19 Must-Try Navratri Recipes for Fasting

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Navratri is a lively and colourful festival celebrated all over India. It is not just a celebration; it is also a time for thinking deeply, growing personally, and paying respect to Goddess Durga.

Many people fast for nine days during Navratri, known as Navratri Vrat. But does fasting mean you need to stop enjoying tasty meals? No way!

In this blog post, we share 19 must-try Navratri recipes. These recipes will make your fasting feel fulfilling and bring new flavours and nutrition to your meals. Let’s start our journey of taste while honouring the spirit of Navratri with these special Vrat Recipes.

About Navratri festival in India

Navratri means ‘Nine Nights.’ It is an important Hindu festival that is celebrated with lots of joy across the country. During these nine special nights, people pray to different forms of Goddess Durga, each showing a unique power. They seek blessings from the divine and practice self-control during this time, with the beginning of the celebration marked by the 10th day known as ‘Kullu Dussehra’ in Himachal Pradesh.

Many followers practice fasting during this time, which is called Navratri Vrat, and often look for quick and easy Navratri fast recipes to make during this time.

Most devotees stop eating non-vegetarian food, grains, onion, garlic, and regular salt and instead focus on Sattvik foods, which help them cleanse and refresh their bodies and minds.

19 Must-Try Navratri recipes for fasting

Below, we have shared the best Navratri recipes. They are great for tasty and healthy fasting. Check it out.

1. Sabudana Khichdi

Sabudana is high in starch and gives you good energy during fasting. This dish tastes great and is easy to digest, so many people love it when they are fasting. The soaked sabudana pearls, cooked with peanuts, potatoes, and mild spices, make a tasty and filling meal that you can have any time. It is a flexible dish.

You can add other ingredients like curry leaves, green chillies, and cumin seeds to match your taste. Another popular dish made with sabudana is sabudana kheer, a sweet and creamy pudding made with milk, sabudana, and sugar.

Get the Sabudana Khichdi recipe here.

2. Kuttu Ki Puri

‘Kuttu Ki Puri‘ (Buckwheat Flour Bread) is a tasty part of your Navratri meals. This crispy and hot bread goes well with any sattvik curry. It is a must-try dish during the festival. Buckwheat flour, used for these puris, is delicious and gluten-free, making it great for those with diet needs. The nutty taste of buckwheat adds something special to this traditional dish. It is very popular among people celebrating Navratri.

3. Makhana Kheer

If you love sweets and want a tasty treat during Navratri, try ‘Makhana Kheer‘ (Fox Nuts Pudding). This classic dessert is yummy and gives a healthy touch to your cravings. It’s made with foxnuts, and this creamy pudding is low in fat. It is also full of nutrients, so you can enjoy it without feeling guilty.

Fox Nuts have many health benefits, too. They are high in antioxidants and fibre. Makhana Kheer is a dish that can be enjoyed hot or cold. It is sure to please anyone who loves sweet treats.

4. Sama Rice Upma

‘Sama Rice Upma‘ is a healthy and traditional dish. Many people enjoy it during Navratri fasting days. It is made from Barnyard Millet and Bengal gram. This meal is simple to digest and easy on the stomach. Since it uses sama rice, it is gluten-free and good for those with special diets. You can add different vegetables and spices to improve its taste and nutrition, making it a flexible and satisfying option for anyone who is fasting.

Get the Sama Upma Recipe here

5. Aloo Jeera

Aloo jeera is a traditional fasting dish. It mixes the rich taste of cumin seeds with soft, boiled potatoes. Many people enjoy this recipe during Navratri fasting. It is simple but very tasty. Cooking cumin seeds in ghee adds a nice smell to the dish.

Aloo jeera is a perfect accompaniment to kuttu ka atta rotis or samak rice. The mild spice of jeera and the smoothness of potatoes come together in a way that is both satisfying and delicious.

Read the complete Aloo Jeera recipe.

6. Fruit Salad With Yoghurt Dressing

For a tasty change during Navratri fasting, try a fresh fruit salad with a zesty yoghurt dressing. This simple recipe features seasonal fruits like apples, bananas, and pomegranate seeds, all topped with creamy yoghurt. The mix of flavours and textures makes it the perfect accompaniment to your fasting days.

