As we all know Ramadan is just around the corner and Muslims around the world are excited about it. It is an essential time for Muslims, a time of family gathering, community, peace, and most importantly delicious food.
Muslims fast in Ramadan from dawn to dusk. The highlights of Ramadan are to offer prayer five times a day and have a delicious iftar meal, which is the meal that breaks the fast after sunset. It is a time to come together and enjoy a satisfying feast with loved ones.
If you’re looking for some tasty and unique iftar recipes to try this Ramadan, we are here to help you!
In this article, we’ve compiled a list of some delicious and mouthwatering iftar recipes and dishes that will please everyone at the table.
From savory to sweet, there’s something for everyone to savor and enjoy. So let’s explore these recipes to make your iftars special.
Fried Food Iftar Recipes
Fried food is a popular choice for iftar meals, as it is filling and satisfying after a day of fasting. From savory to sweet, there are plenty of fried food options to choose from that will surely satisfy your cravings.
So let’s explore these delicious and crispy recipes:
Potato Cheese Balls
Potato cheese balls are loved by elders and children alike. This can be a satisfying frying snack for your Iftar. Potato cheese balls are tastier, crispier, and easy to make. These crispy balls are made from mashed potatoes, mixed with a blend of cheese, herbs, and spices, then coated with breadcrumbs and deep-fried to perfection. The result is a crunchy exterior with a warm and gooey cheese center that will leave you craving for more.
These balls can be customized to your liking by adjusting the seasonings or adding different cheeses. They are a great option for a quick and tasty iftar snack. Don’t forget to garnish your iftar table with these yummy balls this Ramadan.
Eggplant Fries
Eggplant fries are a delicious and healthy alternative to traditional french fries, and they make a great iftar snack.
These fries are made by cutting the eggplant into thin strips, then dipping them in a batter made from all-purpose flour, spices, and milk, before coating them in breadcrumbs and frying until crispy. The result is a crispy and flavorful fry that is lower in calories and fat than traditional potato fries.
Eggplant fries can be seasoned with a variety of spices and can also be customized according to taste. They can be served with a dipping sauce of your choice. This recipe is a great addition to any iftar table.
Hariyali Chicken
Hariyali chicken is a traditional Indian recipe in which a chicken is marinated in a mixture of yogurt, herbs, and spices This marinade includes mint, green chilies, cilantro, ginger, and garlic paste and spices that give the chicken a fresh and zesty taste. You can add spices accordion to your taste. The marinated chicken is then grilled on a grilled pan or baked until tender and juicy.
Hariyali Chicken is a flavorful and aromatic dish that is perfect for iftar. It can be served as a main dish with rice or chapati or as an appetizer for iftar gatherings. It’s a great way to add some variety to your iftar menu and impress your guests with this unique and delicious dish.
Crispy Chicken Tenders
Crispy chicken tenders are a classic and most loved food that makes a great iftar dish. These tenders are made by coating strips of chicken in a mixture of seasoned flour, eggs, and breadcrumbs. These strips are then fried until golden and crispy. The result is a crunchy and flavorful chicken tender that is perfect for dipping in your favorite sauce.
Crispy chicken tenders are easy to make and can be customized by adjusting the seasonings or adding different spices to the coating mixture. They are a great option for a quick and satisfying iftar meal or as a snack for your family or friends. So why don’t you give it a try this blessed month?
Sesame Nuggets
Sesame nuggets are delicious and unique iftar meals that are similar to regular nuggets but with a unique blend of a sesame seeds. These nuggets are made by coating a mixture of ground chicken, sesame seeds, and spices in a batter made from egg and flour, then deep-frying them until crispy and golden brown.
The sesame seeds add a nutty flavor and a crunchy texture to the nuggets, making them extra tasty. Sesame nuggets can be served with a variety of dipping sauces either sweet or spicy. They are easy to make and can be prepared ahead of time, making them a convenient and tasty option for iftar gatherings.
Noodles Kababs
Indeed noodles are the most loved fast foods. Noodles kebabs are a delicious fusion of noodles in the form of kababs. This South Asian dish can be a perfect choice for your iftar menu.
