Diwali is the time to celebrate with family and friends, and enjoy lots of delicious food. This wonderful collection of 25+ Diwali sweets that are so easy and delicious, they will light up your festive parties and get-togethers!

Diwali is the biggest holiday celebrated all across India. It signifies the victory of light over darkness (hence called the festival of lights), good over evil and knowledge over ignorance.

All over India people celebrate this festival by lighting their homes with diya's, making lots of scrumptious food, and enjoying fireworks.

Diwali is absolutely my most favorite Indian festival of the year. It is the festival of wonderful childhood memories, with the house decorated full of diya's, and filled with the beautiful aroma of the special sweets and snacks, and the heart full of happiness and joy!

I am super excited to share these Diwali recipes with you. I hope you enjoy them, and share the light and love with your family and friends!

I hope this Diwali fills of heart with love, peace and happiness. HAPPY DIWALI!

Delicious Diwali Food

Diwali celebrations are incomplete without the amazing spread of food! Sharing food with your family, friends, neighbors is an important part of the tradition.

Diwali special foods mainly include sweets and snacks. These are typically prepared ahead of time.

From the traditional Indian sweets such as besan ladoo and Gulab jamun to the fried savory snacks such as the shakarpara and chakli, the food is the highlight of this festival.

If you are throwing a party for Diwali or having a get together, here are some Indian Dinner Party Food Ideas which include main course and drink ideas too!

Diwali Sweets

Here are some of my favorite sweets to celebrate Diwali at home. With a variety of ladoo, kheer, and halwa recipes, there is a treat for everyone in this list.

Besan Ladoo Recipe

Besan Ladoo is the most popular Indian sweet to make during the festive season. 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!

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Gulab Jamun Shrikhand Bowls (Indian Fusion Dessert)

An easy Indian fusion festive dessert - Gulab Jamun Shrikhand Bowls. These are easy to put together, yet super flavorful. These mini dessert bowls are a party stunner!

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Mawa Gujiya

Mawa Gujiya is 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 of Holi and Diwali.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

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!

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Gujarati Magas Recipe

This homemade Magas is a Gujarati fudge made of gram flour, ghee, cardamom, powdered sugar, and nuts. This Indian dessert that is traditionally made during festivals. Make this delicious sweet with this foolproof recipe!

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Rice Pudding / Kheer - Instant Pot

An Indian favorite dessert for special occasions - Rice pudding made with rice and milk infused with saffron, cardamom and assorted dried fruits. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Coconut Almond Balls (Laddoo)

An easy sweet recipe for any festival, made with almond powder, desiccated coconut and sweetened condensed milk.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Gulab Jamun Recipe (with Khoya)

Gulab Jamun is the most popular Indian dessert. Gulab Jamun’s are deep fried donut-like balls, soaked in sweet rose flavored syrup. Learn to make the best gulab jamun’s with khoya along with all the tips and tricks to get them melt-in-the-mouth soft.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Besan Barfi Recipe

Besan Barfi, also called Besan ki Chakki, is a delicious, fudgy, and melt-in-mouth traditional delight. Besan ki Burfi is a authentic sweet prepared with just a few basic ingredients - gram flour, ghee, sugar, flavored with cardamom and saffron.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Instant Pot Moong Dal Halwa

Moong Dal Halwa is a rich delicious dessert made with split yellow lentils, sugar and ghee, along with the flavors of cardamom and saffron. This easy version of Moong Dal Halwa can be made in a pressure cooker, and is much less laborious than the traditional method.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Gulab Jamun Custard Jars (Indian Fusion Dessert)

An easy Indian fusion festive dessert - Gulab Jamun Custard Jars. This dessert is layered with goodness of the cookie crumble, creamy cooling custard and sweet gulab jamun's, adorned with slivered pistachios and rose petals. These exotic dessert jars are easy to put together, and are sure to be a party stunner!

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Chocolate Ladoo (Chocolate Almond Truffles)

These Chocolate Ladoos made with almond flour, condensed milk and cocoa are sure to satisfy your cravings for Indian sweets! They take only 20 minutes to make, and can be served as a festive dessert for special occasions, or just a quick weekday treat.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Instant Pot Carrot Halwa (Gajar Halwa)

Carrot Halwa or Gajar ka halwa, is a delicious dessert made with grated carrots, milk, sugar, cardamom and almonds. This is a healthy and light dessert from North India, which we will make in the Instant Pot.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Rava Ladoo Recipe (Suji Ladoo)

Rava Ladoo, also called Suji Ladoo, is a popular sweet from India made during the festive season. 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!

