Celebrate Eid with these delicious vegan sweets, offering plant-based alternatives to traditional treats that are perfect for the festivities
As Eid edges closer, we start preparing ourselves for a few days unlike any other. Days of connection, of gratitude, and sharing. Eid is, at its core, about sharing experiences with those we love. Sharing joy, gifts, love and tradition. One of the hallmark traditions of Eid is undoubtedly its special cuisine, most notably, its exquisite array of sweets!
These beloved sweets are more than just indulgences; they are vessels of memory, carrying stories of the past, the warmth of family gatherings and the spirit of hospitality.
For many of those who choose to adopt a vegan lifestyle, it might be a challenge to balance enjoying these traditional sweets and maintaining a lifestyle that aligns with their values. It was certainly difficult in the past, but thankfully, it is no more that big of a challenge.
It is now easier than ever to enjoy the rich flavours of Eid sweets, without having to include dairy or honey. A few ingredient alternatives here and there, and these treats remain as delicious as ever, only now, they are vegan as well. Whether you are vegan, have dietary restrictions, or just want to experiment with lighter alternatives, a plant-based Eid could be your new best friend this season.
Ma’amoul: A Vegan Twist on a Timeless Classic
Starting off with the undeniable star of the show, Ma’amoul is the hallmark dessert that signals the onset of Eid festivities. Delicate, hearty, and filled with dates, walnuts, or pistachios, these cookie-like wonders crumble the moment they touch your tongue. Traditionally, Ma’amoul is made with butter, ghee, or a mix of both, along with milk. However, vegan-friendly ingredients can be used as an easy alternative.
For instance, coconut oil or margarine can replace the butter or ghee, offering the same flaky texture without having to sacrifice flavour. Plant-based milk like soy, almond, or oat milk can be used instead of dairy milk. The rest of the ingredients, the semolina, blossom water, fillings, sugar and spices are naturally vegan.
Baklava: Crispy, Syrupy, and Completely Dairy-Free
Baklava is an Eid staple. Crispy, flaky layers of filo pastry filled with crunchy nuts and soaked in fragrant sweet syrup create a winning and timeless combination of textures and flavours. Luckily, most ingredients of this delicious dessert are naturally vegan. The final butter glaze that gives Baklava its signature golden crunch could easily be replaced with olive oil or melted coconut oil. The filling of chopped walnuts, pistachios, and almonds can be sweetened with maple syrup, adding depth to a dessert classic. While traditional Baklava is sometimes made with honey, a simple syrup made of sugar, water and lemon juice, with a touch of rosewater or orange blossom makes a perfect substitute to guarantee that authentic Middle Eastern aroma. Easily vegan, and simply delicious.
Roz Bel Haleeb: Creamy Rice Pudding, Reinvented
A taste like no other and an absolute favourite dessert that takes the spotlight in times of Eid, Roz Bel Haleeb, or rice pudding, is a must-have at any feast. This creamy and comforting dessert is traditionally made with whole cow’s milk, instead you could use plant-based milk to transform it into a vegan treat.
Coconut milk or almond milk provide the perfect richness that can bring the cinnamon, cornstarch, rosewater, blossom water, sugar and rice together for a creamy and velvety delight. Topped with rose petals and some pistachios, this vegan version is a true Eid showstopper.
Ka’ak: The Melt-in-Your-Mouth Eid Biscuits
Is it really Eid without Ka’ak?
This Eid essential is often served alongside coffee or tea. Its tender, melt-in-your-mouth texture usually relies on butter, but they can easily be made vegan.
Replacing butter with a neutral-flavoured plant-based oil, margarine, or even adding tahini to the mix maintains the Ka’ak’s signature crumbly consistency, while complementing the sesame toppings and date fillings. For many families, making Ka’ak is a cherished Eid tradition. Every family preparing to welcome Eid has memories of making Ka’ak together, serving them to loved ones, and enjoying them with a warm drink. With these easy alternatives, the tradition lives on, just as delicious and fully plant-based.
Why Go Plant-Based for Eid?
Making these changes to Eid sweets is not just about accommodating dietary choices. Veganizing our favourite Eid desserts is an act of embracing a more inclusive and conscious way of commemorating this special time. Plant-derived ingredients make these sweets kinder to animals, healthier to our bodies, and better for the planet.
Traditional Eid sweets are a symbol of hospitality and inclusivity, and an ode to welcoming others and sharing joy with them. Making them plant-based carries that spirit even further. Whether it’s being mindful of guests who have dietary restrictions, or exploring ways to enjoy a more compassionate Eid, these veganized treats guarantee that celebration and mindfulness can go hand in hand.
Happy Eid!
By Najah Raya – a communications officer and a designer. That just means that I try to put my thoughts and feelings into words and colors that might make the most sense to the world. Hoping to save the animals, one article at a time.
The views expressed by our bloggers are not necessarily the views of The Vegan Society.
