Fasting during Navratri is not merely about abstaining from eating certain foods—it's a period of devotion, tradition, and indulging in special foods that make the festival all the more special. If you've ever caught yourself wanting something sweet during this period, you're not alone. Desserts are a part of every celebration and fasting during Navratri alows a range of sweets that are within dietary recommendations but still provide you with your sweet fix.
Made from ingredients such as makhana, kuttu, sabudana, and jaggery, these sweets are not only easy to make but are also full of festive spirit. Whether you have a penchant for creamy kheer, nutty ladoos, or soft barfi, there is something for all to enjoy on Navratri. Here are 9 fasting-friendly sweets that can add sweetness to your festive spread without violating the age-old fast laws.
A traditional South Indian dessert, Paal Payasam is a creamy kheer pudding prepared with samak (barnyard millet) rather than regular rice during Navratri. The millet is simmered in milk slowly until it softens and sweetens using jaggery or sugar. Cardamom and saffron impart a subtle fragrance, and chopped almonds and cashews add richness. The dessert is a must-try for kheer lovers who need a fasting-friendly alternative with the same warmth and comfort.
Kuttu ka atta (buckwheat flour) is a Navratri favorite, normally reserved for puris and pakoras. But it also turns out to be a wonderful halwa. Roasted in ghee and mixed with hot sugar syrup, this halwa is easy but richly satisfying. A little cardamom flavoring and a sprinkle of ground nuts such as cashews and almonds make it richer. Kuttu halwa is comforting, soothing, and an excellent energy booster after a fasting day.
Lauki or bottle gourd is a water-rich vegetable that is frequently consumed during fasting days. Lauki Barfi is a healthy dessert prepared by shredding bottle gourd, sautéing it in ghee, and cooking it with milk and sugar until it becomes thick. Cardamom is added for flavor, and the mixture is set in squares or rounds to serve. The barfi is soft in texture, subtly sweet, and a great treat after a light fasting meal.
Fox nuts, or makhana, is a staple of fasting food with its light and nutritious appeal. Makhana Kheer is made by roasting the fox nuts in ghee, grinding them a little, and cooking them in milk till they become soft. Served sweetened with sugar or jaggery and scented with cardamom, this kheer is smooth and delicious. A sprinkling of chopped almonds and raisins adds the celebratory flourish to it, so it makes a warm and hearty dessert food when fasting at Navratri.
Sabudana or tapioca pearls are a fasting food staple, and Sabudana Kheer is one of the easiest desserts to make. The pearls are soaked, and they are then cooked with milk until they become transparent and soft. They are sugar-sweetened and cardamom-flavored, and the kheer is light on the stomach and creamy. It is all the more special when garnished with chopped pistachios, almonds, and saffron for the festival.
Rabri is a lavish dessert prepared by slow evaporation of milk to thicken it; but a fasting version for Navratri can be prepared using dried fruits. It is prepared by grinding nuts like almonds, cashews, and walnuts into a semi-coarse paste, which is then boiled with milk and sweetened using jaggery or sugar. It produces a rich, nutty dessert with an indulgent quality but adhering to the fasting diet. Honey or saffron threads as an addition help in its overall flavor.
Rajgira, or amaranth, is one of the most convenient grains to consume during Navratri fasting due to its high protein content and ease of digestion. Rajgira Ladoo is an easy dessert that requires minimal effort, prepared by roasting rajgira seeds, blending them with melted jaggery, and molding them into small, easy-to-carry ladoos. The earthy flavor of amaranth pairs well with the natural sweetness of jaggery, and the ladoos prove to be a healthy and invigorating snack during the festival.
Samak rice or barnyard millet is usually used in fasting food as a substitute for regular rice. In this dessert, the millet is boiled in water and jaggery, and the dish turns soft and slightly sweet like jaggery rice pudding. A pinch of cinnamon or cardamom added to it helps in the enhancement of its taste, and some chopped nuts added to it help in making it richer. The dish is healthy, filling, and well-suited to end a fasting meal on a sweet note.