How to Make Delicious Badam Halwa Without Ghee at Home in 8 Steps

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Are you ready to learn how to make Badam Halwa without ghee? Great! This traditional Indian dessert is full of rich almond flavor. But instead of using ghee (clarified butter), we’ll use healthier options. This makes the recipe cleaner and lighter, while still tasting amazing.

This article will teach you step by step:

What is Badam Halwa?
Benefits of making it without ghee.
Ingredients you need.
Two ways to make it: using oil or using milk.
Tips to make it perfect.
FAQs.
Serving ideas and storage tips.

Let’s start cooking some delicious Badam Halwa!

1. What is Badam Halwa?

Badam Halwa is a sweet dessert from India. It’s made from almonds (badam), sugar, and a fat like ghee. Sometimes, people add milk or saffron.

The name “halwa” means sweet treat. Many families enjoy it during festivals like Diwali, Holi, or weddings. Usually, it’s made with ghee, which gives a nutty taste and smooth texture.

But ghee can be heavy and high in saturated fat. So today, we’ll learn how to make Badam Halwa without ghee, using healthier fats like coconut oil or unsalted butter substitute. It’s just as tasty and easier on the heart!

2. Why Make Badam Halwa Without Ghee?

There are many good reasons to skip ghee when making Badam Halwa:

a. Lower in saturated fat
Ghee has a lot of saturated fat. Too much can raise bad cholesterol. Using oil helps reduce this.

b. Lighter and easier to digest
Some people find ghee heavy. Oil is lighter for the tummy.

c. Vegan‑friendly
If you use coconut oil or plant butter, the sweet is vegan and dairy‑free.

d. Affordable
Good ghee can be expensive. Oils are often cheaper and easy to buy.

Even without ghee, Badam Halwa can still be creamy, rich, and delicious!

3. Ingredients You’ll Need

Here’s a list of the ingredients for Badam Halwa without ghee. This recipe makes about 4–6 servings:

Ingredient	Quantity	Note
Almonds (badam)	200 grams (1 cup)	Soaked and peeled
Water	1 cup	For soaking almonds
Oil or alternative fat	4 tablespoons	E.g., coconut oil, canola, sunflower, or vegan butter
Sugar	¾ cup to 1 cup	Adjust sweetness to taste
Milk	½ cup (optional)	For extra creaminess
Cardamom powder	½ teaspoon	Adds warm, sweet flavor
Saffron strands	A few (5–10)	Optional, soak in 1 tbsp warm milk or water
Nuts for garnish	Slivered pistachios or almonds	Optional

4. Two Methods to Make Badam Halwa Without Ghee

You can make Badam Halwa without ghee using two methods:

Method 1: Using oil (e.g., coconut oil)
Method 2: Using milk or cream for richness

Method 1: Using Oil

Step 1: Soak & Peel Almonds

Wash almonds and soak in warm water for 1–2 hours.
Drain and rub almonds between your fingers. Their brown skin will peel off. Discard the skins.
You should have smooth, white almonds now.

Step 2: Grind Almonds

Blend the peeled almonds into a coarse paste.
Add a little milk or water if needed, but don’t make it too thin. We want it thick!

Step 3: Heat Oil

In a non-stick or thick-bottomed pan, warm the oil on low heat.

Step 4: Cook Almond Paste

Add the almond paste to the oil.
Stir continuously on low heat to prevent sticking.
You’ll notice a nice aroma as it cooks for 5–7 minutes.

Step 5: Add Sugar & Liquid

Mix in sugar and half a cup of warm water (or milk for creaminess).
Sugar dissolves quickly. Keep stirring.

Step 6: Add Flavors

Stir in cardamom powder.
If using saffron, add it now (soaked in warm milk/water).

Step 7: Cook to Halwa Consistency

Continue to cook and stir. The mixture will thicken and come together.
After 5–10 more minutes, it will leave the sides and look shiny. That’s done!

Step 8: Garnish & Serve

Turn off heat.
Serve hot or warm, garnished with slivers of almonds or pistachios.

Method 2: Using Milk or Cream

If you want even creamier Badam Halwa, add more milk or cream:

Use the same steps as above.
Skip the oil; instead, warm ¼ cup milk first.
Add melted plant‑based butter or 2 tablespoons of butter alternative.
Add the almond paste.
Then pour sugar and 1 cup milk or cream.
Stir and cook until thick and glossy.
Garnish and serve.

