What is Iftar?
Iftar is what Muslims eat to break their fast at sunset during the month of Ramadan. The word “iftar” does not imply a dinner or main dish, but a variety of snacks, fruit, and foods you could consider appetizers. That said, Iftar can be as simple as a date and a glass of water. Typically, the heavier the Iftar, the lighter the dinner. Many families (around 40-50% from an Instagram poll), combine Iftar and dinner into one meal. Enter your email below and get it sent straight to your inbox. Plus, get recipes & tips every week!
Top 5 Iftar Foods – The Traditional Iftar
Recently, I asked my Instagram community to share what they most often have on their Iftar table, both from their childhood memories and now. Specifically, I wanted to know what the #1 most common Iftar item was (apart from dates). From the 100+ responses I received, here are the top 5 Iftar recipes people mentioned: Other popular answers: Rose drink (Rooh Afza), spring/egg rolls, lemonade, lassi, potato cutlets, egg or chicken sandwiches, and puff patties. Many shared general answers like ‘fried items’ or ‘mixed fruit’. Some fun answers/ideas: Indo-Chinese style chicken lollipops, cheese balls, croquettes, soup, congee/Kanji, Kachori, and pierogies. A Note on Air-Frying to Reheat Iftar Foods: I have found my air-fryer to be the best at reheating Iftar items. Examples: Samosas, Pakoras, Puff Pastries, Kebabs of all sort, Chicken Nuggets/Tenders, and so much more. If you have one, skip the microwave and oven and reheat in the Air-Fryer on 350°F until crispy and heated through.
20+ Iftar Recipes
Essentials
Chaat Masala: Chaat Masala is the essential spice blend for Ramadan. It lays the foundation for countless Iftar foods. This recipe mimic’s Shan’s Chaat Masala. Freezer-friendly: Yes. Make-ahead: Yes.
Mint Raita: There’s a reason restaurants almost always serve this chutney. It keeps well in the fridge and elevates everything from kababs to biryani. Freezer-friendly: Yes, before adding yogurt. Make-ahead: Yes.
Chutney Recipes
No official recipe, but are my 1-minute recipes for whipping Imli and Green Chutney:
Top 10 Iftar Recipes
Kabab Recipes
Chapli Kabab: My favorite Kabab recipe on the blog. Though Chapli Kabab are not categorically an Iftar item, they’d be a great combined iftar/dinner with mint raita and naan or rice. Freezer-friendly: Yes. Make-ahead: Yes.
Seekh Kebab: These would also be great rolled up in paratha rolls for an Iftar/Dinner combo. Freezer-friendly: Yes. Make-ahead: Yes.
Chicken 65: A bold, fiery, super spicy Chicken 65 recipe that emulates restaurant flavor.but it works with a simple substitute of paprika and chili flakes. Freezer-friendly: No. Make-ahead: Yes, but best fresh.
Tandoori Chicken: This easy Tandoori Chicken recipe nails the iconic tandoori BBQ flavor we love at restaurants. Freezer-friendly: Yes. Make-ahead: Yes.
Drinks for Iftar
Mango Lassi: Use frozen mangoes to make this easy Iftar option. Mango Lassi is a cooling respite from the heftier fried foods. Freezer-friendly: No. Make-ahead: Yes, refrigerate until ready to serve.
Plain, Sweet Lassi: Many responses shared that their Iftars contained yogurt. This Sweet Lassi is hydrating and refreshing. Freezer-friendly: No. Make-ahead: Yes, refrigerate until ready to serve.
Other Iftar Recipes I’ve tried
I’m always wary of sharing recipes I haven’t tried myself. (What if the recipe fails? That’s what my nightmares are made of.) These are recipes I’ve personally tried that I think would be great options for Iftar. This tangy and sweet chutney is a compulsory for chaat. Here’s my 1-minute recipe:
2 tbsp brown sugar 1 tbsp water, preferably hot/boiling 1 tbsp tamarind concentrate (I’ve tried Indira’s brand and Tamicon) 1/8 tsp red chili powder 1/8 tsp sea salt
This is like my mint raita but without the yogurt:
1/2 cup (~12 g) cilantro leaves 3 tbsp (~4 g) mint leaves, try not to use stems 1/2 small Serrano pepper or small Thai green chili pepper, deseeded (choose how thick the slice depending on how spicy you’d like) 1/8 tsp sea salt, more or to taste 1/2 garlic clove 1 tsp lemon or lime juice 1/8 tsp sugar 2-3 tbsp water, as needed to blend
Post Iftar Recipes
Browse my Main Dish/Dinner archives as well as my Dessert recipes. And if you’re like me and crave Chai after Iftar, try these recipes:
More Resources
Here are a few more relevant articles:
Freezer-Friendly
If you’d like freezer-friendly options, don’t miss my Freezer-Friendly (Make-Ahead) Ramadan Recipes and Guide. It includes tips on freezing and reheating many of your favorite Pakistani & Indian recipes!
Suhoor Recipes + More Ramadan Recipes
If you need more Ramadan recipes including Suhoor/breakfast and Dinner, take a look at my 40+ Ramadan Recipes roundup. For a more extensive list, browse my Ramadan archives.
Eid Recipes
Don’t miss this roundup of 32+ Pakistani Eid Recipes which includes the best recipes for your Eid spread. For more Eid recipe ideas, browse my Eid Recipe Archives.
Meal Plan
Before you leave, be sure to grab your free Ramadan Iftar & Dinner Meal Plan. It has tons of ideas to keep you inspired the whole month! If you try any of these recipes, I’d love for you to leave a comment and let me know how you liked it! If you’re on Instagram, snap a photo and tag me so I can see. I always love hearing from you!
