Diwali is the time to indulge in lights, laughter, and mouth-filling, lavish feasts. But the kitchen madness can easily steal the joy of the festivities. With a variety of dishes to make and celebrate the festival, it is often exhausting, and one can find themselves juggling between multiple dishes, long cooking hours, and some last-minute preps. This is where simple, fuss-free recipes come into light. By picking dishes that are easy to make, can be prepared ahead, or are one-pot, it is easy to enjoy the festivities without stressing much about impressing guests with the festive flavours.
From creamy paneer makhani wraps to tangy dahi kebabs, bite-sized coconut ladoo, and smoky tandoori aloo tikka, these recipes are a perfect balance of taste, tradition, and comfort. Not only do they save time, reduce the mess, and let you spend more time celebrating with family, friends and loved ones, proving that festive cooking can be both tasty and effortless.
Paneer Makhani Wraps
These buttery wraps deliver all the luxury of paneer makhani in a wrap but without the mess of serving a full curry. Simply sauté the paneer cubes in makhani sauce and stuff them into soft rotis loaded with onions, and just roll them up. They are easy to prepare, are mess-free, and ideal for serving to guests without juggling between dishes. The tomato-based gravy gives it a festive feel, whereas the wrap minimises the mess and effort, making it perfect for house parties or get-togethers.
Veg Pulao With Fried Onions
Skip the elaborate preparation of biryanis by preparing this quick but aromatic one-pot pulao. Prepared by blending basmati rice with mixed vegetables and fragrant whole spices, it’s a party-pleaser that goes well with raita or papad. Garnished with crisp fried onions to give a festive touch, this pulao delivers the same fervour and warmth of a biryani with less work. It can also be prepared ahead, ideal for when you want to maximise the flavour with minimum stress.
Dahi Kebabs
Soft, savoury, and melt-in-the-mouth, dahi kebabs are an absolute stress-free snack that are ideal to prepare when you want to please your guests with minimum effort. Prepared by blending hung curd, breadcrumbs, and some mild spices, they can be shaped and kept in the refrigerator a day ahead and then shallow-fried before serving to guests. They are creamy from inside, have a crisp golden exterior, and add a gourmet touch to your Diwali spread. They are ideal for pleasing guests quickly while keeping up with the festive flair.
Coconut Ladoo
These are one of the easiest sweets to prepare that can be made in just 15 minutes. Prepared with grated coconut, condensed milk, and a hint of cardamom, these sweets do not require a syrup or deep frying. These bite-sized treats are creamy, aromatic, and are a festive favourite, ideal when you do not want to invest hours in making a traditional sweet, but also feel authentic. They can also be stored well, so they can also be prepared well in advance.
Tandoori Aloo Tikka
This smoky and spicy dish delivers a perfect tandoori magic without grilling. To prepare, baby potatoes are marinated in yoghurt and a blend of spices, then toasted in an oven or in an air fryer. The result is a crisp, full-flavour snack that goes beautifully with mint chutney or sauce. Easy to prepare, tandoori aloo tikka keeps the festive joy alive while limiting your kitchen chaos.