Ramadan is an Islamic holy month where we Muslims fast, pray and do good deeds to our God. In that time, we don't eat or drink anything from the start of the first call to prayer in dawn (fajr) until the fourth prayer in the sunset (Maghreb) for 30 days.
Unlike Christmas and other holidays, Ramadan usually starts 10 days earlier every year. For example, last year in 2022, it starts on April 1. But, this year 2023 it will start on March 22.
As Muslims, this is very important to us since we dedicate to Allah. In that month, this is where we start to cook many delicious foods for our families and loved ones when breaking our fast. These include Main dishes, desserts, and snacks, which are all halal food.
In this post, I have gathered and collected the list of best Ramadan Iftar Recipes that are family-friendly. This recipe ranges from Middle Eastern to Asian foods, which are all halal-friendly.
Recipe Frequently Asked Question's
That is because unlike the current calendar, which we are using right now, the Islamic calendar is based on the Lunar cycler. In another word, the Ramadan started based on the appearance of the new moon and ends with the appearance of the new moon.
In Ramadan, before we break our fast, we start first eating dates and warm soup. That is because it is mentioned in the Quran the importance of dates. Also, it is normal that when fast, our blood sugar tends to get lower, and since dates contain sugar, it can help normalize our blood sugar and not feel lethargic.
In that holy month of Ramadan, we tend to make large meals which include Meat, Rice, Salad, Soup, and Desserts. It doesn't have to be Arabic food, and it can be Indian, Mediterranean, Southeast Asian, or any cuisines that are considered halal.
50 Best Ramadan Iftar Recipes
Cheese Samosas Recipe
Cheese Samosas is an Indian fried pastry snacks that is made mixed with fillings of Mozzarella and Cream cheese. This is considered one of the most popular snacks served during Ramadan.
Jordanian Chicken Maqluba
Maqluba is an authentic Jordanian Chicken Maqluba Recipe which is mix with chicken, cauliflower, eggplant, potatoes, rice and middle eastern spices.
Kuwaiti Chicken Majboos
Chicken Majboos is a national dish of Kuwait which is mixed with spiced rice and herb chicken. This dish is commonly served with tomato garlic sauce called Daqoos
Chicken Arabic Biryani
Arabic Biryani is a Gulf Arabic spiced rice dish mixed with chicken and garnished with fried onion, which is best serve with yogurt garlic sauce or tomato garlic sauce.
Egyptian Koshari Rice
Koshari is an Egyptian rice recipe that is mixed with macaroni, brown lentils, and garnish with fried brown onion, which is served with tomato garlic sauce.
Kachi Chicken Dum Biryani
This is an Indian style Hyderabadi kachi chicken dum biryani which is prepared with kachi gosht( raw meat) marinated with spices and soaked in yogurt before cooking.
Chicken Molokhia
Chicken Molokhia is a healthy chicken Soup dish that is mixed with jute leaves or jew's mallow. It is popular cuisine in Egypt and Arab countries.
Jordanian Mansaf Recipe
Mansaf is a traditional Jordanian lamb dish that is cooked in yogurt sauce. It is served either with rice or flatbread.
Turkish Moussaka Recipe
An baked eggplant dish called Turkish Moussaka that is mixed with ground beef, green bell pepper and other spices and herbs
Lamb Tikka
Lamb Tikka delicious Indian meat dish dipped in chutney as an appetizer, or in a wrap with salad for an easy snack
Lamb Korma
Korma is a lamb stew meat is cooked in coconut sauce, seasoned with toasted spices and pressure cooked to a melt-in-the-mouth perfection. This dish has it's own version in India, Pakistan and United Kingdom
Lamb Shish Kebab
Lamb Shish Kebab is a Middle Eastern staple dish which is a combo of pieces of meat and vegetables on a skewer
Lamb Tongseng
Lamb Tongseng is Indonesian braised lamb in spicy coconut milk with sweet soy sauce. It's a comforting dish that much loved for iftar in Ramadan.
