Deepavali, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a significant celebration for the Indian community, marked by the lighting of lamps, prayers, and the preparation of various traditional dishes.

Food plays a central role in Deepavali celebrations, with families preparing and sharing an array of sweets and savoury snacks that hold cultural significance.

Deepavali Food Malaysia

In Malaysia, Deepavali foods are a mix of savoury and sweet dishes that include murukku, achu murukku, laddu, and mutton curry. These traditional recipes bring families together and symbolise prosperity, happiness, and the festive spirit of the celebration.

1. Murukku

Murukku is a crunchy, savoury snack crafted from rice flour and black lentil (urad dal), which is seasoned with salt and spices. The dough is shaped into spiral or concentric circular patterns before being deep-fried to perfection.

To keep your murukku crisp and fresh throughout the celebrations, Tupperware's airtight food containers such as their Basic Line 1.5L are the perfect solution. They help maintain the crunch, ensuring you can enjoy this Deepavali favourite even days after it's made.

2. Achu Murukku

This sweet delight is prepared using sugar, eggs, and coconut milk. Its unique, floral shape comes from the mould used, giving it an iconic appearance.

3. Laddu

Laddu is a sweet, round treat made with flour, cashews, raisins, saffron, and cardamom. Some variations also include using til (black sesame) and narikol (coconut). The flour is browned in ghee, imparting a light brown to orange colour that enhances its rich taste.

4. Nei Urundai (Ghee Balls)

These light-coloured sweets are made from mung beans, sugar, cashew nuts, ghee, and ground cardamom. They have a rich, buttery flavour that is a feast for your taste buds!

5. Omapodi/Sev

This crispy, savoury snack is made from chickpea flour batter, seasoned with various spices, and deep-fried. After frying, ingredients like peanuts, curry leaves, dried chickpeas, and salt can be added for extra flavour.

6. Adhirasam

Adhirasam are rice flour doughnuts made with a dough mixed with jaggery and spices. The mixture is shaped into flat patties with a hole in the centre and then deep-fried on a low flame for a perfect balance of texture and flavour.

7. Urundai

These are firm, flavorful balls made with a combination of gram flour, rice flour, caramelised sugar, coconut pieces, and spices like dried ginger and cardamom powder. Due to their hard texture, they often need to be broken into smaller pieces before eating.

8. Mutton Curry

Mutton curry is a richly spiced dish often prepared for Deepavali, as mutton can be both costly and require significant cooking time. It’s seen as a special dish suitable for festive occasions.

Tupperware’s microwave-friendly food containers come in handy for reheating this delicious dish. They allow you to enjoy your curry warm and flavourful whenever hunger strikes, without compromising on taste or texture.

9. Chicken Curry

Chicken curry is a popular alternative to mutton and is easier to prepare. To make it especially festive for Deepavali, people often add extra spices to give it a more robust flavour.

10. Idli

Idli are soft, steamed rice cakes made from a batter of fermented rice and white lentils. They are a staple during Deepavali breakfast, often enjoyed with mutton or chicken curry as well as chutneys.

11. Thosai

Thosai is a thin, crispy crepe made from fermented rice and white lentil batter. It is also referred to as dosa. It is often served with chutneys and curries, including sambar, a lentil and vegetable soup. 

12. Halwa

Halwa is a dense, pudding-like dessert made from various vegetables or grains. Popular variations include carrot halwa, bottle gourd halwa, and wheat halwa. 

13. Biryani Rice

Biryani rice is a flavorful mixed rice dish that is a common feature of Deepavali feasts. It typically includes a variety of spices and can be prepared with meat such as chicken or mutton or with vegetables.

14. Ribbon Pakoda

This crispy snack is the ultimate crunch for your tea-time cravings! Made with rice and chickpea flour, spiced to perfection, and deep-fried into crunchy ribbons. One bite and you'll be addicted to this golden, savoury treat

15. Vadai

Vadai is deep-fried goodness made from lentils, onions, and spices. Crunchy on the outside, fluffy inside—perfect for dipping in chutney or devouring solo.

16. Kheer

Kheer is a dreamy, creamy mix of rice, milk, and sugar, cooked slowly with cardamom, and topped with crunchy nuts. Whether you like it warm or chilled, it’s the ultimate comfort food for your sweet tooth!

Tips for Healthy Eating This Deepavali

As we prepare to celebrate Deepavali with all its delightful dishes, it's important to make mindful choices that benefit our health. Here are a few tips to enjoy your favourite festive treats while keeping it balanced!

Reduce the amount of ghee and sugar you use when cooking

Traditional Deepavali foods tend to be high in fat and calories because they often use a lot of ghee and sugar. You can make your dishes healthier by replacing ghee with vegetable oil and using natural sweeteners like raisins and dried apricots instead of sugar.

Choose healthier cooking methods

Fried foods like papadam and murukku can be made without oil in a microwave oven. Removing the fat from mutton and skin from chicken before cooking will also make your meals healthier.

Keep Your Food Fresh

Make sure your festive meals stay fresh and safe to eat! Store your leftovers in airtight containers to retain their flavour and prevent spoilage. Using high-quality Tupperware can help extend the life of your dishes, so you can savour the flavours of Deepavali even longer!

Wrapping Up the Festivities

Deepavali is a joyous celebration that brings families together to share in both traditions and food. The diverse range of traditional dishes, from savoury snacks like murukku to rich curries like mutton curry, highlights the cultural significance of food in fostering connections and spreading festive cheer.

To keep your festive dishes fresh, check out Tupperware's food containers and on-the-go bottles. With Tupperware, you can effortlessly preserve the flavours of these festive delicacies, ensuring that the joy of Deepavali meals can be savoured long after the celebrations have ended.