Freezer-Friendly (Make-Ahead) Ramadan Recipes & Guide

Ramadan is coming up, and now is the perfect time to start thinking about how you can prepare for a smooth month ahead. Below you’ll find several make-ahead freezer-friendly recipes and ideas. I’ve also included tips on how you can freeze and reheat many of them.

I started getting wise about freezing a few months ago when I became a mom of two. I had to shed any food snobbery and really think about maximizing my time in the kitchen. What I found was that if you freeze the right things in the right way, there’s actually little to no detectable difference in the quality of most food.

Here are 3 helpful rules for Freezing:

1. Water expands when frozen, so any food that can take a little dehydration will freeze well. Most South Asian foods (curried meats, lentils, beans, etc.) fit into that category.
2. Reheat food in the way it was cooked. For example, curries reheat best on the stovetop since they were cooked there. An exception is – some foods (like banana bread) will lose too much moisture in the oven and it’s better to microwave them.
3. Air is not your friend. Remove air as much as possible from bags and containers.

Keep in mind, you don’t need to feel overwhelmed by the thought of planning and prepping. I’ve found the best way to meal prep is to just add it on to something I’m already doing. For example, if I’m making cookies, I just make a double batch and freeze half of them after forming balls of cookie dough.

Let’s begin!

Freezer-Friendly Suhoor Recipes:

• Parathas: Roll them out as you normally would, then place each uncooked paratha between parchment paper and freeze in an airtight container. When ready to cook, heat a pan over high heat and place the frozen paratha on the pan. Lower the heat to medium and cook, buttering and flipping as necessary.

Laccha Paratha

A paratha is a traditional South Asian unleavened flatbread. It’s similar to roti, but with ghee/butter is folded to form layers.

Check out this recipe

• Pancakes: Prepare and freeze between parchment paper in an airtight container or bag. Microwave for about 10-15 seconds and then pan-fry again to get them crispy.

Gluten-Free Blueberry Pancakes

This gluten-free blueberry pancakes recipe is perfect for a weekend brunch and is also a great recipe for kids!

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• Frittata: Freeze uncooked in a glass pan with a lid. When ready to bake, place from frozen into the oven and give some extra time to cook. I’ve tried (and loved) the recipe below with some extra red chili pepper.

Mushroom and Spinach Frittata | Ricardo

Ricardo’s recipes : Mushroom and Spinach Frittata

Check out this recipe

• Baked goods: Most baked goods freeze very well as long as they’re tightly sealed. I’ve successfully frozen baked banana bread, french toast loaves, and of course cookie dough balls (breakfast cookies would be wonderful for Suhoor).

Blueberry Banana Blender Muffins

These blueberry banana blender muffins are fascinating in that they contain no morning offenders: flour, oil or sugar and contain everything you need to get a good start to the day: oats, eggs, fruit and yogurt!

Check out this recipe

• Oats: I often make a double batch of oats and refrigerate half for later. I used to make steel cut oats in the slow cooker, but lately I’ve been making them in my Instant Pot. Microwave or reheat over the stovetop. Before serving, add a splash of milk to freshen them up and make them creamier.

Date Sweetened Slow Cooker Steel Cut Oats

I love the texture of steel cut oats, and this an easy/lazy/delicious way to cook them. Plus, I’ve naturally sweetened them with dates. By morning, the dates take on a beautiful purple hue, and become very easy to mix in. Add to that, you’re amping up the nutrition factor with milk. Milk provides protein and other nutrients that will set you up for the day. It’s a complete breakfast.

Check out this recipe

Freezer-Friendly Iftar Recipes:

• Shami Kababs: Form into patties (don’t pan-fry yet) and freeze on a flat tray. Once firm, remove and place in an airtight ziplock bag or container.When ready to use, microwave on a plate until thawed and then dip in egg wash and pan-fry as needed. This recipes has stovetop and Instant Pot instructions.

Easy Shami Kabob (Instant Pot and Stovetop)

Shami kababs are tender patties made with beef and (yellow split peas) along with onion, herbs and spices. This recipe includes Instant Pot and stovetop instructions! Naturally gluten-free!

Check out this recipe

• Seekh Kababs: Seekh kabab are another great freezer recipe. I’ve tried forming them into kabobs before cooking and after cooking, and they both work. If you freeze while they’re uncooked, don’t allow them to thaw but cook directly. If thawing from cooked, pan-fry to get a nice char.

Baked Pakistani Seekh Kabob (Ground Beef Skewers)

These Baked Pakistani Seekh Kabob are made with ground beef, onions, garlic, ginger, green chili peppers, and spices. Naturally gluten-free!

Check out this recipe

• Basic Keema Filling: This keema serves as an excellent filler or topping for samosas, puff pastries, pasta, and so much more. Simply freeze in an airtight container.

Easy Instant Pot Keema

This Instant Pot Keema (Ground Beef Curry) is THE keema recipe you’ve been waiting for. It’s quick and easy to prepare and full of traditional Pakistani & Indian flavor. It requires simple ingredients and has no whole spices to bite into, which makes it incredibly versatile and kid-friendly. This recipe also includes instructions on how to adapt it to the stovetop.

Check out this recipe

• Date balls/bars: Date balls or bars make an excellent option for both Suhoor and Iftar and freeze very well. Freeze in an airtight container.

