Ramadan 2027 is expected to begin on or around 8 February, depending on the sighting of the moon. Here are Aamna’s recipes for breaking the fast, from samosas and chaat for iftar to a filling paratha for suhoor, plus the karahis, biryanis and sweets that make a weekend iftar feel special.
Ramadan cooking at a glance
- Iftar is the meal at sunset that breaks the fast. Suhoor is the meal before dawn
- Many families open the fast with dates and water, then something light before the main meal
- Samosas, chaat and fritters are iftar favourites across Pakistan and India
- A big pot of karahi or biryani is easy to share at a weekend iftar
Iftar snacks
| Recipe | What it is | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Keema samosas | Spiced mutton mince in crisp pastry. Makes about 60 | |
| Chicken pickle spring rolls | Spiced chicken mince with grated pickle, rolled in spring roll wrappers | About 30 minutes |
| Chole chaat | Tangy, spicy chickpeas with mustard seeds and curry leaves | About 20 minutes |
| Chicken 65 in the oven | Spiced chicken baked, then finished with curry leaves and red chillies | About 1 hour 30 minutes |
| Gulgulas | Sweet banana fritters with fennel seeds | About 20 minutes |
| Meat samosas curry | Ready-made samosas simmered in a spiced potato and tomato curry | About 35 minutes |
Iftar mains
| Recipe | What it is | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Charsi chicken karahi | Street-style karahi with black pepper, tomatoes and green chillies | About 35 minutes |
| Karachi chicken biryani | Tangy, spicy chicken biryani with yoghurt, tomatoes and whole spices | About 1 hour 20 minutes |
| Peshawari chapli kebab | Flat beef kebabs with pomegranate seeds and coriander seeds | About 35 minutes |
| Kabuli pulao | Afghan rice with slow-cooked lamb shanks, carrots and raisins | About 2 hours 30 minutes |
| Nihari | Lamb shanks slow-cooked in a rich, spiced gravy | About 2 hours 20 minutes |
More ideas in our karahi recipes and biryani recipes.
Suhoor
Suhoor needs to keep you going until sunset, so it’s usually something filling. Mini keema parathas are stuffed with spiced mince and pan-fried. Nihari began as a meal eaten after the dawn prayer, so a bowl kept from the night before works too.
Sweets for after iftar
| Recipe | What it is | Time |
|---|---|---|
| Royal kheer | Rice pudding with cardamom, kewra water and plenty of nuts | About 1 hour 10 minutes |
| Sooji halwa | Semolina cooked in ghee with cardamom, nuts and raisins | About 1 hour |
Ramadan FAQs
When does Ramadan 2027 start?
It is expected to begin on the evening of Sunday 7 February 2027, with the first fast on Monday 8 February. The exact date depends on the sighting of the moon.
What is the difference between iftar and suhoor?
Suhoor is the meal eaten before dawn, and iftar is the meal at sunset that breaks the fast.
What should I cook for iftar?
Something light to start, like samosas, chaat or fritters, then a main such as a karahi or biryani. Many families open the fast with dates and water first.
When is Eid al-Fitr 2027?
It is expected around 9 March 2027, at the end of Ramadan. See our Eid recipes for feast ideas.
