101 Sweet And Savory Diwali Recipes

Hindus across the world celebrate Diwali festival with full zeal and enthusiasm. Diwali falls on the no moon day of Hindu month of Kartika. On this day goddess, Lakshmi ( the goddess of good luck, fertility, and prosperity) is worshipped. Houses and workplaces are thoroughly cleaned, renovated and decorated prior to the festival and lit with oil lamps and lanterns in the evening to welcome goddess, Lakshmi. This year Diwali is on 7th November 2018.

Apart from shopping and cleaning, decorating of houses and workplaces, one bigger affair is preparing a scrumptious feast comprising of many sweet and savory snacks for the occasion. These snacks are munched on during the festivity and are distributed to family and friends. Nowadays due to the busy schedule, people often end up buying ready-made sweets and savories from the market.

But even today, some Maharashtrians and other hardcore foodies like me cannot compromise on home-made Diwali Faral ( Diwali Faral is the term used for the long list of sweet and savory snacks prepared specially for Diwali festival). We Maharashtrian ladies feel proud to flaunt our faral thali which broadly comprises of at least 10-12 homemade traditional sweets and savories. 

In this post, I have tried to compile 101 recipes which include the Indian sweet dishes, both traditional and cheat treats, savories, and snacks including the starters, appetizers and full course meals that can be made at home and served to guest during parties and get-together during the festivity. 

Diwali Sweets:  Desserts form an integral part of Indian culture. Any celebration or festival in India is incomplete without a sweet being served or distributed among family and friends. Diwali is no exception to this. Many types of sweet dishes like gujiya, ladoos, barfi, kheer, nankhatai, halwa, shakarpale, Gulab Jamun etc are prepared especially during Diwali festival. I have categorized the Diwali Sweets into the following groups- Traditional sweets, Ladoos, Khoya Based sweets, and Miscellaneous sweets dishes which include kheer, halwa varieties, cookies, and cheat treats etc.

• Traditional Sweets For Diwali:

1. Badam Katli: Badam Katli is a traditional Indian sweet prepared on special occasions and festivals like Dussehra and Diwali. This melt-in-mouth sweet is basically a rich almond fudge which can be easily made at home with just 5 ingredients.

2. Anarsa: Anarsa is an authentic Maharashtrian sweet dish. It is a pastry-like snack and is made from soaked powdered Rice, Jaggery/Sugar , Poppy seed and Ghee. It is one of the most common sweets made for Diwali Faral ( snacks prepared during Diwali by Maharashtrians).

3. Bengali Sandesh: Sandesh is a popular Chena / Cottage Cheese based moist sweet fudge from the Bengali Cuisine. This melt in mouth sweet meat can be made easily at home and requires just two basic ingredients- chena and sugar or jaggery/ Gur. 

4. Pudachi Karanji / Layered Gujiya: A layered, deep -fried sweet stuffed dumpling from Maharashtrian Cuisine.

5. Khoprapaak / Nariyal Barfi: Fresh coconut fudge.

6. Instant Kalakand: Indian milk cake made out of solidified sweetened milk and Cottage Cheese.

7. Sponge Rasgulla: refers to a spongy syrupy dessert made from chenna (cottage cheese) from Bengali Cuisine.

8. Kesar Rabdi: a sweetened evaporated milk dish made by boiling milk on low heat for a long time and flavored with saffron.

9. Malpua: Malpua is a traditional dessert popular in Indian states of Rajasthan , Uttar Pradesh , Bihar , West Bengal ,Orissa and Maharashtra. It is basically a fried pancake coated in sugar syrup and served with rabdi (sweetened thickened milk). Malpua are delicious sweet treats, soft and fluffy in the center and crisp at the edges. Dipped in sugar syrup and served warm with rabdi, this combo is simply 

heavenly!

                                              

10. Rasabali: A sweet Odia dish in which deep-fried flattened reddish brown patties of Chhena (Farmer's Cheese) are soaked in thickened, sweetened milk (rabri).

11. Basundi: a dessert made by reducing milk which is further sweetened and flavored with Cardamom and Nutmeg. 

12. Gulgule: Gulgule are small , golden brown sweet fritters made in North India. These are genearally made by making a batter of whole wheat flour, Jaggery and water or milk. Small dollops of this mixture are deep fried and served hot or cold. 

