Iftar Recipes – assortment of recipes for Iftar, Iftar sweets, snacks and dinner recipes for Ramadan. Ramadan (also called Ramazan) is the pious month for muslims across the world. During Ramadan, majority of muslims observe day long fast and break the fast after sunset, at the time of Azaan. As part of breaking fast, most people first drink water and eat dates, subsequently indulging in more delicious dishes. Iftar is the name to the ceremony of breaking fast post day long fasting.
Jump to
- What is Ramadan
- Iftar – Meaning
- What to eat during Iftar
- Iftar Recipes – Snacks
- Paneer Sandwich Pakora
- Ramadan Recipe – Chicken Shami Kebab
- Angara Chicken Legs
- Mutton Chops – Asian Style – Ramadan Recipe
- Rosemary Garlic Lamb Lion Chops – Iftar recipe
- Papdi Chaat – Iftar Recipe
- Samosa
- Green chutney – Perfect Condiment for Iftar
- Chilli Chicken Dry
- Chilli Paneer – Veg recipe for Iftar
- Veg Manchurian
- Date and Fig Rolls
- Paneer Tikka
- Paneer Tikka Parcels
- Main course – Ramadan recipes for Iftar
- Desserts for Iftar
- Drinks for Iftar or Ramadan
- Ramadan Mubarak
What is Ramadan
Ramadan or ramazan, or ramzan or ramadhan is the ninth month of Islamic Calendar, observed as month of self cleansing by muslims around the globe. As part of Ramadan, most muslims observe fast, donate to charities and refrain from any non-pious activities. It is obligatory for every adult muslim to fast from sunrise to sunset, except for those who are chronically ill, travelling, breastfeeding, mensturating and diabetic (source: Wiki).
Iftar – Meaning
Iftar is the meal eaten after fasting day long. Ramadan fasts are probably one of the toughest fast, only comparable to karwa chauth fast observed by some Indian females. During ramadan, muslims will eat prior to sun-rise in early morning, also referred as sehri.
Iftar menu varies from household to household, depending on own capacity, some make it super lavish and some settle with whatever they can afford, however intend is to be happy and eat as good as one can.
Many people hosts Iftar parties and invite friends and families for dinner. Despite being a Hindu, I get invite from two of my muslim friends every ramadhan and I also try to host Iftar dinner once in these 29 – 30 days of ramadan.
Iftar menu would range from savouries, sweets, lavish meals and non-alcoholic drinks. I have compiled a list of food items which you can make in case you hosting Iftar dinner or looking for recipes to try during ramazan.
What to eat during Iftar
In my view Iftar menu should focus on the following, and I welcome any suggestion to make this page more meaningful.
- Eat healthy and nutritious, its most important part of any fasting day.
- Limit red meat consumption to optimum level.
- Include fruits and juices.
- Eat protein rich food.
- Restrict level of sweets, caffeine and too many aerated drinks.
- Eat in moderation and do not get carried away, its all about fasting. Eating too much could also lead to acidity and uneasiness during sleep.
- Use halal meat when it comes to any meat choices.
Iftar Recipes – Snacks
Paneer Sandwich Pakora
I have not found anyone who would say to these delicious paneer sandwich pakoras. Layer of chutneys along with paneer is not only delicious, its filling too, something to try this Ramadan.
Ramadan Recipe – Chicken Shami Kebab
A good Iftar must include something with chicken and these shami kebabs are totally finger licking. You can make these in advance too for the iftar dinner.
Angara Chicken Legs
No one would ever say no to these delicious fiery chicken legs. Keep the spice levels to your tastebuds and one meaty chicken leg will be good to please anyone in iftar.
Mutton Chops – Asian Style – Ramadan Recipe
Mutton or lamb chops marinated and cooked in Indian / Pakistani style is crowd pleaser, thanks to the succulent lamb pieces. This is one of my most loved recipe and I have covered how to make mutton chops using bbq, oven or stove top.
Rosemary Garlic Lamb Lion Chops – Iftar recipe
Those who wish to try the gravy version of lamb chops, can try this fragrant rosemary garlic lamb chops. I have covered details on which lamb pieces to buy, how to get the right cut and making sure you get the best out of premium lamb meat. You can use this for goat meat too.
Papdi Chaat – Iftar Recipe
Traditional Indian papdi chaat is all time favourite for all chaat lovers, including those who enjoy iftar dinners. This one is an easy to make iftar recipe, just little pre-pre required.
Samosa
A traditional punjabi samosa with “aloo” stuffing is an evergreen favourite of most of the people. If you wish to play safe and make something which will be loved by all, try this samosa. Look out for getting the perfect triangular shape in the video inside recipe details.
Green chutney – Perfect Condiment for Iftar
Green chutney or mint coriander chutney, aka cilantro chutney will a great condiment to go along other food items in your ramadan recipes for iftar. You can make this chutney in advance and lasts 4-5 days easily under refrigeration.
Chilli Chicken Dry
Try out something little different with this Indo-chinese chilli chicken, you can make it dry or keep it semi-dry. This chilli chicken acts as great appetiser and offers different flavour as against to kebabs and tikkas.
Chilli Paneer – Veg recipe for Iftar
Why restrict yourself to eating meat? Eat hearty with this restaurant style chilli paneer, an absolutely lovely paneer dish.
Veg Manchurian
The soft manchurian balls are one of the starters which you can have in mains too. Unique flavours of manchurian balls will tempt you and your guests to keep topping plate again and again.
Date and Fig Rolls
These mighty small date and fig rolls or laddo are supremely power packed, and does not require any cooking. So easy to make and have long shelf life, must include to get the energy levels back on the ramadan fasting days.
