Navratri is a nine-day celebration filled with devotion, joy, and fasting. During this time, many people follow a special vrat (fasting) diet, avoiding certain grains, vegetables, and spices. Fasting during Navratri is not just about abstaining from food but also about choosing the right ingredients that help nourish your body while keeping you energised throughout the day.

Whether you are fasting for religious reasons or simply looking for healthy, delicious vrat recipes, this blog will introduce you to simple and wholesome dishes you can enjoy during Navratri.

These are crispy delicious deep fried balls of Buckwheat flour or kuttu. It is a great snacking option when you’re looking for something different and tasty. It is usually eaten with chutney, dahi or raita.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Kuttu flour (buckwheat flour)

• 2 medium potatoes, boiled and sliced

• 1 tsp cumin seeds

• 1 tsp red chilli powder

• 1 tsp turmeric powder

• 1-2 green chilis, chopped

• Salt to taste

• Water for the batter

• Oil for frying

Method:

1. Add some kuttu flour, cumin seeds, green chillies, red chilli powder, turmeric powder,and salt in a bowl and mix well

2. Gradually add water to make the batter thick to this mixture and mix well to avoid lumps.

3. Heat oil in a pan. Dip each piece of potatoes into the batter and fry until golden and crispy. Carefully remove them on a paper towel and serve hot with chutney, raita or even hot tea!

Tip:

You can also use sliced sweet potatoes or paneer (cottage cheese) instead of regular potatoes for variation.

If you are craving something sweet while fasting this is the best option for you. Makhana or Fox nuts are a very popular and easily available snacking option while fasting. Makhana kheer is delicious , creamy desserts made with milk, dry fruits and of course Makhana. It’s a perfect sweet treat to end your vrat meals on a delightful note.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup makhana (fox nuts)

• 2 cups milk

• 1 tbsp ghee

• 2 tbsp sugar (adjust to taste)

• 4-5 almonds, chopped

• 4-5 Raisins

• 4-5 cashews, chopped

• A pinch of cardamom powder

Method:

1. In a pan. Heat some ghee and roast some makhana until crispy. Then let it cool and grind half of this makhana coarsely.

2. Then in another pan add milk and bring it to boil. Add all the whole and grounded Makhana and simmer for 7-9 minutes until kheer thickens.

3. Add sugar, cardamom powder, chopped nuts and raisins and stir well. Cook for another 2-3 minutes.

4. Garnish with some extra dry fruits and serve warm or even chilled!

Tip:

You can replace sugar with jaggery or honey if you prefer a healthier alternative.

This is a gluten free grain option perfect for fasting during navratri. The Samak Rice is easy to digest and a great substitute for regular rice.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Samak rice (barnyard millet), soaked for 15-20 minutes

• 1 medium potato, chopped

• 1 tsp cumin seeds

• 1-2 green chilies, chopped

• 1 tbsp ghee

• Rock salt to taste

• 2 cups water

• Fresh coriander for garnish

Method:

1. Heat ghee in a pan and add cumin seeds. Once they crackle, add green chilies and potatoes. Cook until the potatoes are tender.

2. Add soaked Samak rice and rock salt. Stir well and add water.

3. Cover and cook for 10-12 minutes or until the rice is fully cooked and fluffy.

4. Garnish with coriander and serve hot with yoghurt or chutney.

Tip:

You can add peanuts or roasted makhana (fox nuts) to the pulao for added texture and nutrition.

This is a simple yet flavourful and tasty recipe which will fulfil your stomach. Cooked on a tomato based gravy, this sabzi is perfect for pairing with Kuttu ki Puri or samak rice.

Ingredients:

• 2 medium potatoes, boiled and cubed

• 2 medium tomatoes, chopped

• 1 tsp cumin seeds

• 1 green chilies, chopped

• 1 tsp red chilli powder

• 1 tsp turmeric powder

• 1 tsp grated ginger

• 1 tbsp ghee

• Rock salt to taste

• Fresh coriander for garnish

Method:

1. In a pan, add cumin seeds, green chillies and ginger and saute for a minute or two.

2. Add chopped tomatoes and cook until they soften

3. Next add boiled and diced potatoes, spices and salt and mix well. Add a little bit of water. Mix well and simmer for 5-7 minutes until the gravy thickens.

4. Garnish with freshly chopped coriander and enjoy with Kuttu ki Puri or Samak rice.

Tip:

You can add a pinch of sendha namak (rock salt) for an authentic fasting flavour.

Kuttu or buckwheat flour is used to make these puris which is best served with Aloo Tamatar Ki Sabzi, other vrat-friendly curries or even raita. 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Kuttu flour (buckwheat flour)

• 1 medium potato, boiled and mashed

• Rock salt to taste

• Water as needed

• Oil for frying

Method:

1. Add Kuttu flour, mashed potatoes and salt into a big bowl. Slowly and gradually add water and make a smooth dough

2. Divide the dough into small portions and start making puris with it.

3. Heat oil in a pan and deep fry each puris until golden brown and crispy.

4. Serve hot with Aloo Tamatar Ki Sabzi, Raita or even some hot tea!

Tip:

Add a pinch of black pepper or cumin seeds to the dough for extra flavour.

Rajgira or Amaranth is packed with nutrients and it is often eaten during fasting as ladoos or chikkis. Rajgira Halwa is a delicious sweet dish that’s easy to make and perfect for satisfying your sweet cravings.

Ingredients:

• ½ cup Rajgira flour (amaranth flour)

• 1 tbsp ghee

• ½ cup sugar or jaggery

• 1 cup water

• A pinch of cardamom powder

• 4-5 almonds and cashews, chopped

Method:

1. Heat ghee in a pan and roast the Rajgira flour on low heat until it turns golden brown.

2. In a separate pan, dissolve sugar in water and bring it to a boil.

3. Gradually add the sugar syrup to the roasted flour, stirring continuously to avoid lumps.

4. Cook on low heat until the halwa thickens. Add cardamom powder and chopped nuts.

5. Serve hot, garnished with extra nuts.

Tip:

For a healthier version, use jaggery instead of sugar and add dates for natural sweetness.

Sabudana Khichdi is the most common yet loved food of most people during fasting. This quick recipe can be eaten for breakfast, lunch or dinner. It is light on the stomach yet fulfilling. It is a mixture of Sabudana, peanuts, and spices cooked together.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sabudana (soaked for 4-5 hours)

• 1 medium potato, boiled and chopped

• ¼ cup roasted peanuts

• 1-2 green chilis, chopped

• 1 tsp cumin seeds

• 1 tbsp ghee (clarified butter)

• Salt to taste

• Fresh coriander leaves for garnish

• Lemon juice (optional)

Method:

1. In one pan, add some ghee and heat it for a few seconds. Then add cumin and seeds. Once they start to crackle add green chillies and saute for a minute

2. The add diced boiled potatoes to it and gently cook for about 2-3 minutes

3. Lastly, add soaked sabudana to this and mix again. Add peanuts and salt according to your taste. Mix and let it cook for about 5-7 minutes

4. Garnish with some coriander and serve hot.

Tip:

Make sure the sabudana is soaked properly, with each pearl being soft but not mushy.

Fasting during Navratri doesn’t always have to be boring and restrictive. You can have a fulfilling and healthy meal with the ingredients that are easily available. You can prepare a variety of delicious and nutritious meals with a variety of wholesome ingredients like Makhana or Rajgira that are perfect for fasting. These easy recipes not only adhere to the vrat rules but also ensure that you stay energised and satisfied throughout the day. From savoury snacks to sweet treats, there’s a recipe for every craving during Navratri!

Happy cooking and happy fasting!