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Sabudana Kheer (Tapioca Pudding)

Sabudana Kheer, or Tapioca pudding, is a sweet made with tapioca pearls and milk. This kheer is popular during the fasting festive season in India. It is super easy to make in the instant pot or on the stovetop. Vegetarian & Gluten-free! 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Besan Halwa

Made with simple ingredients of gram flour, ghee, sugar, this rich and aromatic cardamom infused Besan Halwa is a quick dessert that can be made ready within minutes.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Coconut Pumpkin Halwa Recipe (Pumpkin Pudding)

Coconut Pumpkin Halwa, also called as Kaddu ka Halwa is an Indian pumpkin dessert made with pumpkin, sugar, ghee, coconut and nuts. It can be cooked in a pressure cooker on the stovetop or Instant pot and takes less than 30 minutes to make this delicious dessert!

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Easy Mango Shrikhand with Greek Yogurt

Mango Shrikhand, a refreshing & sweet Indian dessert, is a perfect summer treat. Creamy yogurt, mango pulp and sugar are blended together, and garnished with saffron and cardamom to make this luscious Mango Shrikhand. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Oats Kheer (Sweetened Oatmeal with Cardamom, Nuts & Raisins)

Oats Kheer also known as Oats payasam is a delicious twist of using oats in Indian dessert recipes. Made with oats, milk, sugar and cardamom, this healthy dessert can be cooked in the pressure cooker or on the stovetop.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Zarda Sweet Rice / Meethe Chawal Recipe

Meethe Chawal or Zarda Rice is a sweet and rich rice preparation loaded with dry fruits, sugar and ghee. This aromatic sweet saffron flavored rice is royal dessert made on special occasions and festivals. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Lapsi (Cracked Wheat Sweet Recipe)

Lapsi is a sweet dish made with roasted broken wheat (Dalia) and sweetened with jaggery. Garnished with nuts and flavored with cardamom, this cracked wheat recipe is perfect for celebrations. With a rich brown color, this lapsi halwa can be cooked in the pressure cooker within minutes.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Vermicelli Kheer / Semiyan Payasam - Instant Pot

An Indian favorite dessert for special occasions - Kheer made with vermicelli, milk and sugar infused with saffron, cardamom and assorted dried fruits. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Sooji Halwa Recipe | Sheera | Indian Semolina Pudding

Suji Ka Halwa, also known as Sheera is a simple Indian semolina pudding, made with basic ingredients – semolina, sugar, and ghee. Sooji ka halwa tastes simply divine, and takes just 20 minutes to prepare. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Orange Semolina Cake

Semolina Cake / Rava Cake topped with orange syrup made in Instant Pot or Pressure Cooker. An easy to make, fluffy and moist cake with the gorgeous orange flavor. This is a eggless cake perfect for vegetarians.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Carrot Kheer - Instant Pot Pressure Cooker

A healthy and delectable Carrot Pudding made with carrots, milk, cashews and dates, with the added aroma of cardamom and saffron.  A delicious and satisfying desert, with no added sugar.  

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Diwali Appetizers & Snacks

Any Diwali party or get together is incomplete without an array of appetizers and snacks.

On Diwali, it is customary to eat vegetarian. Hence here I am sharing my favorite vegetarian appetizers and snacks.

Shakarpara Recipe (Shankarpali)

Shakarpara, also known as Shankarpali, is a crispy, mildly sweetened snack made with 4 simple ingredients you will have at home. These bite-sized fried Indian cookies come together quickly, and are popularly made during festivals such as Diwali and Holi.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Namak Para Recipe

Namak para is a deep-fried Indian delicacy that is delicious, crispy and addicting—made with all-purpose flour (maida), semolina, and a few spices such as ajwain, salt, and pepper for a light flavor. It is one of the most popular snacks among kids.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Poha Chivda Recipe

Roasted Poha Chivda is a delicious savory snack that is sweet, tangy, and crunchy with a bit of spicy kick—made of crispy and crunchy roasted poha (flattened rice), peanuts, cashews, almonds, sliced coconut, and other seasonings.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Dahi Vada (Dahi Bhalla Chaat)

This favorite Dahi Vada or Dahi Bhalla recipe has the softest lentil fritters drenched in creamy yogurt and topped with sweet and spicy chutney's. This popular Indian street food is loved by all and is a perfect inclusion to any festive menu!

