When it comes to Indian cuisine, sweets hold a special place — from creamy kheer to melt-in-your-mouth laddoos. But what if you are vegan or avoiding dairy? Good news: you don’t have to give up on your favorite treats! With the right ingredients and smart swaps, you can enjoy the magic of Indian mithai — all without ghee, milk, or butter.
In this blog, we’ll explore vegan and dairy-free Indian sweet recipes that taste just as indulgent, but are completely plant-based.
🌱 Why Go Dairy-Free?
Whether it’s for ethical reasons, lactose intolerance, or simply a healthier lifestyle, choosing dairy-free sweets is easier than ever. Today, you’ll find plenty of vegan milk options like almond milk, coconut milk, oat milk, and cashew milk that can replicate the creaminess of traditional recipes — without sacrificing flavor.
🍬 5 Delicious Vegan Indian Sweet Recipes
1. Coconut Ladoo with Coconut Milk
Ingredients:
- 2 cups grated fresh coconut
- 1 cup coconut milk
- ½ cup jaggery powder
- 1 tsp cardamom powder
Method:
- Heat coconut milk and jaggery in a pan until dissolved.
- Add grated coconut and cook until the mixture thickens.
- Roll into small balls and coat with dry coconut.
✅ Tip: Chill before serving for a refreshing summer treat!
2. Vegan Kheer (Rice Pudding)
Ingredients:
- 1 litre almond or oat milk
- ½ cup basmati rice (soaked for 30 minutes)
- ½ cup coconut sugar or jaggery
- 1 tsp cardamom powder
- Nuts & raisins for garnish
Method:
- Cook soaked rice in almond milk on low flame until soft.
- Add sweetener and cardamom. Simmer until thick and creamy.
- Garnish with toasted nuts before serving.
3. Dairy-Free Besan Ladoo
Ingredients:
- 2 cups gram flour (besan)
- ½ cup coconut oil
- ¾ cup powdered jaggery
- 1 tsp cardamom powder
Method:
- Roast besan in coconut oil on low heat until golden and aromatic.
- Remove from heat, mix in jaggery and cardamom powder.
- Shape into laddoos while warm.
🌟 Result: Rich, nutty flavor with a slight coconut aroma!
4. Date & Nut Barfi
Ingredients:
- 1 cup dates (pitted)
- ½ cup almonds, ½ cup cashews
- 1 tbsp coconut oil
Method:
- Blend dates into a smooth paste.
- Dry roast nuts and coarsely crush them.
- Cook dates and nuts with coconut oil for 5-6 minutes.
- Spread on a greased tray, let it set, and cut into squares.
5. Vegan Rasmalai (Cashew Cream Version)
Ingredients:
- 10 almond milk rasgullas (store-bought or homemade vegan version)
- 1 cup cashew cream (blend soaked cashews with water)
- ½ cup oat milk
- 3 tbsp sugar or maple syrup
- Cardamom & saffron
Method:
- Heat cashew cream and oat milk, add sugar, cardamom, and saffron.
- Simmer until slightly thick.
- Add rasgullas, soak for 1-2 hours, and chill before serving.
💡 Vegan Substitution Guide
| Traditional Ingredient | Vegan Alternative | Flavor Boost |
|---|---|---|
| Ghee | Coconut oil / Avocado oil | Add cardamom for aroma |
| Cow’s Milk | Almond, oat, soy, or coconut milk | Use cashew cream for richness |
| Khoya (Mawa) | Cashew paste / Almond paste | Blend with a little plant milk |
| Cream | Coconut cream or cashew cream | Add rose water for aroma |
| Sugar (processed) | Jaggery, coconut sugar, date syrup | Adds natural sweetness & minerals |
🏁 Final Thoughts
Who says plant-based desserts have to be boring? With these vegan and dairy-free Indian sweet recipes, you can enjoy all the flavors of traditional mithai while staying true to your lifestyle choices.
So, the next time you crave something sweet, skip the dairy and try one of these recipes — they are delicious, guilt-free, and perfect for sharing with family and friends!
