Special Food For Holi: Try These 20 Irresistible Holi Snacks This Year!

Colours are in the air, and laughter is all around. What time of the year is it? Yes, It’s Holi! This is one of the most awaited festivals in India, and it welcomes the spring season every year. Cheering “Bura matt maano, Holi hai” is everyone’s anthem and drinking gallons of thandai is not a sin on this day. Places like Vrindavan, Mathura, Barsana, Agra, Delhi, etc., are famous for their exceptional Holi celebrations.  

Special food for Holi is an integral part of this festival that involves the preparation of decadent sweets, namkeen items, and savoury appetisers that everyone can enjoy together. Deep-fried snacks, scintillating sweets, and scrumptious chaats are on the list of special food for Holi.  

If your imagination is already running wild, then this blog is going to be a treat! Keep reading to decide what special food for Holi will be on your menu list this year! 

Table Of Contents 

1. What Is The Speciality Of Holi? 

2. What Is The Special Dish Of Holi?  

3. Which Sweet Is Eaten On Holi?  

4. People On Diet: What Do They Eat In Holi?  

5. Dietitian’s Recommendation 

6. The Final Say 

7. FAQs  

8. References   

What Is The Speciality Of Holi? 

Holi festival is one of the most important festivals of the year in India and Nepal. Celebrations usually start early in the morning when people play with gulaal and try to dodge water balloons and pichkari.  

Along with this, people also enjoy delicious food and sweets on Holi. After dancing and having fun in the streets with families in the morning, the spirit of the festival is maintained by enjoying special food for Holi.  

Story Behind The Celebration Of Holi 

It is said that the Holi Festival celebrates the victory of good over evil. Hiranyakashipu was an ancient king who claimed to be immortal and demanded to be worshipped by his people as a god. His son Prahlad was deeply devoted to worshipping Vishnu, and Hiranyakashipu was angry that his son worshipped god over him.  

As per the story, Lord Vishnu appeared as half-lion and half-man to kill Hiranyakashipu. In that way, good conquered evil. The Holi festival is associated with several stories, including that of Radha and Krishna. Krishna considered the supreme god and the eighth incarnation of the Hindu god Vishnu, is said to have blue skin because of drinking poisonous milk from a demon as a baby. Krishna fell in love with goddess Radha but was afraid that she wouldn't love him back because of his blue skin.  
 

However, Radha allowed Krishna to dye her skin with colours, which made them a true couple. On Holi, participants apply colours to each other's skin to honour the love of Radha and Krishna. 

What Is The Special Dish Of Holi?  

Here are some of the special dishes for Holi that you can try this year:  

Also Read: Holi Festival: 10 Expert Diet Tips For This Holi 

1. Masala Mathri   

Snacking at tea time is a big deal in our country, and we all know why! Chuski chai is simply incomplete without khari, matti or rusks. Yes? The Holi festival in India is vibrant not only in colours but also in food preparation. Now is the best time to buy freshly prepared masala matri from your favourite Namkeen store! After enjoying Holi with friends, eating these delicious and flaky North Indian crackers with a cup of hot Adrak tea makes the festive spirits even more wonderful! 

2. Malpua   

Malpua is a special sweet dish prepared during Holi in Rajasthan, Punjab, Uttar Pradesh and other parts of the northern plains. This desi version of pancakes is so mouth-watering that you won’t be able to eat just one! Malpua and rabri are a match made in heaven that might surpass the world’s most legendary love story. Among many other sweets, try this at the Holi festival and thank us later!   

3. Dahiballa   

Among the special dishes prepared during Holi, dahi bhalla is one of the snacks that can be found at every home or traditional party. Refreshing, delicious, and luxurious, dahi bhalla is a brand loved by everyone!  

 
It is also true that many Indian families have special recipes for this dish that they prepare on Holi and many other festivals throughout the year. After eating a plate of homemade dahi bhalla, there is no going back!   

4. Thandai   

Considered to be one of the most popular special Holi drinks, thandai is made with cold milk and various dry fruits, seeds and rose petals. Let’s be honest, there is one ingredient we all want to have in our thandai without even having to talk about it: bhang. Playing Holi with friends and family after a glass of Patiala thandai is an experience you should experience as soon as possible.   

Also Read: How Safe Is It To Drink Bhang Thandai During Holi? Know Possible Side Effects!  

5. Namak Pare   

Apart from the dazzling Holi sweets on the market, pare is another delicious snack that people love to enjoy with their evening tea. These namkeen pieces, which literally mean pieces of salt, are so popular in our country during Holi that they sell out days before the actual Holika Dahan! So make sure you buy enough pare in advance.   

6. Lassi  

Have you ever been to heaven before? One sip of this creamy yoghurt drink will complete your trip to heaven! Lassi is one of the most loved drinks in India, especially during Holi. Be it a rose-flavoured lassi or a mango-based extravaganza served at Kulhar, no Holi celebration would be complete without sipping on some delicious lassi.  

