Navratri without snacks is like a party without... well, snacks! And though these nibbles are prepped with vrat-approved ingredients, they're just as delicious as any other vegetarian tidbit. True story!
So this fasting season, indulge in these 8 awesomesauce Navratri snacks, indefinitely!
What are the recommended foods to eat during Navratri fasting (Vrat)?
During Navratri fasting, you can eat milk, yogurt, paneer, homemade butter, ghee, and condensed milk. You can also consume arrowroot flour, sago flour, buckwheat flour, amaranth flour, water chestnut flour, and barnyard millet flour. Vegetables such as bottle gourd, pumpkin, potatoes, taro root, sweet potatoes, carrots, raw bananas, cucumber, and tomatoes are also permissible during the fasting period.
1. Sabudana Kheer
Creamy and delicious, this Navratri treat is also gluten-free and non-allergic. Besides being supremely scrumptious, it is also a popular choice among foodies. Sabudana kheer is usually recommended for instant energy on fasting days.
Image Courtesy: Times Food
Quick Recipe:
Step 1: Soak the Sabudana
- Rinse the sabudana under cold water until the water runs clear to remove excess starch.
- Place the rinsed sabudana in a bowl and add enough water to cover them. Let them soak for about 4-5 hours or overnight. The sabudana should become soft and translucent when properly soaked.
Step 2: Prepare the Kheer
- In a heavy-bottomed pan, bring the milk to a boil. Stir the milk frequently to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Once the milk comes to a boil, reduce the heat to low and add the soaked and drained sabudana. Stir well and let it simmer on low heat for about 20-25 minutes, or until the sabudana becomes soft and the kheer thickens to your desired consistency.
- Add sugar, cardamom powder, and saffron strands (if using) to the kheer. Stir well and simmer for an additional 5-7 minutes to let the sugar dissolve and the flavors meld.
- Remove the kheer from heat and let it cool to room temperature.
Step 3: Garnish and Serve
- Once the kheer has cooled, transfer it to serving bowls.
- Garnish with chopped nuts like almonds and cashews.
- You can serve the sabudana kheer warm or chilled, according to your preference.
Also Read, Sabudana Vrat Dishes to Satisfy
2. Vrat Aloo Chaat
This popular Indian street food can also be devoured as a Navratri snack using fast-appropriate ingredients. It's delightful, zesty, and perfect for the much-needed energy boost during fasts.
Image Courtesy: Ruchi's Kitchen
Quick Recipe:
Step 1: Prepare the Aloo (Potatoes)
- Boil the potatoes until they are cooked through. Peel and dice them into bite-sized pieces.
Step 2: Prepare the Aloo Chaat
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
- Add chopped green chili, boiled and diced potatoes to the pan. Saute gently, stirring occasionally, until the potatoes turn slightly golden brown.
- Season with sendha namak (rock salt), red chili powder (if using), and roasted cumin powder. Mix well to coat the potatoes evenly with the spices. Cook for a few more minutes until the potatoes are crispy and golden.
Step 3: Garnish and Serve
- Turn off the heat and add freshly chopped coriander leaves and lemon juice. Toss everything together to combine.
- Transfer the Vrat Aloo Chaat to a serving plate. Garnish with more fresh coriander leaves and pomegranate seeds if desired.
- Serve hot and enjoy your delicious Vrat Aloo Chaat as a fasting snack or side dish.
3. Lassi
When it's hot, inside out, you need a tall glass of refreshing lassi to get you through the day and... your Navrati fast! So sweet or salty (with vrat vala namak), it will rejuvenate you completely.
Image Courtesy: Sailus Food
Quick Recipe:
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
- In a blender, combine 1 cup of plain yogurt, 1/2 cup of cold water, 2-3 tablespoons of sugar (adjust according to your sweetness preference), and a pinch of salt. If you like the flavor, you can also add 1/2 teaspoon of ground cardamom for extra aroma.
Step 2: Blend Until Smooth
- Blend the ingredients until you get a smooth and frothy mixture. If you prefer a thicker lassi, you can add more yogurt. If you prefer a thinner consistency, you can add more water.
Step 3: Serve Chilled
- Pour the lassi into glasses over ice cubes if desired. Garnish with fresh mint leaves or crushed pistachios for a decorative touch. Serve chilled and enjoy your refreshing homemade lassi!
4. Sabudana Khichdi
Navratri fast might as well be rendered moot without sabudana khichdi. The snack is flavourful and readily available. Every Indian household celebrating Navratri takes it very seriously, and so do we. Check out our recommendations.
Image Courtesy: Shweta in the Kitchen
Quick Recipe:
Step 1: Soak Sabudana
- Rinse the sabudana under running water until the water runs clear. Then, soak the sabudana in water for about 4-5 hours or overnight. The sabudana should absorb the water and become fluffy.
Step 2: Prepare Khichdi
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds, mustard seeds, and let them splutter. Add asafoetida and curry leaves, sauté for a few seconds.
