11 Janmashtami Fasting Recipes For Kids (Adults Too)

Are you ready with Janmashtami fasting recipes for kids?

Do you feel lazy to cook separate dishes for kids when you are fasting?

Do you know Janmashtami fasting recipes that both the kids and adults will like equally?

Here are a few traditional fasting recipes that are adjusted to suit your kids taste buds and yet satisfy the adults in the house too.

Eighth Avatar of Vishnu, Krishna's, birth day 'Janmashtami' will be celebrated across world on 25 ^th Aug this year. In most part of India, kids dress up like Krishna and Gopikas and enjoy the day.

Many devotees celebrate the day by fasting, worshipping Krishna and staying up until midnight, and offering prayers.

Fasting during Janmashtami

Fasting is a very important religious practice that is done during Janmashtami. Some people avoid food totally during fasting, while others go for a palahar fasting in which fruits, milk and certain vegetables are allowed. Rice and roti are avoided during fasting.

Singhare ka aata, water chestnut flour, rajgira or amarathus , dry fruits and mordhan or barnyard millet are commonly used ingredients for fasting recipes. Root vegetables are allowed while vegetables like tomatoes, peas and beans are avoided. Oil is not used instead ghee is preferred during Janmashtami fasting. Some people avoid mustard, onion and garlic too.

Common salt should not be used for fasting recipes, instead one should use rock salt/ sendha namak.

Though a traditional practice day fasting may not be comfortable to lot of us. But as a parent I feel it is our duty to introduce these practices to kids so that they remain rooted to our culture and ways of celebration. Also they get a break from regular cereals, grains and foods and get a chance to taste and savor on special food items that we prepare on such special occasions.

11 Traditional Janmashtami Fasting Recipes Suitable For Kids And Adults Alike

The recipes shared in the post are suitable for young babies and kids and adults. In case, you plan to celebrate the festival of Gokulashtami and observe fast (by not eating the regular grains), do plan to try out a few recipes from the list below. You can also plan out a proper menu for your little one using the collection of recipes.

#1. Makhana/ lotus seed and nuts mixture

Lotus seeds or makhana are versatile, tasty and very healthy. They have a fab amount of protein, magnesium and provide a decent number of calories per gram. I often roast them and serve as snack for my kids. This mixture looks inviting and is very good snack item for kids in general too.

The recipe is super quick one and keeps well for over a week.

What we need?

• Ghee - 2 Tbsps.
• Makhana / lotus seeds- 1 Cup
• Dry coconut - ¼ Cup (cut into thin slices)
• Almonds - 10 to 12
• Pumpkin seeds - 3 Tbsps.
• Roasted groundnut seeds - 3 Tbsps.
• Ghee - 3 teaspoon
• Jeera powder / cumin powder - 1 teaspoon
• Curry leaves - 10 to 12
• Rock salt - to taste
• Sugar - 1 teaspoon

How to prepare?

Heat 1 tbsp. ghee in a thick bottomed pan and add makhana / lotus seeds. Roast the makhanas over medium flame till they are crispy and there is a slight change in color. This step may take 4 to 6 minutes. Once the makhanas are roasted, transfer them into a bowl.

Heat the remaining ghee in the same pan and add curry leaves, almonds, pumpkin seeds, dry coconut slices and groundnut seeds.

Once you observe slight change in color (after approx. 2 min), add the makhanas, rock salt, sugar and jeera powder.Mix all the ingredients well on low flame for a minute.

Transfer the mixture into a bowl. Our yummy mixture is ready to be served.

Variations:

• One can add chili flakes / black pepper powder as per taste.
• Chat masala can also be sprinkled to enhance the flavor.
• One can also add raisins, pistachios and other dry fruits.Check out travel friendly makhana porridge recipes for babies.

#2. Sama ke Chawal / Mordhan ki Khichdi

Barnyard millet is called Mordhan in Hindi, Bhagar in Marathi and Moraiyo/Moriya/Samo in Gujrati. This khichdi is really yum and can be served to kids as well.

Mordhan is rich in calcium, potassium and fibre and hence is good for bones and digestive system. It is gluten free.

What we need?

• Barnyard Millet / mordhan - ½ cup
• Root Vegetables (potato / carrot/ sweet potatoes) diced into small cubes - ⅓ cup
• Green chili - 1 chopped (optional)
• Curry leaves - 5 to 6
• Rock salt - to taste
• Ghee - 3 teaspoon
• Jeera - 1.5 teaspoon
• Sugar - 1.5 teaspoon

How to prepare?

Heat ghee in a kadai or heavy bottom pan. Add jeera, green chili and curry leaves to this and let it splutter.

Now add the diced vegetables and cook them on medium high flame for two to three minutes.After that add in the washed and drained mordhan and along with 2 cups of water, salt and sugar. Allow it to boil on medium low flame.

Now let the mordhan cook on low flame for 8 to 10 minutes until soft. Stir in between so as to avoid the khichdi sticking on to the kadai.

Once the mordhan is cooked well the khichdi is ready to be served.

Variations:

• You can add groundnut and sesame seeds also.
• Desiccated or fresh coconut can be added for a different flavor
• Vegetables like tomatoes, pumpkin, peas or beans are not supposed to be eaten during fast. If you make this mordhan khichdi for non-fasting days, you can add these veggies as well.

#3. Sweet Potato Tikki with Water Chestnut Flour

The tikki is my son's favorite fariyali snack or palahari dish. Do try it out and am sure your family will love it too.

The main ingredient for this recipe is sweet potato or shakarkhand and so the tikki is rich in Vitamins like B6, C and D and minerals like iron and magnesium.

Sweet potatoes have natural sugars and so the energy is released slowly into the blood as compared to potatoes and hence can provide energy for a longer time.

