30 Amazing Vegan Ramadan Recipes From the Muslim World

Last Updated on June 14, 2022 by Nina Ahmedow

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To be honest, I’ve been struggling a bit with what to write about in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic. Travel isn’t really most people’s biggest concern right now. So I posted some travel tips for when the pandemic is over. But now those days seem further away than ever. I’ve seen other travel bloggers write about travel-related books, movies, and tv shows, as well as recipes.

So when I realized that Ramadan is around the corner I thought that lockdown would be the perfect time to try out new Muslim recipes. And this can be a way to virtually travel around the world. So instead of making the same dishes as always, I decided to try out a recipe from a different country in the Muslim world every day during Ramadan.

The way I define “Muslim world” for the purpose of this round-up of vegan Ramadan recipes is any country with a Muslim population of at least 15%. One could choose any arbitrary number really.

So these vegan Ramadan recipes come from the three continents where Islam is indigenous: Africa, Asia, and Europe. Some have described recipes from these regions as “Islamic recipes” though I find this a bit bizarre. In any case, vegan Muslims don’t have to worry about what to eat for iftar.

As we are currently on lockdown, it was a challenge to find the necessary ingredients for some of the fantastic recipes I thought of making. But right now our only options are supermarkets, there’s no way to head to downtown Athens for some “exotic” ingredients. So my options are a bit more limited than I would have liked. I had some really nice ideas but ultimately had to get rid of some of them. But maybe next year, I’ll do this again.

I have found quite a few recipes that are vegan by default. This is always a good thing because it shows that each cuisine actually has vegan recipes. However, I also wanted to veganize some traditionally non-vegan recipes to show how it can be done. I’m also substituting some ingredients that I cannot find here. Other times I will use ingredients I have a lot of right now. For example, you will see me using wild rice or red rice. I usually use wild rice which is a grass that isn’t closely related to Asian rice. But you could use regular white rice or brown rice.

Please keep in mind that borders are man-made, and recipes are based on the regional availability of ingredients. Many recipes are not tied to a country and are common in larger regions (jollof in West Africa, dolma in the Balkans, curry in South and Southeast Asia).

If you’re interested in more vegan recipes check out Parvin Razavi’s book Vegan Recipes from the Middle East or Seda Dayıoğlu’s Vegan Meets Turkish Kitchen. (While you can get both books on Amazon, I like BookShop which is a certified B corp that supports independent bookstores and authors.)

So here are all the recipes, but if you follow me on my Instagram I’ll post one of these every day during Ramadan.

Before we get to the actual vegan Ramadan recipes I have a few disclaimers, however. First of all, this is not meant to be a whole vegan Ramadan meal plan. Some of these recipes are main dishes, but others are side dishes or snacks. Secondly, I like spicy food and lots of garlic. If you’re more sensitive please adjust the measurements. Thirdly, most of these vegan Ramadan recipes are not traditionally made during Ramadan specifically, but I find them very fitting. And finally, except for the tarator recipe I am using Persian cucumbers.

So let’s get started with these vegan Ramadan recipes, the most diverse collection of vegan iftar recipes online!

• Vegan Ramadan Recipes from Africa
  • Egypt
  • Eritrea
  • The Gambia
  • Ghana
  • Guinea
  • Libya
  • Mauritius
  • Morocco
  • Nigeria
  • Somalia
  • Tanzania
• Vegan Ramadan Recipes from Asia
  • Afghanistan
  • Azerbaijan
  • Bangladesh
  • Indonesia
  • Iran
  • Iraq
  • Jordan
  • Lebanon
  • Malaysia
  • Pakistan
  • Palestine
  • Syria
  • Turkmenistan
  • Uzbekistan
• Vegan Ramadan Recipes from Europe
  • Albania
  • Bosnia and Herzegovina
  • Bulgaria
  • Macedonia
  • Turkey

Vegan Ramadan Recipes from Africa

Africa, the continent where humans first came into existence is the second-largest and second most-populous continent. The continent has suffered at the hand of colonialists for centuries but managed to keep hundreds of languages and cultures alive. The population of the continent is almost equally split between Christians and Muslims, but traditional African religions still make up a significant portion of the population and have influenced the ways in which Christianity and Islam are practiced.

Muslims first arrived in Africa in 613 as refugees when they received asylum in the Kingdom of Aksum (today’s Eritrea and Ethiopia).

Egypt

Egypt (مصر in Arabic) lies in both Africa and Asia but is generally counted among the African countries where most of its territory lies. Islam is the state religion in Egypt, and 85-90% of the population are estimated to be Muslim. The remaining 10-15% belong to the Coptic Christian church. The numbers are quite controversial with Copts stating that they have been underrepresented in past censuses.

Tourists travel to Egypt to see the imposing Pyramids and Great Sphinx, ancient Egyptian temples and tombs, Islamic architecture, and museums. Nile cruises are a popular way to explore the country. But there are also many beach resorts on the Red Sea for those who want to relax.

كشري (Kushari)

Kushari is Egypt’s national dish and is traditionally vegan. So if you’re a vegan traveling to Egypt keep this dish in mind for when you want to taste some local vegan food. I’ve adapted a recipe by One Arab Vegan, the perhaps most well-known Arab and Muslim vegan food blogger.

• 200g lentils
• 200g ditalini (short tube-shaped pasta)
• 200g black rice
• 3 tomatoes
• 2 red onions
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 5 cloves of garlic
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• 2 teaspoons ground cumin
• 1 tablespoon chili flakes
• water
• salt
• pepper

1. Add lentils, one clove of garlic, half an onion, some cumin, salt, and pepper to water and bring to boil. Simmer covered until cooked.
2. Cook pasta and drain.
3. Cook rice.
4. Heat coconut oil. Blend tomatoes with four tablespoons of water. Then add to coconut oil with salt and pepper and simmer.
5. Cut the remaining one and a half onions into strips, place on a baking tray with baking paper and grill until slightly crispy.
6. Crush garlic. Add vinegar, cumin, chili flakes, and two tablespoons of the tomato sauce.
7. Layer rice, pasta, and lentils. Top with tomato sauce, grilled onions, and chili sauce.

Eritrea

Eritrea (ኤርትራ in Tigrinya, إريتريا in Arabic) is a multi-ethnic and multilingual country in East Africa. The main religions are Islam and Christianity although estimated numbers vary widely. Even the question of which group constitutes the majority is answered differently by different organizations. According to the Pew Research Center, 62.9% of Eritreas population are Christians, and 36.6% are Muslims.