Coconut Raspberry Cacao Bliss Balls

These coconut cacao date balls are quick, easy and nutritious as a snack or dessert. They’re perfect for kids and make a wonderful Valentine’s day treat.

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5-minute Chocolate Energy Bars

These 5-minute Chocolate Energy Bars are the perfect pick-me-up. They’re quick and easy to make, raw, vegan, gluten-free, customizable, satisfying, nourishing, happiness-inducing and chocolatey! 🙂

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Freezer-Friendly Dinner Recipes:

Most South Asian dinner recipes are exceptionally freezer-friendly. After thawing, reheat over the stovetop on relatively high heat with a little bit of water for a like-new taste. Garnish and serve.

• Dal: If you prefer, you can freeze dal without finishing it with a tarka (tempering). After thawing, reheat on the stovetop and add the tarka for a completely fresh dal.

My Go-To Masoor Dal Recipe (Red Lentil Curry)

Extremely delicious and authentic Red Lentil Curry (Masoor Dal) that can be prepared quickly and easily with ingredients you have on hand! Pair with white rice for a wholesome and comforting, yet light weeknight dinner.

Check out this recipe

Maash Ki Daal – Urad Dal (Instant Pot or Stovetop)

Maash ki Daal, or sukhi (dry) split urad dal, may not be mainstream, but it's beloved by all who've tried it. This recipe makes it in the traditional Pakistani and Punjabi way – dry, as in firm, but cooked through – and adorned with delicate slivers of ginger and warming green chili peppers.

Check out this recipe

• Chickpeas: Beans are also wonderful to freeze. Allow to thaw, then reheat over the stovetop.

Chana Masala (Authentic Chickpea Curry)

This is an easy, everyday Chana Masala recipe that’s made in the authentic North Indian and Pakistani style. It’s naturally vegan and gluten-free, and full of vibrant flavor in every bite!

Check out this recipe

• Kofta: These can be frozen by themselves before cooking. You can also make the entire curry and then freeze. Allow to thaw, then gently reheat over the stovetop.

Pakistani Beef Kofta Curry (Meatball Curry)

Beef Kofta Curry, or simply kofte, is a traditional Pakistani curry made of tender meatballs simmered in a spicy, flavorful sauce. This recipe has all the authentic flavor of old-fashioned kofte but it’s made in an easier, more approachable way.

Check out this recipe

• Keema: Other than potatoes (which lose texture and taste when frozen) most vegetables can be frozen along with curries.

Keema Matar (Ground Beef and Peas Curry)

This Pakistani and Indian-style Keema Matar (Ground Beef and Peas Curry) is an easy, one-pot keema recipe that’s deeply flavorful with no whole spices used. This recipe also includes tips on how to make Keema curry with ground chicken.

Check out this recipe

• Chicken Curries: To reheat chicken curries, thaw to room temperature and then reheat over the stovetop on medium-high heat. Add a splash of water to make up for the dehydration. Be careful not to heat too much to prevent any breaking of the chicken.

Pakistani Chicken Karahi

This is a restaurant-style Pakistani Chicken Karahi recipe that can be prepared quickly and easily with no finicky steps.

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• Baked Tandoori Chicken Curry: This can be frozen in its marinade before being baked. Place into the oven directly to cook.

Baked Tandoori Chicken Curry

This Baked Tandoori Chicken curry is so easy to prepare (just blend the ingredients in a food processor, marinate, & bake) and perfect for guests!

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• Haleem: As with dal, add the final tadka after thawing it.

Easier Slow Cooker Haleem (Pakistani Beef and Lentil Stew) – Gluten-Free

Haleem is a traditional Pakistani slow-cooked stew made of beef, lentils, and oats. This slow-cooker recipe makes it easy to enjoy this wholesome comfort food that's loved all over the world. This recipe is easy-to-follow and gives the most authentic results. Naturally gluten-free!

Check out this recipe

• Naan: Though I haven’t tried freezing these naan myself, but have heard from others who’ve had success with these. Thaw until room temperature and then microwave, reheat over the stovetop, or pop them in a toaster.

Gluten-Free No Yeast 30 Minute Naan

This easy gluten-free naan recipe contains no egg or yeast and comes together in 30 minutes. 

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Freezer-Friendly Dessert Recipes:

• Carrot Halwa: I’ve had great luck freezing and reheating Carrot Halwa over the stovetop.

Instant Pot Carrot Halwa (Gajar ka Halwa)

This authentic Instant Pot Carrot Halwa recipe is made in the traditional Pakistani & Indian style but without hours of active time over the stove. So comforting, naturally gluten-free, and only requires 6 ingredients!

Check out this recipe

• Panjeeri: Leave out the exotic ingredients (fox nuts, kamarkas, etc.) and you’ve got a wonderful snack of semolina, wheat, nuts, and raisins that’ll fuel you throughout the nights of Ramadan. Thaw at room temperature and it’s ready to eat.

Panjeeri – Postpartum Healing and Lactation Recipe

Panjeeri (or Panjiri) is a tasty traditional Pakistani/Indian postpartum healing and lactation food that is perfect for new moms and for strengthening the body.

Check out this recipe

If you try any of these recipes or freeze them, do share with me in the comments or on Instagram. Also, I’d love to hear about your freezer-friendly recipes too. Thank you for reading!