Easy Diwali or Deepavali Recipes - A delectable collection of sweet and savory recipes that are sure to light up your Diwali and add to the fun and festivity this season!
No festival in India is complete without some scrumptious snacks; sweet or savory (homemade or store bought) spread out on the dining table!
The whole house; actually the whole country (and now with the Indians all over the world, world over) is lit up with beautiful oil/ghee diyas, colorful lights and the sounds of crackers bursting all around.
After enjoying all the religious pujas and devouring the gourmet spread of jalebis, ladoos, chiwdas, chaklis etc., we head to the terrace to enjoy the colorful fireworks displayed all around our house!
I am sure all of you have your own unique way to enjoy Diwali with special sweets and savories, recipes that have been passed on from our mothers/grandmothers and so on!
Here are some delectables we enjoy during this festive season.
Have a wonderful and enjoyable Diwali with friends and family and HAPPY DIWALI from our family to yours!!
For festive deliciousness, please click on the title of the dish to get the recipe.
Some of these recipes are easy and instant with ready made ingredients and some need a bit of preparation. Nevertheless, I am sure you will be able to make and enjoy some of these with your loved ones this Diwali!
Sweet Delights:
GULAB JAMUN DOUGHNUTS/DONUTS:
(Click above for recipe)
Using a ready made gulab jamun mix or even making your own dough, an iconic Indian dessert gets an American twist!
Super decadent, juicy and a showstopper kinda milk based sweet with the flavors of cardamom and saffron scented sugar syrup in every juicy, melt-in-mouth bite,
This quintessential Indian gulab jamun, traditionally made into balls, gets into a new donut shaped avatar guaranteed to satisfy anyone’s sweet tooth and floor your friends and family; perfect to make and share at any special occasion!
EASY INSTANT RASMALAI (literally a 3 in 1 treat)
(Click above for recipe)
It is made using ready made rasgullas (fluffy, spongy and sweet soft paneer or cottage cheese balls) simmered in thick sweet milk mixture called rabri, flavored with cardamoms, saffron and garnished with chopped nuts; ready in 15 minutes!
You will need only milk and sugar or condensed milk and some milk along with saffron, nuts and if you have, ready made badam mix powder to make it more decadent and scrumptious!
This is the only way I make rasmalai in my house!
Like I said, you can make 2 more treats with this one recipe using leftover sugar syrup and leftover rabri! Check the next 2 recipes.
(Click above for recipe)
Make some more rabri if making Instant Rasmalai and you have another dessert...juicy gulab jamuns in saffron flavored thick sweet rabri for a quick and exotic dessert!!!
Make your own gulab jamuns or feel free to use store bought ones. A boon during festive and busy times!
SHANKARPALI (USING LEFTOVER SUGAR SYRUP from making rasmalai):
(Click above for recipe)
What do you do with the leftover sugar syrup from making Instant Rasmalai?
How about some crisp, flaky sweet shankarparas/cookies (cut in diamond or square shapes) made by deep frying a sweet flour-semolina dough using that leftover rasgulla tin sugar syrup?
Do try this one! My mom loves the sweet version of shankarpali or tukdi as we call it and this is the only one I make for her.
(Click above for recipe)
Horlicks Milk Burfi is a quick and easy Indian milk fudge made with milk powder and flavored with Horlicks (a store bought malted milk powder drink), which comes together in less than 5 to 6 minutes!
When you are pressed for time or you need a special but quick dessert, this burfi is perfect!d
Yes, so tasty and so quick and delicious.
SUJI MANPASAND/SEMOLINA-COCONUT FUDGE
(Click above for recipe)
Easy semolina coconut fudge with clarified butter or ghee and freshly ground cardamom with saffron.
This is my prize winning burfi recipe (in one of the many contests I do participate in sometimes) which you must try.
All you need is some semolina or suji, freshly grated coconut (you can use frozen but thawed too), ghee or clarified butter and milk.
I have added exotic and aromatic cardamom powder to enhance the flavor of the burfi along with my all time favorite saffron; just a few strands!
