Is Kaju Katli Allowed for Fasting?

November 20, 2025 •

4 min read

According to Hindu traditions, cashews, the main ingredient in kaju katli, are generally permitted during many fasts, including Navratri. The question of whether kaju katli is allowed for fasting, however, depends on the preparation method and other ingredients, with traditional recipes often being acceptable.

Quick Summary

The permissibility of kaju katli during a fast hinges on its ingredients. While cashews and sugar are typically allowed, modern recipes sometimes use milk solids (khoya) or preservatives that are not considered satvik. Homemade or specially prepared versions without prohibited ingredients are the safest option for observing a vrat.

Key Points

Permissibility Varies: Whether kaju katli is allowed during a fast depends on the specific rules of the vrat and the recipe's ingredients.
Homemade is Safest: The most reliable way to ensure kaju katli is fast-friendly is to prepare it at home using only permissible ingredients like cashews, sugar, and water.
Avoid Milk Solids: Commercially produced kaju katli might contain milk powder (khoya), an ingredient some fasters avoid, especially those following stricter regimens.
Cashews Are Allowed: The main ingredient, cashews, are considered falahar (fruit-based) and are generally permitted during most fasts.
Check for Additives: When buying from a store, look for preservatives or non-satvik ingredients in the label, which are common in processed foods and not suitable for fasting.
Alternative Sweeteners: For stricter fasts, or if you prefer, jaggery can be used instead of sugar in homemade versions.
Mindful Consumption: The spiritual aspect of fasting emphasizes purity of mind and body; consuming kaju katli prepared with pure ingredients aligns with this principle.

Understanding Fasting Rules for Sweets

Fasting, or vrat, in the Hindu tradition is a spiritual practice of purification and devotion. The dietary rules for fasting can vary significantly depending on the occasion, regional customs, and the individual's personal beliefs. A central principle for many fasts is the consumption of satvik food—pure, wholesome, and easy-to-digest items—while avoiding grains, legumes, and tamasic (heavy, heat-inducing) foods like onion and garlic. This is where the query, "Is kaju katli allowed for fasting?" arises.

The Ingredients that Matter

To determine if kaju katli is appropriate for a fast, one must first examine its ingredients. The traditional, minimalist recipe for kaju katli involves only cashews, sugar, and water. Cashews are nuts, not grains, and are widely accepted during most fasts. Sugar is also generally permitted, though some strict fasts might use jaggery or honey instead. However, modern, commercially produced kaju katli can contain additional ingredients that are not permissible during a vrat.

Cashews (Kaju): As a type of nut, cashews are considered falahar (fruit-based food) and are a great source of energy during a fast.
Sugar: White sugar is typically allowed, but those observing a stricter fast might opt for a natural sweetener or check for the type of sugar used in store-bought sweets.
Milk Solids (Khoya or Milk Powder): This is a critical point of distinction. While milk and dairy products like paneer and ghee are often permitted during fasts, khoya or milk powder, which is a key ingredient in many barfi recipes, might be avoided by strict fasters. Some kaju katli recipes include milk powder to give it a richer texture.
Silver Leaf (Varak): The edible silver foil often used for decoration is generally considered safe, but some with very strict purity standards may choose to avoid it.
Additives and Preservatives: Processed foods are typically avoided during fasts. Commercially produced sweets often contain preservatives that are not satvik.

Making a Fast-Friendly Kaju Katli

For those who want to be certain their sweet is compliant, the safest route is to prepare kaju katli at home. A homemade version ensures all ingredients are vetted and pure. For instance, recipes that use only cashews, water, and sugar are inherently suitable for most fasts.

One can also find special fast-friendly recipes that might substitute some ingredients or follow a 'no-cook' method to avoid potential contaminants. These versions focus on the core components that are unanimously accepted for a vrat.

