5 Easy Sabudana Recipes to Try This Fasting Season

Fasting during festivals such as Navratri, Maha Shivratri and Ekadashi often calls for simple, comforting meals that are both delicious and easy to prepare. One ingredient that holds a special place in Indian kitchens during these occasions is sabudana, also known as tapioca pearls. From crispy vadas to flavourful khichdi and refreshing kheer, sabudana can be transformed into a variety of dishes that make fasting meals more enjoyable.

If you are looking for easy sabudana recipes to try this fasting season, these traditional Indian favourites are worth adding to your menu. With a handful of ingredients and a few kitchen tips, you can prepare satisfying dishes that bring together flavour, texture and tradition.

1. Sabudana Khichdi: A Classic Fasting Favourite

No list of sabudana recipes is complete without the much-loved sabudana khichdi. Popular across Maharashtra and several other parts of India, this dish is especially enjoyed during fasting days.

To prepare it, soak sabudana until the pearls soften, then toss them with roasted peanuts, cumin seeds, green chillies and boiled potatoes. Finish with fresh coriander and a squeeze of lemon juice, if these ingredients are permitted during your fast.

Kitchen tip: Drain the soaked sabudana thoroughly and allow excess moisture to escape before cooking. This helps keep the pearls separate instead of turning sticky. Coarsely ground roasted peanuts also add a lovely crunch and flavour.

2. Crispy Sabudana Vada

If you enjoy something crunchy with your evening cup of tea, sabudana vada is an excellent choice. These golden, crisp patties are particularly popular in Maharashtra and Gujarat during fasting season.

Combine soaked sabudana with mashed potatoes, crushed peanuts, chopped green chillies, cumin and fresh coriander. Shape the mixture into small, flat patties and deep-fry until crisp and golden. You can also prepare them in an air fryer, although the texture may differ slightly from the traditional version.

Serve sabudana vadas with fasting-friendly coriander chutney or plain yoghurt, depending on your dietary customs.

Kitchen tip: Make sure the mixture is not too wet. If needed, add a little more crushed peanut powder to help bind the patties and prevent them from breaking while cooking.

3. Sweet Sabudana Kheer

For those who prefer something sweet, sabudana kheer is a comforting dessert that is easy to prepare at home. It is especially appealing during fasting days when you want a simple alternative to elaborate sweets.

Rinse and soak the sabudana, then cook it in milk until the pearls turn soft and translucent. Add sugar according to taste, along with cardamom powder, chopped almonds and cashews. A few strands of saffron can lend a delicate aroma and a rich colour.

You can serve the kheer warm or chilled, making it suitable for different preferences and occasions.

Kitchen tip: Stir regularly while cooking to prevent the milk from sticking to the bottom of the pan. The kheer will thicken further as it cools, so adjust the consistency before switching off the heat.

4. Sabudana Thalipeeth

Looking for a change from khichdi and vadas? Sabudana thalipeeth is a delicious Maharashtrian-inspired option that works well for a fasting breakfast or light meal.

Mix soaked sabudana with mashed potatoes, roasted peanut powder, cumin, green chillies and salt permitted during your fast. Shape the mixture into thin discs and cook them on a lightly greased tawa until both sides develop a golden crust.

Serve hot with yoghurt or a fasting-friendly chutney. Its crisp exterior and soft centre make it a satisfying addition to your fasting menu.

Kitchen tip: Flatten the mixture gently and evenly so that the thalipeeth cooks through without becoming too dark on the outside.

5. Sabudana Waffles: A Fun Twist to Traditional Fasting Recipes

Looking to try something different this fasting season? Sabudana waffles offer a fun and modern twist to traditional Indian fasting food. Crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, these savoury waffles are a delicious alternative to the usual sabudana khichdi and vada.

To prepare sabudana waffle recipe for fasting, combine soaked and well-drained sabudana with mashed boiled potatoes, roasted peanut powder, cumin seeds, chopped green chillies and sendha namak (rock salt). Add a little fresh coriander and mix everything well. Transfer the mixture to a lightly greased waffle maker and cook until the waffles turn golden and crisp. If the mixture feels too loose, add a little extra peanut powder to help bind it.

Serve these sabudana waffles hot with fasting-friendly coriander chutney or a bowl of fresh yoghurt, depending on your fasting customs.

Kitchen tip: Drain the sabudana thoroughly before mixing the ingredients, as excess moisture can make the waffles soft instead of crispy. Grease the waffle maker lightly and allow the waffles to cook completely before removing them.