- Add diced potatoes to the pan and cook until they are tender and lightly golden brown.
- Add soaked and drained sabudana to the pan. Mix well and cook for a few minutes until the sabudana pearls turn translucent and soft.
- Add chopped green chilies, ground peanuts, and salt to taste. Mix everything together and cook for another 3-4 minutes, stirring continuously.
- Garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
Step 3: Serve
- Remove the khichdi from heat. Serve hot sabudana khichdi garnished with more chopped coriander leaves and accompanied by lemon wedges.
5. Paneer Tikka - Navratri style
A perfect Navratri snack. Every vegetarian's comfort dish; paneer tikka is also served as a Navratri snack. Of course, with a substitution of a few ingredients.
Image Courtesy: Cook For Each Other
Quick Recipe:
Step 1: Prepare the Paneer and Marinate
- In a mixing bowl, combine the thick yogurt, ginger paste, green chili paste, roasted cumin powder, sendha namak, black pepper powder, and Navratri-friendly red chili powder.
- Add the paneer cubes to the marinade and gently coat them. Let it marinate for 30 minutes.
Step 2: Thread and Grill
- Preheat your grill or grill pan to medium-high heat.
- Thread the marinated paneer cubes onto skewers, leaving a little space between each piece.
- Brush the paneer with a little cooking oil to prevent sticking.
- Place the skewers on the grill and cook for about 10-15 minutes, turning occasionally until the paneer turns golden brown and slightly charred.
Step 3: Serve
- Remove the paneer tikka from the grill and garnish with fresh coriander leaves.
- Serve hot with a side of Navratri-friendly chutney or sauce.
6. Fruit Chaat
A refreshing fruity rainbow is always appreciated on hotter days, and more so during Navratri fasting. It's revitalising, healthy, and downright delicious.
Image Courtesy: Cubes n Juliennes
Quick Recipe:
Step 1: Prepare the Fruits
- Wash and peel the fruits of your choice such as apples, bananas, grapes, oranges, and pomegranate seeds. Chop them into bite-sized pieces. You can also add seasonal fruits like mangoes or strawberries for a burst of flavor.
Step 2: Add Seasonings
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the chopped fruits. Add a pinch of salt for balance and a bit of chaat masala for a tangy kick. Chaat masala is a spice blend readily available in stores and adds a unique flavor to the chaat. You can adjust the quantity according to your taste preference.
Step 3: Garnish and Serve
- Sprinkle some freshly chopped cilantro and mint leaves over the fruits to enhance the freshness. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over the mixture to add a zesty twist. Toss the fruits gently to ensure the seasonings are well distributed.
7. Sabudana Vadas
Even as a Navratri snack, vadas are the perfect fasting partner. They're crispy, stacked with flavours and energy.
Image Courtesy: One Teaspoon of Life
Quick Recipe:
Step 1: Soak Sabudana
- Rinse the sabudana under running water until the water runs clear.
- Soak the sabudana in enough water to just cover them for about 4-5 hours or until they become soft and plump.
- After soaking, drain any excess water using a strainer.
Step 2: Prepare the Vada Mixture
- In a mixing bowl, combine the soaked sabudana, mashed potatoes, chopped green chili, cumin seeds, ground peanuts, chopped coriander leaves, and salt to taste.
- Mix all the ingredients well to form a thick, sticky dough. If the mixture feels too sticky, you can add a tablespoon of arrowroot flour or water chestnut flour to bind it together.
Step 3: Fry the Sabudana Vadas
- Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat.
- While the oil is heating, wet your hands with water and take a lemon-sized portion of the mixture. Flatten it slightly to form a patty or a vada shape.
- Carefully slide the formed vadas into the hot oil. Fry them in batches, making sure not to overcrowd the pan.
- Fry the vadas until they turn golden brown and crispy on all sides, turning occasionally. It should take about 3-4 minutes per batch.
- Using a slotted spoon, remove the fried sabudana vadas from the oil and place them on a plate lined with paper towels to drain excess oil.
- Serve the hot and crispy sabudana vadas with green chutney or yogurt dip.
8. Makhane Ki Kheer
Although when it comes to Navratri special snacks, we have numerous options but Makhane Ki Kheer has fan-following on another level! And the reason is quite obvious, this creamy amalgamation of puffed lotus seeds, condensed milk, dry fruits, cardamom powder, and a little bit of sugar will not just hijack your taste buds with its winsome flavour but also fulfil the nutrient requirements of your body during Navratri Upwas.
Image Courtesy: Tomato Blues
Quick Recipe:
Step 1: Roasting the Makhana
- Heat 1 tablespoon of ghee in a pan over medium heat.
- Add makhana to the pan and roast them until they become crisp and golden brown. Stir continuously to avoid burning. This should take about 5-7 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 2: Preparing the Kheer Base
- In a heavy-bottomed saucepan, bring 4 cups of milk to a boil over medium heat, stirring constantly to prevent it from sticking to the bottom of the pan.
