Here are 30+ Indian Vegetarian Recipes to add to your Holi menu including a bonus Indian Cocktail recipe. These recipes include Sweets, Snacks, easy lunch dishes that can be made ahead in your Instant Pot, stove, oven or microwave.
The best part is, many of them can be done in under 30 minutes, so that you spend less time cooking, and more time enjoying the festival! Spice Cravings wishes you all a very Happy Holi!
Festival of Colors - Holi
Out of all the Indian festivals, Holi is my absolute favorite! It is the festival of colors after all! Growing up in India that was one day when everyone could officially go crazy, and get away with it 😉
I still remember how the day before Holi I used to buy every possible color powder I could find in the stores, and, get my water guns ready for the big day. I would always wake up before everyone else in the house with sheer excitement of the day ahead! #FunTimes
Indian Festivals = Delicious Food
The one thing that is common in all Indian festivals is a variety of amazingly delicious food. Every region in north India has their own spin on holi delicacies.
From flavor-packed snacks to mouth-watering desserts, it is a day spent in food heaven:-) My personal favorite of all these recipes is homemade Gujiya! I can just make a meal out of it 🙂 Come let's take a look at some delicious choices for Holi this year!
Easy Sweet Recipes for Holi
Baked Gujiya
Gujiya or Karanji, are fried Indian Dessert Empanadas filled with a sweet mix of Khoya/Mawa (milk fudge), dry fruits, coconut and cardamom, made during Holi and Diwali. In this easy and healthy 30-Minute recipe for Baked Gujiya, I bake (not fry!) these milk fudge dumplings using store-bought pie dough!
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Khoya Gujiya Recipe | Deep Fried Milk Fudge Turnovers
Deep Fried Gujiya, or Milk Fudge Turnovers, are a popular dessert made in the northern part of India around the festivals of Holi and Diwali. It is a deep-fried sweet dumpling that is made by stuffing pastry dough with sweetened milk fudge (khoya), chopped nuts and coconut flakes and is glazed with a thick sugar syrup.
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Gajar ki Burfi | Carrot Burfi (Carrot Fudge)
Carrot Burfi , or Gajar ki Burfi, is a fun and easy variation of the classic Indian dessert, Carrot Halwa. Grated carrots (Gajar), are cooked in flavored milk, then sautéed with almond flour till they form a fudge-like consistency. In this easy recipe, I reduce the cooking time and effort considerably, using the Instant Pot pressure cooker.
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Besan Ladoo in Microwave
This is a 30-minute microwave recipe for Besan Ladoo or Laddu, which is a Indian sweet made of besan (chickpea flour or gram flour), sugar & ghee (clarified butter).
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10-Minute Coconut Ladoo | Coconut Fudge
Coconut Ladoo or Nariyal Ladoo (Laddu) is an Indian sweet that is made with dried coconut flakes, condensed or dried milk and sugar. This quick 10-minute recipe requires no baby-sitting and stirring, by using the microwave and a simple hack to keep the ladoos soft and fudgy.
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Instant Pot Carrot Halwa | Gajar ka Halwa
An easy Instant Pot recipe for Carrot Halwa, or Gajar ka Halwa, a traditional Indian dessert made with grated carrots, milk, sugar, nuts and cardamom! Includes vegan and dairy-free instructions.
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Instant Pot Moong Dal Halwa (Indian Lentil Pudding)
Moong Dal Halwa is a rich and decadent Indian dessert made with split mung beans (moong dal), ghee, saffron, cardamom, and lots of love. Here is my easier take, a pressure cooker version of a cherished family recipe.
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Rice Pudding | Kheer | Arroz Con Leche in Instant Pot
Here is a dump & start pressure cooker recipe for Creamy Rice Pudding! In this easy recipe, I transform rice, milk & sugar, into two amazing flavors- Indian rice pudding Kheer, or Spanish Arroz Con Leche!
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Kesar Badam Halwa | Saffron Almond Pudding
Kesar badam halwa, or saffron almond pudding, is the undisputed "king" of Indian desserts. Made using just 5-6 simple ingredients, it is one of the most delicious and decadent desserts.
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Mango Cheesecake in Instant Pot (Gluten-Free Cheesecake)
If you love mangoes and cheesecake, this gluten-free Instant Pot Mango Cheesecake will blow your mind! Sweet mango blended with a custard-like cream cheese filling and baked in a crushed pistachio & cardamom crust. YUM!
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Sooji Sheera | Semolina Indian Pudding
Sooji Sheera is an Indian dessert made by pan-roasting semolina and cooking it with milk and sugar. I add a few tablespoons of almond meal to boost the protein content and infuse a flavor of almond in this dessert.
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Savory Snacks for Holi
Samosa Chaat Phyllo Cups
These Samosa Chaat Phyllo Cups are a bite-size version of popular Indian street food baked until crisp in the Oven, AirFryer or Crisplid!
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Pigeon Peas Dip | Matar Chaat in Instant Pot
Easy dump & start pressure cooker recipe for Matar chaat, a popular Indian pigeon peas dip! Enjoy it as a dip or as a flavorful meal with a side of Naan or Kulcha.
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Samosa Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers
These Samosa Stuffed Jalapeno Poppers are an Indian inspired take on the popular American appetizer that gets baked in the AirFryer, Crisplid or Oven.
