madras recipe. Spiked with a potent blend of freshly ground spices and soothed with rich coconut milk, this chicken curry is equal parts spicy, creamy, and downright delicious.

Get the Chicken Madras recipe.

8

Coconut Burfi Brownie Bites

27 Diwali Recipes Guaranteed To Spread Joy During The Festival Of Lights (10)

Coconut burfi is an Indian mithai (sweet) made from shredded coconut and sweetened condensed milk with a touch of cardamom. The combo of chocolate and coconut is so magical, and the ground cardamom just makes it even more special.

Get the Coconut Burfi Brownie Bites recipe.

9

Chicken Tikka Masala

27 Diwali Recipes Guaranteed To Spread Joy During The Festival Of Lights (11)

Chicken tikka refers to chicken that's been marinated in yogurt and then roasted. You can find chicken tikka served on skewers or roasted and served dry. The "masala" in chicken tikka masala refers to the cream sauce that the meat is served in. The more you know!

Get the Chicken Tikka Masala recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

10

Vegetable Biryani

Vegetable biryani usually contains yogurt-coated, spiced vegetables that are then layered between rice and steamed all together. A saffron liquid is poured over, then the dish is topped with caramelized red onions for the perfect vegetarian side (or main!).

Get the Vegetable Biryani recipe.

11

Khichdi

27 Diwali Recipes Guaranteed To Spread Joy During The Festival Of Lights (13)

The most basic version of this South Asian dish (also known as kitchari) is made up of just rice, a pulse (like mung beans or lentils), turmeric, and salt, but the variations are endlessly diverse. Our version adds warming spices and garlic, ginger, and tomato, but feel free to make it your own.

Get the Khichdi recipe.

12

Bateka Nu Shaak

27 Diwali Recipes Guaranteed To Spread Joy During The Festival Of Lights (14)

Shaak is a Gujarati term that refers to bhajis, or as the Western world would call it, “curry.” Bateka nu shaak is a quick, comforting, homestyle meal made with a handful of spices, tomatoes, and potatoes. If you’re new to Indian cooking or Diwali, this is a great starting-off dish to make.

Get the Bateka Nu Shaak recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

13

Chicken Biryani

27 Diwali Recipes Guaranteed To Spread Joy During The Festival Of Lights (15)

For this recipe, we were inspired by the Hyderabadi-style of biryani, where rice and a curry filled with veggies and/or a protein are cooked separately, then layered and baked into an aromatic, harmonious, and hearty dish. Serve alongside a fresh cucumber raita for a perfectly balanced meal.

Get the Chicken Biryani recipe.

14

Masala Chai

27 Diwali Recipes Guaranteed To Spread Joy During The Festival Of Lights (16)

There are many versions with varying amounts and ratios of ingredients, but at its core, masala chai is black tea brewed with fresh ginger, crushed spices, milk, and sugar. Make a pot to start your Diwali off right this year—it'll keep you feeling cozy and warm all day long.

Get the Masala Chai recipe.

15

Lentil Dal

27 Diwali Recipes Guaranteed To Spread Joy During The Festival Of Lights (17)

The term dal refers to both this soup-like Indian dish and the word for split lentils. For this version, red lentils are simmered down in a tomato broth with lots of warm, bold spices. The spiced oil that gets drizzled over top is optional but highly encouraged. The yogurt will help balance out the spiciness and the acidity of the dish.

Get the Lentil Dal recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

16

Aloo Gobi

27 Diwali Recipes Guaranteed To Spread Joy During The Festival Of Lights (18)

Aloo gobi is a classic vegetarian Indian dish translating to potatoes (aloo) and cauliflower (gobi). It's a one-pot, super-simple, comforting dish that's ready quickly—serve it as a side or over rice as a main.

Get the Aloo Gobi recipe.

17

Mango Lassi

27 Diwali Recipes Guaranteed To Spread Joy During The Festival Of Lights (19)

Like a cross between a milkshake and a smoothie, mango lassi is a simple pleasure: All you need is about equal amounts of sweet mangoes and creamy full-fat yogurt, a little ice, and a high-powered blender to force the two ingredients into one drinkable treat.

Get the Mango Lassi recipe.

18

Homemade Naan

27 Diwali Recipes Guaranteed To Spread Joy During The Festival Of Lights (20)

Naan is a traditional South Asian flatbread that is usually cooked in a tandoor oven. The yogurt-based bread quickly bubbles up and yields a soft bread with slightly crisp edges. It's perfect for soaking up all of that extra sauce from chicken tikka masala or served as an Diwali appetizer along with garlic hummus or any of your favorite dips.

Get the Homemade Naan recipe.

Advertisement - Continue Reading Below

19

Rice Pudding

27 Diwali Recipes Guaranteed To Spread Joy During The Festival Of Lights (21)

We kept this rice pudding (known as kheer in India) simple, but recommend making it extra special for the holiday by adding in other traditional ingredients, like pistachios, cardamom, rose water, or saffron.

Get the Rice Pudding recipe.

20

Saag Paneer

27 Diwali Recipes Guaranteed To Spread Joy During The Festival Of Lights (22)

This robust curry is a staple in many Indian restaurants. With a manageable ingredient list, ours is easy to re-create at home. It's the perfect vegetarian meal to celebrate Diwali (you could even try and make it vegan using extra-firm tofu and canned coconut milk).

Get the Saag Paneer recipe.

