Fasting in college has certainly been a unique experience for me. I was initially very disappointed to be celebrating Ramadan away from my family, food, and culture, but I have been able to make some fantastic memories and meals all inside the confines of my dorm room. From traditional snacks to TikTok viral desserts, I have experimented with many flavors this Ramadan season, and came up with five of the best Iftar snacks to break your fast in a college dorm, all of which are easily recreated with no oven or fancy kitchenware. Whether you are fasting or not, these easy, no-bake goodies can be made quickly and will definitely be devoured even quicker.
Ramadan is a holy month observed by Muslims worldwide that is believed to be the month the Quran was first revealed to the Prophet Muhammad. In addition to increasing prayer and personal reflection, Ramadan is also marked by fasting from dawn to sunset. As I’ve fasted, I’ve begun to better understand my identity as a foodie as I take a step back and evaluate how much a good meal can affect my mood. And while I am looking forward to ending this hiatus, here are my five favorite Iftar snacks to break my fast.
Crookies
The TikTok-famous “Crookie” takes the front row seat on best Iftar treat in a college dorm. This two ingredient delight will have you licking your plate clean, regardless of whether or not you spent the day fasting. Head to your local supermarket for a roll of Pillsbury cookie dough and some bakery croissants, and remember to be generous when stuffing the croissants with cookie dough. Pop the Crookies in the air fryer for five minutes to get the most mouthwatering gooey interior.
Falooda
Falooda, a Ramadan classic, is the most refreshing milk dessert that transports me right back to home. When I am missing a traditional treat, I’ve found that Falooda can easily be recreated in a dorm room by combining rose syrup, milk, vermicelli, and vanilla ice cream. An Iftar delicacy, with no additional kitchenware required!
Nature’s “Snickers” Bar
Traditionally, fasts are first broken with a date. I decided on a new spin of this Ramadan custom and made a far more delicious version of the Snickers candy bar. I opted for for some seedless Medjool dates, which naturally have the perfect opening to scoop in peanut butter. I then covered the entire peanut-butter filled date in melted chocolate and waited for the coating to harden before digging in.
#SpoonTip: Try sprinkling some almond shavings on top for an extra crunch and gourmet feel.
Tiramisu
One of the most frustrating things about being a foodie in a dorm is the lack of an oven. Luckily, I found a no-bake tiramisu recipe on YouTube that was the perfect solution for my oven-less dorm, and the most delicious way to end my first meal of the day. Plus, the required ingredients were pantry staples that I already had — no additional shopping necessary.
Air-Fried Doughnuts
Speaking of sweet treats that don’t require an oven, I also managed to make doughnuts in an air fryer. These were perfect for a baking day with my roomies, and served as a great way to break my fast. The sugary glaze on the warm fresh doughnut was the best combination and was extremely satisfying after a long day of no food.
This post was originally published on April 5, 2024.