EASY BESAN BURFI/CHICKPEA FLOUR FUDGE:
(Click above for recipe)
Another easy, one-pan Indian chickpea flour/besan fudge made with just ghee, sugar and chickpea/gram flour, always enjoyed during festivals and special occasions!
No need to make sugar syrup, no milk powder needed and no mawa or khoya needed!
This is a super easy burfi for those who are wary or afraid of making their own sugar syrup.
Just roast besan in ghee until light brown in color, stir in powdered sugar and cardamoms and set into melt-in-mouth fudgy burfis!
Easiest besan burfi you can make! Many readers have vouched for this.
(Click above for recipe)
So easy to make and a traditional Indian sweet; delicious 3-ingredient coconut fudge using fresh coconut and sugar
I cannot remember how many times I have made this! So easy to make and so good!
NO COOK KAJU KATLI/BURFI (a delicious cashew fudge)
(Click above for recipe)
Who doesn't love kaju burfi or katli? A must in most Diwali or festive thalis, parties etc., you must try this easy peasy one!
This particular Kaju Katli needs no big skill, no making of sugar syrup (as most burfis need) and no cooking whatsoever at all! A layman's way to enjoy homemade Indian sweets!
Do check it out.
RAVA/SEMOLINA LADDO/LADOO:
(Click above for recipe)
Made in a jiffy with just semolina/rava, sugar and ghee - mouthwatering, easy to make and a total favorite of every Indian.
NANKHATAI/CARDAMOM FLAVORED INDIAN SHORTBREAD:
(Click above for recipe)
The first Indian cookie ever made, this melt-in-mouth Indian eggless shortbread or cookie traditionally enjoyed during any festival or get together is perfect to add on your Diwali thali and enjoy with family and friends!
This is my Mom's recipe which my family has been loving like forever! No suji, no besan etc. needed.
GUR PAPDI/WHOLE WHEAT INDIAN FUDGE:
(Click above for recipe)
This is a super easy 3-ingredient Indian fudge made with just whole wheat flour, jaggery (unrefined cane sugar) and ghee/clarified butter.
Just roast whole wheat flour in ghee, add jaggery; mix well and set in pan! That is it!
Enjoy it as a healthy snack or dessert this Diwali or any time!
BREAD GULAB JAMUNS:
(Click above for recipe)
Have you tried this? So easy and tastes as good as the regular gulab jamuns!
When short on time but still need that sweet craving satisfaction, these gulab jamuns made with soft bread slices are the perfect dessert, dunked in a lovely and delicious jaggery syrup
A quick and easy Indian dessert using just bread slices, milk and jaggery/sugar!
KARACHI BISCUITS/EGGLESS CANDIED FRUIT COOKIES:
(Click above for recipe)
This is one of my family favorite cookies!
Crunchy, crispy and healthy biscuits (with multigrain flour) studded with candied fruits and nuts; perfect with tea, coffee or milk; great to gift family and friends.
MARBLED CHOCOLATE GUJIYAS:
(Click above for recipe)
Crispy, crunchy marbled chocolate gujiyas/hand pies/empanandas filled with a coconut, chocolate and walnut filling; these are super delicious snacks to enjoy any time, at festivals or any special occasion in you life!
Do try this unique flavor of gujiya!
MAKHANA ENERGY BITES/LADOOS
(Click above for recipe)
Make something different and healthier this Diwali!
These no bake, nutritious, guilt free, low sugar bites of nutty deliciousness are perfect to indulge in whenever hunger pangs hit you or when you need an energy boost or like I said, or at any special occasion like Diwali, parties, Christmas etc.!
Sweetened with just dates, prunes and a dash of jaggery but overloaded with nuts, makhana/fox nuts/lotus seeds and a dash of coconut and sesame seeds, I know I am going to make these flavor bombs/energy shots again and again.
ALMOND FLOUR LADOOS (only 4 ingredients)
(Click above for recipe)
ALMOND FLOUR LADOOS are a quick, delicious, nutritious and easy to make gluten free Indian sweet made with just almond flour, jaggery, ghee and cardamom powder!
A healthy and quick treat for special occasions or just as a healthier option for a satisfying snack!
Almost no cooking!
DATE ENERGY BITES (no cooking!)
