Badam Halwa (with Almond Flour)

Badam Halwa or Badam ka halwa is a rich classic Indian Dessert recipe made with almonds flour, milk and sugar with generous amount of ghee in Instant pot Pressure cooker or stove top.This almond pudding is gluten free ,keto and can be made vegan.

With guests at home on occasions like Diwali, Holi, Navratri, Ganesh and Chaturthi this badam halwa made in the instant pot can be your perfect treat to them.Today i am sharing both Stove top pot and Instant pot badam halwa recipe.

Traditionally Badam ka halwa recipe is prepared from whole almonds,Today i am sharing easy way to make almond halwa recipe in 15 minutes using blanched almond flour that is easily available in the grocery stores or Costco.

If you do not have almond flour/meal, you can make at home. Grind whole almond with skin and use it in the recipe.

Checkout my Almond Flour Keto Dosa from my blog for more Indian almond flour recipes.

Badam Halwa Ingredients

• almond flour: I have used blanched almond flour that is easily available in Costco and any indian grocery store.I haven't tried making badam halwa with almond meal (unblanched almond flour) which will alter the texture of the dessert.
• ghee (clarified butter): Adding good quantity of ghee, enhances the taste and texture of the halwa. I highly recommend not to cut down the quantity of ghee for this recipe.
• milk: I have used full fat dairy milk for this badam halwa recipe ,you can also make with almond milk , coconut milk if you are vegan or replace milk with water.
• sugar : I have used refined sugar in this recipe ,if you are on keto diet use Stevia or any other keto sweetener.
• saffron: Saffron is soaked in 2 tablespoons of warm milk ,helps to release the color faster or you can also use organic yellow food color.
• cardamom powder: I have used freshly ground cardamom from 3 whole green cardamom pods.
• Nuts: I have used slivered almonds ,you can also add pistachios for this recipe.

How to make Badam Halwa in Instant Pot

Soak few strands of Saffron(kesar) in 2 tablespoons of warm milk.Saffron releases the color faster on using warm milk.

Sanitize the Instant Pot parts well before making the sweet dish.

Press the SAUTE and add 2 tablespoons of ghee/clarified butter into the pot.

Next add the almond flour and saute for 2 minutes till the raw smell of the almond flour disappears.

Stir continuously to avoid burning.Press CANCEL button.

Next quickly add milk, saffron milk ,sugar and whisk well so that no lumps are formed.

Also deglaze the pot make sure no bits are sticking to the pot to avoid BURN notice.

Close the lid, and turn pressure valve to SEALING position.

Set the pot to MANUAL/PRESSURE COOK (High Pressure) and timer to 0 minutes.

Once the pot beeps ,Do a Quick Release of the pressure(QR).

Add remaining ghee ,cardamom powder and cook till the halwa thickens.Stir Continuously. Note: It takes around 8-10 minutes for the halwa to reduce to a pudding like consistency.

Badam halwa thickens as it cools.

So once right consistency is achieved take out the instant pot bowl ,if you leave it in instant pot ,it gets hard and chewy because of the heat.

Serve almond pudding warm or at room temperature and garnish with slivered pistachios and almonds.

Stove Top Pot Method

• In a heavy bottom pot, heat ghee, Next add the almond flour and saute for 3-4 minutes till the raw smell of the almond flour disappears.Stir continuously to avoid burning.
• Next add milk, saffron milk ,sugar and whisk well so that no lumps are formed.Cook for another 5-6 minutes till you get running consistency.
• Add remaining ghee ,cardamom powder and cook till the halwa thickens.Stir Continuously till you get a pudding like consistency.
• Badam halwa thickens as it cools.So once right consistency is achieved take out the badam halwa in a bowl or plate else it gets hard and chewy because of the heat.
• Serve badam ka halwa recipe warm or at room temperature and garnish with slivered pistachios and almonds.

Tips & Variations

• Using the right amount of ghee is very important for melt in mouth badam halwa texture.So please follow the right measurement do not reduce the ghee.
• If you dont have cardamom ,replace with 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
• Keep in the freezer for long shelf life.
• Sanitize the Instant Pot steel insert ,lid and sealing ring before making sweet to avoid curdling of milk.I always keep an extra sealing ring for sweets separately.

Recipe FAQs

More Instant Pot Desserts

• Carrot halwa
• Rice Kheer(Rice Pudding)
• Carrot Almond Kheer
• Semiya Payasam (Vermicelli Kheer)
• Moong Dal Payasam
• Makhana Kheer

Checkout for more 12+ instant pot Indian dessert recipes from my blog.