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16 Recipes for Eid Al-Fitr & Breaking the Ramadan Fast

Muslims all over the world celebrate Eid al-Fitr, Arabic for “festival of breaking the fast.” Eid al-Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan when Muslims fast from sunrise to sunset, and it is celebrated during the first three days of Shawaal, the tenth month of the Islamic calendar. This holy month is a period for spiritual renewal for Muslims, and the holiday is marked by widespread prayer, charity and feasting.

Millions of Muslims across the world representing many cultures invite family and friends on Eid al-Fitr to indulge in delicious creations with vibrant celebrations unique to their regions. Menus vary widely and include recipes for elaborate dishes and desserts, as well as traditions passed down through generations. Families will prepare their elaborate feasts way into the night of the eve of Eid al-Fitr. A light breakfast or snack is served early before heading to the mosque for special prayers. The remaining part of the day is spent celebrating, and families and friends will often visit one another, offering their special celebratory foods to their guests.

Curated by Malika Ameen

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Waraq Al Dawali

Warak translates to leaves in Arabic. Warak dawali is a Palestinian dish (dawali means grape), and the name of this dish varies from country to country within the Arab world as do variations in preparation. Thought to have been originally an Ottoman dish, stuffed grape leaves are an arduous task to prepare, but the final result is a showstopper as a centerpiece for a holiday table.

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Honey & Orange Blossom Lemonade

This is a cooling and refreshing lemonade flavored with orange blossom water, an essential oil extracted from the petals of the orange tree. This beverage is an easy and creative way to add a Middle Eastern twist to an American classic.

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Muhammara

Muhammara, a name derived from the Arabic word for reddened, is a tangy, spicy and creamy spread. This spread has a glorious balance of roasted red pepper, rich walnuts, a bit of spice, garlic and sweet/tart pomegranate molasses. It is a dish of Syrian origin but now found all over the Middle East.

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Dawood Basha

This fragrant meatball stew originated in Syria and is named after a “basha,” which is Turkish-derived term for a lord or a man of prominence or status. It’s an indication of how exquisite this dish is. This is a simple version consisting of little spheres of beef or lamb simmered in a tomato sauce perfumed with baharat, a spice mix that can include allspice, chiles, cardamom, cinnamon, cloves, coriander, cumin, nutmeg and pepper.

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Puri

This traditional South Asian deep fried bread is the ultimate holiday indulgence. Eaten for breakfast or as part of a meal, this airy bread is made with whole wheat flour and puffed to a light, crispy and golden brown perfection. It's the perfect accompaniment to sooji ka halwa (semolina pudding) and/or chole masala (spicy chickpeas).

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Spiced Date Smoothie

This creamy date smoothie incorporates traditional flavors of Eid al-Fitr using dates and cardamom. It’s dairy free and the perfect quick breakfast on the way to Eid al-Fitr prayers.

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Harissa

This is a Palestinian recipe for harissa, which is also known as basbousa in other parts of the Arab world. It is very popular in Egypt and the Levant (the area consisting of Palestine, Israel, Lebanon, Jordan and Syria). Spellings of this dessert vary as much as the recipes, but at its core, harissa is a toothsome semolina cake soaked in syrup and dotted with almonds. It’s a welcome addition to any Eid al-Fitr table.

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Lokum

One of the oldest sweets in the world, lokum (often called Turkish delight in English) has remained almost unchanged from the original 1700s recipe created in Istanbul. It is said to have been created by a man named Bekir Efendi who was chief confectioner to the Ottoman court. It is a popular dessert in the Middle East often served with coffee.

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Avocado Toast With Za'atar

The ever popular avocado toast gets a Middle Eastern flair with a finishing of za’atar, which is both an herb related to the mint family and distinctive spice mixture. This spice blend has numerous variations consisting of dried za’atar, sumac and sesame. The flavor is best described as earthy, tangy and toasty and pairs beautiful with creamy avocado.

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Sheer Khurma

Sheer Khurma is the most common festive dessert in South Asia to mark the end of Ramadan. It is essentially a cardamom and saffron spiced milk slowly cooked with toasted vermicelli and ghee, dried fruits and nuts. This milky and aromatic pudding is a focal point of the Eid al-Fitr festive feast (alongside savory delicacies) and the epitome of this holiday in a South Asian household.

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Kunefe

Kunefe is a sumptuous dessert to elevate your spirits on Eid al-Fitr. It is a crunchy, buttery, cheesy baked dessert laden with sugar syrup. The Palestinian city of Nablus is renowned throughout the Arab world for its preparation of this centuries-old delicacy.

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Sooji ka Halwa

Halwa is a dessert popular in South Asia and generally eaten to celebrate something special. It marks many religious festivities, Eid al-Fitr being top of the list. A small labor of love, this is a must on an Eid al-Fitr table. It is made from fine semolina, ghee, sugar, spices and sometimes milk. The final result is a soft, unctuous and fragrant pudding-like dessert.

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Manoushi

This Levantine bread, with a crisp outside and chewy interior is a perfect pairing for savory dishes. Make it as part of an Arabic mezze platter or have it as a side with stews or dips, like labne. You can prepare it plain as in the recipe or brush them with olive oil and a sprinkle of aromatic za’atar before baking. Both versions are traditional and welcome alongside a festive holiday meal.

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Kahwah Saa'dah

A concentrated and bitter coffee, brewed with cardamom pods, kahwah is native to Saudi Arabia. It is often served in small portions alongside dates and sweets.

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Chicken Haleem

Haleem is a slow-cooked porridge made with a plethora of ingredients, including broken wheat, lentils, meat and spices. Having a long history in India, it is said to date back to the Mughal period with influences from Persian and Arabic cultures.

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Walnut Baklava

Baklava is a middle eastern dessert with origins in Ottoman Turkey. This rich sweet pastry was believed to be presented by the Sultan of Turkey in trays to the elite infantry units the fifteenth day of the month of Ramadan in a ceremonial procession called Baklava Alayi. This dessert is ingrained in the history of many cultures and is still popular today. Crispy, buttery layers of phyllo pastry are filled with nuts and sweetened and held together with syrup and honey. Baklava is a quintessential treat during any festive season!

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