Diwali food recipes are a delightful way to bring the joy of the Festival of Lights into your home. From crispy samosas to sweet treats like gulab jamun, each recipe offers a taste of tradition. These Diwali food recipes capture the essence of celebration, perfect for sharing with friends and family.

Savory Snacks

Samosas: Crispy pastry filled with spiced potatoes, peas, or lentils. These delightful bites are perfect for sharing and are often served with tangy tamarind or mint chutney.

Ingredients:

• For the Dough:
  • 2 cups all-purpose flour
  • 4 tablespoons oil or ghee
  • 1/2 teaspoon carom seeds (ajwain)
  • Salt, to taste
  • Water, as needed
• For the Filling:
  • 3 medium potatoes, boiled and mashed
  • 1/2 cup green peas (fresh or frozen)
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder
  • 1 teaspoon chili powder
  • Salt, to taste
  • 2 tablespoons oil
  • Fresh cilantro, chopped (optional)
  • Lemon juice, to taste

Instructions:

1. Make the Dough: In a bowl, mix flour, salt, carom seeds, and oil. Gradually add water to form a soft dough. Cover and let it rest for 30 minutes.
2. Prepare the Filling: Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds, let them splutter, then add mashed potatoes, peas, and spices. Cook for a few minutes. Add cilantro and lemon juice, then let cool.
3. Shape the Samosas: Divide the dough into small balls. Roll each ball into a thin oval, cut it in half, and shape each half into a cone. Fill with the potato mixture, seal the edges, and shape into a triangle.
4. Fry the Samosas: Heat oil in a pan. Deep fry the samosas until golden brown. Drain on paper towels and serve with chutney.

Pakoras: Whether made from vegetables, paneer, or meat, these deep-fried fritters are a favorite during Diwali. The crunchy exterior and soft interior make them irresistible, especially when paired with hot chai.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup gram flour (besan)
• 1/2 cup water (adjust for consistency)
• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• Salt, to taste
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• 1-2 cups vegetables (potatoes, onions, spinach, etc.), sliced
• Oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Batter: In a bowl, mix gram flour, water, cumin seeds, chili powder, turmeric, and salt to form a smooth batter.
2. Coat the Vegetables: Dip the sliced vegetables into the batter, ensuring they are well coated.
3. Fry the Pakoras: Heat oil in a deep pan. Carefully drop the coated vegetables into the hot oil and fry until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels and serve with chutney.

Chakli (Murukku): This spiral-shaped, crunchy snack made from rice flour and lentil flour is seasoned with spices. It’s a must-have during Diwali, adding a delightful crunch to your celebrations

Ingredients:

• 2 cups rice flour
• 1/2 cup urad dal flour
• 1 teaspoon sesame seeds
• 1/2 teaspoon cumin seeds
• 1 teaspoon chili powder
• 1/2 teaspoon ajwain (carom seeds)
• Salt, to taste
• Water, as needed
• Oil for frying

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Dough: In a bowl, mix rice flour, urad dal flour, sesame seeds, cumin seeds, chili powder, ajwain, and salt. Add water gradually to form a smooth dough.
2. Shape the Chakli: Fill a chakli maker with the dough. Press out spirals onto parchment paper.
3. Fry the Chakli: Heat oil in a deep pan. Fry the chaklis until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels and let cool.

Sweet Treats

Gulab Jamun: Soft, round balls made from khoya (reduced milk), deep-fried, and soaked in fragrant sugar syrup. These sweet delights are often the highlight of any Diwali feast.

. Gulab Jamun

Ingredients:

• 1 cup khoya (reduced milk)
• 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/4 teaspoon baking powder
• Oil for frying
• For the Syrup:
  • 2 cups sugar
  • 1.5 cups water
  • 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
  • A few drops of rose water

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Syrup: In a pot, combine sugar and water. Bring to a boil, then simmer for 5-7 minutes. Add cardamom powder and rose water. Set aside.
2. Make the Dough: Mix khoya, flour, and baking powder in a bowl. Form small balls (about the size of a marble).
3. Fry the Gulab Jamun: Heat oil in a deep pan. Fry the balls on low heat until golden brown. Drain and soak in the warm syrup for at least 30 minutes before serving.

Barfi: A rich, sweet confection made from condensed milk, sugar, and various flavors like pistachio, almond, or coconut. Barfi is often cut into bite-sized pieces, making it perfect for sharing.

Barfi

Ingredients:

• 2 cups khoya
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup milk
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts (pistachios, almonds, cashews)
• 1/2 teaspoon cardamom powder
• Ghee for greasing

Instructions:

1. Prepare the Mixture: Melt the khoya in a pan, then add the sugar and milk. Cook on low heat until it thickens, stirring continuously.
2. Add Nuts and Spices: Mix well with chopped nuts and cardamom powder. Remove from heat.
3. Set the Barfi: Grease a plate with ghee and pour the mixture into it. Spread evenly and let it cool. Cut into squares or diamonds once set.

Ladoo: From coconut to besan (gram flour), ladoos come in various forms and flavors. These sweet balls are easy to make and are a symbol of prosperity during the festive season.

Ladoo

Ingredients (Besan Ladoo):

• 1 cup gram flour (besan)
• 1/2 cup ghee
• 1 cup powdered sugar
• 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
• Chopped nuts for garnish

Instructions:

1. Roast the Besan: In a pan, heat ghee and add gram flour. Roast on low heat until it turns golden and fragrant.
2. Add Sugar and Spices: Remove from heat, let it cool slightly, then add powdered sugar and cardamom powder. Mix well.
3. Shape the Ladoo: Once cool enough to handle, form small balls and garnish with chopped nuts.

Traditional Meals

Biryani: A fragrant rice dish layered with marinated meat or vegetables, biryani is often the centerpiece of Diwali dinners, showcasing a blend of spices and aromas that tantalize the senses click here

Biryani

Ingredients:

• 2 cups basmati rice
• 1 lb chicken (or vegetables)
• 1 large onion, sliced
• 1 cup yogurt
• 2 tomatoes, chopped
• 2-3 green chilies, slit
• 1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste
• Whole spices (bay leaf, cardamom, cloves, cinnamon)
• 2 tablespoons biryani masala
• Fresh cilantro and mint, chopped
• Salt, to taste
• Oil for cooking

Instructions:

1. Marinate the Chicken: In a bowl, mix chicken with yogurt, ginger-garlic paste, biryani masala, and salt. Let it marinate for at least 30 minutes.
2. Cook the Rice: Rinse the basmati rice and soak it for 30 minutes. In a pot, bring water to a boil, add rice, and cook until 70% done. Drain and set aside.
3. Prepare the Biryani: In a large pot, heat oil and fry sliced onions until golden. Add marinated chicken, tomatoes, and green chilies. Cook until the chicken is done.
4. Layer the Biryani: Once the chicken is cooked, layer the partially cooked rice over it. Sprinkle cilantro and mint on top. Cover and cook on low heat for 20-25 minutes, allowing the flavors to meld.
5. Serve: Gently fluff the biryani before serving, and enjoy with raita or salad.

Paneer Tikka: Marinated cubes of paneer grilled to perfection, this dish is a vegetarian favorite that adds a burst of flavor to your festive table. click here