25 Eid al-Fitr Recipes for Your Eid Feast

Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, which is based on the lunar cycle. Although it is a month of fasting from dawn to dusk, prayer and self-reflection, Ramadan is also a month of feasts. For Iftar (the meal eaten at sunset to break the fast), many families start with something warm and sweet before celebrating with hearty dishes like lamb tagine and sweet treats like ma’amoul, a date-filled Middle Eastern cookie. The culmination of these celebrations is Eid al-Fitr, the new moon that marks the end of Ramadan.

Eid al-Fitr is an important holiday in many areas, including the Middle East, North Africa, Southeast Asia and India, where it’s a public holiday. Muslim communities in the U.S., Europe and Canada also celebrate it in style. Each region of the world observes the occasion differently, but Eid al-Fitr food—particularly sweets like baklava—is an essential part of these festivities, as people usually gather and share a feast.

The recipes in this collection reflect the spirit of conviviality and the diversity of cultures that celebrate Eid al-Fitr. You’ll find Indian biryani, malfouf (Lebanese cabbage rolls) and Moroccan chickpea stew. Although many of these recipes are traditional, most have modern twists that make them more approachable to cook at home. I hope you enjoy these dishes and have a happy Eid!

Few pastries embody the celebratory nature of Eid al-Fitr like baklava. You’ll find them at Eid al-Fitr celebration meals from Turkey to India and everywhere in between. The pastry is nutty, indulgent, syrupy and flaky, and its aromas can be adjusted to suit your taste. Try adding rose water, orange blossom or lemon juice to the syrup or making variations like cashew baklava.

This spice-laden rice dish is an essential Eid recipe in South Asia. Our biryani recipe makes 12 servings, so it’s a perfect meal if you’re hosting a lot of guests. Of course, you can also freeze the leftovers if you end up with too much food.

A staple in Indian cuisine, tandoori chicken began to gain global popularity in the mid-20th century as Indian recipes were introduced in Western countries. Muslim countries all over the world make some version of this dish for festive occasions like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha.

In Morocco and other North African Muslim countries, tagines (aka tajins) are the epitome of a celebratory meal. They can be made with meat or vegetables. This recipe focuses on lamb and includes fruit and nuts for a festive touch. If lamb isn’t to your taste, try making tangerine chicken tagine or slow-cooker chickpea tagine. Either way, serve the saucy dish over couscous or plain rice.

Dates are a significant Ramadan food used to break one’s daily fast, and they’re similarly important to Eid al-Fitr feasts. You can serve them plain, stuff them with walnuts or fill them with sweetened cream cheese as we do in this recipe (although I also like a creamy, savory blue cheese filling). For a more indulgent version, try making chocolate-covered dates.

Gulab jamun is an Indian dessert made by soaking deep-fried doughnut balls in rose water syrup. Fried sweets and the aroma of roses are beloved in the Muslim world, and this sweet treat would be a perfect addition to your Eid al-Fitr table.

Ramadan is a month of fasting, and beverages are important for staying hydrated. Refreshing beverages are a must when breaking the fast and entertaining guests for Eid al-Fitr. Tea, coffee, cordials and nonalcoholic cocktails are welcome, and this tangy mango lassi with cardamom fits all the requirements for an Eid drink.

Ma’amoul is a beloved holiday cookie throughout the Middle East. The treats are enjoyed by Christians after fasting during Lent and by Muslims during Eid al-Fitr feasts. The cookie dough combines aromatic rose and orange blossom water with butter, semolina and flour. The filling is usually made with dates, but dried figs or toasted nuts also work.

Like many holidays, an Eid al-Fitr celebration meal can be heavy with meat. For a vegetarian (or vegan) dish, try making creamy malai kofta, a meatless “meatball” made with potatoes and paneer cheese. The meatballs are air-fried until golden brown and served with a rich and spicy sauce.

Fattoush is a bread salad originally from Syria, but it’s popular throughout the Levant region. It was created to give a second life to stale bread by frying it and mixing it with fresh vegetables and herbs. With its distinctly tart sumac character and refreshing crunch from the salad ingredients, fattoush has earned a place on the Eid cuisine table.

An Eid al-Fitr feast can be laden with elaborate dishes, but that doesn’t mean quick, warm and filling recipes don’t have a place. This vegetarian Moroccan chickpea stew is a perfect option because it comes together in only 30 minutes. The warm spices give it a celebratory touch, making it taste as if it simmered all day.

Kibbeh is considered the national dish of Lebanon and Syria, and the recipe is served at almost every celebration in the Levant area. Naturally, Eid al-Fitr is no exception. In our version, the croquettes are made with ground lamb and bulgur. The filling contains feta cheese, pine nuts and harissa.

During Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, soups are served often as a way to soothe the fasting stomach. This chicken curry soup is the ultimate comfort food. It will brighten up the table with its vibrant aromas and flavor.

Hummus means “chickpeas” in Arabic, and no Middle Eastern mezze spread is complete without this dip. Every region has a slightly different recipe, but chickpeas, tahini, garlic, lemon juice and olive oil are at the core of most recipes. You can add spices like sumac, or try variations like beet hummus or spicy roasted carrot hummus. But remember: It’s not truly hummus if it doesn’t contain chickpeas.