27 Diwali Recipes Guaranteed To Spread Joy During The Festival Of Lights (2024)

FAQs

What do you eat on Diwali festival of lights? ›

Hindus eat vegetarian food on this day. Poori (fried round bread), aloo curry (potato curry in tomato sauce), suji halwa (granulated wheat pudding), kheer (rice pudding) and malpua (sweet wheat-based pancakes) are generally the traditional foods made at home.

What dishes are made on Diwali? ›

6 Delicious Diwali Dishes to Try At Home
  • Besan ke Ladoos. Ladoos made of besan or gramflour. ...
  • Gulgule made using jaggery! Gulgule are a popular sweet snack in Northern and Eastern India, made using jaggery (a type of cane sugar) and fennel. ...
  • Coconut Ladoos. ...
  • Murukku. ...
  • Mathri. ...
  • A Thali from Tamil Nadu!

What are 5 interesting facts about Diwali? ›

5 Amazing Facts About Diwali
  • The festival occurs on a no-moon night. ...
  • It celebrates the birth of Lakshmi, goddess of Wealth. ...
  • It's the end of harvest season. ...
  • It includes the festival of Annakut. ...
  • There are plenty of fireworks and lights!

What is the festival of light and crackers for Diwali? ›

The festival of Diwali, symbolising the "victory of light over darkness, good over evil and knowledge over ignorance", is a grand celebration that dates back thousands of years.It commemorates the return of Lord Rama to the historic city of Ayodhya, in the Indian state of Uttar Pradesh, after a challenging and arduous ...

What is the most famous food in Diwali? ›

Peda is a super-popular mitai (sweet) in Indian households during Diwali. It's a milky fudge-like confection that is traditionally made from dried evaporated milk solids called khoya, though lots of people use a shortcut method of sweetened condensed milk and non-fat dry milk powder (like we did here).

What is the most popular food during Diwali? ›

During the festival of Diwali in India, various traditional sweets and snacks are prepared and shared among family and friends. One of the most famous Indian sweets associated with Diwali is "Laddu," and among the different types of laddus, the "Besan Laddu" holds a special place during this festival.

Can you eat chicken on Diwali? ›

Curries are a fundamental part of the Diwali menu. Bulking up on vegetables, lentils and chickpeas in your curries are a great way to boost the fibre content of your meal. If you're eating meat, choose a lean source like grilled chicken or fish instead of fried which will reduce your fat intake.

What do you enjoy the most during Diwali? ›

People exchange gifts and sweets, enjoy delicious feasts, watch firework displays and wear new clothes. It's a time to clean and decorate your home, too. 8) Rangoli is a popular Diwali tradition –– beautiful patterns made using colourful powders and flowers.

What do people drink for Diwali? ›

Mix roasted cumin powder, mint paste, coriander paste, lemon juice and black salt. Now add water and mix well. Adorn with mint leaves. Put the first three ingredients in a blender.

Who born on Diwali? ›

On the auspicious day of Sharad Purnima, we bring you the story of the birth of Goddess Lakshmi from the archives of Indian mythology.

What is Diwali for beginners? ›

Diwali is a festival of new beginnings and the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness, and for some also coincides with harvest and new year celebrations. The festival falls between mid-October and mid-November but changes each year because it is set by the lunar calendar.

Why do kids like Diwali? ›

Diwali is celebrated to mark the beginning of the New Year. It's a time for new beginnings and looking forward to the year ahead. It's also an important part of the Hindu religion. It honours Rama and Sita, who escaped the clutches of demon king Ravana.

What is Diwali facts for kids? ›

The name Diwali comes from a Sanskrit word that means “row of lights.” The holiday is often called the Festival of Lights. The festivities last for five days. The fourth day marks the start of the new year on the Hindu calendar. On the calendar used in the United States, Diwali falls in late October or early November.

How do you celebrate Diwali at home? ›

DAY ONE: People clean their homes and shop for gold or kitchen utensils to help bring good fortune. DAY TWO: People decorate their homes with clay lamps and create design patterns called rangoli on the floor using colored powders or sand.

What is forbidden during Diwali? ›

However, there are a few things one must avoid doing on Diwali. Avoid giving anyone gifts that include leather products, objects with sharp edges, or crackers as such gifts are deemed unlucky. Avoid cooking or eating non-vegetarian cuisine at home, and don't drink alcohol on Diwali.

What is the tradition of Diwali lights? ›

Lighting of Lamps (Diyas): The heart of Diwali lies in lighting oil lamps or diyas. This tradition symbolizes the victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and hope over despair. Homes are beautifully illuminated, creating a magical ambiance.

Top Articles
Latest Posts
Recommended Articles
Article information

Author: Moshe Kshlerin

Last Updated:

Views: 6415

Rating: 4.7 / 5 (57 voted)

Reviews: 80% of readers found this page helpful

Author information

Name: Moshe Kshlerin

Birthday: 1994-01-25

Address: Suite 609 315 Lupita Unions, Ronnieburgh, MI 62697

Phone: +2424755286529

Job: District Education Designer

Hobby: Yoga, Gunsmithing, Singing, 3D printing, Nordic skating, Soapmaking, Juggling

Introduction: My name is Moshe Kshlerin, I am a gleaming, attractive, outstanding, pleasant, delightful, outstanding, famous person who loves writing and wants to share my knowledge and understanding with you.