Here's a collection of Easy Holi Recipes to celebrate this festival of colors. 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. Based on the lunar calendar, it typically falls in the month of March.
Holi is often referred to as the festival of color, and it signifies 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 drinks 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!
Drinks Recipes
Thandai Powder
Instant Thandai Powder recipe made with only 10 ingredients and ready in less than 5 minutes to stir into warm milk or dessert recipes.
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Thandai Recipe
Thandai is a refreshing Indian flavored milk, made with nuts, seeds, cooling spices, and dried rose petals. Here's a 10-minute recipe using homemade thandai powder.
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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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Mango Lassi
Sweet and creamy mango lassi recipe using just five ingredients. Here's an easy 5-minute blender recipe for this delicious Indian mango smoothie!
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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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Popular Sweets & Dessert Recipes
Baked Gujiya (Baked Indian Dessert Empanadas)
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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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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Rasmalai Tiramisu
Rasmalai Tiramisu is a 20-minute make-ahead Indian fusion dessert with layers of ladyfingers, rasmalai, and cardamom-scented whipped cream.
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Easy Kalakand Recipe
This Easy Kalakand recipe makes soft, creamy milk fudge perfumed with cardamom and adorned with chopped nuts for a satisfying sweet treat, ready in 25 minutes.
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Easy Rasmalai Recipe
This Easy Rasmalai Recipe features rasgulla balls in a silky smooth cream perfumed with nuts, saffron and cardamom ready in 25 minutes!
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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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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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Kulfi Ice Cream (No-Churn 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 (Rava 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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Carrot Halwa | Gajar Halwa
Easy Instant Pot recipe for Carrot Halwa or Gajar Halwa, a traditional Indian dessert made with grated carrots, milk, sugar, nuts, and cardamom.
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Badam Halwa
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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Easy Kheer (Rice Pudding) Recipe
This creamy Indian rice pudding, Kheer, transforms rice, milk and sugar into a delicious, comforting treat infused with aromatic cardamom.
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Badam Halwa in 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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Mango Cheesecake Recipe
Easy instant pot recipe for mango cheesecake with sweet mangoes and cream cheese filling, poured on a gluten-free pistachio & cardamom crust.
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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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Easy Kalakand Recipe
This Easy Kalakand recipe makes soft, creamy milk fudge perfumed with cardamom and adorned with chopped nuts for a satisfying sweet treat, ready in 25 minutes.
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Suji Halwa | Sooji Halwa
Easy 15-minute recipe for Sooji Halwa, or Suji Halwa, a creamy Indian pudding made with roasted semolina, ghee, sugar, milk & cardamom.
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Holi Snacks
Samosa Recipe - Air Fryer, Fried & Baked
Sharing my fail-proof samosa recipe with step-by-step instructions on the dough, filling and fold in the air fryer, oven or deep-fried.
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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
This fun and festive Samosa Chaat recipe is bursting with color, flavor and texture. Crispy Samosa served with Chana masala made in the Instant Pot, this popular street food is easy to prep ahead.
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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 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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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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Air Fryer Chickpeas (& Oven-Roasted)
Air Fryer Chickpeas are crispy, crunchy flavor bites that make a great snack and salad topper. Crisp them in the air fryer in a little over 15 minutes, with the option to roast them in the oven too.
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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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Holi Lunch Menu
Since everyone ends up spending the morning playing Holi with friends and family, easy one-pot meals are a norm for lunch.
I focus on heavy snacks and a variety of sweets along with a simple main course for lunch. In this section, I include easy and 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
Pav Bhaji
Authentic Mumbai Pav Bhaji recipe! Flavorful mashed vegetable curry, called Bhaji, served with buttery dinner rolls called Pav, ready in 30 minutes in your Instant Pot or stove.
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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
Tandoori Paneer Naan Pizza
This Tandoori Paneer Naan Pizza is a fusion of Indian flatbread, pizza toppings and yogurt-marinated paneer cheese that's baked until golden and crispy.
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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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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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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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Frequently Asked Questions
What is the special dish of Holi?
Fried or sweet and spicy snacks are often the highlight in holi menu. These include Samosa, Chaat, Pakora or Dahi Bhalla (Dahi vada).
What is the main sweet of Holi?
Depending on region, Gujiya, Kheer, Rasmalai and Kalakand are popular sweet recipes that people make on Holi.
Is a special dish prepared in north India on Holi?
Dahi Bhalla, also known as Dahi Vada is a must-have on holi. These are lentil fritters that are soaked in seasoned yogurt, then garnished with tamarind and cilantro chutney, and other toppings like sev, cilantro and pomegranate arils. All over the north, people have slight variations in how they make this delicacy.
What should I wear on Holi?
If you've watched Bollywood movies with Holi songs, you might think white is the official color of holi 🙂 In reality, you can wear anything that you're willing to get color on and let go since once it's stained with all the colors, there's no recovery 🙂
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!