What Are 20 Healthy Navratri Recipes To Prepare During Fasting?

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Key Highlights

• Discover 10 delicious and easy Navratri vrat recipes for 9 days.
• Learn about the key ingredients allowed during Navratri fasting, like sendha namak and specific flours.
• Explore Navratri food recipes, from savoury snacks to wholesome meals and sweet desserts.
• These fasting meals are designed to be light and digestible, offering various health benefits.
• Find recipes packed with essential nutrients to keep you energised throughout the nine days.

Navratri, a nine-night festival celebrating the divine power of Goddess Durga or Maa Durga, is a cherished time of devotion and joy. A key aspect of this festival for many is Navratri fasting, a period of dietary discipline and spiritual reflection.

If you are observing the fast, you might be looking for delicious and permissible Navratri healthy recipes.

This guide offers a collection of easy-to-make Navratri bhog recipes that are both satisfying and follow traditional fasting rules, making your nine days of devotion flavorful and nourishing.

What Does Fasting During Navratri (Vrat) Truly Mean?

Fasting during Navratri goes beyond abstaining from food; it’s a spiritual reset and physical cleanse. Spiritually, it’s a time to detach from indulgence and focus on inner purity. Physically, it gives the digestive system a much-needed break. Making healthy food choices during this period ensures your body stays energised while your mind remains calm and focused.

Navratri Fasting Ingredients: What’s In and What’s Out

During Navratri, it’s important to know which ingredients align with the fasting tradition. The vrat diet focuses on sattvic foods, light, pure, and easy to digest, that support both body and mind. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you can eat and what to avoid.

Grains and Flours for Navratri Fasting

Regular grains like wheat and rice are skipped during Navratri. Instead, lighter, gluten-free alternatives like kuttu, singhara, rajgira, and sama ke chawal form the base for dishes such as puris, parathas, and khichdi.

These gluten-free options are light on digestion and perfect for vrat-friendly recipes.

Fruits and Vegetables During Navratri

Fruits and select vegetables form the foundation of fasting meals. While most fruits are allowed, only mild, non-pungent vegetables are preferred to maintain sattvic purity.

Root vegetables and gourds are especially popular as they provide energy without heaviness.

Dairy and Healthy Fats for Fasting

Pure dairy and natural fats help sustain energy throughout the fasting period. Fresh milk, yoghurt, paneer, and ghee are staples, while processed or salted varieties are avoided.

Choose natural, unprocessed ingredients to stay nourished, energized, and sattvic during Navratri.

What Are 20 Easy And Healthy Navratri Fast Recipes?

Fasting during Navratri is not just a spiritual practice; it’s also a time to nourish your body with wholesome, sattvic foods like Arbi Curry that promote balance and clarity. The beauty of these Navratri dishes recipes lies in their simplicity, where everyday ingredients transform into delicious, festive dishes that energise you without compromising tradition.

From hearty khichdis to sweet kheer, here are 20 delightful Navratri special recipes to make your vrat both satisfying and memorable.

1. Sabudana Khichdi – Classic Navratri Snacks Recipe

Soft, chewy, and full of flavour, Sabudana Khichdi is a dish that perfectly blends comfort and tradition. Made with soaked tapioca pearls, golden peanuts, and tender potatoes, along with some green chilies, it delivers the right mix of texture and nutrition to keep you full during fasting hours.

Rich in carbohydrates for energy and healthy fats from peanuts, it’s the ultimate Navratri comfort food that keeps you going through the day.

If you’re looking for a one-pan meal that’s light yet fulfilling, this classic Sabudana Khichdi is your go-to fasting recipe.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sabudana (soaked overnight)
• 2 medium potatoes (diced)
• ¼ cup roasted peanuts
• 2 green chillies (chopped)
• 1 tbsp ghee
• Sendha namak to taste
• Coriander and lemon for garnish

Recipe:

• Soak sabudana overnight until soft and drain completely.
• In ghee, sauté cumin seeds, green chillies, and diced potatoes until golden.
• Add soaked sabudana, roasted peanuts, sendha namak, and stir gently.
• Cook until pearls turn translucent and fluffy.
• Garnish with coriander and a squeeze of lemon before serving.

2. Kuttu Ki Puri – Buckwheat Flour Bread for Vrat

Kuttu Ki Puri is where tradition meets indulgence, golden, puffed, and deliciously nutty. Made from buckwheat flour, this gluten-free puri is rich in fibre and essential minerals that help sustain energy levels during fasting.

