Makar Sankranti 2026: 10 Traditional Sweets & Snacks Ready In 15 Minutes Or Less

Makar Sankranti arrives with new freshness and an age-old festive feeling. The cold stays, the sunlight stretches a little longer, and kitchens across India begin to smell of toasted sesame and molten jaggery. Unlike festivals defined by extravagance, Makar Sankranti recipes have always been practical at heart. Its food reflects the season: warming, grounding and yes, uncomplicated.

10 Makar Sankranti Recipes That Are Last-Minute & Festive Too! 

That practicality is precisely why Sankranti food adapts so well to modern life. Even today, with meetings, travel, and deadlines cutting into festive time, these dishes hold their ground. They don’t demand elaborate preparation or ceremonial precision. They ask only for a pan, a few ingredients, and some festive flair. What follows are ten Sankranti sweets and snacks that stay faithful to tradition while respecting your time, each ready in under fifteen minutes.

1. Til Gud Laddoo

Til gud laddoo is Sankranti in its purest form. Roasted sesame seeds release a deep and nut-filled aroma the moment they hit a warm pan, while jaggery melts into a thick and sweet syrup that binds everything together. The laddoo’s value lies in what it represents: warmth during winter and sweetness in speech and relationships. It is the kind of recipe that has survived centuries precisely, and once you grab a bite, you quickly realise why! 

Also Read: 10 Winter Foods That Turn Lohri Into A Feast Worth Remembering

2. Peanut Chikki

Peanut chikki tells a different story, one of crunch and restraint. It demands attention for only a few minutes, but those minutes are what make a difference. The jaggery must be cooked just enough to hold the peanuts together without turning bitter. When done right, the chikki snaps cleanly and tastes faintly smoky. It’s the sweet you make once and then find yourself breaking off pieces all day, often without realising how quickly it disappears.

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3. Til Chikki

Til chikki cups exist for days when patience runs low but cravings don’t. Instead of spreading the mixture thin and waiting for it to set, the sesame-jaggery blend is portioned immediately into small cups or moulds. The result is softer, easier to eat, and forgiving if the jaggery doesn’t hit textbook consistency. It feels less ceremonial and more spontaneous, which makes it perfect for modern celebrations.

4. Coconut Jaggery Laddoos

Coconut jaggery laddoos shift the texture entirely. They are moist and gentle, carrying a richness that doesn’t overwhelm. Fresh coconut cooks down quickly with jaggery, releasing its oils and forming a mixture that comes together almost instinctively. These laddoos don’t need to rest. They’re meant to be eaten super warm, when the coconut still holds its softness.

Also Read: 10 Indian Sweets You Can Make By Replacing Sugar, If You’re On A Sugar-Free Diet In Winter

5. Puffed Rice Laddoos

Puffed rice laddoos bring lightness to a festival otherwise dominated by dense sweets. Murmura binds easily with jaggery syrup and creates a snack that feels festive. In many homes, these laddoos are made early in the day and eaten between kite-flying breaks. They reflect Sankranti’s outdoor spirit when food fits into movement, not meals.

6. Til Dry Fruit Mix

There are moments when cooking feels unnecessary, and that’s where a til dry fruit mix earns its place. Roasted sesame seeds, peanuts, dates, raisins, and jaggery powder come together in minutes and travel well. It’s the kind of Sankranti snack that quietly replaces packaged sweets, offering nutrition without asking.

7. Ghee-Roasted Banana Slices

Ghee-roasted banana slices with jaggery feel filling and delicious, though the method couldn’t be simpler. As bananas caramelise in ghee, their sweetness deepens naturally, needing very little jaggery to finish the dish. A hint of cardamom is enough. This is comfort food in its truest sense, warm, fleeting, and best eaten straight from the pan.

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8. Til Chocolate  

Til chocolate bark steps away from tradition without disrespecting it, dark chocolate melts quickly and welcomes roasted sesame seeds easily. Once set, the bark breaks unevenly; it is intentionally imperfect. It’s not meant to replace til sweets but to coexist with them, offering a bridge between generations at the same table.

Also Read: DIY Hot Chocolate? This Kuwait Dessert Spot Has A Winter Drink That Warrants Your Attention! 

9. Instant Rice Flour Sweet Porridge

The instant rice flour sweet porridge carries the quiet dignity of home cooking. Rice flour roasted in ghee thickens quickly once liquid is added, turning jaggery and cardamom into a soothing bowl of warmth. It doesn’t photograph beautifully, but it delivers something more important: satiety and comfort on a winter morning.

10. Til Crackers 

Savoury til crackers remind us that Sankranti isn’t only about sweetness. Sesame seeds folded into wheat dough and pan-roasted produce a crisp and nutty snack that balances the festive spread. These bite-sized treats disappear fastest when served in the festive platter, usually before anyone remembers to count them as part of the celebration.

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Makar Sankranti recipes have never demanded excess. Its food traditions were shaped by season, scarcity, and wisdom, not by hoopla. These quick recipes honour that origin. They respect your time without diluting meaning, proving that celebration doesn’t require exhaustion. As Sankranti 2026 approaches, these dishes offer a way to stay rooted while maintaining energy and that festive spirit. And sometimes, the most sincere celebration is the one that fits easily into your day.

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