25 Iftar Recipes for Ramadan

Breaking Your Fast the Right Way

Iftar is the meal to break your fast at sunset. Following the Sunnah of Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him), it is recommended to break your fast with dates and water, pray Maghrib, and then enjoy a full meal.

These recipes range from traditional Middle Eastern dishes to modern interpretations, all designed to nourish your body after a day of fasting.

Iftar Meal Structure

1. Break Fast

Dates + Water

2. Pray Maghrib

Sunset prayer

3. Full Meal

Soup, main, dessert

Starter

Traditional Dates and Water

2 mins1 servings

The Sunnah way to break your fast, following Prophet Muhammad's tradition.

Key Ingredients: 3-5 dates, Glass of water

Benefits: Quick energy, natural sugars, hydration

Soup

Lentil Soup (Shorba)

30 mins4-6 servings

Warm, comforting soup packed with protein and easy to digest.

Key Ingredients: Red lentils, Onions, Garlic, Cumin, Lemon juice, Vegetable broth

Benefits: High protein, fiber, iron, easy digestion

Harira Soup

45 mins6 servings

Moroccan tomato-based soup with lentils and chickpeas.

Key Ingredients: Lentils, Chickpeas, Tomatoes, Celery, Cilantro, Spices

Benefits: Protein, fiber, warming

Appetizer

Chicken Samosas

45 mins12 pieces servings

Crispy pastry filled with spiced chicken and vegetables.

Key Ingredients: Samosa wrappers, Ground chicken, Potatoes, Peas, Spices, Oil for frying

Benefits: Protein, satisfying, traditional favorite

Hummus with Pita Bread

10 mins4-6 servings

Creamy chickpea dip with warm pita bread.

Key Ingredients: Chickpeas, Tahini, Lemon juice, Garlic, Olive oil, Pita bread

Benefits: Plant protein, fiber, healthy fats

Vegetable Spring Rolls

35 mins10 pieces servings

Crispy rolls filled with fresh vegetables.

Key Ingredients: Spring roll wrappers, Cabbage, Carrots, Bean sprouts, Soy sauce

Benefits: Light, vegetables, crispy texture

Stuffed Grape Leaves (Dolma)

60 mins20 pieces servings

Grape leaves stuffed with rice and herbs.

Key Ingredients: Grape leaves, Rice, Tomatoes, Onions, Herbs, Lemon juice

Benefits: Traditional, fiber, herbs

Salad

Fattoush Salad

20 mins4 servings

Middle Eastern salad with crispy pita chips and fresh vegetables.

Key Ingredients: Lettuce, Tomatoes, Cucumbers, Radish, Pita chips, Sumac dressing

Benefits: Fresh vegetables, vitamins, light

Tabbouleh Salad

20 mins4 servings

Fresh parsley salad with bulgur wheat.

Key Ingredients: Parsley, Bulgur wheat, Tomatoes, Onions, Lemon juice, Olive oil

Benefits: Fresh herbs, fiber, light

Main Course

Chicken Biryani

60 mins6-8 servings

Aromatic rice dish with tender chicken and fragrant spices.

Key Ingredients: Basmati rice, Chicken, Yogurt, Onions, Biryani spices, Saffron

Benefits: Complete meal, protein, carbohydrates

Grilled Chicken Kebabs

40 mins4 servings

Marinated chicken skewers grilled to perfection.

Key Ingredients: Chicken breast, Yogurt, Spices, Bell peppers, Onions, Skewers

Benefits: Lean protein, low fat, flavorful

Lamb Kofta

30 mins4-6 servings

Spiced ground lamb meatballs with herbs.

Key Ingredients: Ground lamb, Onions, Parsley, Spices, Garlic, Breadcrumbs

Benefits: High protein, iron, flavorful

Chicken Shawarma Wraps

40 mins4 servings

Marinated chicken with vegetables in flatbread.

Key Ingredients: Chicken thighs, Shawarma spices, Flatbread, Tahini sauce, Vegetables

Benefits: Complete meal, protein, portable

Falafel with Tahini Sauce

35 mins4 servings

Crispy chickpea fritters with creamy tahini.

