10 Best Iftar Desserts of India

By Saniya Baxi | 05, Apr, 2023
10 Best Iftar Desserts of India

With Muslims going through the holy month of Ramadan, people are already looking for dessert recipes to fulfill their cravings after a long day of fasting. Iftar is never complete without a mouthwatering dessert after the main course. 

India has some of the best desserts in the world. During Ramadan, Muslims tend to make the best of these desserts to celebrate the holy month. In fact, there are some desserts that you only see during Ramadan. 

So, don’t worry, in this article we have the 10 best Iftar desserts of India to pamper your sweet tooth during the holy month. Read on to know more!

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1. Malpua 

Malpua, also known as pua, is a North Indian dessert that is very popular during the holy month of Ramadan. It is basically a deep-fried pancake made of wheat flour, and cardamom powder, and soaked in sugar syrup. Sometimes a mix of nuts is added on top. 

Some ingredients such as yogurt, coconut, milk, semolina, or fruits are occasionally added to the batter. You can tweak it and add your favorite ingredients and you will never go wrong.

 

2. Phirni 

You can’t go wrong with a soft and creamy rice pudding after a good iftar meal. It’s made of milk and rice (preferably basmati rice), and scented with rose water, or cardamom. 

You can garnish it with your favorite nuts but it goes best with pistachios and almonds. Phirni is served chilled, so it suits a hot day perfectly after a long day of fasting. 

 

3. Dates Kheer dates kheer

Image Credit: Milanography, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

It is said that Prophet Muhammed used to break his fast with dates. So eating dates during Iftar is Sunnah. Dates Kheer is a healthy, sugar-free, creamy, and rich dessert that is perfect for the month of Ramadan. 

It is made of milk and dates, and garnished with your favorite nuts. You can even replace regular milk with plant-based milk such as almond or coconut milk if you prefer. 

Dates are natural sweeteners, so you will still satisfy your sweet tooth while eating healthy. They’re also high in fiber and antioxidants, and they contain many vitamins. 

 

4. Gulab Jamungulab jamun

Image Credit: Umair Ali Asad on Unsplash

This is one of the best classic Indian desserts you can have during Iftar. It is kind of challenging to stop eating these finger-licking fried dough balls once you start eating them. The fried dough balls are soaked inside a sugar syrup that is flavored with rose water.

 

5. Ras Malai 

For those who are milk-based desserts, Ras Malai is the right dessert for you. It is made with cottage cheese patties that you soak in sweetened milk. Then, you flavor them with saffron and cardamom. 

The word “ras” means juice and the word “malai” means cream. So, that should give you a hint about how creamy and refreshing the dessert can be after a long day of fasting. 

 

6. Shahi Tukda

Shahi Tukda is another great dessert that is made with fried bread slices, milk, nuts, sugar, and ghee. The fried bread slices are soaked in sweetened milk and topped with your preferred nuts.

This dessert is very easy to make and can literally steal your heart once you taste it. 

 

7. Kulfikulfi

Image Credit: kuldeepnegibombay on Pixabay 

Because Ramadan is coming with hot weather this year, Kulfi is another great Ifatr dessert option. It is a frozen dessert that is made with full-fat sweetened milk, sugar, nuts, and saffron or cardamom. 

Although some people call it Indian ice cream, it is healthier, thicker, and denser than ice cream. 

 

8. Sheer Khurma 

Sheer Khurma is a classic must-have dessert during the holy month of Ramadan. It is made with dates, whole milk, and vermicelli pudding, and garnished with nuts and dried fruits.  

You can serve it cold or warm. Personally, I prefer it cold after a long hot day of fasting. This dessert is very popular among Muslims in India during Ramadan and Eid and you have to try it. It is soft, creamy, and addicting!

 

9. Apple Kheer apple kheer

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Apple kheer is one of the easiest and most delicious desserts you can make for Iftar. It is made with milk and apples and you can add some thandai spice to it if you prefer.

You can flavor it with traditional flavors such as saffron or cardamom. Or, you can also garnish it with nuts, dried fruits, and even rose petals to give it a delicate look. 

 

10. Makhane Ki Kheer

Makhane ki kheer is a delicious Iftar dessert that is made with makhane or lotus seeds, ghee, sugar, and milk. It is very simple and easy to make, so you can hop in your kitchen and prepare it before the time of Iftar. Once you taste it, you’d want to eat it every day.

 

Final Thoughts 

Having delicious desserts at the end of a long day of fasting is a tradition that Muslims from all over the world have to celebrate the holy month of Ramadan. 

I hope that the mouthwatering desserts mentioned in this article will satisfy your sweet tooth and give you some inspiration!

 

Cover Image Credit: Aditya Joshi on Unsplash

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