Discover over 90 of the best Ramadan food ideas to break your fast, plus tips to stay healthy, satisfied, and energized all month long! Whether you celebrate or not, these easy, flavor-packed Ramadan recipes are too delicious to miss.

What Is Ramadan? 

A holy month observed by Muslims, Ramadan is the ninth month of the Islamic calendar. The holiday is dictated by the shape of the moon, beginning and ending with its crescent shape. As a result, the time of observance for Ramadan changes every year but always lasts for 30 days. 

Muslims believe that in 610 A.D. God gave Muhammad the Qu’ran, Islam’s holy book during the time of Ramadan. This action was the first time God revealed that Muhammad was a prophet in charge of carrying and spreading God’s message. 

Today, Ramadan is seen as a month of reflection that brings Muslims closer to God. During this time, they devote extra time to studying the Qu’ran and focusing on gratitude and compassion. In addition, Ramadan is marked by fairly intense periods of fasting throughout the day. 

*For more specifics on the origins and traditions of Ramadan, you can find detailed information on reputable sites such as those here and here

What Are Traditional Ramadan Foods? 

During Ramadan, those who are able to fast are permitted only two meals a day and do not break their fast. Even water is not consumed in between meals! As a result, consuming proper foods to stay healthy and energized is of utmost importance. 

Traditionally, the first meal of the day, known as suhoor, consists of hearty, nutritious foods such as fruit and bread

Meanwhile, the second meal of the day, known as iftar, is comprised of several courses often including soup, main dishes, and sweet desserts

The type of traditional foods eaten during this time varies from region to region. However, some of the most popular items include dates, haleem, sambusa, kebab, fattoush, jallab, fresh fruit salad, maamoul, and baklava. 

What Cannot Be Eaten During Ramadan? 

Throughout Ramadan, there are no restrictions on food consumption. However, it’s advisable to be mindful of high-sodium and deep-fried foods that can make you feel dehydrated and lethargic. Prioritizing whole foods, plenty of fruits and vegetables, and healthy fats is a great way to ensure you’re getting the nutrients your body needs. Here are some of our recommendations for foods to steer clear of in order to feel your best..

  • Fried and fatty items 
  • Foods that contain a high sodium content
  • Excessively sugary foods 
  • Caffeine

Benefits of Fasting

In addition to having religious benefits, it is widely acknowledged that fasting can be beneficial for anyone’s overall health (as long as they are healthy enough to do so). While abstaining from frequent meals can help enhance willpower, it also has been shown to: 

  • Reduce Hypertension
  • Improve Brain Function
  • Assist with Weight Loss
  • Reduce the Risk of Cancer
  • Reduce Inflammation
  • Lower Blood Sugar

*Note: This is not medical advice. Please be sure to consult with your doctor before attempting to fast or making any dietary or lifestyle changes. 

a pita pocket full of kofta

Tips for Staying Healthy During Ramadan

While there are incredible mental and physical benefits that come from fasting during Ramadan, abstaining from food and drinks can be quite hard. Therefore, it is crucial to nourish your body properly during this time to ensure you stay healthy and energized. 

Of course, eating well-rounded meals is of utmost importance. So, be sure to load up on lots of high-quality protein, healthy fats, fiber, and nutrients from fruits and veggies. In addition, we also recommend: 

  • Prepping Ahead of Time – Having nutritious, pre-made meals will make it easier to stick to your healthy eating goals when you feel like you’re starving. Instead of standing over a stove waiting for your meals to cook, all you’ll have to do is heat them back up! 
  • Eating Suhoor – It can be tempting to hit snooze. However, we strongly recommend making sure you’re waking up early enough to eat suhoor, the first meal of the day. This will help you feel your best until the evening. 
  • Hydrating – It can be easy to become dehydrated during Ramadan. So, we suggest trying to limit caffeine and consuming hydrating foods like soups, fruits, and veggies. Of course, you’ll also want to be sure to drink plenty of water. 
  • Eating Your Carbs – Low-carb diets might be popular right now, but Ramadan may not be the time to partake! Carbs can be an important source of energy. Consuming complex carbs rich in vitamins, minerals, and fiber is one of the easiest ways to restore your energy and keep your body strong. 
  • Avoiding Processed and Packaged Foods – Highly processed items are often loaded with salt and sugar and have very little nutritional value. As a result, they’re likely to leave you feeling worse than before eating them. 

