10+ Iftar Recipes to Delight Your Ramadan Nights

Iftar is a special time during Ramadan when families and friends come together to break their fast. It is a moment to enjoy delicious meals that nourish the body and spirit.

Exploring a variety of iftar recipes can help you create memorable and flavorful dishes that everyone will love.

From comforting soups to savory snacks, there are countless options to choose from. Each recipe brings its own unique taste and can cater to different dietary needs.

With a little creativity, you can prepare a delightful iftar spread that will make your meal times even more enjoyable.

1) Chicken Fajita Rolls

Chicken fajita rolls are delicious and perfect for iftar. You can fill them with seasoned chicken, peppers, and onions. It’s a fun way to enjoy a tasty meal.

Start by cooking chicken with spices like cumin and chili powder. Then, sauté some bell peppers and onions until they’re soft.

Once everything is cooked, roll the mixture in tortillas. You can serve them with salsa or sour cream for extra flavor. These rolls are a crowd-pleaser and easy to make.

Ingredients

• 2 cups cooked chicken, shredded
• 1 cup bell peppers, sliced
• 1 cup onions, sliced
• 2 teaspoons cumin
• 2 teaspoons chili powder
• 4 large tortillas
• Salsa or sour cream for serving

Cooking Instructions

1. Preheat a pan over medium heat (350°F or 180°C).
2. Cook the chicken with cumin and chili powder for 5 minutes.
3. Add bell peppers and onions, cook until soft.
4. Roll the mixture in tortillas.
5. Serve with salsa or sour cream.

2) Garlicky Potato & Spinach Croquettes

Garlicky potato and spinach croquettes are a tasty treat to serve during iftar. They are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The flavors of garlic and spinach make them delicious and satisfying.

To make these croquettes, you’ll need a few simple ingredients. Boiling the potatoes first is important for making a smooth filling. Then, mix in minced onion, crushed garlic, and spices for extra flavor.

These croquettes are perfect for dipping in your favorite sauce. You’ll love how quickly they disappear from the table!

Ingredients

• 6 medium potatoes (boiled)
• 2 tablespoons minced onion
• 2-3 cloves crushed garlic
• 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
• ½ teaspoon cumin powder
• ¼ teaspoon turmeric
• Salt to taste
• Oil for frying

Cooking Instructions

1. Boil and mash the potatoes.
2. Mix in onion, garlic, and spices.
3. Shape the mixture into small patties.
4. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F/175°C).
5. Fry the croquettes until golden brown on both sides.

3) Kala Chana Chaat

Kala Chana Chaat is a flavorful and nutritious dish that is perfect for iftar. Made with brown chickpeas, it brings a delightful mix of textures and tastes. You will love how easy it is to prepare.

Start by washing and soaking brown chickpeas overnight. After draining them, cook in an instant pot until tender. This step usually takes about 15-20 minutes.

Next, mix in chopped onions, tomatoes, green chilies, and fresh mint for flavor. Squeeze some lemon juice on top to add a refreshing touch.

This dish is not only delicious but also packed with protein. Serve it chilled or at room temperature for a satisfying meal.

Ingredients

• 1 cup brown chickpeas
• 1 small onion, chopped
• 1 tomato, chopped
• 2-3 green chilies, chopped
• Fresh mint leaves
• Lemon juice
• Salt to taste

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak the brown chickpeas overnight.
2. Drain and cook in an instant pot for 15-20 minutes.
3. Chop the onions, tomatoes, and green chilies.
4. In a bowl, mix the cooked chickpeas with chopped ingredients.
5. Add mint leaves and lemon juice.
6. Season with salt and serve.

4) Dahi Vada

Dahi Vada is a popular treat for iftar. It consists of soft lentil fritters soaked in spiced yogurt. This dish is refreshing and perfect for breaking your fast.

To make Dahi Vada, you first need to prepare the vadas by soaking urad dal (black gram lentils) overnight. After blending the dal into a smooth batter, you can shape them into small rounds and deep-fry until golden brown.

Once your vadas are ready, soak them in water for a few minutes. Then, gently squeeze out the excess water and place them in a serving dish. Pour spiced yogurt over the vadas and top with tamarind chutney and some spices for extra flavor.

Ingredients

• 1 cup urad dal (black gram lentils)
• 3 cups yogurt
• 2-3 cups water
• 1 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cumin powder
• Tamarind chutney (optional)

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak urad dal overnight.
2. Blend soaked dal into a smooth batter.
3. Heat oil in a pan for deep frying.
4. Shape the batter into small rounds and fry until golden brown.
5. Soak fried vadas in water for 5 minutes, then squeeze out excess water.
6. Place vadas in a dish and cover with yogurt.
7. Add tamarind chutney and spices as desired.

5) Galouti Kabab

Galouti Kebab is a delicious option for iftar. These soft and juicy kebabs are perfect to enjoy with naan or paratha. They are famous for their rich flavors and tender texture.

To make these kebabs, you’ll need tender mutton mince mixed with spices. The secret ingredient is raw papaya paste, which makes the meat very soft.

Serve them hot with mint chutney or yogurt sauce for an extra kick. Your friends and family will love this tasty dish during Ramadan.

Ingredients

• 750g mutton mince
• 200g mutton fat
• 3-4 tbsp raw papaya paste
• 1 tsp ginger paste
• 1 tsp garlic paste
• 1 tsp garam masala
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander, chopped

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix the mutton mince and fat in a bowl.
2. Add the raw papaya paste, ginger paste, garlic paste, garam masala, and salt.
3. Blend everything well and let it marinate for at least 2 hours.
4. Shape the mixture into small kebabs.
5. Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (about 350°F or 175°C).
6. Fry the kebabs until golden brown on both sides. Serve hot.

