7 Must-Try Vegan Recipes for a Compassionate & Delicious Diwali!

Diwali, the festival of lights, brings joy, warmth, and delicious sweets to homes all over India. This year, why not make your celebration kinder by choosing vegan versions of your festive favorites? These recipes keep all the flavor and tradition intact while showing compassion to all living beings.

Besan Ladoo — A Festive Classic

Besan Ladoo is a Diwali staple, but traditional recipes often involve ghee. This vegan version uses coconut oil or vegan butter to achieve the same rich flavor and melt-in-your-mouth texture.

Ingredients

• 1 cup chickpea flour (besan)
• 1/2 cup jaggery
• 3 tbsp coconut oil or vegan butter
• Cardamom powder and nuts for garnish

Method

1. Roast besan in coconut oil or vegan butter on low heat until golden and fragrant.
2. Cool slightly and mix in jaggery and cardamom.
3. Shape into laddoos and garnish with nuts.

Cashew Kaju Katli — Rich & Indulgent

This smooth, melt-in-your-mouth sweet is a Diwali favorite. Using plant-based milk keeps this delicacy cruelty-free.

Ingredients

• 1 cup cashews (soaked and ground to a paste)
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp almond milk or cashew milk
• Silver leaf (optional, check for vegan certification)

Method

1. Heat sugar and plant milk in a pan until the sugar dissolves.
2. Add the cashew paste and cook until it forms a dough-like consistency.
3. Spread the mixture on parchment paper and roll it flat.
4. Cut into diamond shapes and top with silver leaf if desired.

Badam Halwa — Warm & Nutty

A rich and warming dessert made with almond paste, plant-based milk, and cardamom.

Ingredients

• 1 cup almonds (soaked and ground to a paste)
• 1/2 cup cashew or almond milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp coconut oil
• Cardamom powder

Method

1. Heat coconut oil in a pan and add almond paste.
2. Add plant milk and sugar, cooking until thick and creamy.
3. Sprinkle cardamom powder and serve warm.

Gulab Jamun — Sweet & Syrupy

Enjoy this classic treat without the dairy! Coconut milk and almond flour make it deliciously authentic.

Ingredients

• 1 cup almond flour
• 1/2 cup coconut milk
• 1/2 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup sugar
• 1/2 cup water
• Cardamom pods for flavor

Method

1. Mix almond flour, coconut milk, and baking powder to form a dough.
2. Shape into small balls and fry until golden.
3. Prepare a sugar syrup with water and cardamom.
4. Soak the fried balls in warm syrup.

Shahi Tukda — Royal Indulgence

This rich bread pudding can be made plant-based by using cashew or almond milk.

Ingredients

• 4 slices of bread (cut into triangles)
• 2 cups almond or cashew milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• Cardamom powder
• Chopped nuts for garnish

Method

1. Fry bread slices in oil until golden.
2. Boil plant milk with sugar and cardamom to make the rabri.
3. Pour the rabri over fried bread and garnish with nuts.

Malai Kofta — Festive Savory Dish

Enjoy the creaminess of malai kofta made with plant-based milk and vegan curd.

Ingredients

• For koftas:
  • 2 large potatoes (boiled, mashed)
  • 1/2 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, peas, beans, grated)
  • 2 tbsp cashew or peanut curd
  • 2 tbsp chickpea flour (besan)
  • 1/4 cup cashew cream (for extra richness)
  • Spices to taste (turmeric, cumin, coriander, garam masala, salt)
  • Oil for frying
• For gravy:
  • 1 cup cashews (soaked and ground to a paste)
  • 1 cup tomato puree
  • 1/2 cup cashew or almond milk
  • 2 tbsp oil
  • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1/2 tsp coriander powder
  • 1/4 tsp turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp garam masala
  • Salt
  • 1/2 tsp sugar (to balance the flavors)

Method

1. In a bowl, mix mashed potatoes, vegetables, curd, chickpea flour, spices, and cashew cream to form a dough.
2. Shape into small balls and fry until golden brown. Set aside.
3. Heat oil in a pan. Add cumin seeds and allow them to splutter.
4. Add tomato puree, and cook until the oil starts to separate.
5. Add cashew paste and spices. Cook for 5–7 minutes.
6. Pour in cashew or almond milk and simmer until creamy.
7. Add fried koftas to the gravy and garnish with chopped coriander.

Gajar Ka Halwa — Winter Favorite

Enjoy this comforting dessert using plant-based milk and vegan butter.

Ingredients

• 4 cups grated carrots
• 2 cups almond or cashew milk
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 2 tbsp coconut oil or vegan butter
• Cardamom powder and nuts for garnish

Method

1. Cook grated carrots in coconut oil or vegan butter.
2. Add plant milk and sugar, and cook until thickened.
3. Sprinkle cardamom and garnish with nuts before serving.

– Contributed by Meenal Rajapet

Celebrate Diwali with Love and Compassion!

This Diwali, celebrate with recipes that show kindness to all living beings while keeping the festive spirit alive. Want to discover more plant-based recipes and connect with fellow vegans? 

Join our Facebook community and follow our Instagram page!

Happy Diwali!