- Reduce the heat to low and add the roasted makhana to the milk. Let it simmer on low heat until the makhana becomes soft and the kheer thickens, stirring occasionally. This may take about 15-20 minutes.
- Add sugar, cardamom powder, and saffron strands (if using) to the kheer. Stir well and continue to simmer for another 5-7 minutes until the sugar dissolves completely and the kheer reaches your desired consistency.
Step 3: Garnishing and Serving
- Remove the kheer from heat and let it cool slightly. It will thicken further as it cools down.
- Garnish with chopped nuts and dried rose petals, if desired.
- Serve the delicious Makhane Ki Kheer warm or chilled, according to your preference. Enjoy your delightful dessert!
9. Fruity Custard
Sock your soul in a fresh fruity affair with Custard! What could be a better snack during Navratri Vrat than fruit pudding with custard? Chop all favourite fresh fruits together, mix it with a frosty creamy tang of savoury custard and garnish with colourful dry fruits and Keshar and relish during Navratri Varat.
Image Courtesy: cook with manali
Quick Recipe:
Step 1: Prepare the Custard
- In a small bowl, mix custard powder with a few tablespoons of cold milk to form a smooth paste.
- In a saucepan, heat the remaining milk over medium heat until it starts to simmer. Stir in the custard paste and sugar.
- Continue stirring the mixture over low heat until it thickens. Remove from heat and add vanilla extract. Let it cool down.
Step 2: Prepare the Fruits
- Prepare the fruits by washing, peeling (if necessary), and chopping them into bite-sized pieces.
- Mix the chopped fruits and set aside.
Step 3: Assemble the Fruity Custard
- In serving bowls or glasses, layer the bottom with a spoonful of the custard.
- Add a layer of the mixed fruits on top of the custard layer.
- Repeat the layers, ending with a dollop of custard on the top.
- Garnish with fresh mint leaves, if desired.
- Chill the fruity custard in the refrigerator for a couple of hours before serving.
10. Roasted Kaju, Makhana, and Peanut
Munch on this Navratri special snack that includes roasted crunchy dry fruits with a pinch of black pepper powder and sea salt (fast appropriate) with hot Masala Chai in the evening during your Navratri Upwas, I bet nothing could beat the delectable vibe of this delightful combo.
Image Courtesy: cook with manali
Quick Recipe:
Step 1: Preparing the Ingredients
- Cashews (Kaju): Preheat the oven to 350°F (175°C). Spread the raw cashews on a baking sheet in a single layer. Roast in the oven for about 10-12 minutes or until they turn golden brown, stirring occasionally to ensure even roasting. Keep an eye on them as they can burn quickly. Once roasted, remove from the oven and set aside.
- Peanuts: In a separate pan, dry roast the raw peanuts over medium heat until they are crunchy and golden brown. This usually takes about 8-10 minutes. Stir frequently to prevent burning. Once roasted, remove from heat and set aside.
- Makhana (Fox Nuts): Heat a teaspoon of oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the makhana and roast them until they become crisp. This usually takes about 4-5 minutes. Remove from heat and set aside.
Step 2: Mixing the Ingredients
- In a large mixing bowl, combine the roasted cashews, peanuts, and makhana.
Step 3: Seasoning and Final Roasting
- Drizzle the remaining oil over the mixed nuts and toss well to coat them evenly.
- Sprinkle salt (and red chili powder if using) over the mixture. Toss again to distribute the seasoning evenly.
- Spread the mixture back onto the baking sheet or a clean, dry pan, and roast in the oven at 350°F (175°C) for another 5-7 minutes, stirring once or twice, until everything is nicely roasted and crunchy.
- Remove from the oven and let it cool completely. Once cooled, store in an airtight container. Enjoy your homemade roasted kaju, makhana, and peanuts as a healthy and delicious snack!
Your Navratri snacking plans are now sorted!
FAQs:
Q1: What are some popular Navratri Vrat snacks?
A1: Popular Navratri Vrat snacks include Sabudana Khichdi, Kuttu Ki Puri, and Singhara Atta Pakoras.
Q2: Can I eat fried snacks during Navratri Vrat?
A2: Yes, you can enjoy fried snacks made from permissible ingredients like buckwheat flour and water chestnut flour.
Q3: Are there healthy alternatives to fried snacks for Navratri Vrat?
A3: Yes, baked or roasted snacks using ingredients like sweet potatoes and peanuts are healthier alternatives.
Q4: Can I have fruits as snacks during Navratri Vrat?
A4: Yes, fruits like bananas, apples, and oranges are permissible and make for healthy Navratri Vrat snacks.
Q5: What beverages can I consume during Navratri Vrat?
A5: You can have beverages like fresh fruit juices, coconut water, and milk-based drinks during Navratri Vrat.
Q6: Is yogurt allowed during Navratri Vrat?
A6: Yes, you can consume yogurt, but it should be plain and without any added flavors or preservatives.
