Medically reviewed by Shahzadi Devje, Registered Dietitian (RD) & Certified Diabetes Educator (CDE)
Craving Indian sweets? Skip the deep frying and make this easy and healthy dried fruit and nut Laddu recipe - with zero added sugar. Soft and chewy dried figs blitzed with crunchy pistachios and almonds combined with cashew butter, beet powder, and infused with cardamom and rose water to create an irresistible sweet Indian dessert you can enjoy more often. Watch the video and learn how to make the most delicious and simple raw laddus.
I've had a soft spot for laddus for as long as I can remember—especially the homemade kind, freshly made by loving mammas and aunties. So, of course, with Eid around the corner, I just couldn't help myself but create a quick and easy version, one that requires zero sweating over the stove and contains nutritious ingredients. What can I say? When you're licking your wounds after a rough week, a sweet, nutty ball of deliciousness will do it every single time.
What Are Laddus, Anyway?
Laddus are a quintessential Desi Indian sweets recipe. Sometimes you'll find savoury ones too. While both are delectable, sweet laddus are the most popular. Enjoyed at celebrations, festivals and family gatherings, you can expect to find a colourful display of different kinds of laddu recipes. Some are made with chickpea flour, coconut, semolina, nuts, oats, amaranth and dried fruit.
A standard laddu recipe is usually gorged with jaggery or sugar, and the most popular sweet types are deep-fried. They are one of the most-loved and savoured South Asian (Desi) sweets recipes on the planet.
This laddu recipe is made totally with wholesome ingredients and is completely raw. I know you will love it as much as we do.
How To Make Dried Fruit Laddu - Step By Step
In this section, I'm going to show you how to make this raw Fig and Nut Laddu recipe step by step:
- Processing the laddu ingredients: Add all the ingredients, except dried roses, to a medium food processor and blitz for a minute or until the mixture is crumbly and begins to come together (Images 1-4).
- Transfer the laddu mixture into a large bowl or plate. Using your hands, shape into medium balls. You should be able to make thirteen balls with this laddu recipe (Images 5-6).
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
What You'll Need To Make Laddus
- Dried fruit - figs: This recipe works beautifully with a variety of golden and dark-skinned figs. The key thing to remember is to make sure the figs nice and soft to help bind the mixture and bring sweetness. This will make a difference.
- Nuts - plain unsalted pistachios and plain sliced almonds are called for in this laddu recipe.
- Cashew butter - This helps to bind the mixture together. Don't forget to stir the cashew butter thoroughly before using it. You can add a dash of warm water, if needed, to loosen it.
- Beet powder - is made from dried beetroot. It's a deep red colour and typically advertised as a superfood. Besides bringing an incredible deep red hue to the laddu recipe, beet powder provides vitamins, minerals and nitrates. Nitrates are a naturally occurring substance found in beets and various other vegetables, shown to support healthy blood flow and may help with better blood sugar control after eating.
- Cardamom - from fresh green pods makes a world of difference. Use a pestle and mortar to crush the seeds finely, and finish with;
- Rosewater - for that elegant floral vibe to this laddu recipe.
Nutrition Highlights:
- Lower in carbs: with 9 g of net carbs, making it a good choice for those with diabetes, looking to control blood sugar and insulin levels.
- Zero added sugar
- 100% vegan
- A good source of fibre
Frequently Asked Questions
What Is The Taste Of Laddu?
That really depends on the type of laddu. The most common, motichoor laddus, made with boondi pearls (created with chickpea flour batter), are overly sweet and infused with cardamom and saffron tones. They are soft and delicious to the core.
Looking for more easy and healthy Indian sweets? Make sure to check out:
Have you tried dried fruit laddu before? What's your favourite Indian sweet recipe?
If you try this carrot halwa recipe, I 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.
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Dried Fruit And Nut Laddu Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 cup dried figs a mix of golden and dark-skinned
- ¾ cup pistachios plain, unsalted, without shell
- ½ cup almonds plain, unsalted, sliced
- ¼ cup cashew butter unsweetened
- 2½ tsp beet powder
- 6 green cardamom fresh, crushed seeds
- 1 tsp rosewater pure
- 4 dried roses optional for decoration
Instructions
- Add figs, pistachios, almonds, cashew butter, beet powder, cardamom and rose water to a food processor and blitz for a minute or until the mixture is crumbly and begins to come together.
- Transfer the laddu mixture into a large bowl or plate. Using your hands, shape into medium-sized balls. You should end up with thirteen balls with this laddu recipe.
- Store in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
Notes
- Don't forget to stir the cashew butter thoroughly before using it. You can add a dash of warm water, if needed, to loosen it.
- Use cardamom from fresh green pods which makes a world of difference. Use a pestle and mortar to crush the seeds finely, and finish with;
- Opt for plain unsalted pistachios and plain sliced almonds.
- Store laddus in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to a week.
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.
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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