Last updated on March 24, 2026
Fasting during Navratri is not just about spirituality or devotion; it’s also a great time to reset your body with nourishing, light meals. Each day of Navratri encourages mindful eating with easy-to-use ingredients for making fast-friendly snacks and main course dishes. One amazing example of a tasty dish to include in your fasting menu is the Kaddu Cheela recipe. It is a filling, fluffy pancake containing pumpkin that’s both easy to digest and satisfying.
The best thing about delicious fasting recipes is that they are also nutritious for our bodies. Dishes, such as kaddu cheela, provide several nutrients while being high in fiber and vitamins. Hence, it provides the much-needed energy all day long to keep you from feeling sluggish. Pumpkins are full of antioxidants and promote good digestion. So, it’s quite beneficial for days when you are fasting. In addition, this recipe uses besan (chickpea flour), which is also full of protein. Therefore, the combination of kaddu and besan in kaddu cheela is the perfect blend of flavour and nutrition.
| Preparation time | 15 minutes |
| Cook time | 15 minutes |
| Total Time | 30 minutes |
| Serving | 2-3 people |
Ingredients:
* 250g Grated Kaddu/Pumpkin (unsweetened) – 250 gms (grated)
* 1 cup (150g) Besan/Gram Flour
* 1 tsp Ginger-Green Chilli Paste
* 2 tsp Salt
* 1 tsp Red Chili Powder
* 1 tsp Roasted Cumin Powder
* 1/2 tsp Turmeric Powder
* 1 tbsp Curd
* 2 tbsp Butter, Oil, or Ghee
* Water as needed (to make a smooth, pouring batter)
Instructions:
1) In a large bowl, add freshly grated pumpkin. If the seeds are soft, you can add them for extra nutrition. You do not need to blend; use the grated portion directly.
2) Combine all of your dry ingredients with the grated pumpkin and mix together. This can be done using either a wire whisk or a spoon. Slowly add in some water until you create a smooth batter that is pourable in consistency. Allow this to set for a few minutes to absorb the water.
3) Preheat a greasy pan (with a little oil or ghee), and when the pan is lightly warmed, pour a ladleful of batter mix into the pan and gently spread out in a circular motion. Cook this with the heat on low to medium.
4) When the first side has been cooked, drizzle some ghee/butter onto the pancake and flip. Then cook the second side until golden or just starting to crisp.
5) Repeat steps (1-4) until you have cooked all of your pancakes. Serve hot with tomato ketchup or fresh homemade green chutney for dipping.
Nutritional Value:
| Calories | 180–220 kcal |
| Protein | 6-8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 18-22 g |
| Fat | 6-8 g |
You should try my Kaddu Cheela recipe with my homemade chutney or any dip that you prefer. Also, check out my 9 Navratri Fasting Foods to Stay Energized for all nine days of the festivities.
You can find additional recipes and healthy lifestyle ideas by following my Instagram and Facebook accounts.
Wishing you blessings, mindful eating, and a positive/healthy Navratri celebration.