This version tastes full and smooth, yet still healthier than ghee.

5. Tips to Make Perfect Halwa

Here are some simple tricks to make your Badam Halwa shine:

Don’t over‑grind almonds
- Keep the paste slightly coarse for nice texture.
Use non-stick pan
- It helps prevent burning, especially since there’s no ghee.
Keep stirring
- Stir often on low heat. This gives smooth texture and stops burning.
Adjust sweetness
- Start with ¾ cup sugar. Taste after adding, then adjust.
Add saffron early
- Soak and add early to get better color and aroma.
Use warm liquids
- Cold milk or water can slow cooking. Warm it first.
Cook on low
- Low heat ensures a creamy, smooth halwa.
Use quality almonds
- Fresh, sweet almonds give the best taste.
Store properly
- Keep leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge up to 5 days.

6. FAQ – Frequently Asked Questions

1. Can I use almond meal instead of whole almonds?
You can, but freshly ground whole almonds give better flavor and texture.

2. Is it still called Badam Halwa without ghee?
Yes! It’s still Badam Halwa, just a healthier version. The taste is rich and nutty.

3. Can I make it sugar‑free?
You can try with sweeteners like stevia or erythritol. But the texture and taste will change. Try small batches first.

4. Can I add other nuts?
Yes! Use chopped cashews or pistachios in the mix or as garnish.

5. Can I freeze it?
Yes. Freeze in a tight container up to 2 months. Thaw in fridge, then gently reheat.

6. How long does it last?
In the fridge, up to 5 days in an airtight container.

7. Can kids eat this?
Absolutely! It’s nutritious and kid‑friendly. Just watch the sugar level.

7. Healthy Swaps & Variations

Want to experiment? Here are tasty ideas:

Brown sugar or coconut sugar
- Use these instead of white sugar for a deeper flavor.
Sweetened condensed milk
- Add ½ cup for extra richness and sweetness. Reduce sugar a bit.
Low-fat milk powder
- Add 1–2 tablespoons during cooking for a richer taste.
Raspberry juice drop
- Add a splash of raspberry juice at the end for a bright twist.
Chocolate Badam Halwa
- Add 1 tablespoon cocoa powder in step 5. Top with grated chocolate.
Protein-packed boost
- Stir in 1 tablespoon of your favorite protein powder (without flavor clash).
Rose and almond twist
- Add ½ teaspoon rose water and garnish with pink rose petals.
Cardamom & saffron
- Add extra cardamom or rose water to engage the senses even more.

8. Serving Suggestions

a. Warm and cozy
Serve hot from the stove. It’s soft and sticks slightly, perfect for dipping spoons.

b. Festive platter
Serve with gulab jamun, fruit sweets, or ladoos for celebrations.

c. With tea or coffee
A bite of Badam Halwa adds sweetness to your tea time or evening break.

d. As ice cream topper
Scoop vanilla ice cream and drizzle warm halwa on top—yum!

e. Dessert bowls
Add chopped fruits and nuts, and serve in small glass bowls.

9. Storage & Reheating

To store

Let it cool completely.
Transfer to clean airtight box.
Keep in fridge up to 5 days.

To freeze

Cool fully.
Put in freezer container.
Freeze up to 2 months.
Thaw in fridge, then warm gently on stove.

To reheat

Microwave in short bursts (15 seconds), stirring in between.
Or warm in pan with a splash of milk or water until creamy again.

10. Summary

Badam Halwa is a rich almond dessert.
Ghee-free versions are healthier, lighter, dairy‑free, and affordable.
Two main ways: oil-based or milk/cream-based.
Tips make it smooth, aromatic, and easy to cook.
You can swap ingredients for flavor or dietary needs.
Serve it hot during festivals, with tea, or as a topping.
Store in fridge or freezer and reheat simply.

Final Note

Now you are an easy-home chef! 🎉 You know how to make Badam Halwa without ghee using healthy swaps. This cooking method keeps the essence of the classic sweet, with fewer heavy fats and more goodness. It’s fun to make and share with family or friends.

If you want to read more on vegan milk(i.e. Almond Milk) diet then please visit here.

Why Almond Milk is Best : Health Benefits, Nutrition, Side Effects & How to Make Almond Milk at Home

Is Almond Milk Good for Digestion: Bloating, Gas, and Gut Health