Badam Halwa or Badam ka halwa is a rich classic Indian Dessert recipe made with almond flour, milk, and sugar with a generous amount of ghee in an Instant pot Pressure cooker or stovetop. 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 the Stovetop pot and Instant Pot badam halwa recipe.
Traditionally Badam ka halwa recipe is prepared from whole almonds, Today I am sharing an easy way to make an 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 it at home. Grind whole almonds with skin and use them in the recipe.
Check out my Almond Flour Keto Dosa from my blog for more Indian almond flour recipes.
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 (un-blanched almond flour) which will alter the texture of the dessert.
- Ghee (clarified butter): Adding a 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 recipe, you can also make it 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 a keto diet use Stevia or any other keto sweetener.
- Saffron: Saffron is soaked in 2 tablespoons of warm milk as it helps to release the color faster. 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
Firstly, 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 the CANCEL button.
Next add milk, saffron milk, sugar and whisk well to make sure 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 the pressure valve to the 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.
Halwa thickens as it cools.
So once the right consistency is achieved take out the instant pot bowl, if you leave it in the instant pot, it gets hard and chewy because of the heat.
Serve Instant Pot Badam Halwa warm or at room temperature and garnish with slivered pistachios and almonds.
Stovetop 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 to make sure 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 and ghee leaves sides of the pan. Stir Continuously till you get a pudding-like consistency.
- Almond Pudding thickens as it cools. Once the right consistency is achieved take out the halwa in a bowl. It will get hard and chewy because of the heat.
- Lastly, Serve the badam ka halwa recipe warm or at room temperature and garnish with slivered pistachios and almonds.
Serving Suggestions
Badam Halwa is traditionally served at room temperature. But you can also serve it warm. When badam pudding is chilled, it usually gets a little thick so I personally prefer warming in a microwave and then have it.
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 don't have cardamom, replace it with 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- Store the halwa in the freezer for longer 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
How to make vegan Badam Halwa
Replace dairy milk with almond milk. Add any vegan butter or neutral oil instead of butter or ghee.
How to make keto badam halwa?
This almond halwa can also be made without milk, milk is added for more richness. So for keto, replace dairy milk with water OR add ¼ cup of heavy cream and 1 cup of water instead. Replace regular sugar with stevia or any keto sweetener.
Difference between Almond flour and Almond meal
Almond flour is not the same as an almond meal. Almond flour is made from blanched almonds and finely ground while the almond meal is not so finely milled and may contain almond skin.
How to store Almond Flour correctly?
Since almond flour can become rancid fast, it is best to store it in the fridge or freezer after opening the packet. It’s best stored in a cool, dark place in a well-sealed container. If frozen, measure how much you need and let it come to room temperature before using.
More Instant Pot Desserts
Check out more 12+ instant pot Indian dessert recipes from my blog.
Instant Pot Badam Halwa (using Almond flour)
Equipment
Ingredients
Measuring cup used 1 cup = 250 ml
- ¼ cup + 2 tablespoons ghee (clarified butter) divided
- 1 cup almond flour (meal)
- 1 ¼ cups milk or water (¾ cup for stove top pot)
- ½ cup sugar (Or stevia)
- a big pinch saffron soaked in 2 tablespoon of warm milk or food color
- ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder
- 2 tablespoon slivered almonds
Instructions
- Soak few strands of Saffron(kesar) in 2 tablespoons of warm milk.Saffron releases the color faster on using warm milk.
Instant Pot Method:
- Sanitize the Instant Pot parts well before making the sweet dish.
- Press the SAUTE and add 2 tablespoons of ghee 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 set timer to 0 minutes and 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.
Traditional Stovetop 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 almond pudding warm or at room temperature and garnish with slivered pistachios and almonds.
Notes
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 it with 1 teaspoon of vanilla extract.
- Keep in the freezer for longer 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.
Sudhi says
Turned out great ,thanks for sharing this
Bhavana Patil says
You are welcome Sudhi
AN says
I have tried this recipe on four different occasions and it has come out perfect every single time. Thank You for this amazing recipe !!!
Bhavana Patil says
Thats a really sweet comment Nanitha 😍 Thank you for your kind words & thank you for being a regular visitor on my blog 🙂
Sam says
Loved it each time! Thank you🙏
Bhavana Patil says
You're welcome Sam 🙂
Anonymous says
Can I use heavy cream instead of milk?
Bhavana Patil says
Hi, I have personally haven't made badam halwa with heavy cream, but I have read people replacing (1/4 cup of heavy cream and 1 cup of water) with dairy milk instead. Let me know if you give a try and how it turns out.
Arti Tejusinghani says
This is the best halwa recipe ever !! My family loved it. I just reduced the sugar a little bit as we don’t prefer too sweet.
Bhavana Patil says
Hi Arti, I am so glad you and your family liked the recipe. Thank you for sharing your feedback.
Pravina says
Can you explain the step 5 plz. Manual pressure cook for 0 zero minutes?
Bhavana Patil says
Hi Pravina, Yes you are right its Pressure cook for 0 minutes. The idea is the amount of time it takes to build the pressure in the instant pot is enough for the halwa to cook correctly. Let me know if you have more questions.