The mashed potato in the dough adds softness, while the earthy aroma of kuttu makes every bite truly special.

If you love crispy breads that pair beautifully with vrat curries, this Kuttu Ki Puri is a festival essential.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup kuttu ka atta (buckwheat flour)
• 1 boiled potato (mashed)
• Sendha namak to taste
• Ghee for frying

Recipe:

• Mix kuttu flour, mashed potatoes, sendha namak, and water into a smooth dough.
• Roll into small discs and deep-fry in hot ghee until puffed and golden.
• Serve hot with vratwale aloo or cooling cucumber raita.

3. Sama Rice Pulao – Light & Healthy Navratri Special Food

Nutty, light, and gluten-free, Sama Rice Pulao (barnyard millet pulao) is one of the healthiest dishes you can include in your fasting meals. Sama rice cooks quickly and provides a steady source of energy, making it an ideal substitute for regular grains. Combined with potatoes, mild spices, and clarified butter, this fragrant pulao feels both nourishing and celebratory.

If you’re in the mood for something wholesome yet quick, this Sama Rice Pulao brings flavour, comfort, and nutrition to your vrat platter.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sama ke chawal (barnyard millet)
• 2 potatoes (cubed)
• 1 tbsp ghee
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• Green chillies, coriander, and sendha namak

Recipe:

• Heat the ghee and sauté the cumin seeds and green chillies.
• Add diced potatoes and cook until slightly crisp.
• Mix in soaked Sama rice, water, and sendha namak.
• Simmer until rice grains are soft and fluffy.
• Garnish with chopped coriander and serve warm.

4. Vratwale Aloo – Spiced Potato Curry for Fasting

Few dishes say comfort like Vratwale Aloo, soft potatoes simmered in a mildly spiced tomato gravy. Potatoes are a fasting staple, providing instant energy, while the cumin and ginger add warmth and aroma.

This curry strikes the perfect balance between tangy and savoury, proving that even the simplest ingredients can create a deeply satisfying meal.

If you want a flavorful yet sattvic curry that pairs with any fasting bread, this Vratwale Aloo is your answer.

Ingredients:

• 3 boiled potatoes (cubed)
• 2 tomatoes (pureed)
• 1 tsp cumin seeds, ginger, and green chilli
• Sendha namak
• 1 tbsp ghee

Recipe:

• Heat the ghee and add cumin seeds and chopped green chillies.
• Stir in boiled, cubed potatoes and sauté lightly.
• Add pureed tomatoes, ginger, and sendha namak.
• Simmer until the gravy thickens and coats the potatoes.
• Garnish with coriander and serve with puris or parathas.

5. Singhara Atta Cheela – Water Chestnut Pancakes

Crispy on the edges and soft in the centre, Singhara Atta Cheela is a fasting favourite that’s light, gluten-free, and easy to digest.

Made from water chestnut flour, these pancakes are rich in antioxidants and minerals while being naturally grain-free. The addition of fresh coriander and green chillies gives them a refreshing, earthy flavour.

If you’re looking for a savoury breakfast or snack that’s quick and wholesome, these cheelas are a must-try.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup singhara atta (water chestnut flour)
• 1 green chilli, chopped
• 1 tbsp coriander leaves
• Water for batter
• Ghee for cooking

Recipe:

• Mix singhara flour, water, chopped chillies, and coriander into a smooth batter.
• Heat ghee on a tawa and pour a ladle of batter, spreading it thin.
• Cook on both sides until golden brown.
• Serve warm with mint yoghurt chutney.

6. Paneer Tikka – Protein-Packed Navratri Snack

High in protein and full of flavour, this fasting-friendly Paneer Tikka is a guilt-free treat that feels indulgent yet wholesome. Paneer provides sustained energy, while the yoghurt marinade infused with cumin and rock salt creates a rich, tangy coating. It’s a wonderful reminder that fasting doesn’t have to mean giving up on taste.

If you’re craving something smoky and satisfying, this easy Paneer Tikka recipe is the perfect vrat snack.

Ingredients:

• 200 g paneer cubes
• 2 tbsp yoghurt
• 1 tsp cumin and pepper
• Sendha namak
• Ghee for grilling

Recipe:

• Mix yoghurt, sendha namak, cumin, and pepper to make a marinade.
• Coat paneer cubes evenly and let rest for 15 minutes.
• Grill or pan-fry until golden and slightly charred.
• Serve hot with mint chutney or lemon wedges.

