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    Home » Recipes » Sweets and Desserts » Pistachio Apricot Ladoos

    Pistachio Apricot Ladoos

    Created on April 24th, 2020 · Last updated on April 27th, 2022 · 4 Comments

    Diabetes Diet FriendlyHeart HealthyLow CarbVeganDesi (Indian, Pakistani)
    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe
    Nut covered brown balls on a gold printed decorative cake holder with a decorative shawl and a plant in the background.
    a hand grabbing a down nut covered ball on a gold printed plate with purple flowers on one side.
    Eight brown nut covered balls on a gold printed plate on a yellow mat with flowers and an Indian decorative shawl on either side.
    a nut covered brown ball in between two fingers (being held) over a plate of balls that are blurred in the background.

    Medically reviewed by Shahzadi Devje, Registered Dietitian (RD) & Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE)

    Are you looking for a healthy, delicious, and easy-to-make snack? Look no further than these vegan pistachio apricot ladoos! These ladoos only require three ingredients and take 5 minutes to make. They're also gluten-free, with no added sugar, so they're ideal for people with type 2 diabetes. They're particularly delicious as Ramadan sweets, especially if you're after Iftar ideas.

    Eight brown nut covered balls on a gold printed plate on a yellow mat with flowers and an Indian decorative shawl on either side.

    As a registered dietitian and certified diabetes educator, I often hear folks say they're looking for healthy sweet recipes that are easy to make and don't require a lot of time or effort. This recipe fits the bill because it uses nutritious ingredients.

    Apricots and pistachios are a nourishing combination of fibre, vitamins, and minerals. Plus, apricots provide delicious sweetness — without the need for added sugar.

    This means these ladoos are the perfect heart healthy snack and ideal if you have diabetes and are concerned about blood sugar levels after eating sweets and desserts.

    For those of you trying to reduce your sugar intake and adore ladoos, I hope you'll also give my fig and nut laddu recipe a try. It's a Ramadan favourite! And if you're more into healthy dessert ideas, this carrot halwa has us drooling.

    a nut covered brown ball in between two fingers (being held) over a plate of balls that are blurred in the background.

    What are ladoos made of?

    In South Asian culture, ladoos are balls of sweetness. They appear at almost every festive occasion. Weddings, birthdays, graduations, and religious festivals are just a few examples where you'll see them.

    South Asia comprises Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Pakistan, Nepal, and Sri Lanka. Afghanistan and the Maldives are sometimes included as part of South Asia.

    Traditionally, ladoos are made of flour, sugar, ghee (clarified butter), and nuts. There are many different types of ladoos, but the most popular ones are made with either semolina flour or besan (gram flour). The ladoos are then shaped into balls and fried until golden brown.

    What makes this recipe unique is that there is no cooking involved. It's my "raw" spin on an old classic! It uses ground pistachios and apricots instead of flour, which makes the ladoos gluten-free and much lower in carbohydrates, fat and calories.

    As always, my goal is to make sure that many of you, particularly those with dietary restrictions, can enjoy your favourite flavours more often.

    Benefits of pistachio nuts

    Pistachios are a good source of healthy fats, protein, vitamins, and minerals. Pistachios, like all nuts, are high in essential fatty acids that may help prevent chronic diseases such as heart disease, Type 2 diabetes and some types of cancer.

    Pistachios have a lower fat and calorie content than other nuts. Also, they have the highest concentrations of unsaturated fatty acids, potassium, γ-tocopherol, phytosterols, and xanthophyll carotenoids — all of which have antioxidant and anti-inflammatory benefits.

    Indeed, if you're looking for heart healthy snacks, pistachios are a great choice.

    Furthermore, because of the high fibre and nutrients present in pistachios, they might be beneficial for people struggling with high glucose (blood sugars), blood pressure, and cholesterol levels.

    Nut covered brown balls on a gold printed decorative cake holder with a decorative shawl and a plant in the background.

