Have you ever felt that unique joy of breaking a fast with something sweet and satisfying? Navratri, a festival of devotion and discipline, is as much about spiritual connection as it is about the food we prepare with reverence. This year, Navratri begins on March 30, marking nine days of fasting, prayer, and celebrating different forms of Goddess Durga. Though most stick to a stringent sattvic diet, fasting sweets are special at this time, providing a feeling of energy, purity, and festivity.
Meals during fasting are austere, but they need not be dull. From centuries-old recipes prepared with jaggery and nuts to light desserts infused with fruits, Navratri sweets have transformed but have retained their sacred nature. Whether you’re preparing bhog for puja or just looking for a fasting-friendly treat to enjoy after a long day, there’s something special about homemade mithai. Let’s go through 9 Navratri fasting sweets recipes that bring together tradition and indulgence in the purest form.
Sabudana (tapioca pearls) is a staple during Navratri, and when slow-cooked in milk with jaggery or sugar, it transforms into a creamy kheer. Light on the stomach but full, this recipe is ideal for fasting. A dash of cardamom and a fistful of chopped almonds or cashews add to its richness. Coconut milk can be used instead of milk for some, making it an excellent substitute for those not having milk during vrat. Sabudana kheer is served warm or cold and is a timeless Navratri prasad.
Sweet potatoes are sweet by nature and high in energy, so they make a great fasting food. Sweet potato halwa is prepared by sautéing grated sweet potatoes in ghee and boiling them with milk, jaggery, and cardamom. The sweet earthy flavor of sweet potatoes goes well with the richness of ghee, and the result is a healthy dessert. Sprinkled with a combination of crushed nuts, this is a healthy, easy-to-digest dish that can be used to break a fast.
Slow-cooked milk dessert rabri is revitalized with a fresh touch using grated apples. The thickened milk is reduced, then sweetened naturally with apple and jaggery. Unlike the standard rabri, this one is light, easy to digest, and full of fiber. A little tartness of apples levels the richness of milk, thereby suitable for someone searching for an alternate healthier one. A few strands of saffron and slivered almonds finish this vrat-compatible dish.
Makhana (fox nuts) is a health-conscious food, and when roasted and mixed with jaggery, ghee, and cardamom, it becomes an energizing ladoo. The ladoos are simple to prepare, few ingredients are needed, and they give instant energy after fasting. Powdered almonds or grated coconut are added in some homes for additional flavor. Whether consumed as prasad or as an evening snack, makhana ladoos are a wonderful way to indulge in a guilt-free sweet.
This special kheer is made with mashed bananas mixed with milk and jaggery, providing a naturally sweet and creamy dessert. It is slow-cooked with crushed walnuts and cardamom flavor, making it a comforting dish that is both healthy and fasting-friendly. Some variations involve adding dates or figs for added sweetness. This kheer is particularly suitable for those who are avoiding grains during Navratri, as it gives natural energy without being too heavy.
Coconut desserts are commonly made during Navratri because of their cleanliness and lightness. This barfi is prepared using fresh grated coconut, jaggery, and a pinch of cardamom, providing it with a natural sweetness and richness. It dries soon, so it is a convenient, vrat-friendly dessert to make ahead. Variations include the use of condensed milk for added richness, but many keep it to a simple coconut and jaggery recipe. A topping of crushed nuts adds to its festive look.
Kuttu or buckwheat flour is a fasting staple during Navratri, and this halwa is a lesser known but no less tasty treat. The flour is first roasted in ghee, and then it is cooked with water, jaggery, and cardamom until it thickens into a smooth, creamy dessert. In contrast to plain wheat halwa, this one contains an earthy sweetness that complements nuts such as almonds and cashews well. Most families make this as a part of their fasting bhog, serving it with fruits and vrat-friendly namkeens.
For those seeking a no-sugar sweet, this anjeer (fig) and almond roll is a great option. Dried figs are rehydrated, ground into paste, and combined with ground almonds and cardamom. The mixture is rolled into a log form, cut into slices, and topped with chopped pistachios. As figs are sweet by nature, added sugar or jaggery is not necessary, making this an energy-rich fasting mithai. These rolls are convenient to store and can be prepared ahead of time for instant snacking.