13. Thekua: Thekua is a crunchy and mildly sweet cookie, very popular and a traditional dish from Indian states of Bihar and Jharkhand.  It is a deep fried snack, made using wheat flour , sugar and ghee. To cut down the calories and to make it a healthy and guilt-free affair, I have baked these cookies instead of deep frying and used jaggery in place of sugar.

                                                  

14. Puranpoli: Puran Poli is a popular Maharashtrian flat bread with a sweet lentil stuffing. A traditional Maharashtrian house will have Puran Poli as bhog / naivedhyam on almost all special occasions. 

15. Goad Shankarpaale: Shankarple are the traditional Maharashtrian sweet flaky and crispy snacks made specially during Diwali festival and are essentially part of the Diwali faral. These are mildly sweet in taste and literally melt in mouth and make a perfect tea time snacks. 

16. Shahi Tukda: Shahi Tukda is a royal dessert from the Mughlai cuisine. The word shahi means royal and tukda is piece, so shahi tukda translates to royal piece. It is a popular sweet in the Indian state of Hyderabad. Shahi Tukda is deliciously sweet, aromatic , flavorful and rich in calories.

17. Puranache Dind: steamed sweet bengal gram parcels from Maharashtrian Cuisine.

18. Chikki: Chikki is a traditional Indian Sweet ( brittle) generally made from jaggery and peanuts.

19. Mishti Doi: Sweetened yogurt or Mishti doi or Mithi Dahi is a fermented sweet yogurt and is famous sweet dish  in the Indian states of West Bengal and Odisha . In this recipe the milk is condensed and then sweetened with either caramelized sugar or Jaggery and then allowed to ferment overnight . 

20. Anjeer Roll: This dried figs dates and nuts roll serve as delectable and nutritious snacks.

21. Kesar Phirni: Saffron flavored rice pudding

22. Churma: Churma is a sweet delicacy from Indian state of Rajasthan and is served as an  accompaniment to the classic Dal Baati Recipe . It is basically a sweetened and cardamom flavored mix of crushed baatis.

• Khoya Based Sweets For Diwali: Khoya also known as mava is coagulated milk solids. It forms the base for a wide variety of Indian sweets like Gulab Jamun, Pedha, Gajar ka Halwa, Gujiya, Barfi / Fudge etc. It is also used in many curries and savories. 

23. Homemade Khoya: Reducing whole milk to solids

24. Mohanthal: This fudge is a perfect blend of ghee roasted chickpea flour, khoya (milk solids) and sugar. 

25. Gulkand Flavored Mava Gujiya: Whole wheat flour fried dumplings with milk solids, dates and nuts stuffing.

26. Gulkand Flavored Bottle Gourd Fudge: Grated bottle gourd added to rose petal jam (Gulkand) flavored condensed milk and simmered.

                                  

27. Khoya Gulab Jamun: Gulab Jamun is a traditional Indian dessert where small balls made from milk-solids are deep fried in ghee are drenched in rose water flavored sugar syrup.

• Ladoo Recipes For Diwali Festival :

28. Instant Peanut Coconut Ladoo : a quick yet delicious recipe with just three ingredients,  which can also be had as fasting food.

 29. Almond Chocolate Ladoo : This two ingredient delicious ladoo is enough to treat everyone's taste buds.

30. Suji Coconut Ladoo: This is a traditional Maharashtrian dish where sweet balls made up of roasted Semolina and Coconut are combined with sugar syrup , ghee and dry fruits . 

31. Whole wheat flour ladoo with edible gum : Dinkache ladoo are made using whole wheat flour, skinned and split black gram (Urad dal) flour , edible gum , dry fruits (dry dates , grated dry coconut , nuts),sugar and ghee.

                                         

32. Dates and Nuts Ladoo : The dates and nuts ladoo recipe makes use of fresh Palm dates , Poopy seeds and nuts like Cashew Nuts , Almonds , Walnuts and Pistachios. 

