Holi is all about the joy of colors, but as a host, it can feel like a marathon in the kitchen. Here's a list of Easy Holi Recipes so you spend less time cooking and more time playing with 'Gulal'. These sweet and savory Indian vegetarian recipes include drinks, snacks, easy lunch dishes, and desserts that can be made ahead of time with minimal effort.
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What is Holi?
Holi marks the passing of winter and the arrival of spring and harvest season. According to the lunar calendar, it typically falls in March.
Holi is often called the festival of colors, and it symbolizes the triumph of good over evil. We celebrate it with a bonfire the previous night (Holika Dahan), followed by playful festivities in the morning (Rang Wali Holi).
Out of all the Indian festivals, Holi is my absolute favorite! We spend the day with family and friends, an assortment of bright colors, water balloons, and endless fun. And since no Indian festival is complete without a variety of finger-licking good food, I am sharing some of the most popular Holi snacks, sweets, and drink recipes.
From fragrant milk called Thandai, and lip-smacking good Dahi Bhalla, to sweet empanadas called Gujiya, I've got you covered for all your cravings! I hope you enjoy these recipes. On behalf of the Spice Cravings Team, I wish all the readers a happy Holi!
Must-Have Drinks
Instant Thandai Powder Recipe (Thandai Masala) - 5 Minute Mix
Instant 5-minute Thandai Powder recipe made with nuts, seeds, and spices. Stir this Thandai masala into milk or oatmeal for a festive spin.
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Easy Thandai Recipe (Refreshing Holi Drink)- 2 Ways
Make authentic Thandai using a 5-minute Thandai powder or traditional wet-paste. This cooling flavored milk is ready to chill in 10 minutes!
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5-Minute Rose Lassi (Refreshing Indian Yogurt Drink)
Refreshing Rose Lassi in 5 minutes! Blend thick yogurt, sweet rose syrup, and a hint of cardamom for this creamy, vibrant pink Indian drink.
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Masala Chaas Recipe - Spiced Greek Yogurt Drink (High-Protein)
Easy 5-minute blender recipe for Masala Chaas, a cooling Indian yogurt drink made with high-protein Greek yogurt, mint, cilantro, roasted cumin, and chaat masala.
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Jaljeera - Cumin Spiced Indian Lemonade
Jaljeera is a refreshing Indian lemonade made with fresh coriander and mint, spiced with roasted cumin, chaat masala and dry mango powder.
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5-Minute Mango Lassi Recipe (Indian Mango Drink)
Sweet and creamy mango lassi recipe using just five ingredients. Here's an easy 5-minute recipe for this delicious Indian mango drink!
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Nimbu Pani / Shikanji (Indian Lemonade)
Easy recipe for a refreshing Indian lemonade known as Nimbu Pani or Shikanji. Made with fresh lime, salt, sugar and water, and spiced with cumin and chaat masala.
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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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Snacks - Street Food & Chaat
Aloo Samosa Recipe (Fried)
Sharing my best tips for aloo samosa recipe (traditional fried samosa) with step-by-step instructions for the perfect dough, filling, and folding technique.
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Crispy Air Fryer Samosa (Non-Fried)
This Air Fryer Samosa recipe is a no-fry, no-mess take on a classic Samosa, with the same crisp texture and significantly less oil and effort.
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Matar Kachori Puff Pastry Pinwheels
These crispy, flaky Matar Kachori Pinwheels are a 30-minute Indian-fusion appetizer or snack with spiced peas rolled in buttery puff pastry. Just roll, slice, and bake!
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Dahi Bhalla (Dahi Vada)
Easy & authentic recipe for Dahi Bhalla, or Dahi Vada, a popular Indian street food. Soft lentil fritters are served in yogurt sauce topped with zesty chutneys.
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Samosa Chaat
Easy recipe for Samosa Chaat, a popular Indian street food that combines crispy samosas with chana masala, tangy chutneys, creamy yogurt, and a medley of flavorful toppings.