The tourism industry in Eritrea has suffered from the political instability in the country. Travel in Eritrea is further complicated by the fact that if you want to leave the capital Asmara you have to get a permit to leave the city.

ሓምሊ (Hamli/Greens)

Hamli is a side dish of sautéd greens. I’m going to be using spinach, however. I definitely wouldn’t use frozen spinach for this, so make sure you find some fresh greens.

• 1 bag of spinach
• 1 sliced onion
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 2 sliced chili peppers
• oil
• salt
• pepper

1. Wash the spinach and let dry.
2. Soften onion over medium heat, add some oil, cover, and sauté onions until translucent.
3. Add garlic.
4. Add spinach, cover, and cook for 10 minutes.
5. Add chili pepper, salt, and pepper. Cover and cook for a few more minutes.

The Gambia

The Gambia is a country I have been fascinated with since my teenage years when I first read Roots by Alex Haley. The novel tells the story of Kunta Kinte who is abducted and sold into slavery. The beginning of the novel is set in the Gambia where Kunta is born and lives until the age of 17. I found the description of life in the Gambia fascinating and suggest you read the powerful novel if you haven’t already. The town of Jufureh where Kunta grew up has become a major tourist attraction. Tourism in the Gambia has been steadily increasing over the decades.

The vast majority of Gambians are Muslims, more specifically Sufis. About 3% of the population follow Christianity. But traditional African religions influence the way both Islam and Christianity are practiced.

Akara

Akara are bean fritters popular in various West African countries. Since the eggs or shrimp I found in a recipe by My Gambian Kitchen are optional the dish is easy to veganize.

• 400g black-eyed peas
• 120ml water
• 1 teaspoon of salt
• oil

1. Soak the black-eyed peas overnight and remove the skins.
2. Blend the peeled black-eyed peas with salt and water until they make a smooth and thick paste.
3. Heat oil in a pot until very hot.
4. Form balls of dough and fry until golden.

Ghana

Ghana is a multilingual and multi-ethnic country in West Africa and famous for being the first country in sub-Saharan Africa to gain its independence from colonial powers. Because of its political and economic stability, Ghana is an attractive tourist destination. Major attractions are the country’s wildlife, impressive UNESCO World Heritage sites, and its landscapes which include waterfalls, rainforests, beaches, mountains, rivers, and more. Sustainable tourism is particularly popular in Ghana.

According to the official census from 2010, Christians make up 71.2% of the population while 17.6% are Muslim and 5.2% of Ghanaians follow traditional African religions. 0.8% belong to smaller religious communities, and 5.2% don’t follow any religion at all.

Waakye

Waakye is a Ghanaian recipe consisting of black-eyed peas and rice which I thought would be a great addition to these vegan Ramadan recipes because it’s so simple and provides tons of nutrients. I adapted a recipe by The Canadian African.

• 300g black-eyed peas
• 800g black rice
• 1 teaspoon of cumin
• 1 teaspoon of garam masala
• 1.25 tablespoons of baking soda
• water
• salt

1. Soak the black-eyed peas overnight.
2. Rinse the beans.
3. Cook the beans in 950ml water on medium heat for 20 minutes.
4. Add rice, spices, and salt, mix, and add baking soda. Mix and continue cooking until the water is gone.
5. Stir, cover, and continue cooking on low heat until rice has cooked, stirring regularly.

Guinea

Guinea (Guinée in French) is a multi-ethnic country in West Africa. According to the Association of Religion Data Archives, 84.8% of the population is Muslim, 11.3% follow traditional African religions, and 3.7% are Christians.

Guinea has sumptuous forests, beaches, national parks with rich landscapes and wildlife, and shares a UNESCO World Heritage site with Côte d’Ivoire.

Mafé Tiga

I love peanuts, peanut butter, and peanut sauces. So when I saw how prominent the ingredient is in West African cuisine I was excited. But since not everyone is such a fan of peanuts and many people are even allergic, I didn’t want to choose too many peanut-based recipes. However, mafé tiga had to make it.

This West African peanut soup is said to be originally from Mali, but I found an excellent Guinean recipe on Kadi Recipes which can easily be veganized.

• 1kg tofu, cut in cubes
• 4 tablespoons of peanut butter
• 2 tablespoons of oil
• 2 grated tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 chopped onions
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 3 chopped chili peppers
• 1 serving of vegetable stock (I use the vegetable stock pots by Knorr, but these may not be vegan everywhere)
• pepper
• salt
• 700ml water

1. Heat the oil and fry the tofu. Then remove the tofu.
2. Add onions, garlic, grated tomatoes, tomato paste, vegetable stock, and pepper. Sauté for ten minutes.
3. Add water and peanut butter and cook for 20 minutes.
4. Add chili peppers and salt. Simmer for 10 minutes.
5. Add tofu and simmer for 5 more minutes.

Libya

Libya (ليبيا in Arabic) has been a very troubled country in recent years, to say the least. In terms of religious affiliation, 97% of the population are estimated to be Muslims, and 1.5% Christians. Sadly, although Libya had one of the oldest Jewish communities in the world, there are no Jews left in the country following a number of pogroms and emigration.

The tourism industry has suffered tremendously from the Civil War. At present it’s not possible to travel to Libya. Popular attractions include ancient Greek and Roman ruins as well as the Sahara desert.

شرمولة‎ (Sharmoola)

You might not expect to find vegan Ramadan recipes in Libya. But that’s only if you ignore salads. However, salads are a the perfect light meal after a day of fasting. Because whether we like it or not, we’re not actually supposed to overdo it with heavy meals during Ramadan.

Sharmoola is a relish in much of North Africa, but according to The Libyan Kitchen it’s a salad in Western Libya. This is one of the best quick iftar recipes if you’re in a rush.

• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 4 tablespoons water
• 1.25 teaspoon salt
• 1 onion
• 1 cucumber
• 3 tomatoes
• 2 chili peppers

1. Finely dice the vegetables.
2. Combine oil, water, and salt to make dressing.
3. Mix.

There you go. I really wanted some of these vegan Ramadan recipes to be super quick and simple.

Mauritius

Mauritius (Maurice in French) is an island nation in the Indian Ocean. The country is famous for its diversity and being the only Africa country where Hinduism is the majority religion. According to the official census from 2011, 48.54% of the population are Hindus, 31.71% are Christians, 17.3% are Muslims, and a small community of 0.18% follow Buddhism.

