Ganesh Chaturthi is right around the corner, and it is one of the most celebrated Indian festivals. This festival is celebrated with pomp and flair all across India. Here you can find a wonderful list of sweets and snacks you can make this Ganesh Chaturthi!
What is Ganesh Chaturthi?
Ganesh Chaturthi is a ten-day-long festival that celebrates the birth of Lord Ganesha. He is honored as the Lord of Wisdom in Hindu mythology. As per custom, Lord Ganesh is invoked at the start of every ceremony, as he is also known as the Lord of Beginnings.
Ganesh Chaturthi is a major festival celebrated all over India. Ganesh idols are brought to homes and worshipped for 10 days. You can hear loud cheering of Ganpati Bappa Morya, Mangal Murti Morya along with celebrations with dance and music. No Indian festival is complete without lots of food and sweets.
In Southern India, this festival is also called Vinayaka Chaturthi. Lord Ganesh is known by many names including the name Vigna Harta (one who removes obstacles). As a god who removes all obstacles faced by us in the journey of life, this festival adorns the name Vinayaka Chaturthi.
I am sharing below a variety of recipes for Ganesh Chaturthi, including both sweet and savory recipes. Sweets are a major part of the celebration and are offered to Lord Ganesha as Prasad.
If you are doing a Ganesh Chaturthi get-together, then make an Indian festive charcuterie board with these recipes.
Modak Recipes
Modak’s are essentially anything made in a conical structure. They can be sweet or savory, with a filling or without, simple or complicated. Modak is the main part of naivedya (offering to Lord Ganesha) on Vinayaka Chaturthi. They are prepared in a variety of ways and are known to be Lord Ganesha’s favorite snack. I have compiled a list of the best modak recipes that will brighten your celebrations.
Ukadiche Modak (Kozhukattai)
Ukadiche Modak, also called Thengai Poornam Kozhukattai, is the traditional Modak made on the day of Ganesh Chaturthi. It is a sweet rice dumpling made from steamed rice flour and stuffed with a sweet mixture of jaggery and grated coconut.
Malai Modak
Instant Malai Modak made with milk powder is a quick and easy festive sweet that comes together in just 20 minutes! Soft, creamy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious — this foolproof recipe is perfect for Ganesh Chaturthi prasad or any festive celebration.
Fried Modak
Modak is usually of two types: steamed and fried. This beautiful recipe details how to make crunchy fried modak with a sweet filling of coconut and jaggery.
Dry Fruit Modak
Instant Malai Modak made with milk powder is a quick and easy festive sweet that comes together in just 20 minutes! Soft, creamy, and melt-in-your-mouth delicious — this foolproof recipe is perfect for Ganesh Chaturthi prasad or any festive celebration.
Chocolate Modak
Make this Ganesh Chaturthi a fun festival for kids. This chocolate modak uses cocoa and khoya along with ghee, making it a scrumptious addition.
More Sweet Recipes
Here are a variety of other sweets you can include in your Ganpati sweets.
Coconut Laddoo
Made with desiccated coconut, condensed milk, and almonds, this coconut laddoo is a great sweet to add to your Ganesh Chaturthi lunch menu.
Puran Poli
A sweet dish native to many parts of India, puran poli is often made during Ganesh Chaturthi. Puran Poli is a mix of lentils, jaggery, and all-purpose flour (maida). It is served hot with a generous dollop of ghee.
Mawa Gujiya
An authentic Indian sweet fried dumpling filled with a mixture of mawa (milk solids), nuts, and coconut. It is a delicious treat made during the festivals in India.
Kalakand with Ricotta Cheese
Kalakand is one of the most popular Indian desserts enjoyed during festivals. It is a delectable soft milk fudge flavored with cardamom and saffron and decorated with slivered pistachios. You will love my easy Instant Kalakand recipe to make this melt-in-the-mouth sweet in less than 30 minutes!
Chocolate Ladoo
This chocolate ladoo recipe uses just four main ingredients for a fudgy, no-fail treat kids can help make. Ready in 20 minutes, the balls are rolled in chopped almonds or coconut for a festive finish.
Sheera / Sooji Halwa
If you are a fan of Halwa, then all you need is Sheera. Made with easily available kitchen ingredients such as rava, ghee, and milk, this recipe is perfect for sweetening your taste buds.
Besan Laddoo
You need just a few ingredients, such as gram flour, ghee, and sugar, to make these amazing melt-in-the-mouth dessert balls. Make this decadent sweet with this easy, fail-proof recipe!
Rava Ladoo
These melt-in-the-mouth Rava Ladoo need just a few ingredients – roasted semolina, ghee, milk, and sugar – and can be made in less than 30 minutes!
