10+ Iftar Recipes to Make Your Ramadan Even More Delicious
Iftar is the meal you eat after sunset to break your fast during Ramadan. It’s a special time to enjoy food with family and friends after a day of fasting.
Iftar recipes help you prepare tasty and nourishing dishes to refresh your body and satisfy your hunger.
You’ll find many kinds of iftar recipes, from light snacks to full meals. These recipes are easy to cook and perfect for sharing.
Whether you want something simple or more filling, there are plenty of options to suit your taste.
1) Creamy Chicken Baked Casserole
This creamy chicken baked casserole is a warm and filling dish for iftar. It combines tender chicken with a rich, creamy sauce baked until golden and bubbly.
You can serve it with plain steamed rice or enjoy it on its own. The dish uses common ingredients like chicken breasts, cooking cream, and vegetables.
You brown the chicken first, then mix it with cream and seasonings. After adding vegetables like peas or carrots, bake everything until cooked through.
Ingredients
- 2 chicken breasts
- 1 cup cooking cream
- 1 small onion, chopped
- 1 cup frozen peas or mixed vegetables
- 1 tablespoon butter
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Brown chicken breasts in butter over medium heat.
- Remove chicken and sauté onion in the same pan.
- Add cooking cream and stir well.
- Return chicken to pan, add peas, salt, and pepper.
- Transfer everything to a baking dish.
- Bake for 25-30 minutes until bubbly and golden.
For more details, check oven-baked creamy chicken recipe.
2) Pakora with Mint Chutney
Pakoras are a popular snack for iftar. They are crispy, fried vegetable fritters that taste great with fresh mint chutney.
You can use vegetables like cabbage, carrot, zucchini, or spinach for your pakoras. The mint chutney adds a cool and tangy flavor.
It usually combines mint leaves, garlic, green chilies, and tamarind juice. Adjust the spice and sweetness to match your taste.
Fry the pakoras until golden brown. Serve them hot with the chutney on the side.
Ingredients
Pakora:
- 1 cup mixed vegetables (cabbage, carrot, zucchini, spinach)
- 1 cup chickpea flour (besan)
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- Salt to taste
- Water as needed
- Oil for frying
Mint Chutney:
- 1½ cup fresh mint leaves
- 2 garlic cloves
- 2 green chilies
- 1 tablespoon tamarind juice
- Salt and a pinch of sugar or jaggery
Cooking Instructions
- Mix chickpea flour, turmeric, salt, and water to make a thick batter.
- Add chopped vegetables to the batter.
- Heat oil in a pan for frying.
- Drop spoonfuls of batter into hot oil and fry until golden.
- Blend mint, garlic, chilies, tamarind juice, salt, and sugar until smooth.
- Serve pakoras hot with the mint chutney.
3) Juicy Crispy Keema Samosas
Keema samosas are a popular iftar snack you can easily make at home. They have a crispy outside shell and juicy, flavorful ground meat inside.
You can use beef, chicken, or mutton for the filling. Cook the meat well with spices like cumin, garam masala, and chili powder.
Wrap the filling in thin dough sheets and fry them until golden brown. You can also air fry for a lighter version.
Serve these samosas hot with chutney or yogurt.
Ingredients
- 1 cup ground beef or mutton
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp chili powder
- Salt to taste
- Water to knead dough
- Oil for frying
Cooking Instructions
- Mix flour, salt, and 2 tbsp oil. Add water gradually to make a soft dough.
- Cook cumin seeds and onions in oil until golden.
- Add ground meat, spices, and salt. Cook until meat is done and juicy.
- Roll dough into thin sheets. Cut and fill with cooked meat.
- Seal edges tightly and fry samosas at 350°F (175°C) until golden brown.
- Drain on paper towels and serve warm.
For more tips on making Keema samosas, visit Juicy Crispy Keema Samosas – Fried & Air Fried.