7. Bhang Pakore   

A unique feature of Holi cuisine is the special pakoras prepared by Halwais across the country. Since these pakoras contain bhang, the risk of enjoying them too much is quite high. So, we recommend trying a few pakoras and then daring to take a little risk!  

8. Kanji Vade  

With so many sweets available during Holi, it is almost impossible to eat them. In fact, many of you still prefer salty and chatpati snacks. Chatora kanji ke vade for everyone is a special Holi dish that will delight your soul. Sour, spicy and warm Kanji is made from black carrots during the spring season and works well as a probiotic drink.   

9. Kachori   

Ah, the delicious tantalising kachoris, a signature treat accompanying the celebration of Holi! These fried dough balls filled with dal, peas, potatoes, onions or dried fruits are so delicious that you will feel uplifted with every bite. During Holi, halwais and mishtan bhandaras prepare kachoris according to special recipes. The right way to consume this delicious treat is with sweet and spicy chutney or aloo ki sabzi.   

10. Dhuska  

Whether in Rajasthan, Uttar Pradesh or Jharkhand, the love for fried flatbreads is widespread. Dhuska is another delicious deep-fried snack that is in high demand during the Holi season. Wherever you go in Jharkhand, you can definitely smell this soft fermented rice dough bread on the streets.   

11. Kathal Ki Sabzi   

As Holi begins, Biharis like to mix things up a bit and make kathal ki sabzi with bedi for lunch. This jackfruit curry is undoubtedly one of the most unique dishes of the festival. Many families gather together to enjoy kathal ki sabzi, jungle lamb and puris! This divine combination is an experience you must experience at least once in your life.   

12. Ranga Dima   

Assam has a great influence on Ekasaran Dharma or Neo-Vaishnavism, so they rejoice in celebrating Holi every year in the form of Phakua or Doula, playing with flowers, playing traditional instruments, and singing songs by Lord Krishna. Ranga dima, or red fried eggs, are a staple of this festival and are served with aloo bhaja or fried potatoes.   

13. Phirni   

Phirni is a rice pudding that is slowly cooked for several hours with milk, sugar, almonds and some spices. This painstaking preparation process results in a sweet dish that will make your Holi celebrations unforgettable. Nowadays, popular pastry shops and restaurants also offer fruit flavours like pineapple pirni, pann pirni, mango pirni, etc. Phirni is best served cold in an earthen bowl or matka and eaten with saffron.  

Which Sweet Is Eaten On Holi?  

Following sweets are eaten on Holi in the entire country of India :  

1. Gujiya   

One of the most famous Holi dishes in India is the extremely sweet gujiya. At least two weeks before the festival begins, the scent of gujiya, karanji, ghugra and karajkai fills the air. Whether you are in Jaipur, Guwahati or Hyderabad, gujiya and its variations are a part of special Holi cuisine across the country. Nowadays, you can also buy roasted gujiya and diabetic-friendly gujiya from many sweet shops.  

2. Ras Malai   

The right balance of presentation and taste… Yes, we are talking about Ras Malai, one of the most famous sweets of Bengal. Soft sponge balls made from paneer or chenna are served with thick, sweet cardamom milk.   

3. Kesari Malai Peda   

Kesari malai peda is literally amazing and so delicious that you can’t stop at just one. This Indian sweet is made with cream, powdered milk or condensed milk. Other ingredients like saffron and cardamom add a luxurious flavour to the dish, perfect for elevating the mood of Holi.   

4. Puran Poli   

If we talk about decadent sweets and special Holi dishes, we must also mention Maharashtra’s Puranpolis. The simplicity of this traditional dish is what makes it so special! Puran poli is a sweet flatbread filled with lentils, curds and some spices.  

This is a special Holi dish that you cannot miss whenever you visit Mumbai, Nashik, Pune or any other part of Maharashtra. Its southern Indian cousin, obbattu, is also very popular during Holi in Karnataka, Goa and Tamil Nadu.  

5. Thandai   

This is one of the most popular drinks prepared on Holi. It is a cold drink made from a mixture of almonds, fennel seeds, rose petals, saffron, milk and other ingredients. Prepare and refrigerate in advance so you can welcome guests to your home.   

6. Almond Malai Kulfi   

Kulfi, also called “Indian ice cream,” is a frozen dessert made from almost any ingredient. You can use almonds, condensed milk, cream, dry fruits and saffron and pour the mixture into kulfi molds and let it harden.   

7. Apple Kheer  

Packed with all the goodness of fruity tadka and desi kheer, it will delight your taste buds with the mellow flavours of soothing apples and naughty red grapes. This time, tradition and modernity meet again! Seasoned with red grape seasoning and fragrant cinnamon, this healthy and refreshing dish will delight your guests with its captivating tastes and sensations.  

People On Diet: What Do They Eat In Holi?  

Here are some useful tips to help you stay healthy and happy before, during and after Holi. 

Diet Tips to Stay Fit Before Holi:   

Diet tips to stay healthy during Holi:   

Diet tips to stay healthy after Holi: 

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