Are you looking for some easy and delicious recipes to make during Ramadan? Well, look no further – we’ve compiled a list of simple and mouth-watering dishes that will have your family wanting more. From flavorful side dishes to scrumptious desserts, there’s something here to satisfy every palate. So take a break from the hustle and bustle, grab your aprons, and start cooking up something special with these easy Ramadan recipes!
Whether you’re an experienced chef or a cooking newbie, we’ve got you covered. With our simple instructions, anyone can have a memorable meal (or two) during this blessed month!
What are my favorite recipe shortcuts?
When I start planning meals for Ramadan, ease is definitely what I go for. I have a few favorite shortcuts that make my meals filling, delicious, and yet much faster to get on the table. Here are a few I recommend you try this holiday season:
- Buy pita bread instead of baking it fresh.
- Use store-bought hummus – it comes in so many varieties now that you are sure to find one to pair with your meal.
- Stock up on freezer vegetables and fruits to use in soups and smoothies.
- Pre-cook, shred & freeze chicken or use a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store to throw into recipes.
- Use canned beans, tomatoes, and sauces.
- Cook double batches of soup leading up to Ramadan so you can freeze half and serve them on busy nights during the holiday.
- Use a rice cooker for cooking rice instead of on the stovetop – you can set it and forget it.
- Utilize handy appliances like slow cookers, instant pots, and air fryers.
24 Super Easy Ramadan Recipes You Can Make
Appetizers
This delicious finger food is perfect for serving at Iftars, and even though they take a small bit of time to assemble, you can par-bake them and freeze them. I love stocking my freezer with these before Ramadan, taking them out on busy nights during the month, then baking them for a homemade treat.
Edamame is a healthy, easy snack to prepare if you buy the frozen version. Most stores carry frozen edamame, and you can thaw and use them just like fresh. Simply add the spices, bake, and you’ve got a tasty, healthy snack to serve!
Throw the ingredients in a food processor, form the Kafta patties, then air fry! These can be great little appetizer bites, or you can serve these as a main dish with sides.
Use leftover Za’alook and wonton wrappers to whip up this briouat style party appetizer. It doesn’t get easier than that!
This recipe does double duty in the instant pot; you can use it for cooking the chickpeas, and the saute option to crisp up the falafels.
Main Dishes
This dish looks beautiful and complicated, yet it’s incredibly easy when you use a rotisserie chicken, store-bought pita, and a rice cooker and prepared your yogurt sauce ahead of time! Delicious, quick, and a family-favorite recipe!
With the help of a slow cooker and the use of frozen beans and canned tomatoes, this recipe is a breeze to throw together in the morning and serve later in the day. Pair it with some store-bought pita bread, and you’ll have guests begging for more!
Meatballs are a great party food and one that is easily made in a slow cooker. You can serve these as appetizers, but they also make a great meal when paired with rice or pita bread.
Change your Iftar flavors with this crockpot Cuban dish. Super easy to set and forget all day, then whip up some rice in a rice cooker or serve with pita. Tasty and simple.
Get all of the flavors of shwarma without having to resort to takeout or get your own spit to cook on. I love this recipe for large groups - once the meat is ready, everyone can build their own pita sandwich with mezze-style dips, cucumbers, and lettuce.
For those who prefer beef to chicken, this recipe is for you! Chop up your toppings, and you’ve got an easy meal on the table.
This fun and easy recipe deliver HUGE flavor. Buy yourself deveined shrimp and use canned tomatoes to speed up prep time. Use your instant pot to speed up the cooking process. You’ll have a full meal ready in under 30 minutes, rice, shrimp, tomatoes, and all!
This dish is similar to Biryani and is the perfect mid-week meal during Ramadan. Flavorful chicken, and tender rice all come together in the instant pot in under 30 minutes.
Whether you make this ahead of time and freeze or you make it fresh the day of in your instant pot, it’s a great soup to restore energy after a day of fasting.
If you like an extra tender lamb, using an instant pot to make this dish will achieve exactly that. The total time to get this on the table is 60 minutes, but only 15 minutes of actual hands-on cooking.
This isn't a traditional Moroccan recipe, but I used the spices and flavors of Morocco to create a quick chicken dish that you can make from start to finish in 15 minutes. You can use the chicken as a main course or cut it into small pieces and serve it as an appetizer. You could pair the chicken with pita bread, lettuce, tomatoes, and other favorite toppings for a pita sandwich. So many possibilities!
Salads & Sides
This salad is fresh, tasty and quick to throw together. It’s the perfect side dish on your Iftar table.
This makes a great side dish or a vegetarian main course. Using the instant pot speeds up the cooking process and I love grabbing a can of crushed tomatoes instead of crushing my own.