Key Ingredients: Chickpeas, Herbs, Spices, Tahini, Lemon, Pita bread

Benefits: Plant protein, fiber, satisfying

Grilled Fish with Herbs

30 mins4 servings

Fresh fish marinated with herbs and lemon.

Key Ingredients: Fish fillets, Lemon, Herbs, Garlic, Olive oil, Vegetables

Benefits: Omega-3, lean protein, light

Chicken Curry with Rice

50 mins6 servings

Aromatic curry with tender chicken and spices.

Key Ingredients: Chicken, Curry spices, Coconut milk, Tomatoes, Onions, Rice

Benefits: Flavorful, protein, warming

Side Dish

Yogurt with Cucumber (Raita)

10 mins4 servings

Cooling yogurt side dish with cucumber and mint.

Key Ingredients: Yogurt, Cucumber, Mint, Cumin, Salt

Benefits: Probiotics, cooling, digestive aid

Dessert

Fresh Fruit Salad

15 mins6 servings

Refreshing mix of seasonal fruits with mint.

Key Ingredients: Watermelon, Grapes, Berries, Mint leaves, Honey, Lemon juice

Benefits: Hydrating, vitamins, natural sweetness

Kunafa (Knafeh)

45 mins8 servings

Sweet cheese pastry soaked in sugar syrup.

Key Ingredients: Kunafa dough, Mozzarella cheese, Sugar syrup, Butter, Pistachios

Benefits: Traditional Ramadan dessert, celebration food

Baklava

60 mins24 pieces servings

Layered phyllo pastry with nuts and honey syrup.

Key Ingredients: Phyllo dough, Walnuts, Pistachios, Butter, Honey syrup, Cinnamon

Benefits: Traditional dessert, nuts, sweet treat

Qatayef (Sweet Pancakes)

40 mins12 pieces servings

Stuffed Arabic pancakes with nuts or cheese.

Key Ingredients: Pancake batter, Nuts or cheese filling, Sugar syrup, Rose water

Benefits: Ramadan specialty, sweet, festive

Rice Pudding (Kheer)

45 mins6 servings

Creamy rice pudding with cardamom and nuts.

Key Ingredients: Rice, Milk, Sugar, Cardamom, Almonds, Raisins

Benefits: Comforting, calcium, traditional

Basbousa (Semolina Cake)

50 mins12 pieces servings

Sweet semolina cake soaked in syrup.

Key Ingredients: Semolina, Yogurt, Sugar, Coconut, Almonds, Sugar syrup

Benefits: Traditional dessert, sweet, festive

Beverage

Mango Lassi

5 mins2 servings

Refreshing yogurt-based mango drink.

Key Ingredients: Mango, Yogurt, Milk, Sugar, Cardamom, Ice

Benefits: Probiotics, hydrating, cooling

Jallab Drink

5 mins4 servings

Traditional Middle Eastern drink with dates and rose water.

Key Ingredients: Date syrup, Rose water, Pine nuts, Raisins, Ice water

Benefits: Refreshing, traditional, energy

Iftar Tips

✓ Start light: Begin with dates and water, then soup
✓ Eat slowly: Give your stomach time to adjust
✓ Stay hydrated: Drink water throughout the evening
✓ Balance your plate: Include protein, carbs, and vegetables
✓ Avoid overeating: Eat until satisfied, not stuffed
✓ Limit fried foods: Can cause discomfort and sluggishness
✓ Include fruits: Natural sugars and hydration
✓ Prepare ahead: Cook some dishes in advance to reduce stress

Weekly Iftar Menu Plan

Week 1: Focus on soups and light meals (Lentil soup, Grilled chicken, Fresh salads)

Week 2: Traditional favorites (Biryani, Samosas, Kunafa)

Week 3: Middle Eastern classics (Shawarma, Falafel, Tabbouleh)

Week 4: Special occasion meals (Lamb kofta, Stuffed grape leaves, Baklava)

Sehri Meal Ideas →

Discover healthy pre-dawn meal recipes

Nutrition Guide →

Learn about balanced eating during Ramadan