33. Methi Goand Ke Ladoo: Fenugreek seeds , whole wheat flour and dry fruit ladoo

34. Dry Fruits Ladoo: perfect blend of dry fruits, poppy seeds, edible gum and jaggery

35. Kaliche Ladoo: Kaliche Ladoo is a traditional Maharashtrian delicacy. It is basically a gram flour ( besan) sweet ball preparation and it tastes somewhat like the boondi laddoo. 

36. Besan Suji Ladoo: Another Maharashtrian deliciacy made from chickpea flour and semolina.

37. Aliv Che Ladoo: Garden Cress Seed sweet ball / Halim ladoo

                                

38. Sesame Seeds Jaggery Ladoo / Til Gul Ladoo: Cardamom flavored sesame seeds and jaggery ladoo

39. Peanuts Sesame Seeds Coconut Ladoos: This is an extremely easy and fuss free ladoo recipe made from dry Coconut , Peanuts , Sesame seeds and Jaggery. These healthy goodies are flavorful treats for kids and serve as healthy breakfast option for one and all apart brom being festive .

• Miscellaneous Sweet Recipes For Diwali 

40. Chawal Ki Kheer / Sweet Rice Pudding: A creamy rich dessert in which rice is cooked in flavored condensed milk.

41. Suji Ki Kheer / Semolina Pudding: Suji Kheer is one of the easiest and quickest sweet pudding and is made from Semolina.

42. Gulab Ki Kheer: Gulab ki Kheer is a delicious and fragrant Indian dessert. As the name suggest , the kheer has dominant flavors of rose in it. 

43. Lauki Ki Kheer: Bottle Gourd Pudding or Lauki ki Kheer is a traditional Indian dessert. It is very delicious and at the same time healthy .

                                  

44. Sabudana Kheer: Sabudana Kheer is a delicious creamy sweet pudding made from sago pearls and milk. 

45. Makhane Ki Kheer: Makhane Ki Kheer is basically a sweet pudding in which lotus seeds roasted in little ghee are added to sweetened reduced milk. Makhane ki kheer has a rich creamy texture and is very delicious.

46. Shahi Lapsi Kheer: lapsi Kheer is a healthy and delicious Indian dessert made from Daliya/ Lapsi/ Broken wheat. It is a smooth , creamy and sweet daliya delicacy where broken wheat is cooked with milk , sugar and dry fruits. 

47. Gajar Ka Halwa: Gajar ka halwa a popular Indian sweet dessert pudding needs no introduction. It is liked by one and all and is traditionally eaten during many of the Indian festivals and specially during winters. A lip smacking  dessert made from grated Carrot , condensed Milk ,Sugar and Dry fruits. 

48. Apple Rabadi: Condensed milk with apple

 49. Pineapple Halwa: Pineapple flavored suji halwa

                             

50. Orange Rava Kesari: Orange flavored suji halwa

 51. Narayani Sheera: banana flavored suji halwa

52. Kaanole: steamed sweet made from whole wheat flour and jaggery

53. Masala Doodh: nuts and spice flavored condensed milk

54. Sakkarai Pongal: Sakkarai Pongal is a sweet delicacy made from boiled rice , mung lentils and ghee , flavored with cardamom , cashew nuts and raisins. 

55.Chocolate Nankhatai : Chocolate flavored short bread cookie

                                  

56. Peach Phirni: Peach fruit flavored rice pudding.

57. Gudanna: Jaggery and coconut rice from Karnataka Cuisine.

58. Egg-less Coconut Cookies: These Coconut cookies are delicious , sweet and crunchy on outside and soft from within and they just melt in mouth.

59. Gulachi Poli: Tilgul Poli or Gulachi poli is an authentic Maharashtrian delicacy. It is basically a Jaggery, Sesame seeds and Poppy seeds stuffed roti specially offered as naivedhyam (offering to God) on the auspicious occasion of Makar Sankranthi. It is also made during festive occasions.

60. Baked Meethi Mathri: A sweet flaky baked cracker made from whole wheat flour and jeggery.


61. Chocolate Pudding Cups: Eggless chocolate pudding 


62. Narali Bhaat: A sweet coconut rice from Maharashtrian Cuisine.

63.No Bake Chocolate Swiss Rolls: A delicious easy to prepare sweet treat.

