Last Updated:March 13, 2025, 19:00 IST

Holi 2025 Special: The festival of colours features traditional foods like gujiya, malpua, and thandai, enhancing the festive spirit.

Traditional Holi Special Food Recipes: Holi, the festival of colours, isn’t just about smearing vibrant colours on each other. The festival is also the perfect time to binge on traditional foods like gujiya, malpua, thandai, etc.

From sweet to savoury, these culinary delights are deeply rooted in Indian culture. These treats not only tickle the taste buds but also add flavour to the festive spirit. This year, Holi will be observed on March 14 and why not elevate the occasion by preparing tailor-made sweets instead of relying on sweet shops?

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Check out 10 must-have traditional foods that you must savour with your family members, friends, and guests to make your celebrations truly memorable.

Traditional Holi Sweets & Snacks: 10 Must-Try Recipes

1. Gujiya: The festival of colours is incomplete without a sinful bowl of Gujiya. Made with a mixture of semolina, khoya, desiccated coconut, dry fruits, maida, and powdered sugar, this sweet dumpling is a quintessential Holi treat and now comes in baked variants too. Gujiya are a melt-in-your-mouth delight that is deep-fried to a golden crispness that symbolises the sweetness of the festival.
2. Malpua: Satisfy your sweet tooth and celebrate the festival of colours with mouthwatering Malpuas. These melt-in-your-mouth pancakes are not only quick and easy to prepare but also a sweet treat that will win your relatives, neighbours, and friends’ hearts and taste buds. To make this, you need flour, milk, and sugar. Mix the ingredients and deep-fry until golden brown. Then soak them in sugar syrup and voila, your decadent treat is ready to be savoured.
3. Dahi Vada: Another favourite snack during Holi celebrations is Dahi Vada. These are a sweet, tangy, and spicy snack, which is a blend of curd and deep-fried dumplings. Enjoyed mostly in northern and some eastern parts of India, Dahi Vada is a savoury treat that provides a burst of flavour in every bite. The dumplings are made with urad dal and moong dal, which is then soaked in yoghurt and topped with tangy tamarind chutney and spicy masalas.
4. Thandai: No Holi celebration is complete without a glass full of Thandai. It is another quintessential dish during the celebrations, which is considered Lord Shiva’s favourite. Bhang Thandai is a cold beverage made with a mixture of milk, sugar, dry fruits, herbs, and spices. It is often flavoured with ingredients like almonds, rose petals, cardamom, fennel seeds, and saffron, making it a refreshing and rejuvenating drink during the festivities.
5. Kachori: Next on the list is Moong Dal Kachori. It is a popular, spicy, crunchy, and flavourful snack during Holi celebrations. This treat is made in many homes with soaked moong dal sauteed along with black pepper, garam masala, and coriander powder. This deep-fried recipe is best served with aloo curry, curd, tangy tamarind chutney, mint chutney, or spicy green chutney.
6. Pakoras: Pakoras or fritters, are enjoyed with a piping hot cup of tea during Holi. Though it is not the healthiest choice as it is deep-fried, these surely are a festive irresistible treat. Made with a spice-infused batter of gram flour, pakoras add an element of crunch to the festive dinner.
7. Aloo Tikki: Another popular dish across India is Aloo Tikki. A savoury potato cutlet made with mashed potatoes, spices, and breadcrumbs. These crispy patties are often served with tamarind chutney or yoghurt which makes a perfect snack during Holi festivities.
8. Chana Masala: A plateful of spicy and tempting chickpea curry, Chana Masala is a hearty dish for that spicy kick. It is perfect for a festive meal served with Kachoris or rice during Holi. This is definitely a mouthwatering dish that is sure to make your friends and family happy.
9. Namakpare: Made with refined flour, salt, carom seeds, oil, salt, black pepper, and chilli powder, Namakpare are another popular tea-time snack in India. This deep-fried irresistible snack is rhombus in shape and goes well with masala chai.
10. Rasgulla: Indian festivals are incomplete without sweets. On this occasion, what’s better than a bowl of soft and spongy Rasgulla? Made with milk and soaked in sugar syrup, this dessert is a delightful treat to end your Holi celebrations. Rasgullas are a light, fluffy, and absolutely delicious sweet dish from West Bengal.

We wish you a very Happy Holi!