    Pistachio nutrition

    Here are some highlights of raw pistachios worth noting:

    • high in dietary fibre (almost 38% DV)
    • low carb (almost 3% DV)
    • source of fat (about 16% DV)
    • Low sodium

    Nutrition data is taken from USDA to calculate % DV.

    The following is a detailed breakdown of pistachio nutrition. A handful of raw pistachios (28 grams) provide the following nutrients and calories:

    Energy & NutrientsAmount
    Carbs7.7 g
    Fibre10.6 g
    Net carbs4.5 g
    Protein5.7 g
    Calories159 kcal
    Sugars2.2 g
    Fat12.8 g
    Monounsaturated fat6.6 g
    Polyunsaturated fat4.1 g
    Saturated fat1.7 g
    Folate14.5 µg
    Potassium289 mg
    Sodium0.3 mg
    Magnesium34.3 mg
    Calcium29.8 mg
    Iron1.1 mg
    Zinc0.6 mg
    a hand grabbing a down nut covered ball on a gold printed plate with purple flowers on one side.

    You asked: are ladoos healthy?

    This depends on your definition of healthy. Everyone's needs are different. Plus, I refrain from labelling foods as good or bad. Instead, I prefer to emphasize that focusing on enjoying a variety of whole foods that nourish your body and make you feel good is the way to go.

    The most effective approach to maintain your health and wellbeing is to focus on utilizing a range of nutrient-rich foods — as close to nature — to create delicious and healthy family meals you love. And that includes sweets and desserts.

    Remember, the types of ladoos you consume and the amount and frequency with which you do so are both crucial factors to consider when evaluating your dietary pattern.

    This ladoos recipe checks a lot of boxes if you're looking for healthy sweet snacks: they're plant-powered, wholesome, and are made without refined ingredients.

    And while traditional ladoos are high in calories, high in added sugar, saturated fat, and may even contain artificial colourings - if you're only eating them once in a while as a special treat, don't fret!

    Nonetheless, with my ladoos recipe, you may enjoy them far more frequently.

    Nutrition information per serving

    Below you will find the nutrition information for one ladoo:

    • 4 g of protein
    • 9 g net carbs (for those with diabetes who may be counting their carbs)
    • A good source of fibre

    Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet. Interpretation of DVs from US FDA.

    Ingredients

    Here are the ingredients you need to make these ladoos:

    three different sized bowls holding pistachios, dried apricots and oil on a textured board with purple flowers in one corner.
    • Pistachios: Opt for raw shelled pistachios that are unsalted.
    • Apricots: I love dried apricots that are unsulphured. You don't need to soak them in water before using them. Just make sure they are fresh and soft.
    • Coconut oil: I like to use virgin cold-pressed coconut oil. It brings a hint of luscious coconut flavour to the ladoos.

    Instructions - step by step

    Pistachios, dried apricots and coconut oil come together to create a simple, delicious and energizing snack to keep you feeling fuller for longer! Plus, they are done in a flash. You can find the step by step instructions below:

    food processor containing pistachios and dried apricots with flowers on one side of a worktop surface.
    Step 1
    food processor with crushed medley of nuts and dried fruits.
    Step 2
    a bowl of a brown dough-like mixture of nuts and dried fruits on a yellow mat with flowers on one side.
    Step 3
    a gold printed plate holding eight brown balls with flowers on one side.
    Step 4
    a close up shot of nut covered brown balls on a gold printed decorative cake holder.
    Step 5
    1. Start by adding all the ingredient in a medium food processor (Step 1).
    2. Then, process the pistachios and apricots with the coconut oil until grainy using a food processor. The mixture should not be dough-like yet start to come together (Step 2).
    3. Transfer the nut-fruit mixture into a large bowl (Step 3).
    4. Now it's time to shape the mixture into balls to form ladoos (Step 4).
    5. Then, roll all the ladoos in the chopped pistachios until they are coated (Step 5).

