Celebrate Krishna Janmashtami the tasty and nutritious way, with these healthy Janmashtami recipes for the whole family! Includes fasting recipes too.

If you live anywhere in India, you’re sure to have heard of Krishna Janmashtami in some form or the other. The festival goes by various names – Krishnashtami, Gokulashtami, Srikrishna Jayanti and many others. The number of names only goes on to show how widely celebrated this festival is!

Krishna Janmashtami is one of those festivals that has celebrations in every area. There is drama – where plays of Krishna Leela or Raas Leela are staged across the country. There’s dressing up, where cute little boys and girls are dressed up like Krishna or Radha. There is worship, where people stay up all night singing bhajans or by fasting all day. There’s fun, with Janmashtami activities for kids and contests like Dahi Handi, which can give the viewers alone an adrenaline rush. And of course, there’s the food!!!

The food served for Janmashtami can be of two types – either it’s ‘fasting food’ or festive delicacies. ‘Fasting food’ is for those who are participating in the Janmashtami fast, which excludes grains like rice and wheat. We’ve decided to bring you a mixture of both kinds today, so however you’re celebrating Janmashtami this year, you’ll not be without something delicious to eat!

25 Healthy Janmashtami Recipes

1. Uppu Seedai

Uppu seedai and Vellai seedai are both immensely popular during Janmashtami – and otherwise! Raks Kitchen gives us a full tutorial on how to make the seedai, along with helpful tips to get them just right.

2. Gopalkala

Who says festive dishes have to be heavy and unhealthy? This Gopalkala recipe proves otherwise! With yogurt and lots of fresh fruits, this is the perfect way to celebrate while also watching your waistline!

3. Sabudana Thalipeeth

If you’re fasting this Janmasthami, Sabudana is sure to feature in your diet, and this Sabudana Thalipeeth makes an interesting variation to the usual khichdi! Along with the spices, it makes for a satisfactory meal.

4. Panjiri

Panjiri is one of the most popular Janmashtami recipes, made to offer the deity as well as to distribute among everyone. Packed with ghee and dry fruits, this high calorie dish from Rachna Cooks also works well for weight gain in kids.

5. Dates Sesame Ladoo

Sesame ladoos are popular for many Indian festivals, and we’ve taken it up a notch by adding dates to the equation! Now your laddus are rich in nutrients like iron, high in calories and also taste naturally sweet!

6. Roasted Gram Coconut Laddu

You only need a few basic ingredients to make this recipe from Blend with Spices, and roasted Bengal gram is one of them. If you haven’t tried laddus with this ingredient before, this is a great recipe to start!

7. Easy Rava Chakli

All kinds of chaklis or murukkus are made during Janmashtami and it’s one of my favorite things to munch on! This is also a favorite with kids, and Smitha Kalluraya gives us an easy recipe to make with rava.

8. Besan Laddu

Besan is something most homes have in their pantries, which is why this besan laddu is a must try for this Janmashtami! The laddus are literally melt in your mouth, and even little kids will enjoy them.

9. Panchamrit

With five important ingredients, Panchamrit or Charnamrit is believed to have some special properties. As a result, this is often used to bathe the Krishna idol and then distributed among devotees. Get the recipe to make this from Whisk Affair.

10. Thin Poha Chivda

If you’re going to catch the local Dahi Handi competition in your area, I’d recommend taking along a packed of this poha chivda from Chef and Her Kitchen! With lots of spices, nuts and coconut slices, this is the perfect accompaniment to all the excitement!

11. Vrat wale Aloo Subzi

If you’re fasting and need something hearty and filling, this aloo subzi from Spice Up the Curry is your answer. It’s made specifically for fasting, and is easy enough to make in a short time.

12. Roasted Makhana

This recipe from Cook Click and Devour has got to be the easiest! With healthy makhana or fox nuts, you can easily make a crunchy snack that’ll have people asking for more!

13. Makhana Kheer

Roasting fox nuts is one way to have makhana, but another way is by making kheer. Makhana kheer is particularly popular during Janmashtami and it’s super easy to make when you have the mix ready.

14. Pineapple Kesari

Kesari is something you can make with any ingredient, especially fruits. We’ve got a delicious pineapple kesari recipe that’s perfect for the festive season.

15. Vrat Ki Kadhi

Kadhi is a common dish in Gujarat and Rajasthan, and Sanjeev Kapoor gives us a kadhi that can be had during the Janmashtami fast.This kadhi uses water chestnut flour and yogurt with lots of spices for a drink that’ll have you smacking your lips!

16. Mewa Paag

This is one nutty recipe!! Maayeka’s Mewa  Paag has fox nuts, almonds, cashews and pistachios that makes this a nutty, delicious and antioxidant rich recipe for Janmashtami! Check out the other Paag variants as well.

17. Samo Khichdi

Take a break from rice or sabudana khichdis and try this Samo Khichdi from Herbivore Cucina instead! Made with barnyard millet, this is a special fasting recipe for Janmashtami and will offer lots of energy during the day.

18. Singhada Dosa

Singhada or water chestnut is something that’s allowed during fasts like the one during Janmashtami. This singhada dosa recipe uses just water chestnut flour, curd and spices, making this a quick and healthy recipe.

19. Sabudana Khichdi

If you ever thought khichdi was boring – think again! My Ginger Garlic Kitchen gives us a recipe that’s just loaded with flavor, with potatoes, green chillies and roasted peanuts.

20. Lauki ki Burfi

If you have a tough time feeding your kids lauki or doodhi, this lauki burfi from Whisk Affair will make life a lot easier! With full cream milk and a lovely green color, this is sure to be a hit!

21. Thattai

Thattai are those little somethings that you can start eating and not know where to stop! Get the recipe of this traditional Janmashtami delicacy from Palakkad Chamayal, after which you’ll be tempted to make these crispy treats!

22. Poha Laddu

Poha or beaten rice is something that’s easily available, and you may even have it in your homes. Here’s an easy recipe that you can make with poha – poha laddus!

23. Banana Fritters

Raw Kerala bananas are known for their health benefits as well as their ability to encourage weight gain in kids. Put them to good use with this banana fritters recipe that’s perfect for the festive season.

24. Aval Payasam

Krishna Janmashtami celebrations in South India are usually accompanied by an aval payasam – a creamy dessert made with poha. With milk and ghee, this is a perfect dessert for the dairy-loving deity!

25. Rajgira Paratha

Water chestnut flour can be used not just for dosas, but for parathas as well. Try out this rajgira paratha from Whisk Affair that’ll go perfectly with some vrat ka aloo subzi.