19 Bright and Festive Recipes for Diwali
Diwali is almost here so now is the perfect opportunity to learn a bit more about Indian culture, the celebrations and most importantly, the food that completes the festival! Often referred to as the Indian festival of lights, Diwali (or Deepavali in South India) is a festive time for diverse religious rituals and celebrations. It's an opportunity to deep clean and spruce up your home, buy new clothes, make delicious edible treats for gifting and of course, host and enjoy get-togethers. One of the key traditions of Diwali is the bursting of firecrackers—and making delicious an array of bright, colorful, and totally festive Diwali recipes.
Related: 75 Happy Diwali Wishes and Greetings for 2023
What Is Diwali?
Every region in India has different traditions for celebrating this festival. It is believed that Diwali is a festival that represents the triumph of good over evil, light over darkness and wisdom over ignorance. It is considered an auspicious time to start anything new, as it coincides with the Hindu New Year. While Diwali is actually on one day, the festivities last anywhere from three to five days, featuring different customs, ceremonies, and food.
When is Diwali?
Diwali follows the Hindu lunar calendar and its date changes annually—it’s celebrated on a moonless night (or Amavasya) in October or November. This year, Diwali falls on November 12, 2023.
Related: 25 Vegetarian South Indian Dishes You Need to Try Once
How Is Diwali Celebrated?
Diwali celebrations can look different for everyone. Generally, the weeks leading up to the festival are usually a time for redecorating the home, buying new clothes and jewelry, and exchanging gifts—both delicious food and otherwise. Families and friends get together to have lunch or dinner parties and celebrate by cooking delicious foods and bursting firecrackers. In North India, gambling and alcoholic drinks are part of the tradition, and card games are hosted well into the night. Whereas in South India, the celebrations commence rather early, starting 4 am, and ending with a religious discourse in the evening.
Related: 14 Delicious Desserts with an Indian Twist
What Food Is Eaten During Diwali?
No matter how Diwali is celebrated, food is always the piece de resistance of the festival! There is no right or wrong way to celebrate the festival, since each region has such diverse practices and their own quintessential dishes. In most homes, the menu is vegetarian, and can range from deep-fried delicacies like samosas to simple steamed foods like idli. Savory snacks could include kachoris, pakoras, aloo tikki (potato patties) and chole bhatura. And for the mithai (or dessert), you can have gulab jamun, jalebi, kheer and so much more.
Indian sweets and snacks are usually cooked in large batches, then shared with friends and family. It's also pretty common to visit each other's homes to share the edibles and good wishes for a prosperous new year.
Here are 19 of the best Diwali recipes, both savory and sweet, that will inspire you to celebrate Diwali, in the most quintessentially festive way.
Best Diwali Recipes
Parade
Deep fried delicacies like pakoras and kachoris are very common during a Diwali festive meal. Find over 15 quick Indian snacks that are perfect for the Holiday!
Get the recipe: Pakora
Parade
The streets of Bombay were famous for their "Punch houses" and this drink is the perfect way to enjoy a delicious Diwali dinner.
Get the recipe: Bombay Punch
Parade
Every grand festive meal should end with a delicious dessert, and Jalebi is undoubtedly one of the juiciest desserts of all time. It's kinda like a funnel cake, but dunked in sugar syrup.
Get the recipe: Jalebi
Parade
Gulab Jamun, a truly royal Indian dessert, meets the cheesecake! It couldn't get any more festive than this! Also find other royal desserts in the link below.
Get the recipe: Gulab Jamun Cheesecake
Piping Pot Curry
Elevating Okra to the next level with this crunchy snack— made healthier in an air fryer.
Get the recipe: Crunchy Okra
Parade
Most commonly, Diwali is the one way people refrain from meat and adopt a vegetarian diet. And this delicious Saag Paneer is a great entree option for your lunch or dinner.
Get the recipe: Saag Paneer
Raks Kitchen
Exchanging edible gifts is a common practice during Diwali and this chickpea flour snack is one great option.
Get the recipe: Khara Boondi
Foodomania
A Thaali is basically a plate used to serve food, and this South-Indian platter has all the best components that are perfect for a delicious Diwali meal.
Get the recipe: South-Indian Thaali
La Petit Chef
Like the slide before, this is yet another Thaali. While South Indians have their Sambar and Rasam, North Indians celebrate their platters with rice, rotis, gravies and more.
Get the recipe: North Indian Veg Thaali
Foodomania
Getting into some delicious edible gifts, this snack is predominantly made with rice flour, butter and some basic spices commonly used in the South-Indian cuisine, and gets deep-fried.
Get the recipe: Thattai
Foodomania
Yet another deep fried snack, this is made with rice and gram flour and is a delicious snack most commonly made during Diwali.
Get the recipe: Thenkuzhal
Foodomania
This does take some skill and practice, but this hand-rolled and twisted rice flour snack is a treat to the eyes and tongue!
Get the recipe: Hand-rolled Murukku
My Veg Fare
If you don't have the patience to roll out the murukku dough, then this is a much easier version that takes a fraction ofthe time and still tastes just as delicious.
Get the recipe: Kodubale
Tickling Palates
You'll need a special maker, but your rolling time gets cut significantly. And this is pretty similar to other rice flour snacks we've seen so far.
Get the recipe: Garlic Murkku
Foodomania
Lentils are soaked and ground, and spruced up with commonly used spices and deep fried to make these delicious Masala Vada.
Get the recipe: Masala Vada
Food Trails
All need is skinned black gram to make this fluffy, savory donut look-alike! It is absolutely delicious with some chutneys!
Get the recipe: Medu Vada
Foodomania
Semolina, ghee and sugar come together in this mouthwatering Rava Kesari, which resembles a pudding in its lovely texture.
Get the recipe: Rava Kesari
Foodomania
This uses seve easy ingedients and you'll have a melt-in-your-mouth, fudge-like barfi
Get the recipe 7-Ingredient Fudge
Raks Kitchen
And lastly, this pudding is made with wheat flour an a lot of ghee. It is a bit time consuming but the end result is chewy and delicious!
Get the recipe: Wheat Halva
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