35+ Holi Recipes to try in 2024

Holi, the festival of colors, is just around the corner. It is such a wonderful day and brings back memories of fun and food. Here you can find a wonderful list of sweets and snacks you can make this Holi, along with a lunch menu for your Holi party!

March is the season of Holi, the festival of color, similar to the beautiful colors of spring. This is the Indian festival welcoming spring.  In different regions of India, people perform different rituals. In North India, the day before Holi, people burn a holy fire called Holika Dahan.

As a child, I prepared for Holi starting early in the morning. Filling balloons with water, getting the variety of colors ready. Then as the day started, all friends and family would get together to play Holi. Put lots of colors on each other and throw the balloons, get everyone wet.

Now let’s discuss the most important part: food for Holi.

Holi Sweets

Thandai

Holi is not complete without the delicious drink Thandai. It is made with milk and flavored with nuts, seeds, and spices. Learn to make Thandai powder and Thandai Milk in this recipe.

Gujiya

An authentic Indian sweet-fried dumpling filled with a mixture of mawa (khoya), nuts, and coconut is a festive treat made during Holi and Diwali.

Gulab Jamun

Gulab Jamun is the most popular Indian dessert. Gulab jamuns are deep-fried donut-like balls soaked in sweet rose-flavored syrup. These heavenly melt-in-the-mouth Gulab Jamuns are a perfect addition to your day!

Gulab Jamun Shrikhand Bowls

This easy Indian fusion dessert are sure to be a party stunner – Gulab Jamun Shrikhand Bowls. Tangy creamy shrikhand combined with sweet gulab jamun’s is such a heavenly combination.

Suji ka halwa

Suji Ka Halwa, also known as Sheera, is an Indian semolina pudding made with semolina, sugar, and ghee. It tastes divine and takes just 20 minutes to prepare.

Coconut Pumpkin Halwa

Coconut Pumpkin Halwa, also called Kaddu ka Halwa, is a pumpkin dessert made with pumpkin, sugar, ghee, coconut, and nuts. It can be cooked in a pressure cooker, and it takes less than 30 minutes to make this delicious dessert!

Kalakand

Kalakand is one of the most popular Indian desserts enjoyed during festivals. You will love this easy Instant Kalakand recipe to make this melt-in-the-mouth sweet in less than 30 minutes!

Kesar Elaichi Shrikhand

Shrikhand is a refreshing & sweet Indian dessert. Creamy smooth yogurt is mixed with sugar and cardamom and garnished with saffron and pistachios to make this luscious Kesar Elaichi Shrikhand. You will also love this Mango Shrikhand recipe.

Carrot Kheer

Carrot Kheer, also called carrot payasam, is made with carrots, milk, cashews, and dates, with the added aroma of cardamom & saffron. A delicious & satisfying dessert, with no added sugar. You would not mind yourself or your kids asking for second and third servings!

Meethe Chawal

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 a royal dessert made on special occasions and festivals.

Gajar ka Halwa (Carrot 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.

Besan Burfi

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

Fruit Custard

Whip up this delicious, creamy Indian fruit custard for any celebration. This delightful eggless custard is easy to make in just 30 minutes.

Coconut Laddoo

Coconut Almond Ladoo or Nariyal Badam Laddoo is an easy sweet recipe made with almond flour, desiccated coconut, and sweetened condensed milk. It is quick and can be prepared in just 20 minutes.

Kheer

Kheer or Payasam is an Indian favorite dessert for special occasions. It is basically rice pudding made with rice and milk infused with saffron, cardamom, and assorted dried fruits.

Moong Dal Halwa

It is a rich, delicious dessert made with split yellow lentils (moong dal), sugar, and ghee, along with the flavors of cardamom and saffron.

Gulab Jamun Custard Jars

An easy Indian fusion festive dessert – Gulab Jamun Custard Jars. This dessert is layered with the goodness of the cookie crumble, creamy cooling custard, and sweet gulab jamuns, adorned with slivered pistachios and rose petals. 