Its diversity is one of the things that make Mauritius very appealing to travelers along with its climate, beaches, landscapes, temples, and UNESCO World Heritage sites. The luxury travel sector plays an important role in the country’s economy.

Aubergines Étouffées

In a culturally diverse country like Mauritius, you can expect amazing blends of flavors that will enhance any food experience. But I adapted a very simple eggplant recipe from Mira Garvin. Eggplant has consistently been my favorite vegetable ever since I was a child so I was happy about this dish. It goes perfectly with rice. I adjusted the spice level to my taste, you may need to reduce it if you prefer milder flavors.

• 2 eggplants
• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 2 tablespoons chili flakes
• 1 chopped onion
• 3 sliced tomatoes
• salt

1. Slice the eggplants.
2. Heat the oil and sauté the onion and chili flakes.
3. Add eggplant, tomatoes, and salt.
4. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes, stirring regularly.

Morocco

Morocco (المغرب‎ in Arabic, ⵍⵎⵖⵔⵉⴱ in Tamazight) is a kingdom in North Africa. The name Maghreb for the region including Morocco, Algeria, Tunisia, Libya, and Mauritania is actually the same as the Arabic name for Morocco. Its literal translation is “(the) West.” Morocco is the most popular travel destination in Africa due to its political stability and location close to Europe. It’s especially famous for its cultural history, but tourists love the beaches as well.

Morocco’s state religion is Islam to which 99% of the population adhere. 1% belong to other religions, such as Christianity, Bahaism, and Judaism.

شوربة‎ (Soup)

Shorba, chorba, or however else you may call it is the word for soup in various countries in Africa, Asia, and Europe. I found the most delicious-sounding recipe for Moroccan soup on My Moroccan Food and simply had to include it in these vegan Ramadan recipes.

• 2 sweet potatoes in cubes
• 2 eggplants in cubes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• 2 sliced onions
• 2 grated tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• half a teaspoon ground turmeric
• half a teaspoon black pepper
• 500ml vegetable stock
• 1l water
• 200g chickpeas
• 100g spaghetti broken into pieces
• saffron
• salt
• parsley

1. Soak chickpeas overnight.
2. Cook chickpeas until tender.
3. Preheat oven to 200°C. Place sweet potato and eggplant on baking tray with baking paper, drizzle with a bit of olive oil and sprinkle with salt. Bake for 25 minutes.
4. Heat olive oil in a pot, and sauté onions, tomatoes, tomato paste, spices, and salt for ten minutes.
5. Add vegetable stock and water, and bring to a boil.
6. Reduce heat and simmer covered for 40 minutes.
7. Add chickpeas, and bring to a boil.
8. Add spaghetti, sweet potato, and eggplant. Then reduce heat and simmer until spaghetti is al dente.
9. Top with parsley.

Nigeria

Nigeria is a secular country and has the largest population in all of Africa. It’s a multilingual country with English serving as the official language to facilitate communication among the various ethnic groups. Lagos is one of the most visited cities in Africa due to its numerous festivals. However, beaches, UNESCO World Heritage sites, and natural sites also attract visitors to Nigeria.

Nigeria has the largest Muslim population of the sub-Saharan African states, with 49% of Nigerians belonging to Islam. An equal percentage of Nigeria’s population is Christian, while the remainder belong to traditional African religions or do not identify with a specific religion.

Religion in Nigeria is tied to ethnicity with the Hausa group being predominantly Muslim, and the Igbo and Ijaw as well as smaller groups belonging mainly to Christianity. The only ethnic group that belongs to both Islam and Christianity are the Yoruba.

Jollof

Outside of Africa, jollof is perhaps the most well-known African dish. Its origins seem to be in Senegal where it’s called ceebu jën, but it’s so widespread in West Africa that it could represent a number of countries in this list of vegan Ramadan recipes. Since I found a nice vegan jollof recipe by The Vegan Nigerian that is what I’ll be making.

It’s a great side dish and very light making it perfect for iftaar.

• 500g parboiled rice
• 1 red pepper (jollof is known for its red color so don’t use another color)
• 4 red chili peppers
• 2 tomatoes
• 1 tablespoon tomato paste
• 2 cloves garlic
• 1 piece of ginger
• 1 onion
• 700ml water
• 2 packs vegetable stock (I decided to go for Knorr’s herb vegetable stock pots for more flavor – these may not exist where you live)
• 1 teaspoon ground curry
• 1 teaspoon thyme
• 4 tablespoons coconut oil
• salt

1. Blend pepper, chilis, tomatoes, onion, ginger, tomato paste, and garlic with 250ml water.
2. Heat oil, add the pepper-tomato base. Add the remaining ingredients except rice and bring to a boil.
3. Add rice, stir, and lower heat. Cook until rice is tender.

Somalia

Somalia (Soomaaliya in Somali, الصومال in Arabic) is said to be the most homogenous country in Africa, religiously, linguistically, ethnically, and culturally. Islam is the state religion, and 97% of the population is Muslim. The remainder belong to traditional African religions, Christianity, or are not affiliated with any religion. The country is slowly recovering from the Somali Civil War.

Although Somalia has various historical sites as well as beaches, natural attractions, and national parks, tourism in Somalia has suffered tremendously from the war. Many governments still advise against travel to Somalia.

Cambuulo iyo Maraq (Adzuki Stew)

When I decided to compile 30 vegan Ramadan recipes I wanted to use mainly ingredients that are super easy to find. Adzuki beans may not belong to that category, but since I can find them here in Greece I figure they must be easy enough to find in many other countries. If you can’t find adzuki beans choose another legume.

• 250g red rice
• 375ml water
• 1 can adzuki beans, drained and rinsed
• 1 can tomatoes
• 2 tablespoons tomato paste
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 2 teaspoons chili flakes
• 2 minced garlic cloves
• 1 sliced onion
• 2 tablespoons sesame oil
• 1 tablespoon white vinegar
• juice of 1 lemon
• salt

1. Cook the rice with a pinch of salt in the water on low heat until rice is done.
2. Stir in adzuki beans.
3. Sauté onions and garlic in sesame oil until translucent.
4. Add tomato, tomato paste, and spices. Cook for five minutes, adding water if needed.
5. Add white vinegar and lemon juice. Simmer for five minutes.
6. Top rice and adzuki mix with sauce.

Tanzania

Tanzania (تنزانيا in Arabic) is an East African tourist favorite famous for Mount Kilimanjaro, gorgeous beaches, three African Great Lakes, and the beautiful Zanzibar archipelago. It is the African country with the highest number of languages spoken by its population. The national language Swahili is the native language of only 10% of the population.

