Diwali, the festival of lights, is one of the most widely celebrated festivals in India. In 2026, Diwali will be celebrated on Sunday, November 8. The occasion is marked by Lakshmi-Ganesh Puja, lighting diyas, decorating homes, exchanging gifts and preparing a variety of traditional sweets and festive delicacies. Food holds a special place in Diwali celebrations, as families prepare homemade treats, share mithai with relatives and neighbours, and offer special dishes to deities during prayers.

From crispy namak pare and golden gujiya to besan ladoo, kaju katli and freshly prepared chakli, Diwali brings together a variety of sweet and savoury dishes. While recipes differ across regions and communities, traditional festive foods represent happiness, abundance, hospitality and togetherness. Here is a look at some popular traditional sweets and foods prepared in Indian households during Diwali.

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1. Kaju Katli

Kaju Katli is one of the most popular sweets exchanged during Diwali. Made using cashew nuts, sugar and a little ghee, this diamond-shaped mithai is known for its smooth texture and rich flavour. It is often decorated with edible silver leaf (varak) and packed in decorative gift boxes. Many families buy Kaju Katli from their favourite sweet shops, while others prepare it at home as part of their festive cooking.

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2. Besan Ladoo

Besan Ladoo is a traditional Indian sweet prepared with roasted gram flour, ghee and sugar. The mixture is cooked slowly until it develops a rich aroma and golden colour before being shaped into round ladoos. Cardamom powder and chopped almonds or pistachios are often added for extra flavour. Besan Ladoo is commonly prepared for Diwali puja and shared with family members and guests.

3. Gujiya

Gujiya is a traditional festive sweet particularly popular in North India. It is made by filling a flour-based pastry with khoya, sugar, dry fruits and cardamom before sealing and deep-frying it until golden brown. Some variations also include coconut, semolina or jaggery in the filling. Gujiya is associated with several Indian festive occasions and is often prepared in large batches for family gatherings and celebrations.

4. Motichoor Ladoo

Motichoor Ladoo is another favourite during Diwali. These soft, orange-coloured ladoos are made using tiny gram flour droplets, known as boondi, which are fried, soaked in sugar syrup and shaped into round sweets. They are often flavoured with cardamom and garnished with nuts. Motichoor Ladoo is also commonly offered during religious ceremonies and distributed as prasad.

5. Shakkar Pare

Shakkar Pare is a crunchy, sweet snack prepared using flour, sugar and ghee. Small pieces of dough are cut into diamond or rectangular shapes, deep-fried and coated with sugar syrup or powdered sugar. This homemade delicacy is especially popular in North Indian households. It can be stored for several days in an airtight container, making it a convenient snack to prepare ahead of Diwali.

6. Peda

Peda is a traditional Indian mithai made primarily from khoya or reduced milk, sugar and cardamom. It has a soft, slightly grainy texture and is often decorated with pistachios, almonds or saffron. Different varieties, including Mathura peda and kesar peda, are enjoyed during festivals. Many households include peda in their Diwali sweet platters and puja offerings.

7. Mysore Pak

Mysore Pak is a famous South Indian sweet originating from Karnataka. It is prepared using gram flour, sugar and generous amounts of ghee. The ingredients are cooked together to create a rich, dense sweet with a distinctive melt-in-the-mouth texture. Both soft and firm varieties are popular, and Mysore Pak is frequently included in festive sweet boxes during Diwali.

8. Coconut Ladoo

Coconut Ladoo is a simple yet delicious festive sweet prepared using grated coconut, condensed milk or sugar, and cardamom. Some recipes also use khoya or milk to create a richer texture. The mixture is cooked until it comes together and then shaped into small round balls. Coconut Ladoo is often decorated with desiccated coconut or chopped nuts and is a popular homemade Diwali treat.

9. Jalebi

Jalebi is a popular Indian sweet enjoyed during festivals and family celebrations. It is made by preparing a fermented flour batter, piping it into circular shapes in hot oil and soaking the fried spirals in sugar syrup. Known for its crisp exterior and syrupy centre, jalebi is often served warm. It is also enjoyed with rabri in several parts of India.

10. Soan Papdi

Soan Papdi is a flaky, light-textured sweet commonly exchanged as a Diwali gift. It is prepared using gram flour, refined flour, sugar, ghee and cardamom. Its distinctive layered texture makes it different from many other Indian sweets. Soan Papdi is widely available in decorative festive packaging and is a familiar part of Diwali gifting traditions.

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Traditional Savoury Foods and Snacks Prepared During Diwali

Diwali celebrations are not limited to sweets. Savoury snacks are equally important, especially when families welcome guests, organise gatherings and prepare festive food platters. Some popular options include:

1. Namak Pare

Namak Pare are crispy, savoury snacks prepared using flour, salt, ajwain and ghee. The dough is rolled, cut into small pieces and deep-fried until crisp. They are commonly served with tea and can be stored for several days.

2. Chakli

Chakli is a spiral-shaped, crunchy snack particularly popular in Maharashtra and parts of South India. It is prepared using rice flour, gram flour and spices such as sesame seeds, cumin and chilli powder. The dough is shaped into spirals and deep-fried until crisp.

3. Mathri

Mathri is a flaky and crunchy North Indian snack made with flour, ghee, salt and spices. It is usually prepared in small round or disc shapes and deep-fried. Variations include masala mathri and methi mathri.

4. Chivda

Chivda is a popular savoury mixture made using flattened rice (poha), peanuts, curry leaves, green chillies and spices. Some regional versions also include roasted gram, coconut slices and dry fruits. It is a light, crunchy snack commonly served to guests during Diwali.

5. Aloo Tikki

Aloo Tikki is a popular Indian snack prepared using boiled and mashed potatoes mixed with spices, coriander and green chillies. The mixture is shaped into patties and shallow-fried until crisp and golden. It can be served with mint chutney, tamarind chutney and yoghurt.

6. Samosa

Samosa is a familiar Indian snack that is often served during festive gatherings. It consists of a crisp, triangular pastry filled with spiced potatoes and peas. The snack is deep-fried and served hot with chutneys.

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Regional Diwali Foods Across India

Diwali food traditions vary from one state to another. Different communities prepare regional delicacies using local ingredients, cooking techniques and family recipes.

In Maharashtra, the traditional Diwali faral platter is especially popular. It brings together a variety of homemade sweet and savoury snacks, including chakli, chivda, karanji, ladoos and shankarpali.

In South India, families prepare different varieties of murukku, adhirasam and payasam. In Bengal, sweets such as sandesh and narkel naru are enjoyed during festive occasions, alongside regional savoury snacks.