Chocolate Peda
Make this easy sweet for your little ones this Ganesh Chaturthi. It is a gluten-free dessert that kindles your taste buds.
Badam Katli
This Ganesh Chaturthi season, try this easy Badam Katli made with almond flour in just 20 minutes! A delightful Indian sweet, this Badam Barfi is a wonderful mix of a soft fudge-like texture and luxurious flavors.
Sweet Rice
A sweet and rich rice preparation loaded with dry fruits, sugar, and ghee. This aromatic saffron-flavored sweet rice is a royal dessert made on special occasions and festivals.
Mango Shrikhand
Mango Shrikhand, a refreshing & sweet Indian dessert, is a perfect treat. Creamy yogurt, mango pulp, and sugar are blended together and garnished with saffron and cardamom to make this luscious Mango Shrikhand.
Basundi
A delicious Indian dessert whose main ingredient is milk. It is an easy-to-make dish that lets you add the flavor of your choice.
Kheer
Kheer (Rice pudding) is the go-to dessert during festivals in India. Made with aromatic ingredients of milk, saffron, and cardamom, this dessert is gluten-free.
Shrikhand
Creamy, smooth yogurt is mixed with sugar and cardamom and garnished with saffron and pistachios to make this luscious Kesar Elaichi Shrikhand.
Carrot Kheer
Carrot kheer, or carrot payasam, is a creamy pudding made with carrots, milk, and cashews, flavored with cardamom and saffron. It’s a comforting festive dessert that’s easy to make with no grating required.
Sabudana Kheer
Sabudana Kheer, or Tapioca pudding, is a sweet made with tapioca pearls and milk. It is super easy to make in the Instant Pot or on the stovetop.
Savory Recipes
Along with a variety of sweets, lots of savory recipes are also included in a Ganesh Chaturthi food menu. Here are some options for snacks and the main course for the Ganpati festival.
Sabudana Vada
A traditional Maharashtrian snack made from sabudana (sago), potatoes, peanuts, herbs, and spices. These sabudana vadas are delicious! This is a vegan, gluten-free, and simple fasting recipe.
Batata bhaji
Easy and comforting Potato Curry, also known as Batata Bhaji, along with poori, is often included in the Ganesh Chaturthi lunch menu.
Poori
Poori is a popular deep-fried Indian bread that puffs up like a golden balloon. Made with just a few simple ingredients, it’s light, airy, and perfect for scooping up spicy potato curry, chole, or shrikhand.
Vada Pav
Vada pav is Mumbai’s favorite street food—a spiced potato fritter stuffed into a soft bun with tangy chutneys. It’s a fun, festive snack that’s easy to make at home.
Kakdi Koshimbir
Kakdi Koshimbir, also known as Khamang Kakdi, is a simple, easy-to-make, refreshing Maharashtrian cucumber salad bursting with crunch and flavor.
Sabudana Khichdi
Sabudana (Tapioca or Sago) Khichdi is a perfect breakfast or an afternoon snack with tea. This recipe also includes carrots and green peas to make it more nutritious.
Poha Chivda
Poha Chivda is a delicious savory snack that is sweet, tangy, and crunchy — made of crispy roasted poha (flattened rice), peanuts, cashews, almonds, and other seasonings.
Rava Dhokla
Rava dhokla is a popular Gujarati snack of soft, savory steamed semolina cake with a tangy kick from yogurt and a sizzling topping of mustard seeds and curry leaves. It’s a quick, fermentation-free snack ready in under 30 minutes.
Poha
Poha is an easy Indian breakfast made with flattened rice, onion, and potatoes, and seasoned with mild spices, curry leaves, peanuts, and cilantro. This recipe also makes up for a quick midday snack.
Varan Bhaat
Varan Bhat is a lentil stew made with Arhar dal (pigeon pea lentils) and is part of the Ganesh Chaturthi prasadam. Steamed rice with a dollop of ghee is the perfect combination for this stew.
Shankarpalli
Shankarpali, also known as Shakarpara, is a crispy, mildly sweetened snack made with 4 simple ingredients you will have at home.
Misal Pav
Misal Pav is a wholesome meal that can be enjoyed as breakfast or dinner. It is a spicy sprouts curry made in the pressure cooker. This recipe is dairy-free and vegan.
Lemon Rice
Lemon rice is a bright, tangy South Indian dish made with fluffy rice, fresh lemon juice, and a crunchy tempering of mustard seeds, peanuts, and curry leaves.
Wishing you all a very Happy Ganesh Chaturthi 2026!
I hope you guys enjoy this collection of Ganpati recipes. If you try any of the recipes, leave a comment or share on Facebook or Instagram. I would love to hear back from you!
Check out our collection of Holi Recipes and Diwali Recipes!