List of Fast-Friendly Ingredients for Kaju Katli:
- Cashew nuts
- Sugar (or jaggery)
- Water
- Ghee (clarified butter)
- Cardamom powder
List of Ingredients to Avoid in Kaju Katli (if fasting strictly):
- Milk powder or khoya
- Artificial flavorings
- Chemical preservatives
- Regular table salt (if using any salt)

Comparison: Fast-Friendly Kaju Katli vs. Regular Kaju Katli


Feature	Fast-Friendly Kaju Katli	Regular (Commercial) Kaju Katli
Key Ingredients	Cashews, sugar, water, ghee, cardamom	Cashews, sugar, water, often includes milk powder (khoya), preservatives, and silver leaf
Sattvik Status	Yes, if made with approved ingredients	Varies; often contains non-satvik additives
Purity	High; prepared at home with rock salt (sendha namak) if needed	Lower; uses common salt and potential additives
Flavor	Naturally rich cashew flavor	Can have a more milky, khoya-like taste
Texture	Soft and slightly chewy, pure cashew flavor	Can be fudgier or drier depending on milk solids

Types of Fasts and Kaju Katli

Different types of fasts have varying levels of strictness, which can influence whether kaju katli is a permissible food item.

Full Fast (Waterless): In a Nirjala or waterless fast, no food or water is consumed. Kaju katli is obviously not allowed in this case.
Fruit-Based Fast (Phalahar): A fruit-based fast typically allows fruits, nuts, and dairy. A traditional kaju katli recipe with cashews and sugar fits within these guidelines.
Grain-Free Fast: Many fasts, such as those during Navratri, prohibit regular grains like wheat and rice. Since kaju katli is grain-free, it is often permitted for these fasts.

Conclusion

To conclude, the short answer to "Is kaju katli allowed for fasting?" is yes, but with a crucial caveat: its suitability depends on the recipe and preparation. Traditional, homemade kaju katli using only cashews, sugar, and water is widely considered a permissible food during many fasts, including Navratri. However, commercially made versions may contain ingredients like milk powder or preservatives that are not considered satvik. To be absolutely certain, especially for strict fasts, it is best to prepare the sweet at home or find a confirmed fast-friendly recipe.

Kaju Katli: A Fasting-Friendly Guide

If you want to enjoy kaju katli during your fast, here is a practical guide to ensure it adheres to your dietary restrictions:

Read Labels Carefully: If buying from a store, scrutinize the ingredients list for milk solids, cornflour, or preservatives that may not be allowed.
Make It Homemade: The safest option is to make kaju katli from scratch using only cashews, water, and sugar. This eliminates any doubt about non-permissible ingredients.
Choose the Right Sweetener: While sugar is fine for most, consider using jaggery or a natural, fast-friendly sweetener for a stricter fast.
Omit the Garnish: For an extra layer of caution, skip the edible silver leaf (varak) and opt for a sprinkle of cardamom powder instead.
Serve with Confidence: By following these steps, you can enjoy a delicious, homemade kaju katli that is compliant with most fasting traditions and satisfies your sweet craving.

By staying mindful of the ingredients, devotees can enjoy this beloved sweet without compromising their spiritual practice during a fast. For a simple and trustworthy vegan recipe, check out Veganuary's Kaju Katli guide: https://veganuary.com/en-in/recipes/kaju-katli/.

Final Fasting Thoughts

Ultimately, the spirit of fasting is devotion and purity. Enjoying a treat like kaju katli mindfully, prepared with the right intentions and ingredients, can be a rewarding part of your fast. It provides a source of energy from the cashews, helps manage cravings, and can be offered as a pure offering to the deity.

Frequently Asked Questions

Yes, cashews are generally allowed during many fasts. They are considered a fruit-based food (falahar) and are an approved source of energy and nutrition during a fast.

Some kaju katli recipes, particularly commercial ones, include ingredients like milk powder (khoya), which is not considered satvik by some fasters. Additionally, regular salt, preservatives, or other additives might be used, which are typically avoided during a vrat.

For most fasts, regular white sugar is acceptable. However, for a stricter fast, some individuals prefer to use natural sweeteners like jaggery or honey. For homemade kaju katli, either is usually fine.

The edible silver leaf (varak) is generally considered safe and optional. However, if you are observing a very strict fast focused on absolute purity, you might choose to skip the garnish to be certain.

Yes, kaju katli can be consumed during Navratri, provided it is made with fast-approved ingredients. A traditional, homemade version without milk solids and with sendha namak (rock salt) can be an ideal sweet option.

Kaju katli and kaju barfi are similar, but kaju barfi often includes milk solids (khoya), giving it a richer, fudgier texture. Kaju katli is typically thinner and made primarily with cashews and sugar, without milk solids.

Other sweets suitable for fasting include makhana kheer, fruit chaat, coconut barfi (made with permitted ingredients), and sweets made from fast-friendly flours like singhara (water chestnut) or kuttu (buckwheat).