To make noodles kababs, boil the noodles cake for a minute to soften them. Then add some vegetables, spices, mince and eggs as per your requirement. Once you are done with the batter, place noodles in the form of small kabab patties and fry them in the pan until they turn golden brown.
These kabab are great alternatives to traditional kababs. Noodle kababs are soft and crunchy and your family will love it. These are easy and fastest meals that you can prepare just minutes before iftar. You can serve these kababs with any homemade sauce or ketchup.
Kachori
Kachori is a popular South Asian snack that is enjoyed during iftar. This is deep-fried in oil and served with traditional yogurt chutney.
To make kachori, a dough made from flour, oil and water is filled with a spicy mixture of vegetables and meat. Filling depends upon the type of kachori you want. It can also be filled with potatoes or mince. You can customize it according to your needs. The filled dough is then fried until golden brown.
This can be great dish to taste if you haven’t tasted it before! A kachori is a healthy and complete meal that satisfies your appetite after fasting for a long day.
Baked Iftar Recipes
Baked iftar recipes are a healthier and lighter alternative to fried foods, and they can be just as delicious and satisfying. Baking requires little to no oil and can help reduce the calorie count of your iftar meal without compromising on taste. From savory pies to sweet treats, there are plenty of baked iftar recipes to choose from. So let’s have a look at some of the yummy recipes:
Chicken Alfredo Pasta
Who doesn’t love Pasta? Chicken Alfredo Pasta is a delicious and mouthwatering dish that can excite your family during the iftar. This dish is baked in the oven. This Italian-American classic is made by cooking pasta in a creamy sauce made from butter, cream, and Parmesan cheese, then topping it with grilled or baked chicken.
The pasta is then baked in the oven with a layer of melted cheese until bubbly and golden. Chicken Alfredo pasta is easy to make and can be customized to your liking by adding vegetables such as broccoli or mushrooms
Chicken Alfredo pasta is a creamy and comforting baked dish that is perfect for iftar. It makes a hearty and satisfying iftar meal that can be enjoyed by the whole family.
Chicken Spinach Lasagne
Chicken Spinach Lasagna is a delicious baked dish that is perfect for iftar. This Italian classic is made with layers of lasagna, spinach, cheese and cream mixture, ground chicken, and tomato sauce. The lasagna is then baked in the oven with a layer of melted mozzarella cheese until bubbly and golden.
The combination of chicken and spinach in this dish adds a healthy twist to the classic lasagna recipe. It’s a great way to sneak in some extra vegetables and protein into your iftar meal. Plus, the creamy cheese mixture makes this dish extra delicious and appetizing.
Overall, Chicken Spinach Lasagna is a delicious baked dish that is perfect for iftar. It’s easy to make, customizable, and sure to please everyone at the table.
Mince Naan
Mince naan is a traditional Pakistani hearty dish that could be a good choice for your Iftar. In this recipe, spiced minced meat is cooked and then stuffed inside freshly baked naan bread. The naan is then baked in the oven until it get cooked or turn golden, making a satisfying meal.
The minced meat is cooked with a blend of spices that can be customized according to the taste. Some spices include cumin, coriander, turmeric, pepper powder, and other spices that give it a rich and aromatic flavor. The naan bread is also made with a blend of spices, including nigella seeds and dried fenugreek leaves, which add an extra layer of flavor to the dish.
Living in Canada, this can be satisfying and unique to meals to enjoy during iftar. So prepare this meal and enjoy it with traditional Pakistani raita.
Chicken Bread
Chicken Bread can be a perfect meal for your Iftar. This traditional Pakistani dish is a perfect combination of chicken and vegetables stuffed in a loaf of bread.
To prepare this dish, the dough of the bread should be prepared first and set aside to rise. Then saute some onion, and add chicken, and vegetables like tomatoes, peas, capsicum, coriander, chilies, and some spices in a frying pan. This cooked chicken material is then stuffed into the bread before baking it in the oven.