(Click above for recipe)
The perfect reasons to make/share and eat one of these are: they are sugar free (sweetness is only from healthy dates), all the goodness of crunchy cornflakes and nuts, quick and easy to make (no cooking involved), totally vegan and no oil, butter or ghee used!!
No-Bake Peanut Butter and Oats Bliss Balls/Bars
(Click above for recipe)
With pecans and raisins, this is my current favorite instant, quick and delicious healthy snack to indulge in when there is a snack attack and want to feel “not so guilty”!
A perfect surprise treat for festivities or parties!
Easy Peanut Butter Brownie Bites
(Click above for recipe)
Easy to make, healthy, delicious (and no bake) with good for you ingredients like almond flour, honey (or maple syrup if vegan), cocoa and natural peanut butter with some chocolate chips to add to the brownie bite experience!
A perfect surprising treats for your party or festival table!
No-Bake Muesli Energy Bites
(Click above for recipe)
No-bake healthy bites with the goodness of muesli, oats, peanut butter and honey. Enjoy them as a healthy snack anytime or is a great treat for Diwali and special occasions too!
(Click above for recipe)
Saat or Konkani style Badusha is a flaky deep fried pastry coated in a thin sugar syrup, tinged with a hint of cardamom.
Although takes some time to make (mostly hands off!), it is my mother's recipe and was always in demand from all family and friends whenever she was around.
UBBATTI (Chana dal stuffed sweet flat bread):
(Click above for recipe)
Soft, melt in mouth, flaky, stuffed sweet south Indian flatbread (to be specific from Mangalore), filled with a scrumptious chana dal-jaggery mixture.
A true labor of love and a gem of a recipe from my mother!
This is one I just learnt recently and has been a hit with mine as well as my extended family.
KAJU/CASHEW UBBATI (Cashew filled sweet flatbreads/parathas):
(Click above for recipe)
Soft, flaky, melt-in-your-mouth Indian flatbread made with a rich cardamom infused cashew filling. A treat for puranpoli/ubbati as well as kaju burfi lovers.
Served with a drizzle of ghee all over, it is the ultimate sweet treat for us!
Don't you think this would a wonderful addition to your party platter?
NO-BAKE LIME CRACKER PUDDING:
(Click above for recipe)
Another quick, no-bake dessert which needs only heavy cream, condensed milk and lemon/lime juice along with some salty crackers like Ritz or Monaco. Yes, you will be surprised at this combination.
Sweet, creamy, tangy, slightly salty and absolutely decadent no-bake pudding with just 4 ingredients! This is the perfect make-ahead easy dessert to share with friends and family!
This one will surprise you! Salty biscuits in a sweet, creamy pudding like dessert. Absolute yumminess.
CARROT CAKE PARFAIT
(Click above for recipe)
A perfect and beautiful dessert with layers of creamy vanilla custard, chunks of moist, delicious carrot cake or any cake (homemade or store bought)and ruby red berrylicous strawberry compote!
You can make this with any fruit and using any cake you like! Custard is of course every Indian's favorite.
Do try this make ahead dessert and wow your family and friends!
SHRIKAND TRIFLE
(Click above for recipe)
This is an an easy, but absolutely delicious and impressive dessert with layers of saffron infused yogurt, cake, cookies and fruit!
If you omit the ghee roasted cashew bits on top, it is absolutely a NO-COOK, NO-BAKE kinda quick dessert!
Sure to impress your family and guests, this is a must try fusion dessert!
MOCK OREAO TIRAMISU PARFAITS
(Click above for recipe)
An easy peasy dessert for Oreo and Custard lovers!
Easy to put together, make ahead and absolutely scrumptious, this dessert is a boon for busy days especially during Diwali, Christmas or any other special occasion days@
All you need are: Oreo cookies, Custard, coffee and.....that is it!
FRUIT CUSTARD TRIFLE PUDDING
(Click above for recipe)
This trifle is No-bake dessert with layers of creamy custard, fruits, crunchy biscuits or cookies and luscious cake!
A treat for custard, fruit, cookies and cake lovers!
Totally customizable, this is one dessert that has been in my family for decades.
Use your own homemade cake/cookies or just get store bought for festive times when everyone is busy, but this dessert is going to be a wowzer! That good!