4) Dahi Vada with Tamarind Sauce
Dahi Vada is a popular iftar snack made with soft lentil fritters soaked in creamy yogurt. Adding tamarind sauce gives it a tangy and sweet flavor.
Start by soaking and grinding urad dal to make a batter. Fry small balls of the batter until golden brown.
Soak the fried vadas in water to soften them. Once soft, dip the vadas in chilled, spiced yogurt.
Drizzle tamarind and dates chutney over the top. Sprinkle cumin powder and chili powder for extra taste.
Ingredients
- 1 cup urad dal (black gram)
- Salt to taste
- 2 cups yogurt
- Tamarind sauce or chutney
- Cumin powder
- Red chili powder
Cooking Instructions
- Soak urad dal for 4-5 hours.
- Grind into a smooth batter with salt.
- Heat oil and deep fry small balls until golden.
- Soak fried vadas in warm water for 10 minutes.
- Gently squeeze out water and place in chilled yogurt.
- Pour tamarind sauce on top.
- Sprinkle cumin and chili powder. Serve chilled.
For detailed recipes on tamarind chutney, check this tamarind and dates chutney recipe.
5) Sheekh Kabab Skewers
Sheekh Kababs are great for iftar because they’re packed with flavor and cook quickly. You can make them with ground beef, chicken, or lamb.
Spices like cumin, coriander, and green chilies add a nice kick. Shape the seasoned meat onto skewers and grill or bake them.
They go well with naan or parathas and fresh salad. You can also use an air fryer or pan-fry them.
Ingredients:
- 500 g ground beef (or lamb/chicken)
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 green chilies, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- Salt to taste
- Fresh cilantro, chopped
- Skewers
Cooking Instructions:
- Mix all ingredients except skewers in a bowl.
- Shape mixture into long kababs around skewers.
- Grill or bake at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes until cooked.
- Turn halfway through cooking for even browning.
- Serve hot with naan or salad.
You can find more tips on making Pakistani Seekh Kebab here: Pakistani Seekh Kebab Recipe
6) Mango Lassi Smoothie
Mango lassi is a cool and creamy drink that works great for iftar. It helps you refresh after a long day of fasting.
You can make it quickly using simple ingredients like ripe mango, yogurt, and a little milk. This smoothie is sweet and smooth.
Add a bit of honey or sugar if you like. You can also add a small pinch of cardamom seeds for a nice aroma.
To prepare, blend everything together until smooth. Serve it cold, with ice if you like.
Ingredients
- 1 cup ripe mango flesh or mango pulp
- ½ cup plain yogurt
- ½ cup milk
- 1 to 2 teaspoons honey or sugar (optional)
- A pinch of cardamom seeds (optional)
- Ice cubes (optional)
Cooking Instructions
- Scoop out the mango flesh or use mango pulp.
- Add mango, yogurt, milk, and honey or sugar to a blender.
- Add cardamom seeds if using.
- Blend until smooth.
- Pour into a glass and add ice cubes if you want it colder.
- Serve immediately.
For a quick mango lassi recipe, see this Mango Lassi Smoothie Recipe on TikTok.
7) Fruit Chaat with Chat Masala
Fruit chaat is a light and tasty dish for iftar. It mixes fresh, diced fruits with chat masala for a tangy and slightly spicy flavor.
You can choose your favorite seasonal fruits like apples, grapes, oranges, and pomegranates. Add a squeeze of lemon to keep the fruit fresh.
Sprinkle some salt and sugar for balance and toss everything well. This dish is easy to prepare and ready in a few minutes.
Ingredients
- 1 cup diced apples
- 1 cup black grapes
- 1 cup orange segments
- 1/2 cup pomegranate seeds
- 1 teaspoon chat masala
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon sugar
- 1 tablespoon lemon juice
Cooking Instructions
- Wash and dice all fruits.
- Place fruits in a large mixing bowl.
- Add chat masala, salt, and sugar.