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Savory Paneer Puff Pastry Turnovers - Air Fryer

A flaky golden crust with spicy flavorful paneer filling. Perfect appetizer for a party that can be prepared ahead of time. So easy and delicious!  

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Spicy Bombay Potatoes

Baby Potatoes cooked with aromatic spices, as a one-pot dish, are perfect to serve as an appetizer or a side dish. These delicious and easy Bombay Potatoes take just 20 minutes to make in the Instant Pot or on stovetop.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Mint Cilantro Chutney Recipe (Indian Green Chutney)

A cool, spicy and tangy green chutney. This no-cook mint cilantro chutney is a must try accompaniment to Indian food such as samosa, chaat, kebabs and sandwiches.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Gujarati Khandvi Recipe

Learn how to make this popular healthy snack from Gujarat - Khandvi rolls. These melts in the mouth, soft and flavorful rolls are made with chickpea flour and then tempered with mustard seeds, sesame seeds and garnished with fresh cilantro leaves and grated coconut.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Easy Dahi Papdi Chaat

A famous Delhi street food, Dahi Papdi Chat, is a crispy sweet, spicy and tangy chaat that packs a whole lot of flavor. Also known as Dilli chaat, this popular street food is made with crispy pooris, sev (thin gram flour noodles), yogurt, and a variety of chutneys. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Kala Chana Chaat Recipe (Black Chickpea Salad)

A nutrition packed Black Chickpea Salad made with black chickpeas, crunchy onions, tomatoes, avocado and spices. This refreshing salad has fresh and tangy flavors, and can be enjoyed as a great protein rich breakfast or snack. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Khaman Dhokla Recipe

Soft and fluffy Khaman Dhokla made in the Instant Pot and stovetop. These delicious steamed savory chickpea flour cakes are a popular Gujarati delicacy, perfect to enjoy for breakfast or snack!

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Cheesy Samosa Jalapeño Poppers

Cheesy Samosa Jalapeno Poppers is an Indian twist to the favorite party appetizer. This is a vegetarian and gluten-free version made in the air fryer for the samosa lovers. Don't forget to check out the Halloween inspiration for these jalapeno poppers!

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Garlic Chili Potatoes Recipe

Flavorful and easy Garlic Chili Potatoes, made with steamed potatoes, garlic, chili sauce and honey, sprinkled with green onions and sesame seeds. Enjoy them as an appetizer or side! 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Tandoori Aloo Tikka

Baby potatoes marinated in a delightful combination of yogurt and spices, threaded to skewers and cooked to create this heavenly appetizer. You can cook this tandoori aloo tikka in an oven or air-fryer.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Easy Paneer Frankie (Paneer Kathi Roll)

This Paneer Frankie Roll, also known as Paneer Kathi Rolls, is a popular Indian street food made with flaky flatbread, covered with egg, wrapped with spicy paneer and tangy toppings. Perfect to pack for a grab and go meal, or a special weeknight meal.

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Vada Pav / Potato Fritter Sliders - Air Fryer

Vada Pav is the humble street food of Mumbai. A fried potato fritter or vada, is stuffed in between mini-burger buns called pav, along with sweet and spicy sauces or chutney. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Creamy Avocado Cilantro Sauce (Avocado Crema)

This magical Creamy Avocado Cilantro Sauce is finger licking delicious. It takes just 5 minutes to make in a blender and is perfect on tacos, burgers, salads, or just as a side with chips and vegetables. 

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

Easy Sev Puri Recipe

A popular Mumbai street food, Sev Puri is a sweet, spicy and tangy chaat. Sev Puri is made with crispy puri (whole wheat crackers) topped with potatoes, onions, tomatoes and a variety of chutneys, and finished with sev (thin gram flour noodles). This no-cook chaat recipe is a favorite snack to enjoy with your evening tea!

CLICK HERE FOR THE RECIPE

I hope you enjoy your Diwali with lots of wonderful food and share the joy with your loved ones!