90+ Ramadan Food Ideas 

Alright, now that we’ve got the basics out of the way, let’s dive into the good part and talk all about Ramadan food! Below you’ll find a list of our favorite Ramadan recipes that we make for ourselves and our families, not only during the holy month but all year round! 

Breakfast Ideas (Food for Suhoor) 

Of course, you can stick with classic breakfast recipes like scrambled eggs for a quick, filling meal. However, we like to prepare a large, satisfying spread for suhoor complete with sweet and savory recipes to set us up for a successful day! No matter what we’re serving, we love to add a side of fresh berries for extra nutrients and fiber. Keep reading to learn how to store them to keep them fresh! 

Snacks and Appetizers

While we’re not snacking during Ramadan, we do love a good appetizer to help kickstart the breaking of our fast, and these Ramadan foods are some of our faves. 

Sides and Salads

While we love a simple side like sweet potato fries, we tend to go all out during Ramadan with hearty recipes that pack in tons of energy and nutrients to help keep us satisfied. 

  • Lebanese Garlic Sauce (Toum Recipe) – There’s nothing this creamy garlic sauce can’t be paired with!
  • Lentil Salad Recipe – This Lentil Salad Recipe is loaded with fresh vegetables, herbs, and creamy tahini for a hearty vegan meal bursting with flavor and nutrients.
  • Manakeesh – An easy take on traditional manakeesh, this recipe is perfect to make ahead and serve for both suhoor and iftar.
  • Mediterranean Chickpea Salad Recipe (Greek Cowboy Caviar) – We gave cowboy caviar a Greek flair with this sweet and savory salad recipe!
  • Mediterranean Quinoa Salad – This powerhouse recipe is loaded with plant-based protein, a myriad of veggies, and a refreshing dressing for a healthy salad you’ll love.
  • Parmesan Potatoes – Hands down the perfect side dish, these potatoes are buttery, soft, and crusted with savory parmesan.
  • Persian Jeweled Rice – Combine warm spices, dried fruit, and chopped nuts for the best rice you’ll ever taste!
  • Spiraled Cucumber Yogurt Salad – Suitable for a wide variety of dietary needs, this cucumber salad comes together in minutes with just 6 ingredients.
  • Bulgur Pilaf – The best way to switch up your carbs when you’re tired of plain rice, this Middle Eastern staple is loaded with veggies and warm spices!
  • Greek Salad – This easy Greek salad is better, healthier, and more budget-friendly than any restaurant version you’ll ever taste.
  • Vermicelli Rice – This dish is the best combination of pasta and rice for the ultimate comfort food.
  • Whipped Feta with Cucumber and Tomato Salad (Salata Baladi) – Smooth, creamy, crunchy, and savory, this is the best appetizer you’ll ever make. 
  • Easy Focaccia Muffins – Skip kneading dough and complicated steps, and make these easy, bite-sized focaccia muffins with your favorite toppings of choice instead!
  • Easy Turmeric Rice – Upgrade your favorite side dish by transforming it into a vibrant, flavorful recipe with this easy rice cooker turmeric rice recipe!
  • Sanyet El Batates (Egyptian Baked Potatoes) – Prepare this lightened-up sanyet el batates recipe for a healthy comfort food that’s full of comforting flavor and ready in about an hour!
  • Tomato and Burrata Salad with Za’atar – Prepare this tomato and burrata salad with za’atar for a restaurant-worthy side dish or appetizer full of tantalizing savory flavors!

Main Courses 

The dishes we look forward to eating the most, these main courses aren’t your standard chicken tender dinner. Although they’re all easy to make, they’re full of warming flavors guaranteed to fill you with joy. 