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Aloo Tikki
Easy 25-minute recipe for Aloo Tikki, a popular north-Indian street food! Mashed potato and peas are formed into patties then pan-fried until golden brown and crispy.
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Samosa Chaat Phyllo Cups
These Mini Samosa Chaat Cups are the perfect party bites! Flaky phyllo cups filled with spiced potatoes & peas, baked crisp, then topped with chutneys.
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Bombay Masala Toast (Grilled Vegetable Sandwich)
This Bombay Masala Toast has a make-ahead Indian potato filling layered with crunchy vegetables, chutney and ketchup ready in 25 minutes!
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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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Pinwheel Samosa
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
Golden crisp and flaky, Curry Puff is a savory puff pastry with an Indian-spiced filling, finished with a sprinkle of flavorful spices and herbs. It's great as an appetizer or tea-time snack.
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Traditional & Modern Sweets
Baked Gujiya
Gujiya, or Karanji, are Indian Dessert Empanadas made with khoya (mawa), typically made for Holi & Diwali. In this easy & healthy Baked Gujiya recipe, I bake (not fry) these dumplings using store-bought pie dough!
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Traditional Khoya Gujiya (Deep Fried)
Traditional Gujiya recipe for deep-fried dumplings made by stuffing pastry dough with sweetened milk fudge (khoya), chopped nuts, and coconut flakes, then glazed with sugar syrup.
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Air Fryer Gujiya (Mawa Gujiya) - Flaky & Guilt-Free
Air Fryer Gujiya is a no-fry twist on the classic deep-fried Indian sweet pastry filled with sweetened khoya (mawa), nuts, coconut, and cardamom.
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Easy Rabdi Recipe With Paneer
Quick and easy Rabdi recipe for a sumptuous and indulgent Indian dessert that combines the richness of sweet thickened milk with creamy paneer, saffron, cardamom, and nuts.
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5-Minute Dates Paan (Khajur Paan) - 100% Natural
5-minute Dates Paan with 100% natural ingredients that tastes just like Meetha Paan! Perfect sweet treat finale to a satisfying Indian meal.
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White Chocolate Bark with Indian Sweets
White Chocolate Bark with Indian Sweets is a fun, fusion dessert that combines creamy white chocolate with popular sweets like jalebi and ladoo.
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Rabdi Gulab Jamun
Easy recipe for Rabdi Gulab Jamun, a decadent Indian dessert in which sweet syrupy gulab jamun is served over luscious and creamy homemade rabdi.
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Shrikhand With Greek Yogurt
A quick and easy recipe for Shrikhand for a traditional Indian dessert made with sweetened strained yogurt infused with aromatic saffron & cardamom.
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Mango Shrikhand
Easy recipe for Mango Shrikhand, a delightful Indian dessert made of creamy thick yogurt, mango puree, saffron, cardamom and pistachios.
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Easy Rasmalai Tiramisu- Eggless Indian Fusion Dessert
This Rasmalai Tiramisu is an easy, 20-minute eggless Indian fusion dessert with layers of cardamom mascarpone cream, rosewater-soaked ladyfingers, and rasmalai.
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Easy Rasmalai Recipe (with Rasgulla)
Make authentic-tasting Rasmalai in 25 mins! This easy shortcut uses store-bought rasgulla and a foolproof creamy rabri. Perfect for last-minute entertaining!
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Rabdi Gulab Jamun Tiramisu
Rabdi Gulab Jamun Tiramisu is an indulgent make-ahead, no-bake Indian fusion dessert combining creamy rabdi, gulab jamuns, and ladyfinger layers for a festive showstopper!
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Mango Tiramisu
Light and creamy Mango Tiramisu combines delicately sweet ladyfingers with mango mascarpone cream and fresh mango for an easy, no-bake fusion dessert.