                            

64. Til Ki Burfi: This burfi / fudge is a perfect combination of nutty sesame seeds and peanuts with jaggery. The fudge is flavoured with green cardamom powder and garnish with almond slivers.

65. Shrikhand: A creamy delectable yogurt based dessert from the Maharashtrian Cuisine

66. Sheer Khurma: Sheer Khurma is a traditional Mughlai dessert . It is basically a festive Vermicelli Pudding and it literally means "Milk with Dates" in Urdu , the meaning of Sheer is milk and Khurma is dates. 

Diwali Savory Snack Recipes:

                                           

67. Chakli: Chakli is a deep fried savoury snacks which is spiral in shape with a spiked surface. In south India it is called Murukku.  Maharashtrian prepare this chakali with a special flour called as Bhajani 

68. Bhakarwadi: Bhakarwadi  are actually fried rolls stuffed with spicy and tangy mixture of coconut and poppy seeds. Can be served as a tea time snacks or as festive snacks during festivals like Diwali and Holi.

69. Cornflakes Chivda: Cornflakes Chivda is a crisp, sweet and savory Indian snack made from Maize flakes (makai poha) , spices and nuts. This lip smacking snack is a part of my Diwali faral for sure .

70. Colorful Mathri: These crispy , flaky and flavorful mathris are simply irresistible and a visual treat too. 

71. Rice Sev / Murukku: Murukku or Sev is a traditional savoury snack popular in India. This is made using rice, urad dal and sago flours using a snack maker.

72. Kharat Shankarpale: Also called as Namak Pare, these crunchy flaky ribbons are deep fried munchies which are simply irresistible.

73. Baked Methi Mathris: These are the kasuri methi flavored crisp savory baked crackers made using whole wheat flour.


74. Baked Ragi Crackers: These healthy savory crackers are made from finger millets and are baked.

75. Besan Sev: Besan Sev is a crispy savoury deep fried snacks made from gram flour / chick pea flour and is simply irresistible.

Appetizer / Starter Recipes For Diwali Party

76. Cashew Nut Stuffed Paneer Balls: Cashew nut stuffed paneer balls are tasty treats that serve as a perfect starter for any party. They can be served as a delicious tea time snacks too 

                             

77. Paneer Lollipop: Paneer Lollipop is a delicious starter dish loved by one and all. This is one of the famous Indo Chinese Recipes, and can be easily made at home. Paneer Lollipop is basically spicy Paneer (Cottage Cheese) mixture topped on Baby corn and deep fried. 

78. Hara Bhara Paneer Tikka: Hara Bhara Paneer Tikka or hariyali paneer tikka. In this a green marinade made from hung curd, fresh coriander and mint leaves and spices is used to coat the cottage cheese chunks and veggies and thereafter grilled. 

79. Vegetable Spring Roll: These are lip smacking treats from Indo Chinese Cuisine that be easily made at home. I have made them from scratch with wrappers made from suji/ semolina.

80. Mushroom Tikka: Mushroom Tikka is a healthy and delicious dish made from button mushrooms . This protein rich appetizer is made by marinating mushrooms and assorted vegetables in aromatic spices and yogurt and then grilled or baked until golden brown. 

81. Vegetarian Shammi Kebab: Vegetarian Shammi Kebab is a popular awadhi dish made from coarsely grounded lentils and spices. The kebabs can be made using kale chane (black chickpea) or kabuli chana (yellow chickpea).

82. Stuffed Bell Peppers:Stuffed Bell Peppers are a colorful and healthy meal .They can either be served as a starter or as a side dish with chapati and steamed rice.

83. Soya Vegetable Tikka: Soya Vegetable Tikka is a vegetarian starter dish from the North Indian Cuisine. A delicious and healthy preparation in which protein rich Soy meat chunks and mineral and vitamin rich vegetables are marinated in lip smacking marinade and then beautifully thread alternately onto skewers before being grilled. 

       

                              

84. Vegetable Chop - Bengal Style: Vegetable chop is a Bengal style vegetable cutlet. It is a delicious appetizer and one of the popular street foods in Bengal. Vegetable chop is an onion garlic free, deep fried crisp snack made with the fresh winter vegetables like beetroot , carrots and potatoes. 