Though statistics about religion are not gathered in the official census, the Pew Research Center found out in a 2014 survey that 61% of the population are Christian, 35% are Muslim, 2% follow traditional African religions, and 1% are not affiliated with any religion.

Mandazi

So when I decided to post vegan Ramadan recipes I knew I simply had to veganize mandazi. I first tasted these fried buns back in elementary school during an international food festival the school organized. I fell in love with them at first bite, and we frequently made them at home. Eventually, we stopped making them because the deep-frying process uses up so much oil. But now is the best opportunity to veganize them and eat them again after many years. Be careful, they’re addictive!

• 1 tablespoon ground flaxseed
• 3 tablespoons water
• 160ml warm water
• 100g sugar
• 4 tablespoons melted margarine
• 450g flour (I used to use half wholemeal, half white flour, but to make it easier I’m using white flour)
• 250ml coconut milk
• 2 teaspoons yeast
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• half a teaspoon salt
• oil

1. Make a flax egg by mixing ground flaxseed and water. Let it thicken in the fridge for 15 minutes.
2. Dissolve sugar and yeast in warm water and leave for 10 minutes.
3. Add flax egg, coconut milk, and melted margarine and mix with a hand mixer.
4. Combine remaining dry ingredients and add to wet ingredients.
5. Mix with hand mixer for 5 minutes to get smooth dough.
6. Cover bowl and let dough rise for 2 hours.
7. Form balls or any shape you like (triangles or diamonds are common, but balls are easier to fry).
8. Heat oil and deep-fry dough for several minutes until each piece has an even golden color.

It’s important for the oil to be hot enough to bake the mandazi but not so hot that the outside burns before the inside is done. The process is a bit tricky, and you have to flip the mandazi frequently. That’s why I prefer them in ball shapes because they turn much more easily.

Vegan Ramadan Recipes from Asia

Asia is the world’s largest and most populous continent with an unclear border between Europe and Asia. The continent is the birthplace of all major world religions with Islam being the most common religion. Indonesia is the country with the largest Muslim population in the world.

Although Asia suffered from colonialism, nations such as India and China are gaining international power and influence.

Afghanistan

Afghanistan (افغانستان in Pashto and Dari) is an Islamic Republic in South Asia. Almost all Afghans (99.7%) are Muslim with small groups of Christians, Hindus, Sikhs, and Bahais. Although Zoroastrianism is believed to have originated in modern-day Afghanistan there doesn’t appear to be a sizeable group of Zoroastrians today.

Sadly, under the totalitarian dictatorship of the Taliban minority groups suffered tremendously as did anyone who did not adhere to the official line of the movement. The tourism industry is slowly recovering, but many governments still advise against travel to Afghanistan. There is a lot of religious architecture, but outside of Kabul, most tourists are attracted by adventure travel.

شورنخود (Shornakhod)

As you can see by now I’m aiming for lighter Muslim dishes with these vegan Ramadan recipes. I believe that fasting all day and then eating heavy, oily foods every night isn’t a healthy way to practice Ramadan, and I’m glad there are alternatives like this Afghan potato salad I found on Afghan Culture Unveiled. We definitely need to follow more healthy iftar recipes.

• 3 potatoes
• 5 chopped spring onions
• 1 bunch coriander, chopped
• 5 tablespoons white vinegar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• half a teaspoon black pepper
• 300g chickpeas

1. Soak chickpeas overnight, then cook until tender.
2. Boil potatoes until tender, cut into cubes.
3. Blend spring onions, coriander, vinegar, salt, and pepper until smooth.
4. Mix everything together.

Azerbaijan

Azerbaijan (Azərbaycan in Azeri) is a Turkic state in Eurasia. It became independent in 1918 and was the first ever Muslim-majority country that became a secular democracy. It became part of the Soviet Union only two years later and is now independent again since 1991. Azerbaijan’s tourism industry is the fastest-growing in the world. Most visitors are from countries in the same region, such as Russia, Georgia, Iran, and Turkey. Major attractions are the capital Baku, as well as historical monuments, national parks, and the Caucasus mountains.

According to the CIA World Factbook, 96.9% of the population are Muslim, 3% Christian, and the remainder belong to other religious groups or are unaffiliated. It is one out of only four countries in which Shia Muslims constitute the majority.

Badımcan Borani (Eggplant Borani)

By now you know how much I love eggplant so adding another eggplant dish to these vegan Ramadan recipes is not something that will surprise you. Borani is originally a Persian appetizer, but this version with eggplant from Azerbaijan is a nice and simple main course I found on Flavors of Baku.

• 1 onion, chopped in cubes
• 1 green bell pepper, chopped in cubes
• 2 eggplants
• 2 juicy tomatoes
• 2 potatoes, chopped in cubes
• 2 cloves of garlic, chopped
• 3 tablespoons olive oil
• half a bunch of coriander, chopped
• salt
• pepper

1. Add the tomatoes to boiling water for a minute, then throw them in cold water. Now peel them and cut them into cubes.
2. Peel the eggplant and cut into cubes.
3. Sauté onion in oil.
4. Add bell pepper, then tomatoes, then eggplant, and finally potatoes.
5. Cover and sauté on low heat until tomato juice flows.
6. Add salt, pepper, and garlic, and mix, adding water if necessary to cover the potatoes.
7. Simmer until potatoes are tender.
8. Top with coriander.

Bangladesh

Bangladesh (বাংলাদেশ in Bengali) is a South Asian country that became independent from Pakistan in 1971. It’s a secular country and linguistically homogenous with 98% of the population being native Bengali speakers. Tourism in Bangladesh is growing steadily, with attractions such as the world’s longest sandy beach, countless archaeological and religious sites, and the world’s largest mangrove forest.

According to the 2011 census, 90.39% of the population is Muslim, 8.54% is Hindu, with small Buddhist and Christian minorities.

ভাজা ওকড়া (Fried Okra)

I couldn’t publish a post on vegan Ramadan recipes without an okra recipe. It’s always a good idea to switch up your vegetables every once in a while, and okra provides several important vitamins. I’m using frozen okra in this recipe because I honestly can’t be bothered with fresh okra.

• 1kg okra
• 1 sliced onion
• 2 sliced garlic cloves
• 1 tablespoon coconut oil
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• half a teaspoon pepper
• 1 teaspoon ground cumin
• 1 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon ground coriander
• 3 teaspoons chili flakes

1. Defrost okra and cut into slices.
2. Heat oil and caramelize onion and garlic.
3. Add spices and sauté.
4. Add okra and mix.
5. Sauté on medium heat until okra caramelizes, stirring regularly.

