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The 10 Best Deepavali Foods to Try in 2025

gulab jamun, a very popular deepavali food

When it comes to celebrating Deepavali, food is the heart of the festival.

Whether you’re throwing an open house, visiting your neighbours, or just soaking up the festive vibes at home, nothing brings people together like good makan. 

From rich sweets to savoury crunchies, these Deepavali classics are full of flavour, tradition, and joy.

So here’s our list of delicious must-haves this Deepavali. Some you’ll find at every Indian household, some a little rarer, but all totally worth seeking out!

 And here are the 10 best Deepavali foods to try this year in 2025.

1. Gulab Jamun

Gulab jamun sounds like a poetic name for a lover, and just saying it out loud is already making our mouths water.

These deep-fried milk balls soaked in sugar syrup are iconic during Deepavali. Soft, juicy, and melt-in-your-mouth, Gulab Jamun is made from khoya (milk solids), flour, and a touch of cardamom.

The syrup is often flavoured with rose water or saffron, which gives it that extra aromatic, festive kick. 

In Malaysia, we usually see this served warm at Deepavali open houses. Get ready to pop more than one!

2. Aloo Tikki 

Perfect as a savoury snack, Aloo Tikki is made from mashed potatoes mixed with spices, green chillies, and coriander, then shallow-fried until golden brown. It’s crispy on the outside and soft inside.

Some families serve it with chutneys or yoghurt as a Deepavali starter. If you love spicy local street food, this one will hit the spot.

3. Kaaju Katli 

This one’s for all the sweet lovers! Kaaju Katli, also known as Kaju Barfi, is a smooth and rich cashew fudge made with ground cashews, sugar, and ghee. 

It’s usually cut into diamond shapes and topped with edible silver foil. It’s one of the best Deepavali foods to try this year if you’re into nutty, creamy textures without being overly sweet. 

You’ll often see this packed neatly into Deepavali hampers and gift boxes, it’s that loved!

4. Peneram 

Peneram is a beloved Tamil sweet made from rice flour and jaggery. It’s shaped like a flat doughnut and deep-fried to perfection, slightly crispy on the outside but chewy and sticky inside.

This dessert is among Deepavali traditional foods and is often made at home by Indian grandmothers during the festival of Deepavali. It’s rich, earthy, and tastes even better the next day. 

If someone offers you homemade Peneram, say yes immediately.

Omapodi, one of the most addictive deepavali foods

5. Omapodi 

Also known as plain sev, Omapodi is a light and crispy snack made from besan (chickpea flour) and carom seeds (ajwain). The dough is passed through a press to create thin noodle-like strands and deep-fried till golden.

You’ll usually find it mixed into murukku tins or served as a crunchy tea-time snack. The taste is mild, slightly peppery, and totally addictive. 

It’s also great for munching while chatting with guests.

6. Paneer Tikka 

If you’ve never tried Paneer Tikka, Deepavali is the time to change that! 

Cubes of paneer (Indian cottage cheese) are marinated in yoghurt and spices, then grilled or roasted until smoky and charred.

It’s a juicy, satisfying dish that’s vegetarian and full of bold flavour, perfect for guests who want something heavier but not too greasy. 

Some Malaysian Indian families serve this as a starter at dinner gatherings or buffet spreads.

We can hear our stomachs growling.

Crispy, syrupy jalebi is probably our most favorite deepavali food

7. Jalebi 

Jalebi is one of the most eye-catching sweets you’ll see during Deepavali festivals. They are bright orange coils soaked in sugar syrup, often stacked high at stalls or sweet shops.

It’s made from a fermented batter of maida (flour), then fried into spiral shapes and dunked in syrup. Crispy on the outside, syrupy inside.

It’s crunchy, sweet, and best enjoyed warm. Every bite is perfection.

8. Murukku 

No Deepavali in Malaysia is complete without  Deepavali Murukku! Made from rice flour and urad dal flour, spiced with cumin and sesame seeds, these spiral-shaped snacks are crunchy, salty, and seriously addictive.

Every home seems to have its own version: some thick and crumbly, some thin and super crisp.

It’s one of the best Deepavali foods to try in 2025 if you love savoury munchies with your teh tarik.

9. Achu Murukku 

Different from regular murukku, Achu Murukku (also called rose cookies) is made using a special patterned mould. The batter is a mix of rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar, giving it a light, slightly sweet flavour.

It’s super crispy and usually comes in fun flower shapes.

You’ll often see it in Malaysian Deepavali snack trays next to pineapple tarts and kuih kapit. It’s that beautiful mix of local and Indian heritage.

10. Nei Urundai 

Nei Urundai translates to “ghee balls”, and that’s exactly what they are. Made from roasted gram flour, sugar, and lots of fragrant ghee, these bite-sized sweets are rolled into round balls and melt in your mouth.

They’re rich, nutty, and perfect with a cup of chai.

In many Malaysian Indian households, nei urundai is lovingly made by hand and served with pride. It’s a humble sweet, but full of heart.

Where to Try These Deepavali Foods in KL & Selangor

The best of these Deepavali foods are, of course, made at home with love, often by our mums, aunties, or that one neighbour who always makes the crispiest murukku on the street.

You can try making them yourself, or if you’re lucky, visit a friend’s house for the full Deepavali spread.

But if you’re craving a festive food run, here are a few more Deepavali foods and some great places to try them:

  • Chelo’s Sweet Appam, Bangsar: For soft, fluffy paal appam soaked in coconut milk or their addictive brown sugar appam.
  • Best Vadai Stall, SS15 Subang Jaya: Freshly fried masala vadai, uluntu vadai, and other savoury Indian snacks, always hot and crispy.
  • Jai Hind, Jalan Melayu (KL): A go-to for traditional sweets like gulab jamun, barfi, and other classics sold by weight.
  • WTF Restaurant, Bangsar: Try their saffron-laced jalebi, creamy barfi, and festive laddu: all freshly made in-house.

Whether you’re stocking up for your open house or just feeling snacky, these spots deliver on festive flavour!

Let’s Eat Deepavali Foods and Celebrate!

We all know that celebrating Deepavali isn’t just about lights; it’s also about flavours, family, and sharing joy with our neighbours.

From creamy sweets like gulab jamun and kaaju katli to crunchy bites like murukku and omapodi, the best Deepavali foods to try this year in 2025 are all about tradition and taste.

So no matter your heritage, celebrate with us.

Drop by a friend’s house, pick up a Deepavali hamper, or just treat yourself to something sweet and crunchy this festive season.

Selamat Hari Deepavali, everyone!

Here are a few more helpful resources:

Ride With Trevo On Your Deepavali Food Hunt

Go on a festive food hunt this Deepavali with Trevo! Whether you’re craving fresh jalebi in Bangsar or crispy vadai in Subang,

Trevo lets you rent a car on demand so you can explore KL’s best Deepavali treats at your own pace. Grab your friends, hit the road, and make a day of it, snack stops included!

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