    All ingredient measurements and detailed instructions can be found in the recipe card below.

    Tips

    • Make sure your pistachios are as fresh as possible because they are the star of this recipe!
    • If you don't have a food processor, you can use a blender.
    • I prefer to pick my apricots carefully since they should be soft and help bind the mixture.
    • Remember to melt the coconut oil. The nuts and dried fruit will be easier to combine if you do so.

    Storage

    These ladoos will keep in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week or in the freezer for up to 2 months. Enjoy!

    Are you a snacker? What are your favourite healthy sweets recipes?

    If you try this recipe, would love to hear from you! Leave a comment, rate it, or share a photo and hashtag with #desiliciousrd on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter! Can't wait to see your photos.

    Desi~liciously Yours,

    Pistachio Apricot Ladoos

    Author Shahzadi Devje
    5 from 2 votes
    Print Pin
    Are you looking for a healthy, delicious, and easy-to-make snack? Look no further than these vegan pistachio apricot ladoos! These ladoos only require three ingredients and take 5 minutes to make. They're also gluten-free, with no added sugar, so they're ideal for people with type 2 diabetes. They're particularly delicious as Ramadan sweets, especially if you're after Iftar ideas.
    Prep Time5 mins
    Total Time5 mins
    Course: Dessert, Snack
    Cuisine Indian, pakistani
    Servings: 8 ladoos
    a gold printed plate holding eight brown balls with flowers on one side and a traditional Indian shawl on the other.

    Ingredients

    Ladoos

    • 1 cup pistachios shelled, unsalted
    • ⅔ cup dried apricots no added sugar
    • 2 tbsp coconut oil cold-pressed, melted

    Ladoos pistachio coating

    • 2 tbsp pistachios shelled, unsalted, coarsly chopped

    Instructions

    Ladoos

    • Add 1 cup of pistachios, apricots and melted coconut oil to a food processor or a high-speed blender
    • Process the ingredients on high for 2-3 minutes, or until the mixture is coarse and begins to come together
    • Transfer the mixture into a large ball and shape into 8 equal-sized balls (ladoos)

    Ladoos pistachio coating

    • For a crunchy topping, roll each ladoo in chopped pistachios. Enjoy!

    Notes

    • Make sure your pistachios are as fresh as possible because they are the star of this recipe!
    • If you don't have a food processor, you can use a blender.
    • I prefer to pick my soft apricots carefully since they should be soft and help bind the mixture.
    • Remember to melt the coconut oil. The nuts and dried fruit will be easier to combine if you do so.
    Nutrition Facts
    Pistachio Apricot Ladoos
    Amount Per Serving
    Calories 152 Calories from Fat 99
    % Daily Value*
    Fat 11g17%
    Saturated Fat 4g20%
    Polyunsaturated Fat 2g
    Monounsaturated Fat 4g
    Sodium 1mg0%
    Potassium 302mg9%
    Carbohydrates 12g4%
    Fiber 3g12%
    Sugar 7g8%
    Protein 4g8%
    Vitamin A 462IU9%
    Vitamin C 1mg1%
    Calcium 24mg2%
    Iron 1mg6%
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

    Please note the nutritional analysis values are estimates and suggestions. This nutrition facts table does not know your life - your body, including your hunger and satiety cues, change daily. It's okay to eat more or less. Say no to food guilt and instead embrace mindful eating.

    Desiliciousrd Shahzadi Devje chopping vegetables in her kitchen
    Shahzadi Devje

    Shahzadi is an award-winning registered dietitian (RD) regulated by the College of Dietitians of Ontario and certified diabetes educator (CDE), approved by the Canadian Diabetes Educator Certification Board. A YouTuber and notorious foodie, she's dedicated to helping you end your cooking wars, transform your health, and be the best version of yourself! Shahzadi is an on-air nutrition expert for CTV Your Morning and a regular contributor for Global News and other national media outlets.

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