Like many Asian dishes this goes very well with basmati.

Indonesia

Indonesia is the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country. It is located in Southeast Asia and consists of tends of thousands of islands. Although the official language is Indonesian there are hundreds of languages spoken in the country. The ethnic, linguistic, and religious diversity is what defines the country. Indonesia’s tourism industry is the fastest-growing in Southeast Asia with most foreign visitors coming from other Asian countries or Australia. Both the country’s cultural as well as natural heritage attract tourists.

According to the 2010 census, 87.18% of the population is Muslim, 9.91% is Christian, 1.69% is Hindu, and less than 1% are Buddhist or Confucian. However, as agnosticism and atheism are not recognized by the state, the actual numbers could differ.

Ketoprak

Indonesia is special to vegans because it brought us the amazing ingredient tempeh made from fermented soy. Unfortunately, I couldn’t include a tempeh-based recipe among these vegan Ramadan recipes because tempeh is quite difficult to get here in Greece. Instead, I am making a tofu and noodle dish from Jakarta.

• 600g tofu in cubes
• 1 pack rice noodles
• 200g mung bean sprouts
• coconut oil
• 2 sliced cucumbers
• 5 cloves of garlic
• 4 teaspoons sambal oelek (make sure to get a vegan one)
• 4 tablespoons peanut butter
• 150ml water
• half a teaspoon salt
• brown sugar
• soy sauce

1. The tofu should be washed, drained, and dried with a paper towel.
2. Heat coconut oil on medium heat, fry tofu until golden and drain.
3. Blanch the bean sprouts.
4. Fry garlic in coconut oil.
5. Blend garlic, peanut butter, and sambal oelek.
6. Add boiling water, salt, and one teaspoon of brown sugar. Whisk sauce until smooth.
7. Cook noodles.
8. Mix equal amounts of brown sugar and soy sauce. Cook until the sugar has dissolved.
9. Top noodles with cucumber, tofu, sprouts, and both sauces.

Iran

Oh, Iran! It’s been a long-time dream of mine to visit this beautiful country with magical architecture and warm-hearted people. But the situation there hasn’t exactly been stable recently. Iran (ایران in Persian) is home to one of the world’s oldest civilizations. The First Persian Empire was one of the largest in world history. Today, it’s an authoritarian theocracy.

Zoroastrianism was the major religion until the Arab invasion of Iran. Today, Islam is the state religion. According to the 2011 census, 99.38% of the population is Muslim, and there are small minorities of Christians, Jews, and Zoroastrians. However, since not all religions are recognized by the state, the actual numbers could differ. Bahais, for example, face discrimination in Iran. Iran has the highest number of Shia Muslims in the world.

آش حبوبات (Legume Soup)

I love Persian food, but finding vegan Persian food can be a bit tricky. In my many years of being vegetarian, I’ve had friends cook extraordinary vegetarian Persian food for me, but for this post on vegan Ramadan recipes, I wanted something quick and nutritious. I found this amazing legume soup on My Persian Kitchen which has a lot of Persian vegetarian food, but you will see that Iranian vegetarian food often contains yogurt.

The herbs are what gives Persian cuisine its unique and delicious flavor so please don’t substitute them. Let me know what other Persian vegan food you can think of that I should make!

• 200g mixed legumes
• 1 diced onion
• 6 cloves minced garlic
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• 2.5l water
• 500g chopped spinach (I’m using frozen actually)
• one and a half bunches parsley, chopped
• one and a half bunches coriander, chopped
• 50g chives, chopped
• 25g mint, chopped
• oil
• salt
• pepper
• 1 red onion, halved and sliced
• dried mint

1. Soak the legumes overnight.
2. Sauté onion and garlic in oil until translucent.
3. Add turmeric, mix, and add legumes and water.
4. Bring to a boil, cover, and cook for 1.5 hours.
5. Add spinach, fresh herbs, salt, and pepper.
6. Cook covered on medium heat for 2 hours.
7. Sauté red onion in oil until golden.
8. Add dried mint and sauté until onion is crispy.
9. Top soup with fried onion.

Iraq

Iraq (العراق in Arabic, عێراق in Kurdish) is part of what used to be Mesopotamia, known as the most ancient human civilization. The country has a very rich history in pre-Islamic and Islamic times. In recent times, the country has suffered during wars and invasions. The tourism industry is growing with pilgrimages making up the biggest percentage. But the country also has four UNESCO World Heritage sites.

According to the CIA World Factbook, 95-98% of the population is Muslim, 1% Christian, 1-4% belong to other religions. Most Muslims are Shia Muslims.

سلطة عراقية (Iraqi Salad)

When I found this Iraqi salad recipe on I Dream of Sesame, I wanted to include it in these vegan Ramadan recipes for one specific reason: the beets. I’m not the biggest fan of beets, but we still have some cooked beets at home, and I’m glad to be able to use them in this recipe.

• 200g chickpeas
• 200g cooked beets, diced
• 1 diced cucumber
• 2 diced tomatoes
• juice of 1.5 lemons
• 2 tablespoons white vinegar
• half a bunch of parsley, chopped
• mint
• salt

1. Soak chickpeas overnight and cook until tender.
2. Mix chickpeas, cucumber, tomatoes, and herbs.
3. Combine lemon juice, vinegar, and salt, and add to salad.
4. Add beets and mix.

Jordan

Jordan, or الأردن‎ in Arabic, is a monarchy where Islam is the state religion. According to the CIA World Factbook, 97.2% of the Jordanian population are Muslims, 2.2% are Christians, 0.4% are Buddhists, and 0.1% are Hindus. The vast majority of Muslims are Sunnis.

I had a fantastic time exploring the southern region of the country last year and have a whole post on why you should travel to Jordan. It was definitely one of the most impressive trips I’ve ever been on, though traveling in Jordan as a vegan was a bit difficult.

حمص بطحينة (Chickpeas with Tahini)

I couldn’t make list of vegan Ramadan recipes without mentioning hummus. So here’s the thing, hummus actually means “chickpeas” so please stop with all the “sweet potato hummus,” “lentil hummus,” “beet hummus” and other things. Call them dips or something else, but they’re not hummus. Chickpeas with tahini is what you want if you talk about hummus.

