NAVRATRI SPECIAL: 7 HEALTHY VRAT RECIPES TO TRY AT HOME

We have just entered in the holy days of Navratri 2026. Navratri is a time when many people observe fasts, visit temples and enjoy simple, sattvic food with family. But fasting does not mean you have to eat the same sabudana dish every day. With a few simple ingredients, you can prepare tasty and filling Navratri vrat recipes at home.

7 healthy Navratri vrat recipes

1. Sabudana Khichdi

Sabudana khichdi is one of the most popular Navratri vrat recipes. It is filling, easy to prepare and works well for breakfast or lunch.

Ingredients

• 1 cup sabudana
• 1 medium boiled potato
• ½ cup roasted peanuts
• 1–2 green chillies
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• Rock salt as required
• 1 tbsp ghee
• Fresh coriander
• 1 tsp lemon juice

 Recipe:

1. Soak the sabudana for 4–6 hours or until soft.
2. Heat ghee in a pan and add cumin seeds.
3. Add boiled potato and chopped green chillies.
4. Now add the soaked sabudana, roasted peanuts and rock salt.
5. Cook these ingredients on low flame until the sabudana becomes slightly transparent.
6. Turn off the gas and add lemon juice and fresh coriander.

2. Sabudana Vada

If you want something crispy, sabudana vada is a great choice. These small patties are easy to make and taste especially good with curd.

 Ingredients

• 1 cup soaked sabudana
• 2 boiled potatoes
• ½ cup roasted peanuts
• 1–2 green chillies
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• Rock salt as required
• Fresh coriander
• Oil or ghee for cooking

 Recipe:

1. Drain water from the soaked sabudana properly.
2. Mash the boiled potatoes and add them to a bowl.
3. Now add sabudana, crushed peanuts, green chillies, cumin, salt and coriander in the bowl.
4. Mix everything well and make small round patties.
5. Heat a little oil in a pan and fry the vadas until they become golden and crispy on both sides.
6. Serve hot with fresh curd or vrat-friendly chutney.

3. Makhane Ki Kheer

Do you want to prepare a sweet Navratri vrat recipes? Then you must go for the creamy, comforting, and delicious Makhane ki kheer.

 Ingredients

• 2 cups makhana
• 1 litre milk
• 3–4 tbsp sugar
• ½ tsp cardamom powder
• 2 tbsp chopped almonds and cashews
• 1 tsp ghee

 Recipe:

1. Heat ghee in a pan and lightly roast the makhana.
2. Crush a few makhanas while keeping the rest slightly bigger for texture.
3. Heat milk in a heavy-bottomed pan.
4. Add the roasted makhana and cook on low heat.
5. Add sugar and cardamom powder.
6. Cook until the milk thickens slightly.
7. Add chopped dry fruits and serve warm or chilled.

4. Aloo Jeera

Sometimes, we prefer to eat something salty, simple, and tasty. Aloo jeera is one of the quick Navratri vrat recipes that anyone can prepare in just a few minutes.

 Ingredients

• 3–4 boiled potatoes
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1–2 green chillies
• 1 tbsp ghee
• Rock salt as required
• Fresh coriander
• 1 tsp lemon juice

 Recipe:

1. Peel and cut the boiled potatoes into small pieces.
2. Heat ghee in a pan and add cumin seeds.
3. Add chopped green chillies.
4. Add the potatoes and rock salt.
5. Cook until the potatoes become lightly crisp.
6. Add lemon juice and fresh coriander before serving.

5. Arbi Ki Sabji

Arbi ki sabji is another traditional option for a vrat meal. It has a slightly crisp texture and goes well with curd or vrat-friendly roti.

 Ingredients

• 500 g arbi
• 1 tsp cumin seeds
• 1–2 green chillies
• 1 tbsp ghee or oil
• Rock salt as required
• ½ tsp cumin powder
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• Fresh coriander

 Recipe:

1. Boil the arbi until it becomes tender but does not turn too soft.
2. Peel and cut it into round pieces.
3. Heat ghee in a pan and add cumin seeds.
4. Add green chillies and the sliced arbi.
5. Sprinkle rock salt and cumin powder.
6. Cook until the edges become golden and slightly crisp.
7. Finish with lemon juice and fresh coriander.

6. Dry Fruit Ladoo

For those who prefer a homemade sweet, dry fruit ladoo is a convenient option. They are also easy to prepare in advance.

 Ingredients

• ½ cup almonds
• ½ cup cashews
• ¼ cup walnuts
• ½ cup seedless dates
• 1 tsp ghee
• 2–3 cardamom pods

 Recipe:

1. Lightly roast the almonds, cashews and walnuts.
2. Allow them to cool and grind them into a coarse mixture.
3. Blend the dates separately until they become soft and sticky.
4. Mix the dry fruits and dates together.
5. Add cardamom powder and a little ghee if required.
6. Take small portions and roll them into ladoos.

7. Makhana Chaat

Want something light and crunchy? Try makhana chaat. It is quick to prepare and can be a refreshing change from heavier vrat food.

 Ingredients

• 2 cups makhana
• 1 small boiled potato
• ½ cucumber
• 1 green chilli
• Fresh coriander
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• Rock salt as required
• ½ tsp roasted cumin powder

 Recipe:

1. Dry roast the makhana in a pan until crisp.
2. Cut the boiled potato and cucumber into small pieces.
3. Add them to a bowl with the roasted makhana.
4. Add green chilli, coriander, rock salt and roasted cumin powder.
5. Add lemon juice and mix everything gently.
6. Serve immediately so the makhana stays crunchy.

Turn Your Love for Cooking into a Career with NFCI

Enjoying new navratri vrat recipes at home can be the first step towards exploring the world of professional cooking. If you love trying different dishes, learning new techniques and creating something special in the kitchen, why not take your interest further?

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•  Hotel Management Institute in Amritsar
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•  Cooking Institute in Bathinda

Conclusion

Festivals are always more enjoyable when good food is part of the celebration. This Navratri, instead of preparing the same meal every day, try adding a few simple recipes to your menu. These crispy and mouthwatering navratri vrat recipes can make your vrat meals more enjoyable while keeping preparation simple. So, pick your favorite navratri vrat recipes, head to the kitchen and give it a try this Navratri!

Happy Navratri to all.

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