40+ colorful Holi recipes to celebrate one of the most fun Indian festival. From delicious desserts, snacks and light meals to a traditional Thali, check out this extensive list of lip smacking Indian foods.
Holi, the festival of Colors is one of my favorite Indian festival. It brings back memories of celebrating this colorful festival – playing with colors and enjoying delicious foods with family and friends .
Over the past few years, Holi has become so popular that it is now celebrated in several cities all over the world. I live in a community that has been organizing Holi events over the last few years. It is a great way to participate as a family so the children get to experience the rich culture and enjoy the festivities with family and friends.
40+ Best Holi Recipes – Desserts, Snacks and Meal ideas:
I am excited to share my favorite Holi recipes that I grew up eating. This collection of festive recipes include desserts, snacks and main dishes that are sure to impress your guests!
Holi Dessert Recipes
Sweet treats or desserts has always been a big part of Indian festivals and celebrations. Each family may have a different variation of the sweet treats they make to celebrate the festival of colors. Here are my favorite desserts!
Mango Shrikhand
A cool and lush mango flavored dessert made with creamy yogurt and sweet mangoes, garnished with aromatic saffron. This is my favorite no-cook dessert for Indian festivals as it can be made ahead and is loved by all.
Rice Kheer
Creamy, lightly sweetened Rice Pudding AKA ‘Kheer’ is infused with fragrant saffron and cardamom. In India, Rice pudding is also known as kheer, phirni or payasam in different states with slight variation but same comforting flavors.
Seviyan Kheer
Vermicelli pudding topped with saffron, cashews, raisins and a hint of rose flavor, this Seviyan Kheer is a great last minute dessert to celebrate Holi.
Carrot Makhana Kheer
A deliciously creamy dessert made with the healthy, gluten free fox nuts cooked with milk, carrots with the floral essences of cardamom and saffron.
Pineapple Sheera
Pineapple Sheera is an exotic, tropical tasting dessert made with sweet and tangy pineapple cooked with ghee roasted semolina garnished with aromatic saffron and nuts.
Carrot Sheera
My mom's signature recipe, this variation of sheera has grated carrots added to the classic recipe made with semolina, sugar and ghee. The carrots add festive color and delicious taste to the creamy sheera.
Instant Pot Carrot Halwa
Gajar ka halwa is a popular Indian dessert made with grated carrots cooked in ghee, milk, aromatic cardamom, saffron and garnished with nuts and raisins. Enjoyed warm or cold, this make ahead dessert is ready in under 30 minutes using the Instant Pot Pressure Cooker.
Instant Pot Dudhi Halwa {Lauki Halwa}
Another popular Indian dessert, Dudhi Halwa is a creamy pudding made with grated bottle gourd also known as lauki. This perfectly sweetened, creamy pudding is traditionally laced with cardamom but feel free to add vanilla extract instead for a surprise twist.
Instant Pot Sweet Potato Halwa
Looking for a more healthier Indian dessert? Try this Sweet Potato Halwa with a delicious coconut crunch that is lightly sweetened with brown sugar or jaggery.
Coconut Mango Burfi {Fudge}
5-ingredient dessert with a soft melt-in-mouth, fudgy texture, this coconut mango burfi has fragrant Alphonso mango pulp that makes this dessert heavenly. This must-try recipe has my favorite ingredients - coconut and mango - if you love them too, make this recipe today!
Mom's Besan Ladoo
Besan Ladoo are creamy, melt-in-the-mouth dessert balls. These Laddu or Ladu are made with besan/gram flour, ghee and sugar, laced with aromatic cardamom, nutmeg and saffron.
Rava Coconut ladoo - no-fail recipe
Another dessert ball recipe made with freshly grated coconut, roasted semolina with the aromatic cardamom & saffron. Check out this recipe with all the tips and tricks to make perfect rava ladoo.
Rose Coconut Karanji
Rose Coconut Karanji or Gujiya is a crispy pastry filled with sweet and delicate rose flavored coconut filling that simply melts in your mouth.
Sweet Coconut Rice {Narali Bhath}
Sweet Coconut Rice is made with rice and coconut and is flavored with cloves, cardamom, and saffron. EASY to make, this lightly dessert rice has delicious tropical coconut flavors.
Easy Shankarpali | Shakkar Para
Shankarpali or Shakarpara is a crispy & lightly sweetened snack prepared using few pantry ingredients. These irresistible bite-sized sugar cookies can be prepared ahead of time and make for a perfect snack that can be enjoyed year around.
Fried flatbreads with sweet filling
Saranachi Puri or Satori, a fried flatbread made with sweet filling is a Maharashtrian delicacy made for special occasions. Try this make ahead recipe for your next Holi celebration and treat your family and friends to a unique dessert they will love.
