Navratri

What to Eat During Fasting: 10 Simple & Satisfying Vrat Recipes

Navratri Vrat Recipes

Navratri brings colourful celebrations, family gatherings, and a special spread of vrat-friendly dishes. From sabudana and makhana to kuttu, singhara, fresh fruits, and creamy dairy-based treats, there are plenty of ingredients to build a delicious festive menu around. The same vrat recipe staples can become crisp tikkis, comforting bowls, light snacks, and sweet treats, giving every day of the festival its own flavour.
Along with preparing something special at home, Navratri is also a lovely time to send a thoughtful gesture to friends and family. A box of festive treats, dry fruits, or sweets can easily become part of the celebration, especially when you want to share the festive spirit with someone who is observing the fast. Ferns N Petals brings together a range of gifting options for different preferences, making it easy to pair your festive wishes with something delicious.

10 Vrat Recipes You Can Make This Navratri

These vrat recipes cover everything from quick breakfast options and filling lunch ideas to snacks and desserts. Pick a few favourites for your Navratri menu and rotate them throughout the week to keep things interesting.

Sabudana Khichdi

Sabudana Khichdi

Sabudana khichdi is one of the first dishes that comes to mind when planning a Navratri menu. Cook soaked sabudana with potatoes, roasted peanuts, cumin, and green chilli, then finish with lemon juice. The peanuts add a nice crunch while the potato makes the dish more filling.
It is an easy breakfast or lunch option, especially when you are cooking for the family. And if you are sending Navratri gifts to someone who loves festive food, FNP’s selection of sweets and edible treats gives you plenty to choose from.

Kuttu Atta Cheela

Kuttu Aata Cheela

Kuttu flour can be used for more than puris. Add mashed potato, cumin, green chilli, and water to make a batter, then spread it on a hot pan and cook until the cheela is crisp around the edges. Have it with plain curd or a vrat-friendly chutney. It is also handy when you want a proper breakfast without spending too much time in the kitchen. This is one of those Navratri vrat recipes you can make in different sizes, depending on whether it’s for your breakfast plate or a larger family spread.

Makhana Chaat

Makhna Chat

Roasted makhana makes a good base for a quick chaat. This vrat recipe involves mixing boiled potato, cucumber, pomegranate, and roasted peanuts, then adding lemon juice and the spices allowed during your fast. The makhana stays crunchy while the fruit and vegetables add some freshness. Make a bowl for yourself or serve smaller portions if you have guests over during Navratri. It is also an easy snack to put together when you do not want to cook an elaborate dish.

Samak Rice Pulao

Samak Rice Pulao

Samak rice is a popular Navratri fast recipe and can be cooked much like a pulao. Combine it with potatoes, peanuts, and cumin, keeping the seasoning simple. A bowl of curd on the side completes the meal. You can also add ingredients permitted in your fasting tradition. This makes samak pulao a great lunch option when you want something warm and filling rather than another snack.

Aloo Jeera

Aloo jeera

Aloo jeera is about as straightforward as a fasting dish gets. Boil the potatoes, cut them into pieces, and toss them with cumin, rock salt, green chilli, and lemon juice. That is really all you need. Add roasted peanuts for crunch, or fresh coriander if it is part of your fasting diet. Serve aloo jeera on its own or pair it with vrat-friendly puris or rotis.

Singhara Atta Dosa

Singhara Atta Dosa

Singhara atta can also make a crisp dosa for a change from the usual fasting staples. Prepare a thin batter with the flour and cook it on a hot pan until the edges turn golden. Serve it with curd or a chutney made using ingredients permitted during your fast. You can also serve smaller dosas as part of a Navratri platter when family or friends visit.

Vrat-Friendly Fruit Chaat

Vrat fruit chaat

Fruit is an easy way to put together a light fasting meal with minimal prep. Chop apples, bananas, papaya, and pomegranate into a bowl, add a squeeze of lemon, and season according to your vrat preferences.Top it with roasted nuts for extra crunch. Among vrat recipes, this is one of the simplest choices for breakfast or an afternoon snack. You can also pair your fasting spread with FNP’s healthy gifting options, such as healthy snacks and dry fruits, when you want to send a thoughtful festive gesture to family and friends.

Sabudana Tikki

Sabudana Tikki

If you have leftover soaked sabudana, turn it into tikkis instead of making another batch of khichdi. Mix the sabudana with mashed potato, roasted peanuts, and fasting-friendly spices, shape into small patties, and cook them on a pan until crisp. Serve them hot with curd or an appropriate chutney. Smaller tikkis are particularly convenient for serving guests and can sit alongside other snacks on a festive platter.

Makhana Kheer

Makhana Kheer

Makhana is not limited to savoury dishes. Roast it, crush it lightly, and simmer it in milk with cardamom and nuts to make a creamy kheer. Use the sweetener that suits your fasting preferences. This can also be a useful gifting idea. If someone in your family prefers sweets without added sugar, FNP offers sugar-free sweets you can send as a festive treat. It gives you an option beyond the usual mithai box while keeping the gift suitable for their preferences.

Vrat-Friendly Paneer Tikka

Vrat-Friendly Paneer Tikka

Paneer works well when you want a more filling snack during a fast. This Navratri vrat recipe involves coating paneer pieces in curd and fasting-friendly spices, then cooking them in a pan or on a grill until the outside picks up some colour. If your fasting practice allows it, add capsicum or other suitable vegetables before cooking. Serve paneer tikka on its own in the evening, or add it to a larger vrat spread when you have people over.

Make Every Navratri Meal Feel Special

Whether you are having a quick fruit chaat between meals or want the comfort of sabudana khichdi or a sweet treat like makhana kheer, these Navratri vrat recipe ideas will help you keep your Navratri menu varied. Navratri is also a time for sharing good wishes beyond the dining table. If someone is celebrating Navratri this year and you want to surprise them, you can choose festive sweets or dry fruits from FNP with same-day gift delivery. A simple gift along with a Navratri wish message can do wonders.

About the author

Priya Lamba