5 delicious Ramadan appetizers for Iftar

Since it is a tradition for families to break the fast with sweet dates and a selection of savory Ramadan appetizers, we want to inspire your creative cooking with these simple recipes for Ramadan. When it comes to these appetizer recipes, their simplicity gives you a wealth of opportunity to put your own spin on things and add a variety of flavors, textures, and colors to your Iftar table. Not only will your family love these bite-sized flavor packed appetizers because they’re delicious, but they’ll also love them because you made them.

All of our appetizer recipes for Ramadan take less than an hour to make. Preparing some of these ready-to-go recipes ahead of time leaves you plenty of time to focus on creating more family memories. The steps are so simple that you can even invite your loved ones to help you cook some of these easy, tasty treats!

Savory, quick and easy Iftar ideas

Many Ramadan recipes focus on appetizers made with different kinds of pastries like filo dough, paratha pastry, and puff pastry. To add a fun crunch to the start of your family meal, many are fried to create a crispy and flaky exterior. This incredible texture is often balanced by a savory filling hiding just inside. Some favorite fillings include spiced chicken, beef, lamb, and veggies paired with cheeses like mozzarella, feta, and cheddar. These can be mixed and matched to suit you and your family’s favorite combos. Since many classic Ramadan appetizers like borek, sambosa, and mutabbaq may be prepared with a vast array of different fillings, these dishes allow moms to channel their kitchen creativity and show their family love through cooking in unforgettable ways. These delicious dishes get an extra dash of motherly love because you are the one who made them.

Include the entire family in the cooking process to create the very best appetizers for Ramadan. Put your heads together and experiment with different labneh and yoghurt-based dips and sauces to serve alongside your co-created appetizers.

1. Cheese Borek

Among quick Ramadan appetizers, Cheese Borek is a true classic that will save you some time in the kitchen and allow you to enjoy more cheesy delights with family. This Middle Eastern staple has a homemade, golden-brown pastry dough filled with creamy feta mixed with parsley. The fresh herbs brighten the rich filling and enhance the cheese's flavor to create a tasty treat that will delight your guests and loved ones.

The crispy pastry gives the borek a great crunch that makes it well worth including in your selection of Ramadan appetizers. This bite-sized treat is perfect to serve when your loved ones want a bit of everything and its half-moon shape is sure to give your family Iftar table some fun flair.

2. Cheese Sambosa

No list of great Ramadan appetizer ideas is complete without Cheese Sambosa! These flaky filo pastry packets make for an incredible addition to your selection of Ramadan appetizers, and your family will just love them. They have a soft and savory cheese filling made with velvety Puck Cream Cheese and crumbly Puck Halloumi.

This rich creamy filling is flavored with fennel seeds, mint, and fresh parsley for a cooling flavor that also has some spicy and citrusy elements. It’s a beautifully simple way to achieve some complex tastes that are an expression of your motherly love. When the ingredients are ready, gather everyone in the kitchen to help you wrap up these cheesy snacks! If you fry your cheese sambosa to golden perfection right before you serve them, the filling will be warm and gooey, creating a wonderful contrast to the crispy exterior.

3. Stuffed Baked Potato

Beginning Iftar with delicious Ramadan appetizers after a long day of fasting is a satisfying way to spark joy in your whole family. Our Stuffed Baked Potato is the perfect choice. The combination of the potatoes' crispy skin and soft, savory filling is mouth-wateringly delicious.

Made with potato, crispy turkey bacon, and nutty-tasting cheddar cheese, the filling is well-balanced and incredibly tasty. Creamy, umami-packed Puck Mushroom Sauce is poured on top to tie it all together, making this one of our favorite Ramadan appetizers. We’re sure your family will shower you with praise however you decide to serve up this hearty, savory delight.

4. Chicken Borek

Easy appetizers for Iftar are quick to make, especially when you use pre-made puff pastry. We use this tasty ingredient in our simple yet delicious Chicken Borek. Turn preparation time into a family event and bring everyone together to assemble these scrumptious treats.

The tender chicken is flavored with cumin, garlic, and onion and mixed with the rich and creamy Puck Shredded Mozzarella and Kashkaval Cheese Mix to create a tasty filling to stuff into the flaky puff pastry. As these Ramadan appetizers are usually a big hit with kids and adults alike, you might want to make a big batch!

5. Beef Mutabbaq with Cheese

Beef Mutabbaq with Cheese is another wonderfully easy Ramadan appetizer for hardworking moms. Start the family meal out right with a hearty bite of this beloved classic. These delightful packages of flavor consist of a crispy paratha pastry encasing a savory beef filling mixed with onion, tomato, green bell pepper, and leeks.

Seasoned with cinnamon and cumin, this Middle Eastern starter has plenty of warmth and depth. The Puck Shredded Mozzarella and Cheddar Cheese Mix rounds out the filling's flavor and gives it a wonderful richness. What better way to start a joyous Iftar meal with your family than serving up this cozy classic!

Choose the right meals to complete an appetizing Iftar table

Even though Ramadan appetizers are a delicious part of the traditions of Ramadan, you will also want more substantial Iftar dishes to complete your sunset meal and revive the family after a long day of fasting. Good choices include a variety of Ramadan soups and Iftar salads that will inspire joy as you break the fast with your family and loved ones.

Follow any of our Ramadan appetizer, soup, or salad ideas with some sweet treats to keep things deliciously balanced. For many, Ramadan desserts are a key element of post-Iftar family time, and our delicious traditional and international options are sure to be a hit with you and yours. However you decide to design your Iftar experience, you make it special.