As Chaitra Navratri 2026 comes to a close, fasting meals don’t have to feel repetitive or limited. With the right ingredients, your vrat thali can still be nourishing, flavourful, and exciting, even on the last
day. Makhana (fox nuts), a Navratri staple, is versatile, light, and packed with nutrients, making it perfect for quick yet delicious dishes. If you’re looking to add a final flourish to your fasting menu, here are three easy makhana-based recipes to try at home.
Crispy Makhana Tikki
A perfect alternative to deep-fried snacks, these tikkis are crunchy on the outside and soft on the inside.
Ingredients: Roasted and coarsely crushed makhana, boiled potatoes, roasted peanut powder, green chilli, coriander, rock salt (sendha namak), and ghee.
Method:
In a bowl, mix crushed makhana with mashed potatoes, peanut powder, green chilli, coriander, and salt. Shape the mixture into small tikkis. Heat ghee in a pan and shallow fry until golden brown on both sides. Serve hot with vrat-friendly chutney or curd.
Creamy Makhana Curry
A comforting, vrat-friendly curry that pairs well with kuttu puris or rotis. It can also be served as a delicious alternative to the traditional kanjak staple of black chana.
Ingredients: Makhana, paneer, fresh curd, ginger paste, green chilli, sendha namak, black pepper, and ghee.
Method:
Roast makhanas in ghee until crisp and set aside. In the same pan, sauté ginger and green chilli, then add whisked curd and cook on a low flame. Add paneer cubes and roasted makhana, season with salt and pepper, and let it simmer until the curry thickens to a creamy consistency. Serve warm.
Makhana Coconut Laddoo
A quick, no-fuss sweet treat that satisfies festive cravings without spending hours in the kitchen.
Ingredients: Roasted makhana (powdered), desiccated coconut, condensed milk (or reduced milk), cardamom powder, and chopped nuts.
Method:
Grind roasted makhana into a fine powder. In a bowl, mix it with coconut, condensed milk, and cardamom powder. Add chopped nuts and combine well. Shape into small laddoos and let them set for a few minutes before serving.
Makhana is a powerhouse ingredient that fits perfectly into Navratri fasting, offering both nutrition and versatility. Even on the final day, these quick recipes prove that vrat food can be simple, wholesome, and full of flavour.
With inputs from Marisha Baurai, Food Innovation Technologist, Farmley.