85. Kothambir Vadi: Kothambir Vadi is a popular and classic Maharashtrian snacks . It is basically crispy coriander fritter made from fresh coriander leaves, chickpea flour and spices.

86. Cheesy Vegetable Discs: Cheesy vegetable discs are delicious baked bread appetizers. These cute looking discs are loaded with healthy goodness of whole vegetables , cheese and paneer (cottage cheese) .

87. Soya Chunk Manchurian: An excellent vegetarian starter dish with meal maker / soya nuggets.

Main Course Dishes For Diwali Party

88. Kashmiri Dum Aloo: Baby potatoes in rich yogurt based spiced and aromatic gravy.

89. Dal Makhani: Dal Makhani (Buttery lentil ) is a very famous Punjabi delicacy and the finest dal recipes of India. It is a spicy and rich dish made with a combination of whole black lentil(Urad ) and red Kidney Beans (Rajma) 

90. Matar Paneer:  Matar Paneer is a popular vegetarian North Indian dish in which Cottage Cheese ( Paneer) and green Peas are cooked in spicy onion tomato based gravy. 

91. Baby Corn Masala: Baby corn masala is a delicious restaurant style curry dish which goes very well with chapati , naan or paratha. It can also be paired with steamed rice or a mild pulao along with some salad.

                                       

92. Methi Matar Malai: Methi Matar Malai is a popular North Indian dish. As the name suggest it is a creamy gravy made with Methi ( Fenu greek) and Matar ( Green Peas ). The dish is fragrant and very delicious, as it uses the fresh ground spices.

93. Khoya Matar Makhana: 

Khoya Matar Makhana is a delicious creamy North Indian curry.  A rich main course gravy dish made using Makhana ( puffed lotus seeds / Fox nuts ) green Peas and Khoya (evaporated milk) .

                       

94. Mushroom Masala: Mushroom Masala  is a mildly spiced button mushroom curry which is an onion tomato based gravy with a very simple and easy to follow recipe . 

95. Palak Paneer: Palak Paneer is a popular North Indian Paneer gravy dish . It is a vegetarian preparation in which soft Cottage Cheese (Paneer) cubes are cooked in a smooth Spinach (Palak) curry. 

96. Malai Kofta: Malai Kofta is a creamy rich gravy dish from North Indian cuisine. Cottage cheese and potato balls stuffed with dry fruits are prepared and fried ,which are called kofta. A gravy is prepared using onion tomato as a base. Cream and cashew nuts add in to the richness of the curry. 

                   

97. Kadai Paneer: This is a hot and spicy stir fried Panner (Cottage Cheese) which is one of the quickest cooking Paneer dishes. The dish is named Kadai Paneer because in this recipe the Paneer is cooked and served in an Indian wok called Kadai. 

98. Kashmiri Pulao Recipe: Kashmiri Pulao is a rich flavorful and mildly sweet rice dish from the beautiful Kashmir valley of India. 

                                        

99. Mushroom Pulao: Mushroom Pulao is a flavorful , mildly spiced vegetarian rice dish. A one-pot delicious and healthy meal which can be easily prepared either in a pressure cooker or pan.

100. Pineapple Fried Rice: The Pineapple Fried Rice is the signature dish of the Thai Cuisine. Here I am sharing the vegetarian version of the classic Thai dish . The recipe calls for use of fresh Pineapple chunks which give the wonderful flavor .

101. Amritsari Aloo Kulcha: Amritsari Aloo Kulcha is a potato stuffed flat bread and a traditional recipe from Indian state of Punjab. Aloo Kulcha is very popular street food from North India . These stuffed kulcha are soft as well as crisp , fluffy and delicious and are typically served with Pindi Chole and Dal Makhani

                                 

I hope this post would help many of you to plan your Diwali menu . Would love to know your thoughts on this. Any feedback, suggestions are most welcome.

 If you ever try any of these , feel free to share your feedback with us in the comment section below.  Follow us on #Facebook  #Instagram ,  #Twitter and #Google+  for more recipes and new updates. 

Wishing all my readers a very Happy and Blessed Diwali and a Prosperous New Year !!