7. Makhana Kheer – Nutritious Sweet Navratri Bhog Recipes

Creamy, fragrant, and loaded with goodness, Makhana Kheer is the ultimate festive dessert for fasting days. Fox nuts are rich in protein, calcium, and antioxidants, making them a healthy ingredient that’s both light and filling.

Slow-cooked in milk with sugar and cardamom, this kheer feels as indulgent as it is nourishing.

If you’re craving a sweet that soothes the soul while staying vrat-friendly, this Makhana Kheer is pure bliss in a bowl.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup makhana (fox nuts)
• 3 cups milk
• 3 tbsp sugar
• 1 tsp cardamom
• Ghee and chopped nuts

Recipe:

• Roast makhana in ghee until crisp.
• Boil milk and add the roasted makhana.
• Simmer until it softens and the mixture thickens.
• Add sugar, cardamom powder, and chopped nuts.
• Serve warm or chilled.

8. Shakarkandi Chaat – Sweet Potato Navratri Snack

Sweet, tangy, and packed with flavour, Shakarkandi Chaat is the perfect snack to keep you refreshed and energised during fasting. Sweet potatoes are high in fibre and complex carbs, helping sustain energy levels while keeping you full. The squeeze of lemon and hint of rock salt turn this simple dish into a vibrant street-style chaat.

If you’re craving something quick, zesty, and light, this sweet potato chaat is your perfect fasting companion.

Ingredients:

• 2 boiled sweet potatoes
• Lemon juice
• Sendha namak, black pepper
• Chopped coriander

Recipe:

• Boil or roast sweet potatoes until tender.
• Peel and chop into cubes, then toss with sendha namak and black pepper.
• Add lemon juice and chopped coriander.
• Serve immediately for the best flavour.

9. Rajgira Paratha – Amaranth Flour Flatbread

Soft, earthy, and naturally gluten-free, Rajgira Paratha brings both nutrition and comfort to your fasting meals. Amaranth flour is rich in protein, calcium, and iron, making these parathas perfect for sustained energy and muscle repair during the vrat.

When paired with yoghurt or curry, they make for a balanced and fulfilling dish.

If you’re seeking a wholesome flatbread that keeps you full longer, this Rajgira Paratha is a true Navratri gem.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rajgira atta
• 1 boiled potato
• Green chillies, sendha namak
• Ghee for cooking

Recipe:

• Combine rajgira flour, mashed potatoes, green chillies, and sendha namak.
• Knead into a smooth dough using minimal water.
• Roll out parathas and cook on a hot tawa with ghee until golden.
• Serve warm with yoghurt or chutney.

10. Banana Walnut Lassi – Refreshing Fasting Drink

Cooling, creamy, and energising, Banana Walnut Lassi is the perfect drink to recharge your body during fasting. Bananas add natural sweetness and potassium for muscle recovery, while yoghurt provides probiotics and protein. The walnuts bring a dose of healthy fats, making this drink a nourishing meal in itself.

If you want a hydrating and wholesome way to end your fasting day, this easy Banana Walnut Lassi is a perfect pick.

Ingredients:

• 2 ripe bananas
• 1 cup yoghurt
• 5 walnuts
• Natural sweetener

Recipe:

• Blend ripe bananas, yoghurt, walnuts, and a natural sweetener until smooth.
• Pour into glasses and chill for 10 minutes.
• Garnish with crushed nuts before serving.

11. Vratwala Chawal Dhokla

Soft, tangy, and light, this steamed dhokla made from samvat rice (vrat rice) is a rare delight during fasting days. The fermentation gives it subtle sour notes while keeping it airy and digestible, and the tempering of cumin, ghee, and green chilli adds a festive aroma without heaviness. It’s a snack or breakfast you’ll crave even after Navratri ends.

If you’d like a fluffy, fasting-approved dish that’s vibrant and easy, try this Vratwala Chawal Dhokla next.

Ingredients:

• Samvat rice (barnyard millet) soaked & ground
• Curd (or substitute)
• Fruit salt
• Tempering: ghee, cumin seeds, green chilli

Recipe:

• Mix the batter with curd and fruit salt until light.
• Pour into a greased tray and steam until set.
• Heat the ghee, add cumin, chilli, and pour over the cooked dhokla.
• Cut and serve warm with green chutney.