This chicken bread can be customized according to your taste and liking. You can add different vegetables, and spices and can also add some cheese too. This dish is a perfect way to sneak some extra veggies into your meal while enjoying a satisfying meal. So give it a try!
Baked Fish with Vegetables
A perfectly healthy and delicious food to enjoy during iftar. It is a simple yet delicious meal that you can cherish at your iftar. Want to know how to prepare this? Read below:
Start by seasoning fish fillet and vegetables with salt, black pepper and other desired spices that you love. Vegetables can be carrots, capsicum, potatoes, onion, and zucchini. Once done with seasoning arrange them in a baking tray with vegetables centered with fish. Now place them in the oven until they turn soft and tender to eat. The color might slightly change making it more yummier to eat.
This meal is a nutritious and satisfying meal that is low in calories but high in nutritional value. So must try a meal to enjoy a healthy iftar.
Also Read: 5 Essential Things For Everyone to Know Before Ramadan Kareem 2023
Healthy Iftar Recipes
Your iftar is incomplete without healthy diets. Yes, along with fried and baked meals, you must opt for healthy meals too. So to help you, here we are with some of the tasty and healthy meal recipes for your iftar:
Greek Salad
A refreshing dish that is perfect for iftar. Greek salad is made with fresh vegetables like cucumber, onion, tomatoes, carrots etc. The vegetables are sliced into small bite-sized pieces and garnished with lack olives, mushrooms, and cheese
The salad is then dressed with olive oil, vinegar, garlic, lemon juice and dried oregano.You can add other seasonings and spices as per your requirements. This salad is healthy, low in calories and nutritious diet to have in iftar.
Moreover, this salad can also be served as a side dish with other recipes like grilled chicken and fish. So, get ready to prepare this substantial meal this very Ramadan month.
Date Shake
Nevertheless, we all know that fruit and vegetables are the healthiest food that we can consume after hours long fasting. A date shake is one of the most powerful and energetic meals that energize you after fasting.
This popular drink is usually consumed during iftar in the Middle East. The best way to prepare this healthy drink is to soak the dates in water an hour before blending. Then add milk, sweetener and soaked dates in the blender to prepare a creamy drink. Add ice cream if you want to enhance the flavor.
This delicious food is high in fiber, protein and vitamins and proves as a complete diet during iftar. So, get ready to cherish your tastebuds with this healthiest beverage.
Don’t forget to Read our Blog – 5 Best Healthy Smoothie Recipes For Refreshing Ramadan
Date Balls
Date balls are healthy and nutritious snacks high in fiber and minerals, making it a perfect snack to braek the fast. Muslims break their fast with dates, so why not try dishes that are made with dates.
To prepare date balls, soak the dates in warm water for few minutes. Then add the dates to the chopper along with nuts and sweeteners. Chop or pulse the content until they are well processed and form a sticky dough. Add honey or a few drops of water to make it smooth.
Once you are done with this, use your hands to shape the mixture into small balls. Now its the time to garnish them with coconut flakes or sesame seeds for extra flavor. Your date balls are ready! Now you can serve them in iftar.
Lentil Soup
Amazed by this name? We are now going to inform you about this healthy and yummiest recipe for your Iftar. Lentil soup is packed with healthy nutrients that can be your perfect choice for iftar. This soup can help you feel full for longer without making you crave to eat more.
This soup is easy to make. All you need is some lentils and vegetables like onion, garlic, ginger, and any optional vegetable that you would like to add. Boil all the products along with some spice and salt and then simmer it for 30 to 40 minutes more to make this soup.
Once the soup is ready, you can add some herbs like parsley or cilantro and serve hot! Lentil soup is not just delicious but also a perfect food for breaking the fast. So, give this recipe a try and cherish the amazing taste and benefits of this soup.
To conclude, we have mentioned some of the tastier and healthier recipes that you can follow to make your iftar meals delicious and please your family members. We hope you find these recipes helpful.
Short on time and worried about making iftar? Don’t worry, we also provide a comprehensive listing of halal restaurants and grocery stores in Canada from where you can get halal iftar and other dishes easily available!