Paneer Tikka
Cottage cheese aka paneer lovers can never have enough of paneer and paneer tikka is one such thing which no paneer lover ever says no. Make these paneer tikka on tava, or barbecue or oven, you will get the same delicious taste, simply marinate the paneer pieces and make tikka out of it.
Paneer Tikka Parcels
Elevate the taste level to next level by making these paneer tikka parcels, kids love it too! So puffy, so delicious and yet so easy to make!
Main course – Ramadan recipes for Iftar
Some of the above suggested starters are filling enough that there may not be much need of a main course, however, if throwing an iftar party, I will recommend mixing up some of the appetisers above along with some of these mains from below. Let your iftar party be an event for your guests for life, fortunately, the recipes here won’t let you down.
Achari Gosht
Lamb or mutton meat in the achari flavour is a treat to lamb or meat lovers, in spite that this takes more than hour to make this, it is one of the finest meat recipe.
Handi Gosht
Food cooked in earthen pot tastes heavenly, and this handi gosht is no exception to this, because the flavours are so earthy. Even if you do not earthen pot, you can make this handi gosht for your ramazan iftar in normal pot, because this recipe won’t disappoint you.
Lamb Biryani
Talking of iftar meals, no list can ever be complete with out mention of biryani. A true biryani lover will always love biryani over any other form of rice, and for meat eaters, nothing comes closer to lamb or goat or gosht biryani. Try out this Dum Style biryani because its simply ambrosial!
Chicken Dum Biryani
Above I this post, I wrote to be considerate about not indulging in red meat too much, hence I recommend swapping with lamb with chicken when you can. If you going with lamb starter, go with chicken main, chicken has more proteins too, which you need a lot during ramadan. This chicken dum biryani in Hyderabad style is a feast in own right!
Chicken Yakhni Pulao
If you love biryani but find it too spicy for your tastebuds, then this yakhni pulao solves your problem. It offers same great taste as biryani, but subtle in spice levels, making it suitable for kids too, and the yakhni offers the health benefits too.
Paneer bhatura
Iftar menu does not mean meat and non-veg food only, hence this paneer stuffed bhatura is what you must have in your menu. Don’t get turned off thinking that it will be complicated process, its rather much easier and worth all the effort. Check the recipe and try it!
Kadai Paneer
Sometimes tried and tested recipes are the best thing to do when not in mood to experiment. If you happen to be looking for such recipe, then this kadai paneer recipe of mine won’t ever let you down. I have added a quick video too for help, explore it! This spicy paneer with capsicum served with plain chapatti or puffed puri or butter naan will be one thing you should try.
Shahi Paneer
If looking for mild flavoured paneer recipe, this shahi paneer is your best friend. Mild in spice does not mean mild in taste, it is absolutely bursting with flavours. For those who always get confused between butter paneer, shahi paneer, paneer lababdar, etc I have given details of that in my recipe.
Malai Kofta – Ramadan Recipe
Soft paneer dumplings in the creamy gravy is a simply scrumptious curry. Learn how to make malai kofta in restaurant style, and if you can make malai kofta, you can cook anything. Try it out this ramadan in your iftar.
Methi Paneer
If you have not tried methi / fenugreek in your recipes, you should! Here is one dedicated methi paneer which uses methi as core ingredient alongside paneer. The scrumptious flavours of this methi paneer will let you craving for more and more of this curry.
Desserts for Iftar
No party can be over without delicious desserts, even if it means iftar meet, dessert is a must.
Gulab Jamun
World famous gulab jamun has to be the first entrant in this list. Not only its loved by everyone, its easy to make and can be made in advance too, these also have decent shelf life of up to a 5-7 days.
Pista Rasmalai
You have had rasmalai, but try this pistacio laced rasmalai, even the color of rasmalai will go with the theme of iftar.
Rasmalai Cake
Now that I got you talking about rasmalai, how about Rasmalai cake. Yes, this fusion cake is “the thing” these days. I am yet to meet one person who has not liked it after eating. A perfect fusion of cake and rasmalai!
Rose Rasgulla
Rasgulla is again one Indian dessert which many would have tasted, however try a better version of it. This is rose rasgulla! The taste of rose in rasgulla will certainly salivate your guests during iftar, but you don’t be sorry and flaunt it in your menu.
Rabdi Falooda
Rabdi or rabri falooda is one dessert which I normally make every iftar, because normally its summer during ramadan and a dessert with ice-cream is just what everyone loves.
Rabdi
While I mentioned rabdi falooda above, rabdi aka rabri in itself makes a wonderful dessert. Ending the menu on the high of rabri will be amazing. This milk based dessert is simple to make and does not require huge set of ingredients. This one is a filling dessert recipe for ramadan iftar.
Blueberry Kheer
No iftar party is complete on true sense if there is no kheer or phirni, and this addition of blueberry kheer is all what you need to surprise guests during this iftar. Simple to make and supremely delicious is this kheer. It is one of new ramadan recipe for iftar.
Drinks for Iftar or Ramadan
One thing you should ensure is that there is ample supply of potable water. On top of water you can make these drinks easily at home and would help settle all the yummy food of iftar.
Blue lagoon drink
Wonderful hues of blue not only pleases eyes, the cold mocktail quenches the thirst too. Its ready in minutes and tasty too.
Masala Shikanji
If you wish to keep it simple, try this traditional shikanji aka nimbu paani, its refreshing flavour will rejuvenate anyone, suitable for kids too.
Ramadan Mubarak
I hope you find something for your taste here in this list of recipes, if you think I should add something here, please drop in a note. Happy fasting and feasting. Ramadan Mubarak! May God guide and protect us all.