Ricotta cheesecake with rose & cardamom
Lighter than the traditional cheese cake, this perfectly sweetened ricotta cheesecake is laced with delicate notes of rose & cardamom. The buttery pistachio crust will remind you of the nutty baklava and is a must-try recipe that will win everyones heart over.
Rose Falooda {Rose flavored ice cream sundae float}
An ice cream float with aromatic rose syrup, cool sweet basil seeds, thin noodles, and cold milk topped with creamy vanilla ice-cream and nuts of your choice. A Colorful dessert/drink that is a must-have for Holi celebration.
Holi Snacks Recipes
Here are some of the snacks or light meals that are quick to make while satisfying everyones taste buds. I love these recipes for Holi as they are easy and can be made ahead so I have more time to enjoy the festival with my favorite people.
Aloo Chaat in Phyllo Cups
A stunning contrast of colors, Aloo Chaat in Phyllo Cups is a fusion of the all time favorite spiced potatoes, sweet – spicy chutneys and lightly sweetened creamy yogurt. Dressed up in crunchy sev and bright red pomegranate pearls, this snack is a crowd pleaser.
Healthy No Fry Dahi Vada | Dahi Bhalle
Dahi Vada are soft, melt-in-your-mouth, lentil dumplings dunked in lush yogurt that is garnished with sweet and tangy tamarind-date chutney, red chili powder, cumin-coriander powder and crunchy sev.
No Fry Sabudana Vada {Tapioca Fritters}
No-fry version of the traditional Sabudana Vada this Maharashtrian delicacy that is made with tapioca pearls, mashed potatoes, ground peanuts, chillies and cumin seeds. Served with a sweet, and spicy yogurt sauce these tapicoa fritters are sure to tickle your taste buds!
Easy Paneer Kathi Roll
Popular Indian street-food, Paneer Kathi rolls are warm, layered parathas filled with spicy paneer, mixed peppers and sweet caramelized onions. Whether you make it for a quick weeknight meal or a leisurely gathering, these kathi rolls are sure to be a hit!
Instant Pot Dudhi Muthia
A Gujarati delicacy made with grated bottle gourd, fresh fenugreek leaves spiced with green chilies, ginger and turmeric. These irresistible savory dumplings have a perfect balance of spicy, tangy, and sweet flavors with golden pan-fried crunchy textures.
Instant Pot Rava Dhokla
Fluffy and soft savory semolina cakes that are lightly spiced with ginger, green chilies and an earthy tempering of black mustard seeds and sesame seeds. Served with fresh cilantro-mint chutney, rava dhokla is a great make-ahead snack or appetizer.
Instant Pot Kothimbir Vadi
Popular in the state of Maharashtra, these gluten-free and vegan spicy cilantro cakes can be enjoyed as a snack, breakfast or as a side dish in an authentic Thali.
Swiss Chard Aloo Vadi {Patra, Pathrado}
Swiss Chard Aloo Vadi is my take on the Maharashtrian Aloo vadi that is traditionally made with colocasia leaves. These spicy, sweet & tangy vadi’s are pan fried with sesame seeds for a tasty snack.
Handvo {Spicy Rice and lentils cake}
Handvo is a traditional gujarati savory cake made with rice, lentils and vegetables. Spiced with fresh ginger & green chilies, tempered with mustard seeds, sesame seeds & dried red chillies. This wholesome dish can be enjoyed as a meal by itself or as a snack.
Ragda Patties {pattice} - Instant Pot
A popular street food in India, Ragda patties is a dish everyone must try once. A spicy white peas curry served over potato patties and dressed up with sweet and tangy chutneys, crispy sev and garnished with diced onions and fresh cilantro. Every bite is a magical explosion of “CHAT-PATA” flavors!
Mumbai Pav Bhaji
Pav Bhaji is a spicy mashed vegetable dish, served piping hot with a dollop of butter, diced red onions, cilantro and a squeeze of lime. Served with warm buttery pan-toasted rolls, this dish is always a hit!
Spicy Misal Pav
Misal Pav is a vibrant meal consisting of a spicy sprouted bean curry topped with crunchy farsan, crisp red onions and fresh cilantro that is served with lightly buttered pav.
Traditional Holi Recipes:
In Maharashtra, where I grew up Holi always meant Puran Poli. Enjoying a traditional Puran Poli Thali with all the fixings is a pure bliss and an experience within itself.
If I am short of time, I often make Shrikhand and serve it with spicy batata bhaji and fluffy Puri’s.
More festive meal ideas:
Here is one of my Go-To North Indian Vegetarian meal that is not only tasty but COLORFUL :
Palak paneer, Stuffed tomatoes, Daal Makhani with Parathas and Vegetable Biryani
Looking for Indian Non Vegetarian Main Dishes to add to the feast? Try the Chicken Tikka Masala, Butter Chicken or Chicken Karahi
Check out more amazing Indian meal ideas in amazon best-seller, The Essential Indian Instant Pot Cookbook.
Here are some popular homemade Indian drinks to compliment festive meals:
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