If serving in individual glasses, then do try this one using chocolate cake for chocolate lovers. (You can use vanilla cake too).
HOW ABOUT SOME COOKIES/CAKES?
BEST EGGLESS PEANUT BUTTER COOKIES:
(Click above for recipe)
My 1 1/2 years old (now almost 4) grand daughter's favorite and of course my whole family's, these Eggless Peanut Butter Cookies; crunchy, eggless and with whole wheat flour in them have some healthy sugar in them too!!!
With jaggery and whole wheat, there is no reason not to bite into one or two of these beauties, is there?
Bake these up and give your Diwali thali a different twist along with Indian sweets!
EASY CHOCOLATE CRUNCH BARS (2 Ingredients)
(Click above for recipe)
Make something different and so easy to make!
No bake, just 2 ingredients and crunchy, chocolaty delicious!
EGGLESS GULAB JAMUN CAKE (using ready made gulab jamun mix):
(Click above for recipe)
An absolutely scrumptious cake with the flavors of gulab jamun (a deep-fried milk-based Indian sweet or dessert soaked in sugar syrup) but without the extra sugar, fat or guilt of eating something fried and tasty but high in calories!!!
Do try this one; another big favorite on my blog!
And if you love your cake to be juicy with some sugar syrup reminescent of the original gulab jamuns, then do try drizzling the cake with sugar syrup.
ROSE AND PISTACHIO GULAB JAMUN CAKE:
(Click above for recipe)
Another cake version take on the ubiquitous and popular Indian sweet Gulab Jamun!
Here is another version of gulab jamun cake but using fresh ingredients which you all most probably have in your pantry or kitchen; (not a store bought mix) !
Flavored with cardamom and rose water, using whole wheat flour and glazed with a lemony saffron icing, the crumb comes out so fudgy and delicious, you will be tempted to cut up more slices to enjoy; a perfect cake to celebrate any occasion (Diwali, Christmas, Thanksgiving etc.) or just as an indulgence for you and your family.
SUPER MOIST EGGLESS COCOA CUPCAKES:
(Click above for recipe)
Super quick, super fluffy, healthy (with whole wheat flour), with no butter, totally vegan (egg free) and so easy to make, this is one of my most treasured chocolate cupcake recipes.
No butter, no beaters needed and totally scrumptious and decadent that you can wow your family and friends with these along with other Indian sweets!
Make this for Diwali or even Christmas and your family and friends will be thoroughly ecstatic, especially the kids!
Basbousa (Baked Semolina Cake in Sugar Syrup)
(Click above for recipe)
Basbousa is a middle eastern cake like dessert or sweet, made with semolina, coconut and sugar, soaked in a rose flavored sugar syrup to give it a rich moist, exotic taste!!!
My version is totally eggless and super easy to make too!
CHOCOLATE PEANUT BUTTER CRACKERS
(Click above for recipe)
Using store bought crackers, some peanut butter/Nutella and of course chocolate, making these gorgeous, tempting treats is super easy!
No bake and super duper addictive!
All you need are 3 ingredients - crackers, peanut butter/Nutella and chocolate.
You can even get help from your kids to make these.
Green Tea Shortbread/Cookies
(Click above for recipe)
Heart-shaped cardamom and cinnamon chai shortbread cookies with flecks of green tea; crispy, crunchy, melt-in-your-mouth eggless cookies made healthy with multigrain flour!
Your family and guests are going to be absolutely crazy with this one! Scrumptious!
Homemade Digestive Biscuits
(Click above for recipe)
Crunchy, crispy bites of eggless cookies filled with the goodness of oats, whole wheat and a dash of coconut for a tropical bite. Make these today and feel good about eating a cookie!
HOW ABOUT SOME SAVORY SNACKS/DELIGHTS:
CHUTNEY STUFFED INSTANT APPES/PANIYARAMS/SAVORY INDIAN DUMPLINGS
(Click above for recipe)
This is one party delight everyone is going to hog on and will be gone in a jiffy....so make sure to make plenty!
