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

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)

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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

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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

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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.

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4

Tandoori Chicken

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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

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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

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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.

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7

Chicken Madras

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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

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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

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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.

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10

Vegetable Biryani

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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

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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

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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.

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13

Chicken Biryani

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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

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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

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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.

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16

Aloo Gobi

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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

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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

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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.

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19

Rice Pudding

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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

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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.

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Camille Lowder

Digital Food Producer

Camille Lowder is the digital food producer at Delish, otherwise known as our resident queen of recipe galleries. Previously, she attended the Natural Gourmet Institute for culinary school and worked at/managed a number of New York restaurants. She loves anything vegan, foods masquerading as other foods (hello, cauliflower), and a well-used Oxford comma.

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

FAQs

What do you eat on Diwali festival of lights? ›

Other foods eaten during Diwali

Snacks include chivda, a mix like Bombay mix, combining nuts and chickpea/lentil/rice-based crunchy salted snacks. You'll also find appetizers like: Bhaji (the South Indian name) or pakora (the North Indian name, though there can be some variations in how they make them as well).

What is the famous dish on Diwali? ›

1. Butter murukku is a popular South Indian snack made with butter, rice flour, besan/ gram flour and basic spices. Butter murukku is a lighter version of the traditional urad dal chakli. This recipe will give you light, crispy and delicious butter murukku.

What is the feast of lights for Diwali? ›

Diwali is derived from the word “Deepavali,” which means “a row of lights.” Celebrants light rows of traditional clay oil lamps outside their homes to symbolize the victory of light over darkness and knowledge over ignorance.

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 do people drink for Diwali? ›

Traditional chai, the aromatic and soothing spiced tea, holds a special place in the hearts of many during Diwali. It's more than just a beverage; it's a cherished tradition that brings warmth, comfort, and a sense of togetherness to the festivities.

What is Diwali for kids? ›

Diwali is also known as the Festival of Lights. In the very old Indian language, Sanskrit, Diwali (or Deepavali) means 'row of lamps'. People light lamps at Diwali to show that light is more powerful than darkness, and good is more powerful than evil. Diwali also celebrates new beginnings.

What food is cooked for 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!

Does Diwali have food? ›

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. Sweets are offered first to the Goddess Lakshmi Devi, then distributed as Prasad or 'holy food.

What is Diwali potluck? ›

Diwali is also known as the Festival of Lights. Source: Supplied. Food is the focus from dawn to dusk, but our feasts have morphed over the years to become potluck events, with each family bringing a dish to share rather than the host bearing the burden of all the cooking.

Can I say happy Diwali? ›

How to wish someone a 'happy Diwali' A simple 'Happy Diwali' will do the trick, but there are other Diwali wishes you can say to anyone celebrating the festival. A traditional Diwali greeting is to say 'wishing you a Diwali that brings happiness prosperity and joy to you and all your family. '

Do Christians celebrate Diwali? ›

Some of us began to walk the way of Jesus many years ago. What part do we have in a festival revolving around the stories of Indian gods and demons? Indeed, for many Indian Christians, there is no space for Diwali.

What is the biggest holiday in India? ›

Diwali, or Dipawali, is India's biggest and most important holiday of the year. The festival gets its name from the row (avali) of clay lamps (deepa) that Indians light outside their homes to symbolize the inner light that protects from spiritual darkness.

Do Muslims celebrate Diwali? ›

Diwali is celebrated by Hindus, Jains, Sikhs, and Newar Buddhists, although for each faith it marks different historical events and stories, but nonetheless the festival represents the same symbolic victory of light over darkness, knowledge over ignorance, and good over evil.

Why is Diwali so special? ›

For Hindus, this is linked to the ancient legend of Lord Rama, who was deprived of his kingdom and sent into exile for 14 years. Diwali celebrates Rama's eventual defeat of the evil spirit Ravana, and his triumphant return to his home.

How do you celebrate Diwali at home? ›

Families decorate the entrances with colorful rangoli, made using colored powders, flowers, and diyas. Diwali also includes worship, where people offer prayers to Goddess Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, and seek her blessings for prosperity and good fortune. Diwali is incomplete without delicious sweets and snacks.

What tradition involves exchanging gift and sweets during Diwali? ›

For Hindus, the festival honours Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth, prosperity and beauty, and Ganesha, the lord of success and the remover of obstacles. Exchanging gifts is an important part of Diwali as a way of expressing love, gratitude and giving thanks to the deities.

Why do people leave their windows and doors open during Diwali? ›

The most widespread custom is the lighting of diyas on the night of the new moon to invite the presence of Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. The doors and windows of houses are kept open in the hope that Lakshmi will find her way inside and bless the residents with wealth and success.

Which vegetables do we get around the time of Diwali? ›

Vegetables that we get around the time of Diwali: Spiny gourd, (Kantoli), Ridge gourd (Shiralt), Ghosali, Kohala 2. Fruits that we get around the time of Diwali: Sweet lime, Oranges, Apples, Musk melons 3. Grains that we get around the time of Diwali: Ragi, Rice.

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