Gujarati Appetizer Recipes For Navratri

Navratri is a vibrant festival celebrated with devotion, dance, and delicious food! If you're looking for authentic Gujarati appetizer recipes for Navratri, you're in the right place. These quick and easy fasting snacks are not only tasty but also perfect for vrat (fasting).

In this guide, we’ll explore traditional Gujarati snacks for Navratri, including crispy sabudana vada, sweet singhara halwa, and spicy rajgira puri. Whether you're hosting guests or preparing meals for your family, these gluten-free and satvik recipes will be a hit!

Why Choose Gujarati Appetizers for Navratri?

Gujarati cuisine is famous for its flavorful and light dishes, making it ideal for fasting. Here’s why these Navratri-friendly Gujarati snacks are perfect:

Made with fasting-approved ingredients like singhare ka atta (water chestnut flour), sabudana (tapioca pearls), and makhana (fox nuts).
Quick and easy to prepare—most recipes take less than 30 minutes!
Healthy yet delicious, balancing sweet, spicy, and crunchy flavors.

Top 8 Gujarati Appetizer Recipes for Navratri

1. Crispy Sabudana Vada (Tapioca Pearls Fritters)

A classic Gujarati fasting snack, sabudana vada is crispy on the outside and soft inside.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup sabudana (soaked overnight)
• 2 boiled potatoes
• 1 tbsp roasted peanuts (crushed)
• 1 green chili (finely chopped)
• Rock salt (sendha namak) to taste

Method:

• Mash potatoes and mix with soaked sabudana.
• Add peanuts, chili, and salt.
• Shape into small patties and deep fry until golden.

Pro Tip: Serve with mint chutney for extra flavor!

2. Sweet Singhara Halwa (Water Chestnut Pudding)

A rich and aromatic dessert perfect for Navratri fasting.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup singhare ka atta
• ½ cup ghee
• ½ cup sugar
• 2 cups water
• Cardamom powder for flavor

Method:

• Roast singhare ka atta in ghee until fragrant.
• Add water and sugar, stirring continuously.
• Cook until thick, then garnish with nuts.

3. Spicy Rajgira Puri (Amaranth Flour Flatbread)

A crunchy and nutritious snack for fasting days.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rajgira flour
• 1 boiled potato
• Sendha namak to taste
• Oil for frying

Method:

• Mix flour, mashed potato, and salt.
• Knead into a dough and roll small puris.
• Deep fry until crispy.

4. Makhana Chivda (Roasted Fox Nuts Mix)

A light and crunchy snack you can munch on anytime!

Ingredients:

• 2 cups makhana
• 1 tbsp ghee
• ½ tsp black pepper
• Rock salt to taste

Method:

• Roast makhana in ghee until crisp.
• Sprinkle salt and pepper.
• Store in an airtight container.

5. Farali Pattice (Fasting-Friendly Potato Cutlets)

A tasty and filling appetizer for Navratri vrat.

Ingredients:

• 3 boiled potatoes
• 2 tbsp roasted peanuts
• 1 tsp cumin
• Coriander leaves

Method:

• Mash potatoes and mix with peanuts and spices.
• Shape into cutlets and shallow fry.

6. Kuttu Ki Puri (Buckwheat Flour Fried Bread)

A North-Indian inspired Gujarati snack for fasting.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup kuttu ka atta
• 1 boiled potato
• Sendha namak
• Oil for frying

Method:

• Mix flour, potato, and salt.
• Roll small puris and fry until puffed.

7. Farali Dahi Puri (Fasting-Friendly Yogurt Puffs)

A tangy and refreshing snack with yogurt and chutney.

Ingredients:

• 10-12 puris (made from rajgira flour)
• 1 cup yogurt
• Rock salt, roasted cumin powder
• Sweet chutney (dates & tamarind)

Method:

• Fill puris with yogurt.
• Top with chutney and spices.

8. Sabudana Khichdi (Spiced Tapioca Stir-Fry)

A light yet flavorful fasting dish.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup soaked sabudana
• 1 tbsp ghee
• Peanuts, curry leaves, green chili
• Lemon juice

Method:

• Heat ghee, add peanuts and spices.
• Stir in sabudana and cook until translucent.

Expert Tips for Perfect Gujarati Navratri Snacks

Soak sabudana properly—overnight soaking prevents hardness.
Use fresh ingredients—especially for chutneys and spices.
Control oil temperature—too hot, and snacks burn; too cold, they soak oil.

FAQs About Gujarati Appetizers for Navratri

1. Can I bake instead of frying these snacks?

Yes! Baked sabudana vada or rajgira puri are healthier options.

2. What can I use instead of sendha namak?

Only rock salt is allowed during fasting—regular salt isn’t used.

3. How long do these snacks stay fresh?

Most stay good for 2 days if stored in airtight containers.

Final Thoughts

These Gujarati appetizer recipes for Navratri are not just delicious but also easy to make. Whether you prefer sweet singhara halwa or spicy sabudana vada, there’s something for everyone!