Can We Eat Rasmalai in Vrat? A Guide to Fasting-Friendly Desserts

December 8, 2025 •

4 min read

Dairy products like milk and paneer are generally allowed during Hindu fasts, but the permissibility of prepared sweets like rasmalai depends on specific fasting rules and ingredients. This makes answering 'can we eat rasmalai in vrat?' a nuanced process, as it relies on adherence to dietary restrictions.

Quick Summary

This guide determines if rasmalai is permissible during Hindu fasts, explaining key ingredients to check and how to make a safe, homemade version for festivals like Navratri or Janmashtami.

Key Points

Homemade is Safest: Store-bought rasmalai can contain non-vrat ingredients; homemade versions guarantee compliance.
Vrat-Friendly Ingredients: Rasmalai made with milk, paneer, and nuts is typically allowed during fasts like Navratri.
Ekadashi Exception: Some traditions prohibit fermented milk products on Ekadashi, making rasmalai unsuitable for this specific fast.
Use Rock Salt: Regular iodized salt is not allowed; only rock salt (sendha namak) should be used for seasoning and in the sugar syrup.
Check the Sweetener: Opt for permitted sweeteners like rock sugar (mishri) instead of refined white sugar for a compliant dessert.
Avoid Non-Compliant Binders: If a binder is needed for the chenna discs, use arrowroot flour (ararot) instead of prohibited options like cornflour or wheat flour.

Is Rasmalai Truly Vrat-Friendly?

For many devotees observing a vrat, or fast, the desire for a sweet treat is common. Rasmalai, a beloved Indian dessert, often comes to mind. At its core, rasmalai is made from chenna (a form of fresh, soft cottage cheese or paneer) and malai (clotted cream). Both milk and dairy products are widely considered sattvic (pure) and are permitted during most Hindu fasts, especially those observed for festivals like Navratri. The core components of rasmalai, including milk, saffron, cardamom, and nuts, align perfectly with typical fasting guidelines. However, the key to its vrat compliance lies entirely in the preparation and the other ingredients used.

Navigating Ingredient Restrictions

To ensure rasmalai is truly suitable for your fast, you must be meticulous about every single ingredient. Traditional fasts often prohibit regular iodized salt, grains like wheat and rice, pulses, and specific spices. This means scrutinizing store-bought versions or carefully preparing a homemade batch. A key concern is the use of non-compliant binders or additives that can be present in commercial preparations.

Permitted Vrat-Friendly Ingredients

Dairy Products: Milk, paneer (chenna), malai, ghee, and curd.
Sweeteners: Rock sugar (mishri) and sometimes jaggery.
Spices and Flavorings: Cardamom powder, saffron, and rose water.
Nuts and Fruits: All types of nuts (almonds, pistachios) and fresh fruits.
Leavening/Binders: Arrowroot flour (ararot) can be used as a binding agent instead of regular flour.
Salt: Only rock salt (sendha namak).

Ingredients to Avoid in Rasmalai

Refined Sugar: Standard white sugar is often avoided, though traditions vary.
Regular Salt: Strictly prohibited; always use sendha namak.
Grain-Based Binders: Wheat flour (maida), cornflour, or semolina (suji) are not permitted.
Certain Spices: Turmeric, asafoetida, and mustard seeds are typically avoided.
Additives and Preservatives: Found in many packaged foods, these are generally not suitable for fasting.

Homemade vs. Store-Bought: The Vrat Perspective

To guarantee your dessert is compliant, making it from scratch is the safest route. Store-bought rasmalai, even if seemingly innocent, can contain prohibited ingredients.


Feature	Homemade Rasmalai	Store-Bought Rasmalai
Ingredients	You control every ingredient, ensuring all are vrat-compliant.	May contain hidden ingredients like regular salt, refined sugar, or non-vrat binders.
Purity	Highest level of purity, free from preservatives and artificial additives.	May contain preservatives, flavorings, and colors not suitable for fasting.
Flavor	Fresh, authentic flavor; can be customized to your preference.	Taste can be artificial or less fresh due to processing and packaging.
Process	More time-consuming, but the reward is a guaranteed vrat-friendly dish.	Quick and convenient, but comes with the risk of breaking your fast unknowingly.

Making Vrat-Friendly Rasmalai at Home

Creating a fast-friendly rasmalai is straightforward once you know the right ingredients. The key is to make your own chenna and use only permitted items.

Prepare the Chenna: Bring full-fat milk to a boil and curdle it using lemon juice or vinegar diluted in water. Strain the curds through a muslin cloth, rinse to remove any citrus taste, and squeeze out excess water. Knead the chenna until it is smooth and lump-free.
Shape the Discs: Roll small portions of the chenna into balls and flatten them slightly to form discs.
Cook the Discs: Prepare a sugar syrup using water and rock sugar (mishri). Once boiling, add the discs and cook until they swell and become spongy.
Prepare the Malai: Reduce milk on low heat, adding saffron and cardamom for flavor. Sweeten it with rock sugar. Some recipes use condensed milk, but be sure it's vrat-compliant.
Assemble and Chill: Gently squeeze the syrup from the cooked chenna discs and immerse them in the prepared malai. Garnish with permitted nuts and chill before serving.

Exceptions: Ekadashi and Other Strict Fasts

While rasmalai is suitable for many fasts like Navratri, there are exceptions. Some traditions forbid all fermented milk products, including paneer or chenna, on specific days like Ekadashi. Followers of these stricter fasting rules should avoid rasmalai entirely on those days. This highlights the importance of understanding your family's or community's specific fasting customs. For a detailed guide on fasts like Navratri, you can visit a health resource like the Medanta patient education blog.

Vrat-Friendly Alternatives to Rasmalai

If rasmalai is off the menu, several other dairy-based desserts are equally delicious and fast-friendly:

Makhana Kheer: A pudding made with foxnuts, milk, and rock sugar.
Sabudana Kheer: A sweet pudding made from tapioca pearls.
Shrikhand: A sweet dish made from strained yogurt, fruits, and nuts.
Coconut Ladoo: Simple ladoos made with fresh coconut, milk, and rock sugar.

Conclusion

In short, you can eat rasmalai in vrat, but only if you prepare it at home with compliant ingredients. This means using sendha namak, rock sugar, and avoiding any processed or grain-based additives. While dairy is generally allowed, being cautious about the specific ingredients and the type of fast (especially stricter ones like Ekadashi) is crucial. When in doubt, always stick to a homemade recipe to ensure your sweet treat honors your fasting vows properly.

Frequently Asked Questions

It is not recommended to consume store-bought rasmalai during a fast, as it may contain ingredients like refined sugar, regular salt, or non-compliant binders and preservatives.

During a fast, rock sugar (mishri) is the preferred sweetener. Some traditions may also permit jaggery, but refined white sugar is typically avoided.

Yes, paneer or chenna, a dairy product, is generally allowed in most fasts, such as Navratri. However, some stricter fasts like Ekadashi may prohibit fermented dairy, so traditions should be followed.

No, regular iodized table salt is not permitted during most fasts. You must use rock salt (sendha namak) as a substitute.

Yes, it is possible and recommended to make rasmalai without refined flour or cornflour. A safe, vrat-compliant alternative for binding the chenna is arrowroot flour (ararot).

Many other sweets are vrat-friendly, including makhana kheer, sabudana kheer, coconut ladoo, and fruit salad, as long as they are prepared with compliant ingredients.

Individuals who are pregnant, ill, or have underlying health conditions should consult a doctor before fasting. They should prioritize their health and may need to opt for lighter, nutrient-rich fasting alternatives like fruits and milk.