Modak Mania: Delicious Modak Recipes for Ganesh Festival

Let’s be honest Ganesh Chaturthi without Modak is like a birthday without cake. Not happening. Whether you’re from Mumbai, Pune, or sitting in some flat in Dubai missing home, the smell of steaming Modaks in August instantly says: “Bappa's home.”

In maximum Maharashtrian houses, making Modaks at some point of Ganpati isn’t pretty much food. So this year, whether you’re a seasoned or a complete first-timer, let’s walk you through a few classic, modern, and easy-peasy Modak recipes that you may whip up for Ganesh Festival 2025.

Read Also: Banana Walnut Cake Recipe: You’ll Actually Want to Make Again

Why Modaks? What’s So Special About Them?

Lord Ganesha isn’t called Modakpriya for nothing. Legend says Modak is his favorite sweet — and that’s why it’s the main prasad offered during the festival.

• The round, closed shape represents oneness and wholeness.
• The sweet coconut-jaggery filling stands for inner goodness.
• Modaks are made in odd numbers (21, 11, 101), believed to be spiritually significant.

And let’s be real — they taste so good, you don’t need divine reason to eat 5 in one sitting.

Recipe #1: Classic Ukadiche Modak (Steamed Modak)

The OG. The one nani makes with her eyes closed. 

Ingredients:

Outer Dough:

• 1 cup rice flour
• 1 cup water
• 1 tsp ghee
• A pinch of salt

Filling:

• 1 cup grated fresh coconut
• ¾ cup jaggery (grated)
• ½ tsp cardamom powder
• Optional: some poppy seeds or dry fruits

Method:

1. Boil water with ghee and salt.
2. Add rice flour slowly and mix. Cover for 2–3 minutes.
3. Let cool. Knead into a soft dough.

Filling time:

1. Add cardamom powder. Let it cool.

Shaping it:

• Take a lemon-sized dough ball. Flatten it like a tiny bowl.
• Add filling, close edges like a flower.

Pro Tips:

• Use Modak moulds if hand shaping seems impossible (no shame in that!).

Recipe #2: Chocolate Modak (Kid’s Favorite!)

Okay, the little ones don’t always vibe with coconut or jaggery. That’s where chocolate modak saves the day.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup khoya (mawa)
• 2 tbsp cocoa powder
• ½ cup powdered sugar
• 1 tsp ghee
• Crushed nuts (optional)

Method:

1. Heat ghee in a non-stick pan. Add khoya and stir for a few minutes.
2. Add cocoa powder and sugar. Mix till it forms a thick paste.
3. Cool it slightly.
4. Press into moulds and chill for 15 minutes.

No steaming. No oven. Just delicious, gooey Modaks in under 20 minutes!

You May Also Like: Dal Bati Churma Recipe – Taste the Royal Flavours of Rajasthan

Recipe #3: Fried Modak (Crispy Goodness)

If you’ve grown up in a home where Ganpati means crunchy bites with chai after visarjan, then fried Modaks are your thing.

Ingredients:

For Dough:

• 1 cup wheat flour
• 2 tbsp semolina (rava)
• 2 tbsp ghee
• Water to knead

For Filling: Same as Ukadiche — coconut and jaggery combo

Steps:

1. Roll small discs. Fill with coconut-jaggery.
2. Fold and seal like a dumpling.
3. Deep fry in medium oil till golden.

Crunchy outside, soft inside — and addictive as hell.

Recipe #4: Dry Fruit Modak (No Sugar, All Power)

For folks who are cutting back on sugar but still want something sweet and festive, here’s a Modak with dates and nuts.

 Ingredients:

• 1 cup dates (seedless, chopped)
• ¼ cup almonds
• ¼ cup cashews
• 2 tbsp ghee
• Cardamom powder

Method:

1. Dry roast nuts, then coarsely overwhelm them.
2. Sauté chopped dates in ghee till soft.
3. Mix nuts and cardamom powder.
4. Let it cool and shape into Modaks.

Perfect for guilt-free snacking, especially for elders and fitness fans.

Recipe #5: Mango Modak (Because Why Not?)

Mango season might be gone, but if you saved pulp in the freezer, you’re in luck.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup khoya
• ½ cup mango pulp
• ½ cup sugar

How to Make?

1. Cook khoya and sugar until thick.
2. Add mango pulp and stir until combined.
3. Once the mixture thickens, cool and shape.
4. Chill for 30 mins before serving.

They look golden, smell divine, and honestly — you’ll want to eat 6 at once.

Serving Ideas That’ll Wow Everyone

Alright, you’ve made the Modaks. Now how to present them like a pro?

• Place them on a banana leaf or silver plate
• Add one marigold in the center (for that festive touch)
• Drizzle ghee on each Modak right before serving

Instagrammable? Yes. Delicious? Double yes.

Making Modaks Together – A Memory in the Making

Look, not all Modaks come out pretty. Some tear, some leak, and some look like mini aliens. But the fun? That’s in the making.

Let everyone help:

• Kids can shape or grease moulds
• Dad can try frying (supervised, of course)
• Granny can check for taste accuracy
• And someone always gets stuck with washing!

In the end, your kitchen might be messy, but your hearts will be full.

Where to Find Modak Stuff in 2025?

No clue where to get everything? No worries — here’s a quick guide:

What You’ll Need:

•  Rice flour
    Jaggery
    Khoya
    Cardamom
    Ghee
    Where to Shop:

• Local kirana stores (they stock up 2 weeks before Ganeshotsav)
• Sweet shops (they even sell ready-made fillings)
• Online: BigBasket, Amazon, Flipkart — all carry moulds, eco kits, etc.

Final Words

Modaks are more than food. They’re tradition, love, memory, and community — all shaped into one little dumpling. It’s not about the perfect Modak. It’s about making it with your people.