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No Fry Dahi Bhalla Chaat
A no-fry recipe for Dahi Bhalla chaat, a popular Indian street food. Tasty pan-fried lentil fritters are soaked in seasoned yogurt & garnished with Indian spices and chutney.
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Samosa Pinwheels Recipe
This Samosa Pinwheels recipe is a crispy take on the popular Indian chaat that's wrapped in puff pastry and baked in the Oven or AirFryer.
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Curry Puff Recipe
Warm, flaky and crispy on the outside, buttery and delicious from within, Curry Puff is great as an appetizer, tea-time snack, or, as a lunch surprise for kids! Easy to make filling used in store-bought pastry shells, and baked till golden crisp. These delicious puffs are ready in just 30 minutes!
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Oven Roasted Chickpeas
Oven Roasted Chickpeas are crispy, crunchy, tiny-little flavor bombs that are just ideal for snacking, or, as salad toppers. Try them, they are IRRESISTIBLY GOOD!
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Quinoa Veggie Burger Patties | Quinoa Veggie Tikki
Crispy on the outside, soft and fluffy on the inside, this is a delicious vegetarian twist to the classic hamburger: Quinoa Veggie Burger! This recipe has instant pot and stove pot variations for cooking the quinoa and uses potatoes and peas with onions and Indian spices for a tasty burger patty.
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Easy Instant Pot Holi Lunch Recipes
Chole Bhature | Chickpeas Curry with Fried-Puffed Bread
Chole Bhature is a popular dish from the Punjabi cuisine in Northern India, where a Chickpeas curry, called Chole (Cho-lay), is served with a puffed, deep-fried bread, called Bhatura (Buh-too-ray). Growing up, Chole-Bhature used to be our regular Sunday brunch.
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Instant Pot Punjabi Kadhi & Rice | Kadhi Chawal
Punjabi Kadhi with rice is a delicious yogurt and chickpeas-flour based curry, called Kadhi, with chickpeas-flour fritters, called Pakoras, served over aromatic basmati rice, called Chawal! This is a one-pot Instant pot recipe for a classic north-Indian comfort food.
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Instant Pot Vegetable Biryani
An easy Instant Pot recipe for Vegetable Biryani, a classic Indian dish made with assorted vegetables & basmati rice, flavored with herbs, spices & saffron.
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Saag Paneer | Palak Paneer in Instant Pot
30-minute Instant Pot recipe for Palak Paneer, or Saag Paneer, a popular Indian curry made with soft paneer cubes simmered in a flavorful spinach gravy.
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Paneer Butter Masala | Paneer Makhani in Instant Pot
An easy Instant Pot pressure cooker recipe for Paneer Butter Masala, or Paneer Makhani, a popular Indian vegetarian delicacy. Made with Indian cottage cheese (paneer), simmered in tomato puree, Indian spices, and finished with a touch of heavy cream.
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Instant Pot Chana Masala Biryani | Chickpeas Biryani (Vegan)
Chana Masala Biryani or Chickpeas Biryani, is a combination of two popular Indian dishes, Chickpeas Masala Curry & Indian Rice Pilaf called Biryani! I make this vegan dish in an instant pot, which really blends the flavors together.
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15-Minute Kadai paneer
15-Minute Kadai paneer is a delicious & elegant dish made with Paneer, peppers & onions. Seasoned with fragrant Indian spices, this is a real crowd pleaser.
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Instant Pot Chana Masala
A simple recipe for a popular Indian spiced chickpeas curry called Chana Masala. This hearty and delicious curry is made with dry or canned chickpeas, which are rich in protein and are naturally vegan & gluten free. Enjoy it over aromatic basmati rice, or pair with Naan.
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Dal Makhani in Instant Pot
This restaurant style Dal Makhani is a creamy, rich and flavor packed lentil curry made by cooking whole black lentils and kidney beans with aromatics and toasted Indian spices.
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Paneer Tikka Masala in Instant Pot
In this easy Instant Pot Paneer Tikka Masala recipe, soft paneer cubes are simmered in an aromatic and mildly seasoned creamy tomato sauce and finished with a touch of heavy cream.
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Bonus Drink Recipes: Jal Jeera Mojito & Mango Lassi
Jal Jeera Mojito | Indian Spiced Mojito Cocktail
In this recipe, I pair the minty and spicy Indian beverage, Jal Jeera, with a classic mojito. There is nothing more refreshing than a Jal Jeera Mojito (Indian Spiced Mojito) on a hot summer day. Refreshing, chilled, minty and spicy! Yum!
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Mango Lassi
Sweet, creamy, and simply delicious, here's an easy blender recipe for an Indian restaurant favorite, Mango Lassi. This popular yogurt drink can be made at home with five simple ingredients in just five minutes.
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I hope you enjoy this collection and have a wonderful Holi celebration with your loved ones. If you try any of these recipes, leave a comment below or share them on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest by Including #spicecravings in your message!
Madhavi says
Beautiful & Colorful collection for Holi. I want to try the pinwheels and the jalapeno poppers. Looks so good.
Aneesha says
Thank you Madhavi, I hope you enjoy both! I'd love to hear your feedback!