Enjoy the bright colours and sweet taste of fruits while keeping to the traditions of Navratri vrat. Each spoonful brings you a burst of freshness and nutrition.

Also Read: Goan Tropical Fruit Salad

7. Singhare Ke Atte Ka Halwa

Singhare ke Atte ka halwa is a tasty dessert loved during Navratri fasting. It is made with water chestnut flour. This halwa is cooked with ghee-roasted singhara flour, sugar, and dry fruits. It shows the true spirit of vrat recipes.

The sweet smell of this dish, mixed with green cardamom and saffron, fills the air during the fasting days. Singhare ke atte ka halwa has a great mix of flavours and textures. It is a must-try treat that will please your taste buds.

8. Aloo Tikki

Aloo Tikki is a favourite during Navratri fasting. It is a tasty snack made from boiled potatoes and water chestnut flour. These crispy potato patties are flavoured with rock salt and other spices, making them the perfect accompaniment to aloo ki sabzi. They are a great addition to your vrat meal. Aloo Tikki is important in Navratri vrat recipes. It shows the spirit of the fasting days through its simple yet tasty taste.

9. Coconut Ladoo

Coconut Ladoo is a special Indian sweet that people make during Navratri fasting. This tasty treat uses grated coconut and condensed milk. It also has a nice touch of cardamom. The lads are rolled into small balls and topped with chopped nuts. Coconut Ladoo is not just a great vrat recipe; it is also an excellent choice for festive celebrations. The lovely flavours of coconut mixed with the sweetness of condensed milk make this sweet, which both kids and adults love.

10. Vrat Ki Kadhi

Vrat ki kadhi is a popular dish for Navratri fasting. It offers a tasty alternative for people who are observing the vrat. This curry is made with yoghurt. It is tangy and includes curry leaves, green chillies, and rock salt. This makes it a great addition to your fasting meal. The simple flavours of vrat ki kadhi add something special to your fasting menu. This dish is important during fasting days. It reflects the spirit of Navratri vrat recipes and provides a comforting choice to help you break your fast.

11. Paneer Bhurji

Paneer Bhurji is a tasty dish. It is made by scrambling Indian cottage cheese with spices and herbs like curry leaves and green chillies. This is a vrat recipe, perfect for the vrat season. It has a good mix of flavours and textures, making it a great option for Navratri fasting. Paneer Bhurji is high in protein and really rich in taste, making it a satisfying main course during the fasting days. You can enjoy it with Kuttu Ki Poori or Singhare Ke Atte Ka Halwa for a delicious meal.

Know how to make Paneer Bhurji.

12. Arbi Cutlets

Arbi cutlets are a tasty recipe for fasting. They come from colocasia roots. These crispy cutlets use sendha namak and spices for flavour. Many people enjoy them during Navratri vrat. You boil the arbi, mash it, and mix it with spices. Then, shape the mixture into cutlets and shallow fry them until they are golden brown.

These savoury cutlets make a perfect accompaniment to any meal, adding a crunchy bite to the food. Arbi cutlets give a fresh twist to regular fasting dishes, making them a favourite for those doing Navratri fasting.

13. Lauki Ka Halwa

Grated bottle gourd cooked in ghee, sugar, and milk makes lauki ka halwa. This dish is a special treat for Navratri. It is filled with nuts and has a nice cardamom flavour, making it a cosy dessert for fasting days.

Lauki, or bottle gourd, helps cool the body. This is great during the strict fasting time. The mild sweetness of this halwa is a nice way to end a meal. It adds a bit of indulgence while sticking to the Navratri vrat rules.

14. Banana Walnut Smoothie

Enjoy a tasty and healthy Banana Walnut Smoothie during Navratri fasting. This drink is refreshing and easy to make. Just blend ripe bananas with crushed walnuts and any other combination of fruits you desire. You will get a drink that is both nutritious and filling. The sweetness of the bananas balances with the nutty taste of the walnuts and the other fruits. It is a favourite choice for delicious recipes.

15. Sweet Potato Chaat

Sweet potato chaat is a tasty dish that is great for Navratri vrat. This recipe mixes sweet potatoes with tangy tastes and crunchy bits, making it a popular pick during fasting days. You can boost the flavour by using ingredients like rock salt and curry leaves. Also, adding black pepper and green chillies gives it a nice spice, making it a flavorful choice for your fasting menu.