You can serve this cold or hot as a side dish or vegetarian main dish. I like to use canned cannellini or Great Northern beans to speed up the cooking process.
Rice cookers can cook quinoa, too, making this a quick vegetarian meal or side dish to get on the table! This recipe is flavorful and can be set up as a “build your own bowl” bar. Set out spinach, feta, olives, red onion, hummus, etc., and enjoy! Consider buying a jar of already roasted peppers to speed up the prep of the roasted red pepper sauce.
Seriously addictive potatoes that you won't be able to stop eating - so make double.
Desserts
Technically a salad in Morocco, this dish makes a wonderful and healthy dessert. And it’s simple to prepare!
This no-bake treat can be on the table in 10 minutes. It’s addictive and the perfect finger food for a crowd!
Dirt cups take me back to my childhood. Creamy, dreamy chocolate pudding is mixed with peanut butter, Oreos, and peanut butter cups to make this easy-to-assemble dessert that can be stored in the fridge until you’re ready to serve.
Just remember to pick up Halal Gummy Worms if you want to add a worm garnish!
These coconut cookies can be made several weeks in advance and stored in the freezer in an airtight container or freezer bag.
Hopefully, a few of these recipes will inspire you to make a time-saving holiday spread this Ramadan! Whether you’re a kitchen novice or an experienced chef – there are plenty of easy and delicious meals that can be made with minimal ingredients and little time.
With these easy meals in your back pocket, you’ll have more time to focus on friends and family this year!
What kitchen appliances are helpful for easy meals, and where can I buy them?
Many meals are made easier and faster with a few kitchen appliances, and many of the recipes shared above use my favorites – air fryer, rice cooker, slow cooker, and instant pot.
Air Fryer
This kitchen appliance uses high-temperature, circulating hot air to cook food without the need for oil. It can be used to achieve similar results to deep frying but with a fraction of the calories. Air fryers are perfect for those looking for healthy, tasty meals that don’t take a long time to prepare.
Best Air Fryers
CHEFMAN Small Air Fryer – This model is a great budget option and perfect if you have a small kitchen. It’s a great first-time user model to test whether Air-Frying is truly for you.
COSORI Air Fryer – This fryer has a larger capacity than the CHEFMAN and is a precise, easy-to-use model. It’s more expensive but is a great option for those who know they will use an Air Fryer frequently.
This appliance uses steam heat to cook rice, trapping moisture and flavor for a delicious end result. You literally set it up to cook and walk away! Hamilton Beach Programmable Rice Cooker – This model is great for rice-loving households, and it consistently makes tender white and brown rice, regardless of whether you pick long-grain, short-grain, or something in between. The speed at which it cooks the rice is also very competitive, with models at a much higher price point. The capacity is also great for families and get-togethers, with a basket that can hold 7 cups of uncooked, rice (14 cups cooked).
CUCKOO CR-0655F Rice Cooker & Warmer – If you want just a little more control over your rice cooking or if you like to cook more complicated rice varieties, such as those recently harvested or germinated brown rice, this Korean model is a great fit. It has a few more features than the Hamilton option, which is a tad more expensive. However, it’s great if you are serious about your rice.
Slow cookers work by slowly cooking food at a low temperature, resulting in tender, flavorful dishes that require minimal preparation time. The slow cooker can be used to simmer soups, stews, and casseroles over several hours, or even overnight if necessary. It is an ideal appliance for busy people who still want to enjoy healthy, home-cooked meals without spending too much time in the kitchen. Cook and Carry Slow Cooker, 6 Quart – This is a great option that’s a little more budget-friendly, without the bells and whistles of the pricier models. That doesn’t impact its ability to deliver a delicious meal! I love that the lid locks on for transport to parties and events, and the insert is dishwasher safe too.
Hamilton Beach Portable 6 Quart Set & Forget Digital Programmable Slow Cooker – This slow cooker consistently receives highly rated reviews. It’s easy to program and uses smart technology with a temperature probe automatically turning itself to the warm setting when your meat hits the proper temperature. Truly an upgrade from the standard slow cooker!
An Instant Pot is an electric pressure cooker that can help you speed up your cooking time while still creating delicious meals. It has many different functions, such as a slow cooker, steamer, and rice cooker all in one device. With the Instant Pot, you can easily whip up hearty soups, stews, and casseroles in minutes without any hassle. Additionally, it is great for cooking grains and beans as well as for making yogurt or even steaming vegetables. It is a versatile appliance that can save time and energy in the kitchen! Instant Pot Duo Plus 6-Quart 9-in-1 Pressure Cooker – At around $100, this is one of the better budget-friendly instant pots on the market. It’s a classic model that’s been around, and perfected, over the years. It’s got a 6 qt capacity, which is great for families, and it can even remember previous settings you’ve used, which is great when you’re in a rush.Rice Cooker
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