Navratri Vrat Recipes: Traditional Favourites with a Nutritious Dry Fruits Twist

Navratri is a time for devotion, celebration and, for many, fasting. But fasting does not mean you have to compromise on flavour or nutrition.

From sabudana khichdi and kuttu cheela to makhana kheer and dry-fruit energy bites, there are plenty of delicious vrat-friendly options to enjoy. Adding almonds, cashews, walnuts, raisins and dates can make these recipes more wholesome while adding natural flavour and texture.

Here are some easy Navratri vrat recipes, including traditional favourites and a few delicious dry-fruit variations.

1. Sabudana Khichdi

A classic Navratri favourite, sabudana khichdi is filling, simple and easy to customize.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sabudana
• ½ cup roasted peanuts
• 1 medium potato, boiled and diced
• 1–2 green chillies
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1 tbsp ghee
• Sendha namak
• Lemon juice
• Fresh coriander

Method

1. Wash and soak sabudana for 4–6 hours or until soft.
2. Heat ghee and add cumin seeds.
3. Add green chillies and diced potato.
4. Add soaked sabudana, roasted peanuts and sendha namak.
5. Cook on low heat for a few minutes.
6. Finish with lemon juice and coriander.

Dry Fruit Twist

Add chopped cashews and almonds along with the peanuts for extra crunch.

Nutrition tip: Pairing sabudana with peanuts and nuts makes the dish more satisfying than eating sabudana alone.

2. Kuttu Cheela

Kuttu flour is a popular fasting ingredient and makes a delicious savoury cheela.

Ingredients

• 1 cup kuttu flour
• 1 boiled potato, mashed
• 1 green chilli, chopped
• Sendha namak
• Cumin powder
• Water as required
• Ghee for cooking

Method

1. Combine kuttu flour, mashed potato, chilli, cumin and salt.
2. Add water gradually to make a smooth batter.
3. Heat a tawa and lightly grease it with ghee.
4. Spread the batter into a thin cheela.
5. Cook on both sides until crisp and golden.

Dry Fruit Twist

Mix in finely chopped almonds or roasted crushed walnuts for extra texture.

Serve with vrat-friendly mint or coriander chutney.

3. Makhana Roasted Snack

Looking for something lighter between meals? Roasted makhana is an easy option.

Ingredients

• 2 cups makhana
• 1 tsp ghee
• Sendha namak
• Black pepper
• Roasted cumin powder

Method

1. Heat a pan and dry roast the makhana on low heat.
2. Continue roasting until crisp.
3. Add ghee and seasonings.
4. Toss well and allow to cool.

Dry Fruit Twist

Add almonds, cashews and a few raisins after roasting.

Tip: Store in an airtight container for a convenient vrat snack.

4. Samak Rice Pulao

For those who prefer a proper savoury meal, samak rice pulao is a great vrat-friendly option.

Ingredients

• 1 cup samak rice
• 1 potato, diced
• ½ cup peas, if permitted
• 1 tbsp ghee
• 1 tsp cumin
• Sendha namak
• Black pepper
• Fresh coriander

Method

1. Wash and soak samak rice for around 20–30 minutes.
2. Heat ghee and add cumin.
3. Add potatoes and cook until slightly golden.
4. Add the rice, salt and pepper.
5. Add water and cook until the rice is tender.
6. Garnish with coriander.

Dry Fruit Twist

Add cashews, almonds and raisins towards the end for a festive pulao.

5. Vrat-Friendly Aloo Sabudana Tikki

Crispy tikkis are a popular fasting snack, but they can be made at home with controlled amounts of oil.

Ingredients

• 2 boiled potatoes
• ½ cup soaked sabudana
• ¼ cup roasted peanuts
• Green chilli
• Cumin
• Sendha namak
• Coriander
• Ghee or oil for shallow frying

Method

1. Mash the potatoes.
2. Mix with soaked sabudana, peanuts, chilli and seasonings.
3. Shape into small tikkis.
4. Shallow fry until golden on both sides.

Dry Fruit Twist

Add a small amount of finely chopped cashews or walnuts to the mixture.

6. Makhana Kheer

No Navratri menu feels complete without a festive dessert. Makhana kheer is creamy, comforting and easy to prepare.

Ingredients

• 2 cups makhana
• 500 ml milk
• 8 almonds
• 6 cashews
• 1 tbsp raisins
• 2 dates
• 2–3 tsp sugar or jaggery
• Cardamom
• 1 tsp ghee

Method

1. Roast makhana in ghee until crisp.
2. Crush half the makhana.
3. Heat milk and add the crushed makhana.
4. Simmer until the milk thickens slightly.
5. Add chopped almonds, cashews, raisins and dates.
6. Add cardamom and your preferred sweetener.
7. Add the remaining makhana and serve warm or chilled.

Nutrition tip: Dates can provide natural sweetness, helping you reduce the amount of added sugar.

7. Dry Fruit Lassi

If dairy is part of your fasting routine, a dry fruit lassi makes a refreshing option.