Kofta Tahini Recipe
Kofta Tahini is a Middle Eastern ground beef kofta recipe that is poured into tahini sauce & baked in the oven. This Arabian kofta is way better than your ordinary kofta since it is juicy, saucy, and meaty. It is traditionally served and eaten with pita bread, but you serve it with rice too.
Beef Bamia
Beef Bamia Recipe is a Middle Eastern okra stew dish that is mix with tomato sauce, Arabic spices, and beef meat.
Fasolia (Arabic White Bean Stew)
Fasolia is a white bean stew recipe that is mixed with beef cut, coriander leaves, and tomato sauce. It is a popular Arabic dish in Jordan, Lebanon, and Iraq which is best served with rice.
Beef Kofta Kebab
Beef kofta kebab recipe is an popular Arabian minced meat dish that is mix with Middle Eastern spices, ground meat, and green herbs.
Slow Cook Beef Rendang Recipe
Beef Rendang is an Indonesian spicy aromatic beef dish that is mixed with spices, herbs, and coconut milk. It is a popular Southeast Asian dish that is served with rice.
Beef Galayet Bandora
Galayet Bandora Recipe is a Jordanian sauteed tomato dish that is mixed with onion, olive oil, chopped beef, and potatoes. This is eaten using flatbread/pita bread or rice.
Arabic Kuboos Bread
This Kuboos bread is an Arabic flatbread made from whole wheat dough, olive oil, salt, sugar and yeast. This type of bread is considered a popular staple food in the Middle East.
Lebanese Moussaka (Maghmour)
A delicious Lebanese Moussaka is a vegetarian dish which is made with eggplants and chickpeas. It is best serve with flatbread or rice.
Moroccan Couscous Salad
An authentic Moroccan vegan dish which is an exotic blend of heady spices, fresh fruits, tangy veggies and fluffy couscous.
Arabic Salad
Arabic Salad is an middle eastern salad mixed with cucumbers, tomatoes, parsley, lettuce, sumac spices and drizzle with olive oil. This salad pairs with most Arabic rice dishes.
Shepherd Salad
Shepherd Salad Recipe is a Turkish salad mixed with cucumber, tomatoes, feta cheese, olive oil, and olives.
Malfouf Recipe (Stuffed Cabbage Rolls)
A delicious Lebanese cabbage roll called Malfouf which has filling of rice, ground beef, coriander leaves and spices. It is best to serve during family gathering.
Warak Enab (Lebanese Stuffed Grape Leaves)
Warak Enab is a Lebanese Stuffed Grape Leaves which has fillings of rice, ground beef and other spices & herbs
Kousa Mahshi (Lebanese Stuffed Zucchini)
Kousa Mahshi is a Lebanese stuffed zucchini that has fillings of ground beef, rice, and other spices & herbs, cooked in tomato sauce.
Ful Medames Recipe (Egyptian Fava bean)
Ful Medames is an Egyptian Fava Bean recipe that is seasoned with ground cumin, chopped garlic & coriander leaves, served with extra virgin olive oil, and topped with chopped parsley. It is a popular staple food in Egypt and is considered their national dish.
Chana Dal
Chane ki Dal - Call it a salad or just a snack. This is mostly made during Iftar time and you can always find served on most of the Hyderabadi Iftar table.
Lentil Curry
An irresistible lentil curry recipe that is really simple and less time-consuming. This perfectly Indian healthy vegan lentil curry is gluten-free and offers healthy nutrients.
Aloo Chole Recipe (Potato & Chickpeas Curry)
Aloo chole recipe is a vegan friendly Indian dish that is mixed with chickpeas, potatoes, tomatoes and different spices & herbs. This dish is best served with either rice or roti.
Eggplant Masala Recipe (Brinjal masala)
Eggplant Masala is a vegetarian Indian dish that is mix with eggplant, chopped tomatoes, spices and herbs.
