3 Diwali Dishes My Family Asks Me to Make Every Year

Every family has its own Diwali traditions. For some, it’s putting up string lights around the house, buying gold, or making mithai. In my home, now that I’m a mom of three, it’s become about three basic things: decorating with festive colors, hand-delivering Diwali gift baskets to our neighbors, and hosting our extended family for dinner.

I’m the furthest thing from a chef, but when it comes to hosting, I genuinely enjoy the process of prepping and serving. After years of celebrating with family at my table, I’ve figured out which dishes always win everyone over. They’ve become my go-to’s - not only because they’re reliable crowd-pleasers, but also because they save me the stress of reinventing the menu each year.

What keeps these dishes on repeat is their balance of ease, novelty, and flavor. They’re simple enough that I’m not chained to the stove all day, yet festive enough to make the holiday table feel special. Best of all, they rely on pantry staples I always keep stocked – Laxmi basmati rice, chakki atta, frozen vegetables, ghee, and besan.

Here are the dishes my family requests year after year (and devours every time).

1. Layered Indian Diwali Dip

This has quickly become one of my favorite Diwali appetizers because it’s colorful, flavorful, and takes less than 45 minutes to pull together. Think of it as an Indian twist on the layered dips we all grew up with -- but starring the ingredients we actually cook with every day.

• Base: Fluffy Laxmi Basmati Rice, lightly seasoned with cumin and turmeric.

• Veggie layer: Laxmi Frozen Vegetables, sautéed with garam masala.
  

• Creamy layer: Whipped yogurt raita, spiced with roasted cumin and mint.
  

• Flavor punch: A drizzle of green chutney and tamarind chutney.

• Crunch: Crushed papdi or crisp masala pooris (made with Laxmi Chakki Atta).
  
  

You can add additional toppings of your choice like paneer cubes, roasted cashews, or even pomegranate seeds for color - but I personally feel less is more in a layered dish like this. What I love about this is that it feels festive without being fussy - and it’s always the first thing to disappear when guests arrive.

Pro tip: Assemble in a glass trifle dish or clear bowl so you can actually see the beautiful layers.

2. Puri Paneer Tacos 

This is my Diwali twist on the classic puri – and classic soft tacos. Instead of serving them with a curry, I turn them into bite-sized folded tacos – almost like an Indian version of pigs-in-a-blanket. The puri becomes the “blanket,” stuffed with a flavorful filling of your choice, folded, and served on a taco platter for easy serving.

The base is still Laxmi Chakki Atta, which makes soft yet sturdy pooris that can hold a filling. I brush them lightly with Laxmi Ghee before rolling for extra richness.

Some of my favorite fillings:

• Paneer tikka bites with onions and peppers

• Spiced potato & peas for a samosa-style twist

• Even shredded chicken curry for the non-vegetarians in my family

They’re fun, handheld, and look beautiful on a platter. And because they’re small, guests can enjoy one (or three) without feeling too full before the main meal. I love topping them with Laxmi’s mint chutney or freshly chopped cilantro. 

Pro tip: Fry the pooris slightly thinner than usual so they’re easier to roll without cracking.

3. Besan Ladoo Made with Ghee

No Diwali celebration is complete without something sweet, and in my home, that means besan ladoo. These golden orbs of roasted chickpea flour and ghee melt in your mouth, and the aroma that fills the kitchen while making them instantly makes your home smell like the holidays. 

The key is slow-roasting Laxmi Besan in pure ghee until it turns nutty and fragrant. Then I stir in powdered sugar and cardamom, roll them into balls, and garnish with slivers of pistachio or almond.

Besan ladoo is one of those recipes that looks fancy but is surprisingly simple once you get the hang of it. The best part is that I can easily get the kids involved – it’s practically like making playdough for them. And anytime I can turn cooking into an activity with my kids, it’s a win. Another bonus is that these ladoos can be made with all types of fun flavors and toppings. My kids’ favorite is chocolate chips and cocoa powder. I know what you’re thinking - that doesn’t sound very traditional, but the kids enjoy it, and that’s all that matters to me.

Pro tip: Store them in an airtight tin – they’ll stay fresh for a week (if your family doesn’t finish them sooner).

Why I Stick to Laxmi

What makes these dishes stress-free for me is knowing I don’t have to overthink the basics. Laxmi basmati rice cooks perfectly every time, Laxmi atta transforms into pooris (and now mini puri wraps!), frozen veggies save me prep time, ghee adds richness, and besan is always consistent.

I can walk into any local Indian grocery store – Subzi Mandi, Patidar, Apna Bazar, India Bazaar – and grab everything I need in one go. No comparing labels, no second-guessing brands. During Diwali, when my to-do list is already overwhelming, that peace of mind matters.

Diwali, for me, is about more than lights and fireworks. These dishes – a layered Indian dip, mini puri wraps, and besan ladoo – aren’t complicated, but they’ve become part of our family’s traditions. And every time I make them, I’m reminded that sometimes the simplest recipes are the ones that leave the strongest memories.