Navratri Recipe 2026- 8 Navratri Recipes You Can Make Under 30 Minutes

Fasting during Navratri does not have to mean spending hours in the kitchen. Navratri begins on Sunday, October 11, 2026, and continues for nine days, during which many people balance their daily routines, office work, school runs and evening aartis while observing the vrat. These easy Navratri recipes for 2026 are designed to make fasting meals simpler, with cooking times of less than 30 minutes, basic ingredients and straightforward preparation methods.

Fasting traditions and dietary restrictions can differ from one household to another, so check which ingredients are permitted in your family before preparing these dishes. In all the recipes below, sendha namak (rock salt) is used instead of regular table salt to suit common fasting practices.

Before You Start: Stock Up on Navratri Fasting Essentials

Having a few essential ingredients ready can make preparing vrat-friendly meals much quicker. Keep ghee, sendha namak, cumin seeds, green chillies, boiled potatoes and roasted peanuts within easy reach. Store kuttu (buckwheat), singhara (water chestnut) and rajgira (amaranth) flours in airtight containers to maintain their freshness. It is best to purchase these flours in small quantities from a reliable source and check for any unusual smell or signs of spoilage before using them.

Main Meals

1. Aloo Jeera (15 Minutes, Serves 2)

Aloo jeera is a simple, flavourful potato dish that works well for lunch or dinner during Navratri. Prepared with boiled potatoes, cumin seeds and ghee, it requires minimal preparation and pairs perfectly with kuttu puri or a bowl of curd.

Ingredients:

3 boiled potatoes, peeled and cubed
1 tbsp ghee
1 tsp cumin seeds
1 green chilli, chopped
Sendha namak to taste
A squeeze of lemon juice
Fresh coriander, chopped

Method:

Heat ghee in a pan and add the cumin seeds, allowing them to crackle.
Add the chopped green chilli and cubed potatoes.
Season with sendha namak and toss everything together.
Cook over medium heat for 5–7 minutes until the potatoes develop a light golden colour.
Finish with lemon juice and chopped coriander before serving.

2. Kuttu Ki Puri (25 Minutes, Serves 2–3)

Kuttu ki puri is a popular choice for Navratri fasting and can be served with aloo jeera, vrat-friendly potato curry or curd. Adding mashed potato to the dough helps bind the flour, making the puris easier to roll and fry.

Ingredients:

1 cup kuttu atta
1 boiled potato, mashed
½ tsp cumin seeds
Sendha namak to taste
Water as required
Ghee or oil for frying

Method:

Combine kuttu atta, mashed potato, cumin seeds and sendha namak in a bowl.
Add a little water at a time and knead into a firm dough.
Let the dough rest for about 5 minutes.
Divide it into small portions and gently roll each portion into an even round.
Heat ghee or oil in a pan and fry the puris over medium heat until they puff up and turn lightly golden.
Serve hot with your favourite vrat-friendly accompaniment.

3. Samak Rice Khichdi (20 Minutes, Serves 2)

Samak rice, also known as barnyard millet, is a popular alternative to regular rice during fasting. This comforting khichdi combines samak rice with potatoes, roasted peanuts and mild spices to create a filling meal without requiring much effort.

Ingredients:

½ cup samak rice
1 medium potato, cubed
2 tbsp roasted peanuts
1 tsp ghee
½ tsp cumin seeds
1 green chilli, chopped
Sendha namak to taste
1 cup water, plus extra if required
Fresh coriander, chopped

Method:

Rinse the samak rice thoroughly and soak it for 10 minutes.
Heat ghee in a pan and add the cumin seeds and green chilli.
Add the cubed potato and sauté for about 2 minutes.
Drain the rice and add it to the pan along with water and sendha namak.
Cover and cook for 10–12 minutes, or until the rice is tender and fluffy. Add a little extra water if necessary.
Garnish with roasted peanuts and chopped coriander before serving.

Breakfast and Snacks
4. Rajgira Paratha (25 Minutes, Serves 2–3)

Rajgira paratha is a nutritious addition to your Navratri breakfast menu. Made with amaranth flour and mashed potatoes, it offers a satisfying combination of ingredients while remaining easy to prepare. Since rajgira dough tends to crack, rolling it gently is essential.