Tandoori Paneer Tikka
Tandoori paneer tikka is a popular dish made from vegetables and a soft Indian cheese, paneer. The cheese is cut into cubes and marinated in a delectable blend of spices and yogurt
Zaatar Manakish
Zaatar Manakish is a Lebanese flatbread Zaatar Recipe which is mixed with a thyme, sumac, marjoram, sesame seed, and salt. It can be serve during breakfast or snacks after iftar.
Chicken Fatayer Recipe
Chicken Fatayer is a Middle Eastern meat pie recipe that has fillings of chicken, vegetables and different spices. It is commonly served during snacks or breakfast during Ramadan.
Spinach Fatayer (Sabanekh)
Spinach Fatayer, also known as Sabanekh, is an lebanese pastry pie that has fillings of onion, sumac spices, olive oil, lemon, and fresh spinach. It is a popular Middle Eastern pie which is eaten during breakfast or few hours snacks after breaking fast.
Cheese Fatayer
Cheese Fatayer is a Lebanese pie recipe which is mixed with feta & mozzarella cheese and chopped parsley. It can be serve as breakfast or snacks.
Cheese Manakish Recipe
Cheese Manakish is a baked Arabic Flatbread recipe that is topped with mozzarella and cream cheese. It is a popular dish across the Levant and Middle Eastern countries, which is commonly served during breakfast.
Bulgur Pilav
Bulgur pilav is a Middle Eastern pilaf ( wheat dish or rice dish) recipe made from bulgur that has been simmered in a tomato base.
Crispy Potato Bhajiya
This Kenyan Maru Bhajia recipe is the original East African recipe for crispy potato bhajia. We love the Maru Bhajia tomato chutney recipe that accompanies these delicious potatoes fritters
Turkish Cheese Pide
Cheese pide is a Turkish style pizza recipe which is topped with mozzarella and cheddar cheese.
Chicken Shawarma Pizza Recipe
Chicken shawarma pizza is a Middle Eastern-style pizza that contains an Arabian marinated spiced chicken baked in the oven. And it has toppings of black olives, red onion and it is drizzle with yogurt garlic sauce.
Chicken Shawarma Tacos
Chicken Shawarma Tacos is a Middle Eastern-inspired taco recipe that contains spiced baked chicken, onion, parsley, and tomatoes and drizzled with tahini sauce in tortilla bread. It is nutritious, low in cholesterol, and a delicious sandwich.
Aloo Pakora
Aloo Pakora is an Indian deep fried potato snack dish that is mixed with spices
Surinamese Bakabana with Peanut Sauce
Bakabana is a Sweet Plantain Fritters which is a popular snacks or desserts in Suriname. It is also popular among Muslims in Indonesia.
Shahi Tukray
Shahi Tukray is a rich and classic dessert or a traditional bread pudding or bread dessert. This is served on festive occasions like Eid ul Adha or Eid ul Fitr.
Sheer Khurma
Sheer Khurma is special sweet dish made with dates, nuts, raisins and vermicelli noodles, roasted in nutty ghee and cooked in saffron laced milk
Indonesian Cendol
Cendol is Indonesian dessert drink made of rice flour with palm sugar syrup and coconut milk. It's traditionally enjoyed to break the fast in Ramadan.
Vitumbua
Vitumbua is a coconut rice pancake balls, which is slightly sweet gluten free dish found in the coastal region of East Africa. Served either during early morning breakfast before the fast begins or as dessert.
Vermicelli Pudding
Vermicelli pudding also known as sheer khurma,is an Indian dessert which is made with milk and a vermicelli rice noodles called sevai.
Do you have other delicious Ramadan Iftar Food recipes you will like me to add? Let me know in the comment below.
What a fabulous roundup all the dishes are delicious and irresistible. Thanks for including our Maru Bhajiya recipe.
Thank you for including my recipes and introducing so many new recipes. InshaAllah going to try these for Ramadan. Keep the good work going....
Thank you Lubna.