13 Best Indian Vegan Desserts
Indian desserts are a celebration of flavor, culture, & compassion. Also, indulging in a dessert is like taking a mini-vacation from the stresses of life. And for those who follow a vegan lifestyle, Indian cuisine offers many options for satisfying their sweet tooth without compromising their beliefs. So let's explore the world of Indian vegan desserts together.
Best Indian Vegan Desserts
Satisfy your sweet tooth with these innovative vegan Indian desserts:
Modak (Steamed Dumplings)
Modak is a traditional Indian sweet dumpling typically made during the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. While some recipes for Modak may include dairy or ghee, many vegan versions are available that use coconut milk or other plant-based ingredients. These vegan Modaks are usually made with rice flour or wheat flour, stuffed with a sweet filling made from coconut, jaggery, & cardamom, & then steamed to perfection. They are a delicious & satisfying vegan dessert that all can enjoy.
Check Here: Quick Vegan Snack Ideas
Almond Milk Pudding
This is a delicious & creamy dessert that is made with almond milk. This pudding is rich in flavor & easy to make. Whisk almond milk, sugar, cornstarch, & a pinch of salt, then heat it over the stove until it thickens. Pour the mixture into serving cups & let it cool in the refrigerator for a few hours. Once set, top it with fresh fruits, nuts, or even chocolate chips for added texture & flavor.
Coconut Ladoo (Indian Coconut Truffles)
This vegan dessert is a popular Indian sweet made from shredded coconut, sugar, & cardamom powder. These truffle-like balls are easy to make & are a perfect treat for any occasion. The sweet & nutty flavor of coconut combined with the aromatic cardamom makes for a delicious & satisfying dessert.
Also Check: Best Vegan Snacks in India
Aamras (Mango Nectar)
Aamras is a popular vegan dessert from the western Indian state of Maharashtra & Gujarat. It is made from puréed ripe mangoes & is often served with puris (deep-fried Indian bread). Aamras is sweet & creamy, with a vibrant yellow-orange color from the ripe mangoes.
This dessert is delicious & nutritious, as mangoes are a good source of vitamins & minerals. Aamras is easy to make & can be enjoyed as a dessert or a sweet snack.
Chia Seed Pudding
This is a simple, delicious, & nutritious vegan dessert. It is made by mixing chia seeds with plant-based milk & sweetener of your choice, then letting it sit in the refrigerator overnight until it thickens to a pudding-like consistency. It can be flavored with various ingredients like fruit, nuts, & spices & enjoyed for breakfast, snacks, or dessert.
The chia seeds are packed with fiber, protein, & healthy omega-3 fatty acids, making it a perfect dessert for those seeking a healthy vegan option.
Check This: Top 10 High Protein Indian Vegan Breakfast
Besan Barfi (Indian Gram Flour Fudge)
Besan Barfi is a traditional Indian dessert typically prepared using dairy-based ingredients such as ghee or condensed milk. However, there are vegan variations of Besan Barfi that incorporate plant-based ingredients like coconut oil or vegan butter to impart a creamy flavor and a melt-in-your-mouth texture.
Dates can be a unique addition to this dish. You may add a handful of nuts, such as pistachios, almonds, or cashews, for a crunchy texture.
Sorghum Banana Paniyaram (Cholam Innipu Paniyaram)
Mild & sweet, this Sorghum Banana Paniyaram is loaded with banana & cardamom powder flavors. The sorghum in this soft bread is high in protein & calcium & is conveniently gluten-free! While this interpretation of the Indian dish is sweet, paniyaram can also be made savory.
Check This: Best Indian Vegan Appetizers
Sweet Potato Gulab Jamun
This is a rustic dessert from the Bengali kitchen. It is typically made by kneading milk solids into a dough that is then fried. This version is completely dairy-free & gluten-free, made of sweet potato doughnuts stuffed with coconut, fried, & soaked in aromatic cardamom syrup.
Vedic Sesame Ladoos
This is a healthier version of traditional Indian sweets that are raw, dairy-free, & made from nutritious ingredients like walnuts, dates, superfood seeds, & spices. These Ayurvedic Sesame Ladoos offer a perfect balance of four rasas or tastes - sweet, bitter, astringent, & pungent, making them delicious & beneficial for overall health.
Sesame seeds used in these ladoos are considered auspicious in Indian culture. They are used in various religious & mythological ceremonies, making them a perfect addition to any celebration or occasion.
Check This: What Is Vegan Ice Cream?
Payasam (Kheer)
This is a plant-based version of the traditional Indian dessert. Instead of dairy milk, it is made with coconut milk or other plant-based milk like almond or cashew milk. The rice is cooked in milk & sweetened with sugar or other natural sweetener like jaggery. It is often flavored with cardamom & garnished with nuts like almonds, cashews, & raisins.
Vegan payasam is a delicious & creamy dessert that can be enjoyed on any occasion & is a perfect alternative for lactose intolerant or following a vegan diet.
Sheera (Semolina Pudding)
This sweet dish contains semolina, sugar, & ghee (clarified butter). However, the ghee can be substituted with plant-based oils like coconut or vegetable oil to make the dish vegan-friendly.
Check This: What Is Vegan Curd?
Chikki (Layiya Patti)
A crunchy sweet made with jaggery & nuts like peanuts or sesame seeds. It is usually enjoyed during winter as it provides warmth & energy to the body. The mixture of sweet & nutty flavors in chikki, combined with the crunchy texture, make it a delicious & nutritious snack that can be enjoyed by everyone, including those following a vegan diet.
Imarti (Jangiri/Jalbei)
Imarti is a traditional Indian dessert typically made most during festive occasions such as Diwali & Holi. It is a vegan dessert made from a batter of urad dal (split black lentils) fried in a circular shape & then soaked in sugar syrup until it absorbs the sweetness. Imarti is similar in appearance to jalebi but has a distinct taste & texture. It is often garnished with chopped nuts & served as a sweet treat after meals.
Conclusion
Diverse flavors of India with these delightful & guilt-free vegan desserts will satisfy your sweet cravings while nourishing your body with wholesome ingredients. For a bonus, enjoy these vegan Indian desserts alongside a savory dish from Sudo Plant-based Foods.
Some Bonus Vegan Recipes From Sudo
