Diwali is the time to celebrate with family and friends, and enjoy lots of delicious food. This wonderful collection of 15+ 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

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

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

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

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 Recipe

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 (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

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 - Instant Pot

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

Semolina Cake - Instant Pot / Pressure Cooker

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 egg free and flour free 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.

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

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

Spicy Bombay Potatoes Recipe

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

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

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

Easy Paneer Frankie Roll (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

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!