- Squeeze lemon juice over the fruit.
- Toss everything gently but well.
- Serve immediately or chill for 10 minutes before serving.
8) Arabic Lentil Soup
Arabic Lentil Soup, or Shorbat Adas, is a warm and simple dish perfect for iftar. It uses red lentils, which cook quickly and give the soup a smooth texture.
The flavor comes from basic ingredients like onions, carrots, and lemon juice. This soup is naturally vegan and light, making it gentle on your stomach after a day of fasting.
You can add spices like cumin or garlic to deepen the taste. Serving it with a squeeze of fresh lemon brightens the flavor.
Ingredients:
- 1.5 cups red lentils
- 6 cups water or vegetable stock
- 1 onion, chopped
- 1 cup carrots, chopped
- 1 bouillon cube
- 1 tablespoon olive oil
- Juice of 1 lemon
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin (optional)
- Salt and pepper to taste
Cooking Instructions:
- Heat olive oil in a pot over medium heat.
- Add onions and carrots. Sauté for 6-7 minutes until soft.
- Add lentils, water or stock, and bouillon cube.
- Bring to a boil, then simmer for 20-25 minutes until lentils are soft.
- Blend the soup with an immersion blender until smooth.
- Stir in lemon juice, cumin, salt, and pepper.
- Serve warm with extra lemon on the side.
Try this classic recipe from Fufu’s Kitchen for guidance.
9) Eggplant and Potato Moussaka
Eggplant and potato moussaka is a warm, comforting dish you can enjoy for iftar. It has layers of tender eggplant and potatoes, often combined with a savory sauce.
You can make this recipe with or without meat, depending on your preference. The dish bakes slowly until the flavors mix and the top turns golden.
This meal brings vegetables into your iftar while still feeling satisfying. You can try a vegan version made with chickpeas and tomatoes or a traditional one with spiced ground meat.
Ingredients
- 2 medium eggplants, sliced
- 3 medium potatoes, sliced
- 1 onion, chopped
- 2 cloves garlic, minced
- 1 cup canned tomatoes or tomato sauce
- 1 cup cooked chickpeas or 1/2 pound ground meat
- Olive oil
- Salt and pepper
Cooking Instructions
- Preheat oven to 375°F (190°C).
- Slice eggplants and potatoes into thin rounds.
- Lightly salt the eggplants and let sit for 15 minutes. Pat them dry.
- Sauté onions and garlic in olive oil until soft.
- Add tomatoes and chickpeas or meat. Cook until done.
- In a baking dish, layer potatoes, then eggplants, then the sauce.
- Repeat layers until you use all the ingredients.
- Bake for 45 minutes or until the top is golden.
- Let cool slightly before serving.
Try this version of potato moussaka with eggplant for a flavorful iftar meal.
10) Chicken and Cheese Balls
Chicken and cheese balls are a tasty and satisfying iftar snack. They combine juicy chicken, melted cheese, and soft potatoes for a perfect bite-sized treat.
You can easily make them at home with simple ingredients. These balls are crispy on the outside and soft inside.
They are great for sharing with family or friends during iftar. You can serve them with your favorite dipping sauce.
Mix cooked chicken, mashed potatoes, and cheese in a bowl. Shape the mixture into balls and fry them until golden brown.
This snack is quick to prepare and delicious to eat.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup cooked chicken, finely chopped
- 1 cup mashed potatoes
- 1 cup grated cheese
- Salt and pepper, to taste
- Oil for frying
Cooking Instructions:
- Mix chicken, mashed potatoes, cheese, salt, and pepper in a bowl.
- Shape the mixture into small balls.
- Heat oil in a pan over medium heat (350°F / 175°C).
- Fry balls until golden and crispy, about 5-7 minutes.
- Drain on paper towels and serve warm.
You can find easy to follow recipes like this Chicken Cheese Balls Ramadan Recipe.