  • Beef Kofta Meatballs – Made in the air fryer, these meatballs are tender, juicy, and great on their own or paired with all your favorite meals!
  • Beef Pot Roast Recipe in the Oven – Melt in your mouth delicious, this pot roast is juicy, flavorful, and loaded with veggies for the ultimate comfort food dinner that will have the whole family begging for seconds.
  • Chicken Shawarma – There’s nothing more classic than juicy chicken shawarma straight from the oven!
  • Creamy Herb Chicken – You’ll look forward to biting into this juicy chicken coated with rich, savory gravy all day long.
  • Easy Beef Kofta (Mama’s Recipe) – Taken straight from our mom’s recipe book, this beef kofta will transport you right to the Middle East.
  • Egyptian Orzo Pasta (Lesan El Asfour) – Inspired by our favorite childhood pasta, there’s nothing more comforting than this savory orzo recipe.
  • Middle Eastern Chicken – Made with fresh veggies and warm spices, this Middle Eastern Chicken is marinated overnight and baked until juicy.
  • Middle Eastern Chicken and Potatoes – If you’re looking for a hearty dinner that is delicious and simple to make, then you are in the right place with this chicken recipe!
  • One Pot Mediterranean Orzo Pasta – If you have 20 minutes and a single pot, you can prepare a healthy pasta dish to enjoy throughout the week.
  • Peri Peri Chicken Drumsticks – An East African dish, the flavors of this chicken are out of this world!
  • Skillet Veggie Phyllo Pie – Inspired by our Egyptian Goulash recipe, this phyllo pie is a crowd-pleasing vegetarian recipe you can serve any time of the day.
  • Baked Chicken Tandoori – Learn how to make flavorful tandoori chicken at home – no clay oven required! 
  • Za’atar Chicken with Vegetables – This recipe is proof that delicious meals don’t have to be complicated or unhealthy to be amazing
  • !
  • Air Fryer Chicken Milanese with Mediterranean Salad – Prepare this chicken recipe in the air fryer, and pair it with a Mediterranean salad for a healthy dinner in less than 30 minutes!
  • Cheesy Ground Beef Sliders – Make these cheesy ground beef sliders in about 30 minutes for a flavor-loaded, crowd-pleasing appetizer or main course!
  • Whole Roasted Chicken Tikka – Make this whole roasted chicken tikka recipe in the oven for a juicy, flavorful chicken dish perfect for meal prep or feeding a crowd!
  • Mediterranean Vegetable Galette Recipe – This easy galette recipe is loaded with fresh veggies and bold flavors to keep you full and satisfied for hours.
  • Slow Cooker Mediterranean Stuffed Peppers with Rice – Make these slow cooker Mediterranean stuffed peppers with rice for a hearty, hand-off meal full of flavor, protein, and nutrients.
  • Mediterranean Cream Cheese Ball – Upgrade your favorite appetizer with the rich, savory flavor and creamy, crunchy textures of this easy cream cheese ball recipe! 
  • Beef Rolls – Make these easy ground beef rolls with less than ten ingredients and 30 minutes for a savory, high-protein appetizer, snack, or main course!
  • Phyllo Rolls with Ground Beef – Make these easy rolls with ground beef for a savory appetizer, snack, or main course full of protein, veggies, and flavor!
  • Honey Whipped Ricotta with Roasted Dates – Prepare this easy recipe with less than 10 ingredients for an elegant appetizer or snack full of sweet and savory flavors!
  • Lemon Greek Chicken and Potatoes – This is a one-pan dish that yields tender potatoes and juicy, flavorful chicken. Made with minimal prep time and a quick cooking time, it’s a family-friendly meal perfect for meal prep and weeknight dinners! 

Soups, Stews, and Chilis

More often than not, we enjoy a bowl of soup, stew, or chili for iftar. A great way to pack in nutrients and protein, they’re also a good source of liquids to keep you hydrated without needing to chug tons of water. 

Desserts

The part we’ve all been waiting for, you can’t have a list of Ramadan food ideas without mentioning our favorite Ramadan recipes for dessert! Although we make these all year long, we’re particularly fond of these treats during the holy month. 