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Carrot Burfi
A fun variation of Gajar ka Halwa, Carrot Burfi is made by cooking grated carrots in flavored milk, then sautéed with almond flour for a fudge-like consistency.
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Besan Ladoo Recipe - Microwave & Stovetop
Easy, fail-proof recipe for Besan Ladoo or Besan Laddu, a popular Indian sweet made with gram flour, powdered sugar, ghee & cardamom powder.
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Coconut Ladoo (Nariyal Ladoo)
Easy microwave or stovetop recipe for Coconut Ladoo (Indian coconut fudge) with desiccated coconut & condensed milk. Ready in 10-15 minutes!
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Badam Burfi
Quick and easy Badam Burfi, or Badam Katli, is a sweet, fragrant almond fudge made with 5 ingredients and ready in less than 25 minutes!
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Easy Kulfi Ice Cream (No-Churn, Eggless Indian Ice Cream)
This Kulfi Ice Cream is an eggless, no-churn Indian flavored recipe perfumed with saffron, cardamom, rosewater, and assorted nuts, that's ready to freeze in 10 minutes.
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Rava Laddu Recipe (Rava Ladoo | Sooji Ladoo)
Easy 30-minute recipe for Rava laddu, or Rava Ladoo, a popular Indian sweet made with semolina (rava/ suji), ghee, sugar, nuts & cardamom.
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Instant Pot Gajar Halwa | Carrot Halwa
Easy recipe for Instant Pot Gajar Halwa or Carrot Halwa, a traditional Indian dessert made with carrots, milk, sugar, nuts, and cardamom.
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Gajar Halwa (Carrot Halwa)
An authentic recipe for Gajar Halwa or Carrot Halwa, a popular Indian dessert made by cooking grated carrots with milk, ghee, sugar, and cardamom.
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Badam Halwa With Almond Flour
Here's an easy and authentic 30-minute recipe for Badam Halwa, a rich and decadent Indian almond pudding that's flavored with fresh cardamom and saffron.
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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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Instant Pot Kheer (Indian Rice Pudding)
Creamy Indian rice pudding with cardamom & saffron-this dump-and-start Instant Pot kheer needs no stirring or babysitting. A festive favorite made easy!
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Mango Kheer - Mango Rice Pudding
This creamy Mango Kheer is a fruity Indian mango rice pudding made without constant stirring or monitoring in the Instant Pot using rice, mangoes, cardamom, saffron, and nuts.
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Badam Halwa with Almond Flour (Instant Pot)
Quick and easy recipe for Badam halwa, a rich and decadent Indian dessert made with ground almonds, sugar and ghee, delicately flavored with saffron and cardamom!
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Indian Milk Cake Recipe
This 15-minute Indian Milk Cake, or Alwar Ka Mawa, is a rich and decadent, caramelized milk fudge, made with ricotta cheese and milk powder, and flavored with pistachios, cardamom, and rose water.
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Kalakand Recipe (With Ricotta Cheese)
This simplified and easy Kalakand recipe with ricotta cheese and condensed milk creates a soft and creamy Indian milk fudge in just 25 minutes.
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Sugar-Free Kalakand | Keto Kalakand
This Keto Kalakand is a sugar-free, low-carb version of a traditional Indian dessert! It's soft, creamy, flavored with rose water and cardamom, and topped with slivered pistachios.
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Holi Lunch - Easy To Make & Serve Buffet-Style
Since everyone ends up spending the morning playing Holi with friends and family, easy one-pot meals are the norm for lunch. I focus on heavy snacks, a variety of sweets, and a simple main course for lunch. In this section, I include easy, satisfying meals that I serve buffet-style.
1. Chole Bhature
Punjabi Chole in Instant Pot (Tangy Chickpeas Curry)
Punjabi Chole, or Amritsari Chole, is a creamy, tangy and dark-colored chickpea curry made with a special masala blend served street-style.