Tabbouleh is an iconic Middle Eastern salad made with lots of chopped parsley and bulgur. The vibrant, zingy salad is almost always served alongside kibbeh and hummus at festive occasions in the Levant area and in North African countries like Egypt and Morocco. When making it, be generous with the lemon juice, as tabbouleh is an excellent side dish to have next to rich, meaty Eid food.

Halva (also spelled halwa) is the Arabic word for “sweet.” It comes in many variations depending on the region, as it can be found in a vast geographical area spreading from the Mediterranean to India and beyond. As Eid al-Fitr is sometimes known as the “sugar feast,” halva is just perfect for this celebration. I like to crumble some on a buttered piece of flatbread and have it with tea for breakfast.

Chicken korma is a hearty, spicy braised dish that brings warmth and flavor to the table without bringing a lot of chile-related heat. The dish’s roots are from the Munghal Empire, but there are many variations throughout various countries, including India, Turkey and Pakistan.

Lehmejun is a flatbread topped with a mixture of ground lamb, ground beef and spices like sumac. It’s a popular street food in Turkey and is enjoyed throughout the Middle East. Our version calls for store-bought flour tortillas, ensuring the recipe will come together quickly for your Eid al-Fitr celebration meal.

Any recipes made with dates are great to serve during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr, as it is said that dates were the Prophet’s favorite. This smoothie is easy, tasty and full of nutrients. Prepare it as a special Eid breakfast or as a snack for kids. Or, add some ice cream and make a date shake for dessert.

Eid al-Fitr is a big feast in Malaysia. There, as in many other places, families gather to pray and celebrate together. This beautiful Malaysian chicken boasts hints of soy sauce, creamy peanut butter and fish sauce. It can be prepared in the slow cooker while you’re celebrating and will be ready when everyone sits at the table.

In the Mediterranean and Middle East, sweet and savory pastries are generally staples for weddings, birthdays and celebrations of all faiths. These spinach and feta bourekas may be called a different name depending on the region’s language, but they’re certainly a great recipe for Eid al-Fitr. You can customize them using a mixture of cheeses or vegetables like potatoes and onions seasoned with warm spices like paprika.

Vermicelli and rice puddings are very popular in Muslim populations. They are often served during Ramadan and Eid al-Fitr. Kheer is an Indian rice pudding made with milk, sugar and rice. It’s often flavored with additions like cardamom and rose water. Then it’s topped with a crunchy garnish of chopped almonds or pistachios.

Samosas have roots in ancient Persia, where they were known as sanbosag (the Persian word for “triangular pastry”). Over time they’ve been adapted to become a regional favorite in India and the Arab countries of the Persian Gulf. They’re usually enjoyed as a street food. As with most pastries, they would be welcome for celebrations such as Eid al-Fitr. For a vegetarian version, try our recipe for vegetable samosas.

24/25

Malfouf

Skill Level
Medium

Total Time
40 min

Servings
6 servings

From the Recipe Creator:
Malfouf, also known as Lebanese cabbage rolls, is a delicacy in the Middle East. Not only are cabbage rolls delicious but they dress up any table with their beautiful presentation. —Michael & Mathil Chebat, Layla’s Lebanese Restaurant

Nutrition Facts:
2 cabbage rolls: 311 calories, 22g fat (8g saturated fat), 44mg cholesterol, 157mg sodium, 19g carbohydrate (5g sugars, 4g fiber), 11g protein.

Malfouf is a Lebanese cabbage roll dish belonging to the much-loved family of mahshi (stuffed vegetables). You may recognize this type of dish from Mediterranean and Middle Eastern cultures. It’s often referred to as dolma or sarma, depending on the recipe. Like stuffed vine leaves, stuffed cabbage leaves are usually present for celebrations like Eid al-Fitr. They’re often plated next to tabbouleh salad.

Gobi aloo (sometimes called aloo gobi) is a popular Indian dish featuring potatoes, cauliflower and warm spices. It’s a brilliant meat-free addition to any Eid al-Fitr food table and can be served with plain rice or flatbread.

Eid al-Fitr Feast FAQ

What is the feast of Eid al-Fitr?

Eid al-Fitr is a Muslim holiday that marks the end of Ramadan, the most sacred time of the year for Muslims. Also called the “sweet feast” or the “festival of breaking fast,” Eid commemorates the end of a month of fasting and prayer with rich foods like stuffed dates, biryani and plenty of sweets.

How is Eid al-Fitr celebrated?

Eid al-Fitr is celebrated in different ways by Muslims all around the world. Most celebrations include a mass prayer, dressing up in one’s best clothes, and feasting on sweet and savory food shared with loved ones. Sometimes there’s also a gift exchange, especially for children.

What is usually served on Eid al-Fitr?

The food served on Eid al-Fitr is as diverse as the people who celebrate it worldwide. Sweets are particularly important (as this holiday is also known as the “sweet feast”). Date cookies, sheer khorma (date smoothies), baklava and rice puddings are very common. Hearty savory dishes, like lamb or vegetable tagines, biryani and samosas, are also served.