  • Almond Joy Dates – A healthier version of your favorite candy, these almond joy dates satisfy your sweet tooth with zero guilt!
  • Atayef with Cream Cheese Filling (Ishta Filling) – Sweet and crisp, this dessert is our favorite Ramadan food to break our fast.
  • Atayef with Whipped Cream and Pistachios – Make this recipe all year long in big and small batches to satisfy all your guests.
  • Baklava Puff Pastry Cinnamon Rolls – Part baklava, part cinnamon roll, completely irresistible, this recipe is one nobody can resist.  
  • Chocolate Hazelnut Stuffed Phyllo – Gooey, crunchy, and melt-in-your-mouth buttery, if you love baklava, you won’t want to miss out on this treat!
  • Classic Qatayef with Nuts – Topped with sweet syrup, the fluffy pancake-like batter is stuffed with a sweet, crunchy nut filling and fried until golden in this simple dessert you’ll look forward to eating.
  • Crinkle Phyllo Dough Recipe – Made with just six ingredients, this Crinkle Phyllo Dough Recipe is the easiest dessert you’ll ever bake.
  • Egyptian Bread Pudding (Om Ali) – A classic Egyptian dish, this dessert is soft, flaky, crisp, sweet, buttery, and creamy all at the same time — it’s a recipe that will blow your mind!
  • Heart-Shaped Stuffed Medjool Dates – Prepare these dates in minutes for a quick treat that will satisfy your sweet tooth and is good for you, too.
  • Phyllo Cup Cannoli Bites – Bite-sized and pretty, these treats are almost too cute to eat!
  • S’mores Stuffed Dates – A healthier take on s’mores, these dates are fun to make and disappear right before your eyes.
  • Salted Tahini Chocolate Chip Cookies – Upgrade your traditional chocolate chip cookies with a drizzle of nutty tahini and a sprinkle of savory salt! 
  • Persian Love Cake – Make this easy Persian love cake recipe with simple ingredients for a light, fluffy cake full of floral, citrus flavor!
  • Dried Fruit Compote Drink (Khoshaf) – Make this Middle Eastern dried fruit compote drink for a sweet breakfast, snack, or dessert full of nutrients and flavor!
  • Pan-Banging Chocolate Chip Cookies – Make easy pan-banging chocolate chip cookies for bakery-worthy cookies with crisp edges, soft centers, and gooey chocolate in every bite!
  • Tiramisu Dip – Enjoy all the flavors of your favorite dessert with half the work thanks to this quick and easy tiramisu dip recipe.
  • Sahlab Recipe (Middle Eastern Milk Pudding) – Prepare this easy Sahlab recipe for a sweet, creamy, Middle Eastern milk pudding drink for a comforting treat to satisfy your sweet tooth.
  • Baklava Sticky Buns – Transform your favorite dessert into an irresistible breakfast treat with this quick and easy baklava sticky buns recipe! 
  • Baklava Cheesecake – Impress your guests, and enjoy two of your favorite desserts in one with this easy, bakery-worthy baklava cheesecake recipe!
a pan of yawmiyat om ali with a serving missing

Did you enjoy this round-up or are you looking for more recipe ideas? If you have questions, comments, or rave reviews, let us know in the comments below!

You Might Also Like

Pistachio Butter

Learn how to make homemade pistachio butter with just three ingredients, and use it to add sweet, nutty flavor to a variety of recipes!

Tiramisu Brownie Parfait

Combine two of your favorite desserts into one irresistible treat thanks to this easy, tiramisu brownie parfait recipe!

Meet Alia & Radwa

Welcome to Food Dolls! Weโ€™re so glad you found us. We are Alia and Radwa, sisters who want to share simple and easy recipes with you. We hope you find recipes here that you enjoy making as much as we do! Learn more about us!

Leave a reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

The maximum upload file size: 5 MB. You can upload: image. Links to YouTube, Facebook, Twitter and other services inserted in the comment text will be automatically embedded. Drop file here

8 Comments

  1. I can’t see the recipes on my phone also I will be buying your cookbook for my birthday in September in 2026 and are you coming out with bonus recipes for your cookbook as i love bonus recipes and cookbooks

    1. Thank you for your support, Ramya! We truly appreciate it. ๐Ÿ˜Š

      What do you mean by bonus recipes? Extra recipes within the book?

      Xo,
      Alia & Radwa

        1. Thanks for all the vegetarian recipes as am a vegetarian even though I don’t celebrate Ramadan at home in Singapore also please come to Singapore for your tour so I can take your cookbook

  2. I will try your ginger shot recipe today.
    Thanks your vegetarian recipes look delicious & your pictures are beautiful