• 400g peeled chickpeas (here in Greece, you can buy peeled chickpeas, if you can’t find them peel them yourself)
• 4 tablespoons tahini (I use wholemeal)
• juice of 2.5 lemons
• 3 crushed garlic cloves
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• 1 teaspoon cumin
• olive oil
• paprika
• parsley

1. Soak chickpeas overnight and cook until tender. Keep some of the cooking water.
2. Blend tahini and lemon juice. Add garlic, salt, and cumin.
3. Add chickpeas and some of their cooking liquid. Blend until smooth.
4. Top with olive oil, paprika, and parsley.

Lebanon

Lebanon (لبنان in Arabic) is a multi-religious and multi-ethnic country in Western Asia. The country has a rich history and culture, and its capital Beirut used to be known as the Paris of the Middle East. But the country suffered from civil war and wars with neighboring countries. Today, Beirut is one of the centers of Arabic pop music with three Lebanese superstars, Nancy Ajram, Elissa, and Najwa Karam, making the top 5 of Forbes’ Arab Celebrity 100 list.

According to a 2012 report from Statistics Lebanon, 54% of the population is Muslim (split equally among Shia and Sunni Muslims), 40.4% is Christian (mainly Maronite), and 5.6% is Druze. Religion is a sensitive subject in Lebanon, and interfaith marriages often have to be conducted in nearby Cyprus as marriage is handled by religious authorities in Lebanon. The Lebanese president must be a Maronite as per the Lebanese constitution.

تبولة‎

Lebanon is known all over the Middle East for its excellent cuisine. But the best thing to come out of Lebanon in terms of food must be tabbouleh. This refreshing parsley salad is a side dish that you could for example combine with leftovers of any of the other vegan Ramadan recipes from this post. For insight on which Lebanese dishes are vegan by default check out this guide to vegan Lebanese food.

• 4 bunches parsley, chopped
• 1 bunch mint, chopped
• 1 chopped cucumber
• 5 chopped tomatoes
• 1 chopped onion
• 5 tablespoons fine bulgur (there are four types of bulgur, you want the fine one)
• 7 tablespoons olive oil
• juice of 3 lemons
• half a teaspoon salt

1. Dry the chopped ingredients on paper towels.
2. Mix olive oil, lemon juice, and salt.
3. Combine all the ingredients.

Make sure to eat this vegan Lebanese dish quickly so as to not let it get soggy.

Malaysia

Malaysia is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country in Southeast Asia. The country’s tourism sector has been fluctuating. Most visitors are from Asia. Major attractions are the UNESCO World Heritage sites, islands, beaches, and national parks. Medical tourism and ecotourism are on the rise.

According to the 2010 census, 61.3% of the population is Muslim, 19.8% Buddhist, 9.2% Christian, 6.3% Hindu, and the remainder follow traditional Chinese religions. However, although Malaysia is a secular country, minority Muslim groups, such as Shia Muslims, but especially atheists face discrimination.

Kari Tahu (Tofu Curry)

I didn’t want to overuse meat replacements in these vegan Ramadan recipes, but I feel like a nice tofu curry would be the perfect addition to this list. It goes perfectly with rice.

• 2 tablespoons coconut oil
• 1 diced onion
• 3 diced chili peppers
• 4 tablespoons curry powder
• 800g tofu
• 500ml water
• 1 tomato, cut in chunks
• 2 potatoes, cut in chunks
• 250ml coconut milk
• salt

1. Heat oil and sauté onions until translucent.
2. Add chili peppers and curry, mix, and add tofu.
3. Fry the tofu until it gets your preferred consistency. (I like it crunchier, but some people prefer it softer.)
4. Set aside.
5. Bring water to a boil and add tomato and potatoes.
6. Cover and simmer until potatoes are tender.
7. Add coconut milk, salt, and tofu, and simmer for a few more minutes.

Pakistan

Pakistan (پاکستان in Urdu) is an Islamic republic in South Asia. It’s a multi-ethnic and multilingual country but was created as a Muslim-majority state. The tourism industry in Pakistan is growing steadily. In particular, its mountain scenery attracts adventure travelers, but the many UNESCO World Heritage sites are gaining in popularity.

According to the Pakistani government, 96.5% of the population is Muslim (although they count Ahmadis separately), 1.85% is Hindu, 1.59% is Christian. Although the Pakistani constitution guarantees religious freedom religious minorities face severe discrimination.

مسور کی دال (Red Lentils)

When I asked a Pakistani friend for ideas for Pakistani vegan Ramadan recipes she suggested making a daal. Since I’m a big fan of red lentils I’m making this red lentil recipe by Pakistan Eats. It’s perfect with rice. If you want more, my friend Amna put together some simple Pakistani iftar recipes you can try.

• 200g red lentils
• 500ml water
• 3 teaspoon chili flakes
• half a teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 1 onion, halved and sliced
• 4 tablespoons sunflower oil

1. Wash the lentils.
2. Bring lentils, water, and spices to a boil.
3. Lower the heat and let simmer for 10 minutes.
4. Add more water and continue to simmer to reach the consistency you want.
5. Heat oil and sauté onion until golden.
6. Top dal with onions and oil.

Palestine

Palestine (فلسطين in Arabic) is recognized by the majority of UN member states. However, dominant international players such as Canada, the US, Australia, New Zealand, Japan, South Korea, and most Western European countries (with the exception of Iceland, Sweden, and Malta) do not recognize the State of Palestine.

According to 2018 estimates, 79% of Palestinians are Muslim, 20% are Christian, and 1% are Druze and Samaritans, but some estimates see a significantly lower percentage of Christians. Religious sites are Palestine’s major tourist attraction, and North American and European Christians make up the majority of visitors.

شوربة العدس (Lentil Soup)

While most of the recipes in this post are eaten throughout the year, this lentil soup by Kitchen of Palestine is a traditional Ramadan dish so it absolutely deserves a mention when speaking about vegan Ramadan recipes.

• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 3 chopped onions
• 200g red lentils
• 1.5l water
• 2 Knorr vegetable stock pots
• 1 tablespoon cumin
• 1 teaspoon turmeric
• juice of half a lemon
• salt
• chopped parsley

1. Wash the lentils.
2. Sauté the onions in olive oil over medium heat until golden.
3. Add lentils and sauté for 2 minutes.
4. Add water and vegetable stock.
5. Reduce heat and simmer covered for an hour.
6. Add cumin, turmeric, salt, and lemon juice.
7. Blend with an immersion blender.
8. Top with parsley.

