Onam Sadhya Desserts 2024: 8 Guilt-Free Sweets to Savor This Festive Season

As the vibrant festival of Onam approaches, so does the much-anticipated Onam Sadhya, the grand vegetarian feast that marks the celebration’s climax. No Onam feast is complete without a spread of delicious sweets and desserts that perfectly capture the essence of Kerala’s culinary heritage. If you’re looking to indulge in some festive treats while keeping health in mind, here are eight guilt-free desserts to enjoy during Onam 2024.

1. Ada Pradhaman

A quintessential Onam dessert, Ada Pradhaman is a creamy, rich pudding made using rice ada (rice flakes) and coconut milk. To make it guilt-free, opt for jaggery as a natural sweetener instead of sugar. This traditional dessert is often enriched with dry fruits and nuts, giving it a delightful crunch and added nutrients. It’s a wholesome option that satisfies sweet cravings without compromising on health.

2. Banana Pudding Halwa

Take a healthier spin on the classic Indian halwa by making a Banana Pudding Halwa. Bananas replace flour in this recipe, providing natural sweetness and fiber. Cook the bananas with ghee until the mixture thickens, and add aromatic cardamom and saffron for a flavorful twist. Once the ghee starts to separate, you’ll have a decadent yet lighter halwa that melts in your mouth.

3. Paal Payasam

By Executive Chef Amit Swarup, Radisson Blu Pune Kharadi

Ingredients

• Seviyan vermicelli, 1/2 cup
• Sugar, 1/2 cup
• Water, 2 cups
• Milk, 1/2 cup
• Ghee, 2 teaspoon
• Cashew nuts, 6
• Raisins (optional), 12
• Cardamom (crushed), 1
• Salt, a pinch

Instructions

• Heat a pan firstly, add ghee and fry cashews into golden in colour. Make sure the flame is low to avoid burnt cashews. If using raisins, fry them as well in ghee until it fluffs up. Keep aside. After that, in the same pan, roast vermicelli in Medium-low flame with constant stirring. The vermicelli should turn golden here and there. Set aside.
• Cook seviyan in 2 cups water with pinch of salt, for 5 minutes or until soft. Do it in low or medium flame. Add sugar and cardamom powder. The cooked vermicelli turns transparent at this stage. Boil for 2 minutes. Add the milk.
• Bring to boil. Boil for a minute and switch off the stove. As it cools down, it gets thicker. Garnish with fried cashews and raisins. Serve.

4. Elayappam

For those craving something more wholesome, Elayappam is a perfect pick. This rice flour crêpe is filled with a mixture of coconut and jaggery, then steamed to perfection. The natural sweetness of jaggery and coconut filling makes this dessert both nutritious and satisfying. With its gluten-free base, Elayappam is an excellent option for those with dietary restrictions.

5. Kozhukatta

Kozhukatta is a delightful steamed dumpling made from rice flour and filled with a sweet coconut-jaggery mixture. Its simple preparation and ingredients make it a guilt-free option, as the steaming process preserves the nutrients and eliminates the need for excessive oil or fat. It’s a light, gluten-free dessert that’s perfect for a post-Sadya treat.

6. Unniyappam

These bite-sized sweet fritters, known as Unniyappam, are made with rice, banana, jaggery, and roasted coconut, with sesame seeds adding a hint of crunch. This popular vegan-friendly dessert is fried in minimal ghee, making it a healthier option. The natural sweetness from bananas and jaggery makes Unniyappam a delightful indulgence without the guilt.

7. Rava Laddoos

A simple yet delectable treat, Rava Laddoos are made from roasted semolina (suji) combined with cardamom and roasted cashews. Instead of binding the mixture with sugar syrup, use warm milk or a little ghee for a lighter texture. This aromatic dessert is not only delicious but also quick and easy to make, perfect for your Onam Sadya dessert platter.

8. Coconut and Dates Laddoos

For a healthier, no-sugar-added treat, try making Coconut and Dates Laddoos. These energy-packed bites are made from desiccated coconut, dates, and jaggery. You can add nuts, seeds, or even gulkand for extra flavor and texture. This dessert is not only healthy but also free from refined sugar, flour, or dairy, making it a perfect guilt-free snack for all to enjoy.