Bite sized savory semolina and oats Indian dumplings stuffed with fresh green coconut-coriander chutney and fried in an appe/paniyaram/ebilskiver pan; perfect as an appetizer or starter at any party!
Healthy, easy, uses less oil and a wonderful pick me up kinda snack for any occasion, be it Diwali, other festivals, get togethers, holiday parties etc.!
Do try this; everyone is sure to devour these cuties.
MOONG DAL DAHI BHALLAS NORTH INDIAN STYLE
(Click above for recipe)
A totally make ahead dish, it is going to be a star on your festive table!
Spicy, juicy, tangy, sweet, crunchy, creamy and melt in mouth, this is one dish you will be making again and again!
These deep fried moong dal lentil dumplings, soaked in a creamy, lip smacking yogurt sauce, is best enjoyed with tamarind and green coriander chutneys; be it homemade (the best) or even store bought!
DRY FRUITS AND CORNFLAKES CHIWDA
(Click above for recipe)
Indian snack mix, a spicy and savory mélange of nuts, roasted cornflakes and spices along with sweet raisins!
(Click above for recipe)
Indian spiced fried peanuts is a super addictive teatime snack; deep fried skin-on peanuts laced with Indian spices like red chili powder and hing/asafetida.
(Click above for recipe)
Chaklis or murukkus; crisp, crunchy and spicy, made with moong dal and rice flour!
SPICY KHARA BISCUITS/INDIAN SPICED SAVORY COOKIES (EGGLESS):
(Click above for recipe)
Tender, flaky, buttery, melt-in-your mouth Indian spiced savory eggless cookies to enjoy anytime!!
BAKED MADDUR VADA:
(Click above for recipe)
A crispy, crunchy baked version (oven and air fryer) of the quintessential snack Maddur Vada, a deep fried spicy and super crispy fritter from the town of Maddur in the southern part of India, mostly enjoyed as a snack with evening tea or coffee!
The same dough can be used to make fried, traditional maddur vadais too!
HOMEMADE CHOCOLATES YOU CAN MAKE:
EASY 2-INGREDIENT CHOCOLATE CRUNCH BARS:
(Click above for recipe)
Yes, just 2 ingredients - chocolate and store bought cereal!
I love making quick and easy treats which come together in no time! These bars are so easy, you can ask your kids to make them!
Easy Chocolate Bark Recipe (White and Dark)
(Click above for recipe)
Easiest homemade chocolate you can make; no special equipment or talent needed!
CHOCOLATE COVERED STUFFED DATES:
(Click above for recipe)
Healthy juicy dates, stuffed with roasted almonds and peanut butter and covered with dark chocolate for a no-bake quick dessert bite!!
NAMA CHOCOLATES:
(Click above for recipe)
2-ingredient homemade chocolate made with the best quality chocolate and fresh cream; no bake, decadent, smooth, rich and absolutely scrumptious!
CHOCOLATE WALNUT ROCKS WITH CHERRIES:
(Click above for recipe)
Scrumptious bites of walnut cherry chocolates and chocolate dipped crackers; easy and fun to make and enjoy with family and friends.
And many, many more snacks, sweets and desserts you can find on my blog!
Hope you get to try some of these and share and enjoy with family and friends!!
HAPPY DIWALI!!!
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Have fun cooking, eating and sharing!!!!
Very nice collection! And handy to easily come up with ideas for any festive gathering and not just Diwali! Thank you for sharing 🙂
Thank you dear Ashima 🙂 🙂
What a fabulous collection di !!! Love each entry here 🙂 HAppy Diwali
Thanks so much dear 🙂 Happy Diwali to you too!!
What a fantastic and droolworthy collection of Diwali recipes, I want to eat all of them 🙂 Happy Diwali!
Thanks so much Jagruti 🙂 🙂 Happy Diwali to you dear!!
Just love your collection of Diwali treats. I've never tasted gulab jamun with rabri, a new recipe for me. Bookmarked your lime cracker pudding. Looks so delicious.
Thanks Mayuri 🙂 🙂 Hope you get to try all of these dishes! Gulab jamun with rabri was just a last minute dish I came up with when I had lot of leftover rabri. Turned out superb! Do try the lime cracker one; it amazed us too, despite having salty crackers!