Syria

Syria (سوريا in Arabic) is a multi-ethnic and multi-religious country in Western Asia with a very old history. In fact, Damascus and Aleppo are among the oldest continuously inhabited cities in the world. The ongoing Syrian Civil War has turned the country into one of the most dangerous countries in the world. Tourism has suffered tremendously because many important sites have been destroyed, and all UNESCO World Heritage sites in the country are in danger.

According to a 2017 survey, 70.7% of Syrians are Muslim, 16.1% are Christian, and 1.2% are Druze. 9.8% of people answered the question of religion by stating they are secularists.

طنبورة (Tamboora)

While looking for vegan Ramadan recipes for this post, I was lucky to find this Tamboora recipe by Omayah Cooks which she posted earlier this month. It seems perfect for iftaar with Arabic pita.

• 200g black-eyed peas
• 450g spinach (I use frozen spinach)
• 2 sliced leeks
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• juice of 2 lemons
• 6 cloves garlic, crushed
• olive oil
• salt
• pepper

1. Soak black-eyed peas overnight.
2. Boil black-eyed peas in salted water for 15 minutes.
3. Heat olive oil over medium heat.
4. Add leeks, black-eyed peas, spinach, salt, and pepper.
5. Cook covered for 30 minutes.
6. Mix lemon juice and garlic with more olive oil.
7. Mix everything.

This sounds amazing, and we still have some leeks that are on their way out so this is going to be the first of these vegan Ramadan recipes that I’m going to make.

Turkmenistan

Turkmenistan (Türkmenistan in Turkmen) is one of the countries I’ve dreamed of ever since childhood. You see, Bulgarian Turks trace their roots to the Central Asian region that is home to Turkmenistan, Kazakhstan, Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, Uzbekistan, and even Azerbaijan, so I have heard many stories about this region growing up. It’s a region that we are almost magically drawn to. But tourism is not particularly strong in the country despite three UNESCO World Heritage sites, several beach resorts on the Caspian Sea, and an interesting wildlife in the desert.

According to the CIA World Factbook, 93% of the population is Muslim and 6% is Christian. But Islam is more of a cultural heritage, and people are not particularly religious.

Batyrma

Batyrma is a vegetable stew which you eat by dipping bread into it. It seems like an interesting addition to these vegan Ramadan recipes because Central Asia is not known to be particularly vegan- or vegetarian-friendly. So if you find yourself traveling to Turkmenistan as a vegan you can always ask for batyrma (but make sure they use vegetable oil).

• 6 tablespoons oil
• 1 onion, halved and sliced
• 3 chopped peppers (the recipe on One Turkmen Kitchen calls for bell peppers, but I prefer the sweetness of sweet pointed peppers)
• 1 chopped eggplant
• 2 chopped potatoes
• 6 chopped tomatoes
• 2 chopped garlic cloves
• 1.5 teaspoons salt
• chili flakes

1. Heat the oil and sauté the onion over medium heat.
2. Add peppers, eggplant, and potatoes. Sauté for 5 minutes.
3. Add tomatoes, garlic, salt, and chili flakes.
4. Cover and cook for 30 minutes.

Uzbekistan

Uzbekistan (Oʻzbekiston in Uzbek) is home to glorious cities like Samarkand and Bukhara which played a huge role during the Islamic Golden Age. The fabulous architecture puts it very high on my list of places to see and attracts more and more tourists every year.

According to the CIA World Factbook, 88% of the population is Muslim, 9% is Christian, and the remainder belong to other groups or are not religious.

Achichiq Chuchuk

When I thought of putting together this list of vegan Ramadan recipes from the Muslim World I wanted to include some countries that are not on every list of “Muslim countries.” What constitutes a “Muslim country” has a lot to do with Orientalism which is a problem in travel blogging. So here’s a simple and delicious salad called achichiq chuchuk by The Art of Uzbek Cuisine.

• 2 chopped tomatoes
• 2 chopped cucumbers
• 1 chopped onion
• chopped coriander
• salt

1. Mix everything and season with salt.

It’s a perfect salad to balance out a heavier dish you may have for iftaar.

Vegan Ramadan Recipes from Europe

The European countries in which Islam is indigenous and where the Muslim population makes up at least 15% of the population are Bulgaria, Montenegro, Makedonia, Bosnia, Albania, Kosovo, and Turkey. Now, obviously, Turkey is located in both Europe and Asia so it could go in both sections. But as all of these countries share very similar cultures and cuisines I decided to add Turkey to the European group. A more accurate description would be Balkan rather than European, to be honest.

Albania

Albania (Shqipëria in Albanian) is a secular country in the Balkans. Religious affiliation is difficult to estimate in a country that was formerly officially atheist. According to the most recent census of 2011, 58.79% of the population are Muslims, 16.99% Christians. The rest of the population either don’t wish to declare any religion or are not affiliated with one, some of them are atheists. However, the census has been criticized by minorities as not being very representative so let’s take these numbers with a grain of salt.

That being said, Albania is a very open-minded country, and one of the reasons I loved Tirana so much is that you can see mosques and churches within walking distance from each other.

Fasule (Beans)

Beans are a staple in so many cuisines, but this Albanian recipe is the only one of these 30 vegan Ramadan recipes that uses navy beans. Navy beans are some of the healthiest beans out there so don’t skip this delicious recipe.

• 500g navy beans
• 1.5l water
• 2 chopped onions
• 1 sliced stalk of celery
• 2 sliced carrots
• 2 bay leaves
• chopped parsley
• tomato puree
• salt

1. Soak beans overnight.
2. Bring beans to boil in fresh water.
3. Add celery, carrots, bay leaves, and half the chopped onion.
4. Simmer for 2.5-3 hours.
5. Sauté the rest of the onion and add tomato puree.
6. Add sauce to soup, add salt, and simmer for 5 more minutes.
7. Top with parsley.

Bosnia and Herzegovina

Religion is a sensitive subject in Bosnia and Herzegovina (Bosna i Hercegovina in Bosnian). It is tied closely to ethnicity, but census numbers are not considered representative by some groups. According to a Pew Research Center study, 52% of the population are Muslims, 35% Orthodox, and 8% Catholic with additional minority religions and people who are not affiliated with any religion making up the remainder.

The country consists of two entities: the Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina (inhabited mainly by Muslims and Catholics) and the Republika Srpska where most of the Serbs live. The segregation of schools draws heavy criticism from students themselves. But the capital Sarajevo as the Jerusalem of the Balkans due to its diversity and attracts more and more tourists every year.