12. Arbi ki Kadhi

Tender arbi (Colocasia) meets a tangy yoghurt-based kadhi in this creative fasting recipe that few try. The silky, lightly spiced kadhi tempered with curry leaves and cumin lifts the humble arbi into a comforting, festive curry. Since it avoids onions and garlic, it aligns perfectly with vrat rules while offering creamy texture and flavour.

If you’re looking for a kadhi-style dish that’s vrat-compliant and flavorful, this Arbi ki Kadhi is your next pick.

Ingredients:

• Boiled arbi (Colocasia) cubes
• Dahi (curd) with water
• Sendha namak, turmeric, ginger
• Tempering: ghee, cumin, curry leaves

Recipe:

• Whisk curd, water, turmeric, and namak into a smooth mix.
• In ghee, sauté cumin, ginger, and curry leaves, then pour the curd mixture.
• Simmer until it thickens, and add arbi cubes gently.
• Let it cook briefly and serve hot.

13. Kuttu Ka Dosa

Imagine a dosa you can eat while fasting, thin, crisp, and nutritious. Kuttu Ka Dosa, made from buckwheat flour, gives you the dosa experience without grains. It’s gluten-free, light, and perfect for a vrat breakfast or dinner, especially when served with a simple chutney or curd.

If your cravings pull you toward dosa during Navratri, this Kuttu Ka Dosa is the one to try.

Ingredients:

• Kuttu (buckwheat) flour
• Potato (for binding)
• Water, salt, green chillies, and coriander

Recipe:

• Mix flour, mashed potato, chillies, coriander, and water into a pancake batter.
• Heat the tawa, pour a ladle, and spread thin.
• Cook both sides lightly in ghee until crisp.
• Serve hot with vrat-friendly chutney or curd.

14. Singhare ke Atte ke Samosa

Crunchy, spicy, and surprising, a samosa made with water chestnut flour (singhara atta) and filled with spiced potatoes or nuts is a vrat-pleasing twist on a classic snack. The earthy singhara flour pairs beautifully with mild spices, making these samosas light but satisfying.

If you want a fritter-like snack that feels indulgent and fits fasting rules, try these Singhare ke Atte Samosas.

Ingredients:

• Singhara (water chestnut) flour dough
• Filling: boiled potato, peanuts, mild spice
• Sendha namak

Recipe:

• Roll small discs of dough and fill with potato-peanut mix.
• Seal into samosa shape and deep-fry in ghee until crisp.
• Serve hot with mint chutney or plain yoghurt.

15. Kebab-e-Kela (Banana Kebabs)

Sweet, spicy, and inventive, Banana Kebabs are a vrat favourite that transforms ripe bananas into kebab-style bites. With just a squeeze of lemon, chilli, and rock salt, these kebabs are easy, portable, and full of energy.

If you’re looking for a sweet snack that’s creative and vrat-friendly, this Banana Kebab recipe is a must-add.

Ingredients:

• Ripe bananas
• Lemon juice, rock salt, green chilli, coriander

Recipe:

• Cut bananas into thick slices.
• Mix lemon juice, salt, chilli, and coat each slice.
• Skewer and optionally grill or pan-sear lightly.
• Serve warm or chilled.

16. Kuttu Ka Rabdi

Luxuriously sweet yet vrat-safe, Kuttu Ka Rabdi is a dessert made from buckwheat flour simmered in milk and flavoured with cardamom and nuts. It feels rich without breaking fast rules, a beautiful combo of tradition and sweetness for those last moments of the vrat.

If you wish to end your fasting day with a creamy treat, this Kuttu Ka Rabdi is a refined, devotional dessert option.

Ingredients:

• Kuttu flour
• Milk
• Cardamom, sugar, nuts

Recipe:

• Roast kuttu flour lightly in ghee.
• Add warm milk and stir continuously.
• Sweeten with sugar and flavour with cardamom.
• Garnish with chopped nuts and serve warm.

17. Sweet Potato Tikki (Farali Style)

Meet your new favourite snack, Sweet Potato Tikki for vrat days. Mashed sweet potatoes mixed with singhara flour and mild spices create patties that are crispy outside and soft inside. They deliver sustained energy while remaining within fasting constraints.

If you want a savoury snack that’s both crunchy and vrat-compliant, go for this Sweet Potato Tikki next.

Ingredients:

• Boiled, mashed sweet potato
• Singhara or rajgira flour
• Rock salt, green chilli, coriander

Recipe:

• Mix all ingredients into a dough.
• Shape into small tikkis and shallow-fry in ghee until golden.
• Serve hot with curd or chutney.