Ingredients

• 1 cup plain curd
• ½ cup water or milk
• 5 soaked almonds
• 2 walnuts
• 1–2 dates
• Cardamom powder
• A few saffron strands, optional

Method

1. Soak almonds and walnuts for a few hours.
2. Blend the nuts and dates with curd.
3. Add water or milk to adjust the consistency.
4. Blend until smooth.
5. Serve chilled.

8. Dry Fruit & Date Energy Bites

These are perfect when you want a quick homemade snack during fasting.

Ingredients

• ½ cup almonds
• ½ cup cashews
• ¼ cup walnuts
• 8–10 dates
• 1 tbsp raisins
• ½ cup roasted makhana
• Cardamom powder

Method

1. Lightly roast the nuts and makhana.
2. Allow them to cool.
3. Pulse them coarsely.
4. Add dates and raisins.
5. Blend until the mixture starts coming together.
6. Roll into small balls.

Tip: Keep the portions small as nuts and dried fruits are naturally energy-dense.

9. Fruit & Dry Fruit Chaat

For something fresh and naturally sweet, try a simple fruit chaat.

Ingredients

• Apple
• Banana
• Pomegranate
• Papaya or seasonal fruit
• Almonds
• Walnuts
• Raisins
• Lemon juice
• Sendha namak
• Roasted cumin powder

Method

1. Chop the fruits.
2. Add almonds, walnuts and raisins.
3. Season with lemon juice, sendha namak and cumin powder.
4. Toss gently and serve fresh.

10. Singhara Halwa

A traditional vrat-friendly dessert that can be made with singhara flour.

Ingredients

• ½ cup singhara flour
• 2 tbsp ghee
• 1½ cups milk or water
• 2–3 tbsp sugar
• Cardamom powder
• Almonds and cashews

Method

1. Heat ghee in a pan.
2. Add singhara flour and roast on low heat.
3. Gradually add milk while stirring continuously.
4. Add sugar and cardamom.
5. Cook until the mixture thickens.
6. Garnish with chopped almonds and cashews.

Why Include Dry Fruits During Navratri?

Dry fruits can be a convenient way to add healthy fats, fibre, some protein and micronutrients to a fasting menu.

Almonds

A convenient source of healthy fats, fibre and vitamin E.

Walnuts

Known for their healthy fats, including omega-3 fatty acid ALA.

Cashews

Provide healthy fats along with minerals such as copper and magnesium.

Raisins

Add natural sweetness and carbohydrates.

Dates

A naturally sweet ingredient that works well in desserts and energy bites.

Makhana

A popular vrat ingredient that can be roasted, added to kheer or combined with nuts for snacks.

Simple Navratri Vrat Meal Plan

Meal	Recipe
Breakfast	Dry Fruit Lassi + Fruit
Mid-Morning	Almonds + Walnuts
Lunch	Samak Rice Pulao + Curd
Evening Snack	Roasted Makhana & Dry Fruits
Dinner	Kuttu Cheela + Vrat Chutney
Dessert	Makhana Kheer

Vrat rules vary between households and regions. Always use only ingredients permitted under your particular fasting tradition.

FAQs

1. Which dry fruits can be eaten during Navratri vrat?

Almonds, walnuts, cashews, raisins and dates are commonly included in fasting diets. However, fasting rules can differ, so check which ingredients are permitted according to your tradition.

2. Is makhana good for fasting?

Makhana is a popular fasting ingredient and can be roasted as a snack or used in dishes such as makhana kheer.

3. Can dry fruits be added to sabudana khichdi?

Yes. Chopped almonds or cashews can be added for extra crunch and flavour.

4. What is a healthy Navratri evening snack?

Roasted makhana, fruit with nuts, homemade dry-fruit bites or a small portion of roasted nuts can be convenient options.

5. Can I eat dates during Navratri?

Dates are commonly used in fasting recipes, particularly in desserts and energy bites. Follow your family’s vrat guidelines.

6. Is makhana kheer better than regular sweets during Navratri?

Homemade makhana kheer can be a more nutrient-dense dessert when prepared with milk, makhana and nuts and with moderate added sugar. However, portion size still matters.

7. How can I make vrat food more nutritious?

Try combining fasting staples with nuts, dairy, fruits and vegetables permitted during your vrat instead of relying heavily on fried foods. Using dry fruits can also add flavour and texture without requiring large quantities.

8. Can I eat dry fruits every day during Navratri?

Yes, if they are permitted in your fasting practice. Since nuts and dried fruits are energy-dense, moderate portions are preferable.

Celebrate Navratri with Better Choices

Fasting food can be simple, delicious and nourishing. From traditional sabudana khichdi, kuttu cheela and samak pulao to makhana kheer, dry fruit lassi and homemade energy bites, there are plenty of ways to create a satisfying Navratri menu.

And with a handful of almonds, walnuts, cashews, raisins or dates, your everyday vrat recipes can get a delicious festive upgrade.