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Bhatura Recipe (Indian Fry Bread)
This Bhatura recipe is so easy to make at home without yeast for a deep-fried fermented dough cooked to crispy, fluffy, golden perfection.
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2. Sarson Saag & Makki Roti
Sarson Ka Saag | Spiced Mustard Greens
Saag is a green leafy curry from Punjab. This winter-time specialty is prepared with mustard greens & spinach, seasoned with onions, ginger, garlic, & warm Indian spices.
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Makki ki Roti (Spiced Corn Flatbread)
This popular Punjabi flatbread is made of yellow cornmeal dough that's seasoned with carom seeds & spices, then served with Sarson Ka Saag.
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3. Pav Bhaji
Instant Pot Pav Bhaji With Paneer (Protein-Rich)
Mumbai street-style Instant Pot Pav Bhaji with paneer-quick, flavorful, and protein-rich, ready in just 30 minutes!
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4. Aloo Tikki Burger
Aloo Tikki Burger
This Aloo Tikki Burger is a classic Indian vegetarian burger made in 25 minutes. Golden potato and pea patties are layered on a bun and topped with chutney, ketchup, cheese, onion, and tomato.
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5. Paneer Pizza
Paneer Pizza - Naan Pizza (Air Fryer | Oven)
This 30-minute Paneer Pizza is a tasty Indian fusion pizza with a naan base and paneer tikka topping, made easily in the air fryer or oven.
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6. Vegetarian Biryani Recipes
Easy Instant Pot Vegetable Biryani Recipe
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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Instant Pot Egg Biryani
Easy one-pot Egg Biryani recipe featuring boiled eggs and basmati rice flavored with a unique blend of warm spices, caramelized onions, fresh herbs, and saffron.
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Achari Paneer Biryani
This Achari Paneer Biryani features nutty basmati rice cooked with paneer and seasoned with tangy Indian pickling spices ready in 30 minutes in the Instant Pot.
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7. Kadhi Chawal
Punjabi Kadhi Pakora
Delicious yogurt and gram-flour curry, called Kadhi, with gram-flour fritters, called Pakoras, served over aromatic basmati rice, called Chawal.
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Instant Pot Basmati Rice
Failproof recipe for Instant Pot Basmati Rice that results in soft and fluffy grains every time. Quick, easy and ready in 30 minutes!
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8. Paneer Wrap
Paneer Kathi Roll (Paneer Frankie)
This Paneer Kathi Roll, or Paneer Frankie, is flavorful, aromatic, & totally delicious. Made with marinated paneer (cheese) & veggies wrapped in a crisp paratha in 30 minutes.
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9. Tandoori Paneer Sliders
Tandoori Paneer Sliders - Air Fryer or Stove
30-minute recipe for buttery-soft tandoori paneer sliders with juicy, smoky paneer and veggies nestled between soft dinner rolls, with sriracha mayo, pickled onions, and melty cheese.
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10. Chili Paneer With Vegetable Chowmein
Chilli Paneer (Dry & Gravy)
This easy, 30-minute Chilli Paneer recipe features crispy paneer cubes stir-fried with crunchy onions and peppers in an umami-packed sauce.
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Vegetable Chow Mein
This easy Vegetable Chow Mein recipe is bursting with a colorful mix of vegetables and Chinese noodles stir-fried with a salty, spicy, sweet Asian sauce.
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3-Day Holi Countdown: Easy Prep Guide
- 2 Days Before: Make the Thandai spice powder, dessert, and chutneys.
- 1 Day Before: Prepare fillings and ingredients. For example, prep the Gujiya stuffing, soak lentils for Dahi Vada, wash, cut, and chop veggies, and prepare the fillings for puffs and sliders.
- Holi Morning: Assemble the snacks and set up the drink station.
- Take shortcuts: I always use store-bought pastry for my Baked Gujiya to save 40 minutes-tastes just as flaky! For bhature, if you don't have time to prepare, use frozen bhature from a quality brand.
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 and let me know!
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!