Ingredients:

1 cup rajgira atta
1 boiled potato, mashed
1 green chilli, finely chopped
Sendha namak to taste
Ghee for cooking

Method:

Mix rajgira atta, mashed potato, green chilli and sendha namak in a bowl.
Knead into a soft dough, adding a little water if needed.
Place a small portion of dough between two lightly greased sheets and gently roll it into a paratha.
Heat a tawa and carefully transfer the paratha onto it.
Cook with a little ghee for 1–2 minutes on each side until lightly golden and cooked through.
Serve hot with vrat-friendly curd or potato curry.
5. Singhare Ke Atte Ka Cheela (15 Minutes, Serves 2)

If you prefer a light breakfast or an easy evening snack, singhare ke atte ka cheela is worth trying. Water chestnut flour, curd and fresh coriander come together to make a simple batter that cooks quickly on a hot tawa.

Ingredients:

½ cup singhara atta
¼ cup curd
Water as required
Sendha namak to taste
1 green chilli, chopped
Fresh coriander, chopped
Ghee for cooking

Method:

Add singhara atta, curd and enough water to a bowl.
Whisk until you have a smooth, pourable batter.
Mix in sendha namak, chopped green chilli and coriander.
Heat a tawa and grease it lightly with ghee.
Pour a ladleful of batter onto the tawa and spread it gently into a thin circle.
Cook for about 2 minutes on each side until the cheela is cooked through and lightly golden.
6. Sabudana Khichdi (20 Minutes of Cooking, Plus Soaking Time)

Sabudana khichdi is a classic Navratri fasting dish known for its soft tapioca pearls, crunchy peanuts and mild flavours. Although the cooking process is quick, the sabudana needs to be soaked in advance to achieve the right texture and prevent the khichdi from becoming sticky.

Ingredients:

½ cup sabudana
1 boiled potato, cubed
¼ cup roasted peanuts, coarsely crushed
1 tsp ghee
½ tsp cumin seeds
1 green chilli, chopped
Sendha namak to taste
Lemon juice to taste

Method:

Rinse the sabudana and soak it for 4–6 hours in just enough water to cover the pearls.
Check that the pearls soften when pressed, then drain them thoroughly.
Heat ghee in a pan and add the cumin seeds and chopped green chilli.
Add the boiled potato and sauté briefly.
Stir in the drained sabudana, crushed peanuts and sendha namak.
Cook over low heat for 5–7 minutes, stirring gently until the pearls become translucent.
Add lemon juice and serve warm.

Tip: Soak and drain the sabudana properly before cooking. Excess water is one of the main reasons the pearls turn sticky or clump together.

Sweet and Light Options
7. Makhana Kheer (25 Minutes, Serves 2)

For those who enjoy something sweet during Navratri, makhana kheer is a comforting option. Made with fox nuts, milk, sugar and cardamom, this creamy dessert is easy to prepare and can be enjoyed warm or chilled.

Ingredients:

1 cup makhana
2 cups full-fat milk
1 tsp ghee
2 tbsp sugar, or to taste
¼ tsp cardamom powder
Chopped nuts for garnish

Method:

Heat ghee in a pan and roast the makhana for 3–4 minutes until crisp.
Allow it to cool slightly and crush half of the roasted makhana into smaller pieces.
Bring the milk to a gentle simmer in a saucepan.
Add all the makhana and cook for 10–12 minutes, stirring occasionally.
Mix in the sugar and cardamom powder, stirring until the sugar dissolves.
Garnish with chopped nuts and serve warm or chilled.

Tip: The kheer naturally thickens as it cools, so adjust the consistency with a little extra milk if needed.

8. Fruit Chaat (5 Minutes, Serves 2)

When you need something refreshing without turning on the stove, fruit chaat is an excellent option. A colourful combination of fresh fruits, lemon juice and fasting-friendly seasonings makes it quick to prepare and easy to enjoy between meals.

Ingredients:

Chopped apple
Sliced banana
Pomegranate seeds
Grapes, halved
Lemon juice to taste
Sendha namak to taste
A pinch of vrat-friendly chaat masala, if permitted

Method:

Wash the fruits thoroughly and cut them into bite-sized pieces.
Combine the apple, banana, pomegranate seeds and grapes in a bowl.
Add lemon juice, sendha namak and a pinch of fasting-friendly chaat masala, if your household permits it.
Toss gently to combine the flavours.
Serve immediately for the best taste and freshness.