Đuveč

Đuveč is a vegan rice dish that differs from the Turkish güveç, the Bulgarian гювеч, or the Greek γιουβέτσι. In most other countries it’s a meat stew that doesn’t contain rice, whereas in the former Yugoslav countries its main ingredient is rice. In any case, it’s a light side dish you can eat with leftovers of some of the other vegan Ramadan recipes in this post.

• 250g rice
• 500ml vegetable broth
• 1 chopped onion
• 1 chopped bell pepper
• 1 chopped carrot
• 4 minced garlic cloves
• 2 chopped tomatoes
• 100g peas
• 2 teaspoons paprika
• 1 teaspoon chili flakes
• 2 tablespoons olive oil
• salt
• pepper
• chopped parsley

1. Heat oil over medium heat.
2. Sauté onion, pepper, and carrot until softened.
3. Add garlic and tomatoes and cook for 5 minutes.
4. Add rice, peas, and spices.
5. Add broth and bring to a boil.
6. Lower heat and cook covered for 15 minutes, stirring regularly.
7. Add salt and pepper, and top with parsley.

Bulgaria

Bulgaria (България in Bulgarian) is a secular country in the Balkans. Due to the repression of minorities, official census numbers are to be taken with a grain of salt. For example, while the 2011 census states that only 7.9% of the population are Muslims, the Pew Research Center gives different numbers. According to their study, 76% are Christians, 15% Muslims, and the remainder are not affiliated with any religion.

As Bulgaria has a history of ethnic cleansing against Turks as well as enormous discrimination against Roma (who are traditionally Muslim), people are often unwilling to declare their religion or ethnicity to the authorities, making the independent Pew Research Center numbers more realistic.

If you ever find yourself in the capital make sure to try one of the vegan and vegetarian restaurants in Sofia.

Таратор (Tarator)

As you see, I tried to keep these vegan Ramadan recipes free from too many vegan substitutes. Some meat and milk substitutes can be difficult to find in parts of the world, especially now with the current lockdown in many countries. But I couldn’t make a list of vegan Ramadan recipes without adding a traditional dish from Bulgaria where my father was from.

Tarator is a yoghurt soup, so I have to use a vegan yoghurt. I want something very neutral so coconut is not an option, and my body doesn’t react well to soy. Almond would be a great choice, but the local vegan store currently had lupine yoghurt which I really wanted to try.

Tarator usually includes dill which I hate so I left it out, but feel free to add some. Tarator is a traditional summer dish so would work especially well for those spending Ramadan in hot climates.

• 1 long cucumber, grated (you could use up to 3)
• 10 crushed garlic cloves
• 1kg plant yoghurt (I’m using lupine)
• 250ml water
• 25 crushed walnut halves
• 4 tablespoons olive oil
• 1 teaspoon salt

1. Mix all the ingredients.
2. Serve cold.

Macedonia

Macedonia (Македонија in Macedonian, Maqedonia in Albanian) recently had to rename itself North Macedonia due to pressure from neighboring Greece. According to a survey by Ipsos MORI, 70.7% of the population are Christians and 28.6% are Muslims. Most Muslims in the country are Albanians, followed by Turks.

Macedonia is one of the country’s which attracts more foreign tourists than locals. Most tourists come from other countries in the region such as Turkey, Greece, and Serbia. Lake Ohrid is exceptionally popular with tourists which leads me to the second-to-last of these vegan Ramadan recipes.

Охридско Макало (Makalo from Ohrid)

Makalo is a garlic dip similar to Catalan allioli. It’s a delicious dip you could eat with some grilled vegetables. This is a big batch by Western standards so you can make less if you want. This is the lazy version and uses a blender. Traditionally, one would use a mortar and pestle for this.

• 3 heads of garlic, crushed
• 5 tablespoons vinegar
• 500ml sunflower oil
• salt

1. Add garlic, salt, and vinegar to blender. Blend for 2 minutes.
2. Add oil very slowly until you get a mayonnaise-like consistency.

It’s really important to add the oil slowly. The process could last up to several hours depending on how much you make. But once you’re done it can easily accompany some other vegan Ramadan recipes.

Turkey

Turkey (Türkiye in Turkish) is officially a secular country, but the way in which the government handles religion has been criticized by many. For example, the state registers anyone as Muslim if neither parent belongs to another officially recognized religion. This leads to the government stating that 99% of the population are Muslims while an Ipsos survey found only 82% of those surveyed to be Muslim. The majority of Muslims are Sunnis, but a significant part of the population is Alevi.

Turkey is one of the world’s most popular tourist destinations in the world with most tourists coming from Europe or Asia. Its major attractions are the various historical sites and the multitude of beach resorts.

Simit

For the final addition to these vegan Ramadan recipes, I wanted to make something that is an ideal option for suhoor. Simit is a round bread that reminds me of my childhood where, despite the simple ingredients, I always saw it as a treat. Upon moving to Greece, I was disappointed to find out that the Greek equivalent is much drier than the fluffy variety I was used to.

They get a hint of sweetness from grape syrup which I cannot find here so I’m using date syrup instead. I have based this recipe on the one by Healthy on Greens. For more vegan Turkish recipes you can get Vegan Meets Turkish Kitchen by Seda Dayıoğlu on BookShop.

• 500g flour
• 1 pack of yeast
• 150ml lukewarm water
• 100ml lukewarm plant milk (I’m using almond)
• 100ml sunflower oil
• 1 teaspoon sugar
• 1 teaspoon salt
• 2 tablespoons apple cider vinegar
• 200g sesame seeds
• 2 tablespoons date syrup
• 2 tablespoons water

1. Dissolve the yeast in lukewarm water and let sit for a few minutes.
2. Add flour, yeast mixture, plant milk, oil, sugar, salt, and apple cider vinegar to a bowl.
3. Knead until dough becomes smooth, not sticky. Add more flour if needed.
4. Rub a little bit of oil in your hands and form a ball out of the dough.
5. Cover and let sit for 45 minutes until dough has risen and doubled in size.
6. Mix syrup and water in a bowl.
7. Turn dough into 15-20 smaller balls, roll them into tubes less than an inch thick.
8. Turn the tubes into a ring, pinching the ends together. (You can twist them before closing them.)
9. Dip each ring into syrup-water mix and then into sesame.
10. Place rings on baking tray with baking paper.
11. Cover and let rise for an additional 15 minutes.
12. Preheat oven to 175°C.
13. Bake for 15 minutes.

So there you go! 30 vegan Ramadan recipes from various parts of the Muslim world. Please try them out and let me know which of these vegan Ramadan recipes is your favorite.