16. Roasted Makhana Recipe

Makhana, or fox nuts and lotus seeds, is a favourite snack during Navratri fasting. People like it because it is healthy and flexible. These light and crunchy seeds are delicious and full of important nutrients like protein, fibre, magnesium, potassium, and phosphorus. You can enjoy them in different ways. You can roast them with some rock salt for a tasty, savoury snack. Or, you can mix them with jaggery and ghee for a sweet treat.

17. Kebab-e-Kela

 

Kebab-e-Kela is a tasty snack made from ripe bananas. It is a favourite choice for Navratri fasting. The bananas are mashed and mixed with spices like cumin, chilli powder, and rock salt. This forms a tasty mixture that is shaped into kebabs. Then, they are shallow-fried until golden brown. These crispy kebabs are not only yummy, but they also give you a boost of energy. This makes them a great snack to enjoy on fasting days.

18. Vrat Wale Chawal Ka Dhokla

Vrat Wale chawal ka dhokla is a tasty dish that is great for Navratri fasting. This steamed cake is made from rice flour, and it is light and easy to digest on fasting days. The dhokla uses rock salt and other ingredients that fit well with vrat rules, making it a favourite for those who follow Navratri vrat. Its soft texture and gentle flavours make vrat wale chawal ka dhokla a delicious choice for a quick meal during this special time.

Also read: Rice Dhokla

19. Kuttu ka Cheela

Kuttu ka cheela is a well-known recipe for fasting. It is made with buckwheat flour, also called kuttu ka atta. This tasty pancake is flexible. You can change it up by adding ingredients like sendha namak (rock salt), curry leaves, and green chillies. Kuttu ka cheela is a healthy choice for Navratri vrat. It goes well with other vrat recipes. This traditional dish is important on fasting days. It gives a good mix of taste and nutrition.

Which food products are forbidden in Navratri fasting?

During Navratri fasting, people avoid certain foods. These include onion, garlic, wheat products, lentils, and table salt because they are seen as impure. By not eating these items, devotees show respect for the occasion and its spiritual importance.

Instead, they choose specific foods that are pure and okay to eat during this time, which is a crucial point to remember for those observing a North Indian style of fast.

During Navratri fasting, people often eat fruits, nuts, dairy products, buckwheat flour, water chestnut flour, and certain vegetables such as pumpkin and sweet potato. These foods fit well with the religious traditions of the festival and offer important nutrients that help people feel good during the fasting period.

Conclusion

Navratri fasting is more than a religious practice. It is also a way to celebrate different foods, and there are many great recipes to enjoy during this time.

You can find traditional dishes like aloo tikki and modern options like fruit salad with yoghurt dressing. Navratri has something for everyone. There are a variety of tasty choices for these fasting days.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I use rock salt while fasting?

Yes, you can use rock salt in place of regular salt when you are fasting for Navratri. Rock salt, which is also called sendha namak, is okay to use in fasting recipes. It adds good flavour without breaking your fast.

Are all vegetables allowed during fasting?

During Navratri fasting, you can eat many vegetables, but not onion and garlic. Popular vegetables include potatoes, sweet potatoes, bottled gourd, pumpkin, and more. You can use these vegetables to make tasty dishes that are good for fasting.

Can I consume tea or coffee during fasting?

Yes, you can drink black tea or coffee during Navratri fasting. Just remember to skip additives like milk or sugar. These drinks can give you energy and help keep you feeling full while you fast.

How can I stay hydrated while fasting?

Staying hydrated during fasting is crucial for energy and well-being. Besides water, try coconut water for electrolytes, buttermilk for nutrients like calcium and potassium, herbal teas like chamomile or peppermint, and fresh fruit juices.

What are some healthy alternatives to deep-fried Navratri snacks?

Healthy alternatives to deep-fried snacks include baked sweet potato chaat, air-fried aloo tikki, and roasted makhana. These snacks are great for guilt-free munching.

What do you usually eat for Navratri?

Some common dishes enjoyed during this festival include sabudana khichdi, kuttu ki puri, samvat rice pulao, and fruit chaat. These dishes are not only delicious but also provide essential nutrients to sustain through the fasting period.