6) Fruit Chaat

Fruit Chaat is a delightful and refreshing dish perfect for iftar. It combines various fruits with a mix of spices to create a sweet and savory treat. You can customize it with your favorite fruits.

Common fruits used include apples, bananas, mangoes, and oranges. The addition of chaat masala gives it a unique flavor. You can also add some chickpeas for extra texture.

To prepare, just chop the fruits and mix them in a bowl. Drizzle some lemon juice and sprinkle chaat masala for seasoning. This dish is easy to make and full of nourishing ingredients.

Ingredients

• 1 apple, chopped
• 1 banana, sliced
• 1 orange, segmented
• 1 cup of mixed berries
• 1-2 tablespoons chaat masala
• 1-2 tablespoons lemon juice
• Optional: 1/2 cup chickpeas

Cooking Instructions

1. Chop the apple and banana.
2. Segment the orange and mix all fruits in a bowl.
3. Add chaat masala and lemon juice.
4. Stir gently to combine.
5. Serve chilled or at room temperature.

7) Mango Lassi

Mango lassi is a delicious and refreshing drink that is perfect for iftar. It’s smooth, creamy, and packed with flavor. This drink combines mango, yogurt, and a few simple ingredients.

You can easily adjust sweetness by using sugar to taste. This drink is also cool and soothing, making it a great choice after a long day of fasting.

To make your mango lassi extra special, try adding a sprinkle of cardamom or a dash of rose water. This adds a unique flavor that’s sure to impress.

Ingredients

• 1.5 cups mango pulp
• ½ cup plain yogurt
• ½ cup milk
• Sugar to taste
• Optional: cardamom or rose water

Cooking Instructions

1. In a blender, combine mango pulp, yogurt, and milk.
2. Blend until smooth.
3. Add sugar and optional ingredients to taste.
4. Blend again briefly.
5. Pour into glasses and enjoy chilled.

8) Chicken Shawarma

Chicken shawarma is a delicious and popular dish perfect for iftar. It’s flavorful, easy to make, and great for sharing with family and friends. You can serve it in pita bread or on a plate with rice.

To get started, you’ll need chicken, spices, and some fresh veggies. You can marinate the chicken in garlic, cumin, and paprika to enhance the flavor. A tangy yogurt sauce can also make it even tastier.

Ingredients

• 1 pound (450 grams) chicken thighs
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon garlic powder
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon paprika
• Salt and pepper to taste
• Pita bread or rice
• Fresh veggies (lettuce, tomatoes, onions)

Cooking Instructions

1. Mix olive oil, garlic powder, cumin, paprika, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
2. Add chicken and marinate for at least 30 minutes.
3. Preheat your grill or pan to 400°F (200°C).
4. Cook the chicken for 6-8 minutes on each side.
5. Slice the chicken and serve in pita with veggies and sauce.

9) Gola Kabab

Gola Kabab is a delicious treat for iftar. These flavorful kebabs are made with minced meat, spices, and herbs. They are juicy, soft, and perfect for sharing with family and friends.

To make Gola Kabab, you can use beef or chicken. The meat is mixed with onions, garlic, and spices for great taste. Shaping them into balls gives them their unique name “gola,” which means ball in Urdu.

You can cook these kebabs on the grill or pan-fry them. Serve them with mint chutney for a tasty dip.

Ingredients:

• 500g minced meat (beef or chicken)
• 1 onion, finely chopped
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 tablespoon ginger, grated
• 1-2 green chilies, chopped
• 1 teaspoon cumin powder
• 1 teaspoon coriander powder
• Salt to taste
• Fresh herbs (like cilantro or mint)

Cooking Instructions:

1. In a bowl, mix the minced meat with onion, garlic, ginger, green chilies, and spices.
2. Shape the mixture into small balls.
3. Heat oil in a pan or preheat the grill to medium (350°F/175°C).
4. Cook the kebabs until browned and cooked through. This takes about 5-7 minutes on each side.
5. Serve hot with chutney.

10) Traditional Haleem

Haleem is a hearty dish enjoyed during Ramadan. This traditional meal combines meat, lentils, and grains, making it rich in flavor and nutrition. Its velvety texture makes it a favorite.

To prepare Haleem, you’ll start by soaking wheat and lentils. Then, cook meat with onions, garlic, ginger, and spices in a pot. The slow cooking brings out the delicious flavors.

Once the ingredients are combined, simmer everything for several hours. You want the mixture to be thick and creamy. When ready, serve it hot, garnished with fried onions and fresh herbs.

Ingredients

• 1 cup wheat
• 1 cup lentils
• 1 pound meat (beef or chicken)
• 2 onions, sliced
• 2 cloves garlic, minced
• 1 inch ginger, minced
• 1 cup yogurt
• Spices (cumin, coriander, salt, black pepper)

Cooking Instructions

1. Soak the wheat and lentils overnight.
2. In a large pot, sauté onions until golden brown.
3. Add garlic, ginger, and meat. Cook until browned.
4. Mix in soaked grains and lentils.
5. Add water to cover the mixture and simmer for 4-5 hours.
6. Stir occasionally and add more water if needed.
7. Once thick, garnish with fried onions and herbs before serving.