Diwali recipes

Plan a delicious Diwali with our recipes that celebrate the Hindu festival of lights. Our Diwali recipes include festive curries, Indian side dishes, special biryanis, fluffy Indian flatbreads and plenty more feasting dishes to feed a crowd.

We’ve also included recipes from some of the UK’s leading chefs and restaurateurs with Indian heritage, including Vivek Singh, Ravinder Bhogal, Chetna Makan and Rohit Ghai.

And check out popular Diwali sweet dishes like kheer, carrot halwa and gulab jamun, too.

Happy Diwali!

Showing 1-16 of 45 recipes

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Fennel and onion pakoras

Fennel recipes

Fennel and onion pakoras

Acclaimed chef Aktar Islam shares his recipe for the best pakoras you'll ever cook. Golden, light and crisp - these fritters hit the spot. 

Dairy-free Gluten-free Vegan Vegetarian
  • Effort icon Medium
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Maunika Gowardhan’s vegetable korma (Navratan Korma)

Curry recipes

Maunika Gowardhan’s vegetable korma (Navratan Korma)

Maunika Gowardhan's rich vegetable korma is packed with cashews, vegetables, ginger and tangy pineapple. Perfect for Diwali celebrations.

Gluten-free Vegetarian
  • Effort icon Easy
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Maunika Gowardhan’s Sindhi fish pulao (Sindhi machhi jo pulao)

Diwali recipes

Maunika Gowardhan’s Sindhi fish pulao (Sindhi machhi jo pulao)

Maunika Gowardhan's recipe for fragrant Sindi fish pulao, made with sea bream, is perfect for serving as part of a big Diwali spread.

Gluten-free
  • Effort icon Easy
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Maunika Gowardhan’s spicy potato fry (Chettinad Urulai)

Diwali recipes

Maunika Gowardhan’s spicy potato fry (Chettinad Urulai)

Maunika Gowardhan shares her recipe for authentic Chettinad potato fry. This spicy potato dish sings with chilli, mustard and black pepper.

Dairy-free Gluten-free Vegan
  • Effort icon Easy
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Maunika Gowardhan’s lamb fry (Kolhapuri kaala lamb sukka)

Diwali recipes

Maunika Gowardhan’s lamb fry (Kolhapuri kaala lamb sukka)

Maunika Gowardhan shares her recipe for lamb fry, a classic dry curry in Kolhapuri cooking. A kaala masala spice blend adds fiery warmth.

Gluten-free
  • Effort icon Easy
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Pakora

Diwali recipes

Pakora

Super quick and versatile, you can put pretty much any vegetable into pakora – just finely slice anything firm so it can cook quickly.

Dairy-free Gluten-free Vegetarian
  • Effort icon Medium
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Coconut, saffron and pistachio barfi

Diwali recipes

Coconut, saffron and pistachio barfi

Cooking and sharing Indian sweets are the essence of Diwali, says Maunika Gowardhan, who shares her creamy pistachio barfi recipe.

Gluten-free Vegetarian
  • Effort icon Easy
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Green coriander chutney

Indian side dishes

Green coriander chutney

Whizz up a batch of green coriander chutney in just 10 mins. This zingy fresh chutney has a chilli kick. Spoon it over fish or chicken.

Vegan
  • Effort icon Easy
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Papdi chaat

Indian side dishes

Papdi chaat

Vivek Singh shares his recipe for papdi chaat. This colourful snack dish includes crispy papdi, coriander chutney, spiced potato and yogurt.

Vegetarian
  • Effort icon Easy
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Thandhai (spiced milk cooler)

Non-alcoholic drink recipes

Thandhai (spiced milk cooler)

Vivek Singh shares his recipe for thandai, a traditional Indian cold drink made with almonds, milk and spices and often drunk during Holi.

Vegetarian
  • Effort icon Easy
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West Bengali lamb curry (khela kalia)

Lamb curry recipes

West Bengali lamb curry (khela kalia)

Vivek Singh shares his recipe for West Bengali lamb curry. This rich, celebratory dish is also known as Sunday special or holiday curry.

  • Effort icon Easy
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Mixed vegetable pilau (Subz mutter pulao)

Indian side dishes

Mixed vegetable pilau (Subz mutter pulao)

Vivek Singh's mixed vegetable pilau (subz mutter pulao) is packed with cauliflower, carrots and peas. Serve with lamb or goat curry.

Vegetarian
  • Effort icon Easy
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Aloo paratha (potato flatbreads)

Indian side dishes

Aloo paratha (potato flatbreads)

Chef Rohit Ghai shares his recipe for aloo paratha, potato-stuffed flatbreads. Delicious for breakfast, or as part of an Indian feast.

Vegan
  • Effort icon Easy
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Malpuas (sweet pancakes)

Pancake recipes

Malpuas (sweet pancakes)

Rohit Ghai shares his recipe for malpuas, sweet pancakes fried in ghee and dipped in syrup. They’re traditionally made during festivals.

Vegetarian
  • Effort icon Easy
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Frozen thandai semifreddo meringue cake

Impressive recipes for a special occasion

Frozen thandai semifreddo meringue cake

Ravinder Bhogal's spectacular frozen thandai semifreddo meringue cake is perfect for a big Diwali gathering or other special celebration.

Gluten-free Vegetarian
  • Effort icon Easy
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Rose and pistachio cake with cardamom toffee sauce

Easy cake recipes

Rose and pistachio cake with cardamom toffee sauce

Chetna Makan's delicate rose and pistachio cake is delicious on its own, but you won't be able to resist pouring cardamon toffee sauce on top.

  • Effort icon Easy
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