18. Lauki Halwa (Bottle Gourd Sweet)

Mild, comforting, and subtly sweet, Lauki Halwa turns bottle gourd, a savoury vegetable, into a delicious festival dessert. Slow cooking grated lauki in milk with sugar and cardamom yields a creamy halwa that fits fasting rules while satisfying sweet cravings.

If you’re craving a dessert that feels pure and light, this Lauki Halwa is ideal for vrat days.

Ingredients:

• Grated lauki
• Milk, sugar, cardamom
• Ghee, nuts

Recipe:

• Sauté grated lauki in ghee until the juices reduce.
• Add milk, simmer until it softens and thickens.
• Stir in sugar and cardamom, cook until a halwa consistency.
• Garnish with nuts and serve warm.

19. Quinoa Pulao (Vrat Version)

Modern, gluten-free, and protein-rich, Quinoa Pulao is an inventive vrat dish that borrows from global cuisines while respecting fasting guidelines. Quinoa’s high protein and fibre make it a great substitute for grains during Navratri. Mixed with mild veggies and ghee, this pulao is elegant, nutritious, and light on the stomach.

If you want a fusion dish that blends tradition and health, this Quinoa Pulao is a lovely addition to your fasting menu.

Ingredients:

• Quinoa (washed)
• Fasting veggies (potato, carrot)
• Ghee, rock salt, cumin

Recipe:

• Sauté cumin in ghee, add veggies and cook briefly.
• Add quinoa, water, and sendha namak, bring to a boil.
• Simmer until quinoa is cooked and fluffy.
• Garnish with coriander before serving.

20. Sabudana Vada (Tapioca Fritters)

Crunchy, aromatic, and melting-in-the-mouth, Sabudana Vada is a classic Navratri snack beloved by many. Tapioca pearls combined with mashed potato, peanuts, and mild spices are shaped into patties and deep-fried until golden. Each bite is a perfect mix of textures: crisp outside, soft inside.

If you’re craving a fried snack that’s vrat-approved and always a hit, these Sabudana Vadas are your go-to.

Ingredients:

• Soaked sabudana, mashed potatoes
• Roasted peanuts, green chilli, ginger
• Sendha namak, water

Recipe:

• Mix all ingredients into a sticky dough.
• Shape into small patties and deep-fry in ghee until golden.
• Serve hot with green chutney or curd.

Conclusion

In conclusion, celebrating Navratri with delicious fasting meals can enhance your experience of this vibrant festival. The recipes we’ve shared are not only easy to prepare but also incredibly satisfying, ensuring that you enjoy every moment of your fasting period. By using the essential ingredients and tips provided, you can whip up a variety of dishes that honour tradition while tantalising your taste buds. Don’t forget to explore each recipe and find your favourites to impress family and friends. If you’re eager to try these delightful dishes, why not start cooking today? Happy Navratri!

Frequently Asked Questions

Which ingredients are allowed in Navratri vrat cooking?

During Navratri fasting, you can use ingredients like sendha namak (rock salt), specific flours such as buckwheat flour and amaranth flour, sabudana, fruits, and certain vegetables. Following these dietary restrictions is a healthy way to prepare a variety of delicious and permissible fasting recipes that are easy to digest.

What is Samak rice and how can I use it in Navratri recipes?

Samak rice, also known as sama rice or barnyard millet, is a gluten-free pseudo-grain permitted during Navratri. It’s an ideal choice for fasting meals as it cooks quickly and is versatile. You can use it to make pulao, khichdi, idlis, or even kheer for a light and nutritious dish.

Where can I order vrat-friendly meals online for Navratri?

Many restaurants and online food delivery platforms offer special Navratri menus during the festival. You can search for “vrat ka khana” or “Navratri thali” on popular food apps to find services that deliver fasting meals to your doorstep, helping you maintain a healthy diet even with a busy schedule.

How do I make instant Navratri recipes using one ingredient mix?

You can prepare instant Navratri recipes using premixed vrat flour or rajgira atta. Just add water, sendha namak, and ghee to make quick cheelas, puris, or dosas.

What is a healthy navratri chana recipe?

A healthy Navratri chana recipe uses boiled kala chana or soaked white chana sautéed in ghee with rock salt, cumin, and lemon, perfect as a protein-rich vrat snack or bhog dish.