Water chestnut flour or singhade ka atta can be included as versatile alternate flour. It is gluten free and very good source of Potassium.

To make this tikkis add water chestnut flour, roasted groundnut powder, cumin seed powder, chopped coriander leaves and sendha namak to boiled and mashed sweet potatoes. Knead this mixture well to form a soft dough. Make patties out of the dough and shallow fry them in ghee until both sides turn golden brown.

Please find the detailed recipe by clicking here.

#4. Water chestnut flour halwa / Singhade ka halwa

If your little one is fond of sweets / halwas, this is the recipe for you.

Recipe for singhade ka aate ka halwa is very similar to the regular aate/ wheat flour halwa but the halwa differs a lot in terms of texture and taste.

This halwa can be served to kids above 1 year.

How to prepare?

Take some ghee in a heavy bottomed pan or kadai. Heat it on a medium flame until it melts and is slightly hot. Add in the water chestnut flour and roast on low heat until the flour turn light brown color. Do keep stirring the mix continuously to avoid forming the lumps.

Add a mixture of coarsely powdered cashew nuts and almonds to this. Then add water and sugar to the flour and stir well. Add a pinch of cardamom powder and for approximately 2 to 3 minutes till the water chestnut flour is well cooked and gets a halwa consistency.

You can get the detailed recipe with illustrative pics by clicking here.

#5. Shrikhand

'Curd ka ice cream ' / Shrikhand is our desi yoghurt dessert. You can also try making it with Greek curd.

The base ingredient curd strengthens the immune system, aids in digestion and is rich in essential nutrients like Vitamin C, A and D.

Shrikhand can be served for babies above 10 months. It can be given as breakfast and even as dessert after lunch or dinner.

Please find the detailed recipe and variations here.

#6. Makhan Mishri Laddus

Makhan-Mishri Laddus which are commonly offered to lord Krishna can also be made using hung-curd / chakka. Instead of adding powdered sugar, Mishri / coarse crystalline sugar is added to hung curd and the mix is shaped into laddus.

How to prepare?

Take 1 liter of curd in a clean cotton cloth and hung it for 4 to 6 hours until the entire water is drained from the curd. Squeezing the water out using hands in-between. Do ensure that the curd is completely water free.

Add ¾ cup of mishri / coarse crystalline sugar and shape the mix into laddus/ balls. Our makhan mishri janmashtami prasad is ready.

#7. Sabudana Khichdi / Pearl Tapioca Khichdi

Sabudane ki khichadi is a very popular sabudana preparation in Gujarat, Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Rajasthan.

Sabudana or pearl tapioca is an excellent choice as fasting food as it is stomach filling and digests slowly.

It is rich in carbohydrates and has low amount of fats and can be given to babies of age 7 months and above.

The detailed recipe for sabudana khichdi can be seen here.

#8. Milkshakes

Keeping hydrated is really important and milkshakes can serve as thirst quenchers and energy boosters for the kids who are fasting. As fruits and milk are allowed during fasting, milkshakes are an excellent choice.

One can make variety of milk shakes with fruits and dry fruits during fasting.

Milkshakes are easy to make. You just have to blend fruits, milk and sugar together to a little thick and creamy consistency.

Banana, apple, chikoo and mixed fruit milkshakes are very good options.

Check out a few milkshakes recipes here:

#9. Lassis and Butter Milk

Sweet and salted lassis are great ideas too. They are excellent thirst quenchers.

Quick Recipe for Sweet Lassi: In 2 cups of chilled dahi / curd , add in 1 cup of cool water, 10 Tbsps. of sugar and blend it all together. You can also add cardamom powder and dry fruit flakes to make it yummier.

Quick recipe for Salted Lassi: In 2 cups of chilled dahi / curd, add 1 cup of cold water, 1 tsp of rock salt / sendha namak, 1 tsp of roasted cumin powder / jeera powder and blend it all together.

Mint leaves, ginger strands and black salt can also be added to enhance the flavour. One can also add ice cubes while blending the lassi to add to the frothiness.

Buttermilk is really good for digestive system and packs a great deal of nutrients too.

Do check out the benefits of buttermilk along with recipes here.

#10. Fruit Juices

Fresh fruit juices are excellent snack options. One can use orange, sweet lime, carrot, watermelon and other fruits to make healthy juices. Check out some simple fruit juice recipes below.

#11. Fruit Chats (Two types)

Fruit chats are a super quick and refreshing snack. Depending on the availability, one can use melons (water melon / musk melon ) , apples , banana ,papaya, pineapples ,pomegranate, grapes and berries to the fruit chat . Do ensure to dice the fruits evenly. The bright color of fruit chats presented in a classy bowl looks very inviting. Decorate the chat using mint leaves / coriander twigs.

Two Fun Variations for fruit chat:

For all the variations, one can use a combination of diced and chilled fruits.

We will be playing around with the dressing for different variations.

• Fruit chat with jeera powder and saltTo a bowl of cut fruits add roasted jeera powder (1 tsp / medium sized bowl), a pinch of black salt and rock salt. Mix everything well and serve. One can also add a dash of lemon for the tangy taste.
• Fruit chats with honey and sprinkled with roasted dry fruit flakesTo a bowl of cut fruits, add in a tbsp. of good organic honey and add roasted almond and walnut flakes. Mix well and our sweet version of fruit chat is ready. Avoid honey for kids below one year of age.Check the special Gokulashtami recipes for paal poli and gopalkala recipe.

Hope you all liked this collection of kids- friendly Janmashtami fasting recipes.

What is your favourite Indian vrat ka khana recipes or Indian fasting recipes? Do share and let us know your feedback in the comments section.

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Wish all the readers of BumpsnBaby Happy Janmashtami.