Besan Ladoo

Besan Ladoo is the most popular Indian sweet to make during any festival. You need just a few ingredients, such as gram flour, ghee, and sugar, to make these amazing melt-in-the-mouth dessert balls. 

Chocolate peda

An easy, healthy sweet, loved by kids, and perfect for any occasion. Made with just 3 ingredients in less than 20 minutes.

Lapsi (Cracked Wheat Sweet)

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.

Sabudana Kheer

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

Custard Trifle Cups

Mini Fruit Custard Trifle Cups are a delightful, colorful dessert that is perfect for the Holi festival. The delectable layers of pound cake, fruit, custard, and cream are a wonderful blend of flavors and textures.

Magas

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

Rava 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!

Aate ka Halwa

Aate Ka Halwa, also known as wheat halwa, is a famous Indian dessert prepared with whole wheat flour (aata). This four-ingredient sweet dish is also offered as Kada Prasad at Gurudwaras (Sikh Temples) worldwide.

Holi Snacks

Dahi Vada

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!

Ragda Chaat

Ragda Chaat, also called Matar Chaat, is a street-style snack made with dried white peas. It is topped with onions, tomatoes, chutneys, and spices to make a delicious snack.

Namak Pare

Namak para is a deep-fried Indian delicacy that is delicious and crispy—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.

Khandvi

These soft, flavorful Khandvi rolls melt in your mouth. They are made with gram flour, tempered with mustard seeds and sesame seeds, and garnished with cilantro and coconut.

Kala Chana Chaat

Kala Chana Chaat is 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 snack or salad.

Vada Pav

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

Samosa Poppers

A twist to the favorite appetizer – Samosa. This is a vegetarian and gluten-free version made in the air fryer for samosa lovers.

Khaman Dhokla

Soft and fluffy Khaman Dhokla is made in the pressure cooker and stovetop. These delicious steamed savory chickpea flour cakes are a popular Gujarati delicacy, perfect for breakfast or snacking!

Paneer puffs

Paneer Puffs have a flaky golden crust and spicy, flavorful paneer filling. They are the perfect appetizer for a party and can be prepared ahead of time. They are so easy and delicious!

Sev Puri

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!

Tandoori Gobi

Air Fryer Tandoori Gobi or Cauliflower Tikka Bites is a wonderful healthy snack or appetizer to enjoy at a get-together!

Pav bhaji

Pav Bhaji is a popular Indian street food loved by all. Pav Bhaji is made with potatoes and vegetables cooked in a tomato base and enjoyed with pav or dinner rolls.

Rava Dhokla

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

Paneer Pakora

Paneer pakora is a popular Indian snack in which soft paneer (Indian cottage cheese) pieces are deep-fried after being coated in a spiced gram flour batter. These paneer fritters have a crispy exterior and a soft interior.

Onion Bhaji

Learn how to make this traditional fried Indian snack called Onion bhaji (or Kanda Bhaji). These crispy onion fritters are made with gram flour, onions, and spices from your pantry. These vegan & gluten-free onion pakoras are amazing!

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 papdi (whole wheat crackers), sev (thin gram flour noodles), yogurt, and a variety of chutneys. 

Holi Party Menu

Are you planning a lunch or party for Holi? Let me share some of my favorite dishes to include in your menu.

Make an Indian-inspired charcuterie board with Holi sweets and snacks.

For mains, try the traditional favorites Dal Makhani or Chana Masala. You can also make the favorite Aloo Puri.

Every party has to have a paneer dish or chicken for the non-vegetarians. So add Paneer Tikka Masala or Chicken Tikka Masala to your menu.

Along with the above, add a Chicken Biryani or Vegetable Pulao as a sidelong with Dahi Vada!

Oh..and no Holi party is complete without Thandai!

Wishing you all a very Happy Holi 2023!

I hope you guys enjoy this collection of Holi recipes. If you try these recipes, please leave a comment or share them on Facebook or Instagram. I would love to hear back from you!

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