Carrot Halwa, AKA ‘gajar ka halwa’, is a populat Indian dessert made with grated carrots cooked in ghee, milk, aromatic cardamom and saffron. The halwa is then garnished with nuts and raisins. Enjoyed warm or cold, this make ahead dessert is ready in under 30 minutes!
This year we celebrated mothers day with this delicious Indian dessert cooked in the Instant Pot! The traditional carrot halwa recipes uses milk, condensed milk or evaporated milk. Since this is one of my favorite desserts and I can’t stop myself from overeating, I try to make it a little healthier.
This Carrot Halwa Recipe uses almond milk to cook the carrots and almond meal (you can also substitute almond flour) to make it creamy. I also like to use less sugar than the traditional version and this is simply my attempt to make the gajar ka halwa healthier. This halwa does not have a super creamy texture like the traditional halwa
Note: To make dairy free carrot halwa, substitute ghee with any neutral oil, coconut oil or vegan butter
For a more traditional gajar ka halwa simply:
- Substitute almond milk with regular milk
- Substitute almond meal with khoya, non-fat dairy milk powder or ricotta cheese
- Substitute almond meal with condensed milk. You may want to reduce the sugar in this case as condensed milk is already sweet.
Step by step recipe for Instant Pot Carrot Halwa:
- Peel and grate the carrots. To grate the carorts you can either use the corase setting on a manual grater or grate using the food processor. I prefer the food processor method especially when I am grating large amounts of carrots as it takes less than a minute to grate 8 -10 carrots. Alternatively, you can also buy pre-shredded carrots from stores like Trader Joe’s that are avaialble in the produce sections.
- Turn the Instant Pot to Sauté(Hi) mode. Add ghee and grated carrots. Cook for 2-3 minutes. Stir in almond milk and close the lid with the pressure value set to sealing. Set the Instant Pot to Pressure Cook/Manual(Hi) for 5 minutess. Quick release.
- Add sugar, almond meal, cardamom powder, raisins and saffron. Mix well. Turn the Instant Pot to Sauté(Hi) and cook for 5-7 mins until most of the liquids are evaporated.
- Garnish with sliced almonds or pistachios. Serve hot or chilled.
Here is a video on how to make this dessert quickly in your Instant Pot!
Do you enjoy Indian Desserts? Check out some of my favorite desserts:
- Instant Pot Dudhi Halwa
- EASY Instant Pot Kheer {Indian Rice Pudding}
- Pineapple Sheera – Stovetop recipe
- Carrot Sheera – Stovetop recipe
- Instant Pot Vermicelli Kheer
- Sheer Khurma – Stove top & Instant Pot Recipe
- Mango Shrikhand – No cook recipe
★ Have you tried this recipe? We love your feedback, Please click on the stars in the recipe card below to rate.
- 2 tablespoons ghee or coconut oil or vegan butter
- 10 carrots peeled and grated (About 6 cups packed)
- 1 cup unsweetened almond milk
- 3/4 cup sugar
- 1 cup almond meal
- 2 teaspoons cardamom powder
- 2 tablespoons raisins
- ½ teaspoon saffron
- 2 tablespoons sliced almonds or pistachios for garnish
Turn the Instant Pot to Sauté(Hi) mode. Add ghee (or vegan butter) and grated carrots. Cook for 2-3 minutes with the glass lid on.
Add almond milk and close the lid with the pressure value set to sealing. Set Instant Pot to Pressure Cook/Manual(Hi) for 5 minutess. Quick release.
- Add sugar, almond meal, cardamom powder, raisins and saffron.Mix well.
Turn the Instant Pot to Sauté(Hi) and cook for 5-7 mins until most of the liquids are evaporated.
Garnish with sliced almonds or pistachios. Serve hot or chilled.
Recipe Video
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Author: Archana
Hey there! I am a techie turned recipe developer, cooking instructor, and food blogger. I love food and enjoy developing easy and healthy recipes for busy lifestyles. I live New Jersey with my husband and two sons.
Lathiya says
Absolute delish ?.. with a scoop of ice cream tastes great
Archana says
Thank you Lathi! Now that you have reminded me I am going to have a scoop of ice cream with it tonight for dessert!
Ranju Ahuja says
Hi Archana, mine was more liquidy after steaming. It took me a while to dry it up completely.
Archana says
Hi Ranju, It also solidifies as it cools.
chefkreso says
Sounds and looks wonderful as all your recipes do 🙂
Archana says
Thank you!
annika says
Looks amazing Archana! You are so talented!
Archana says
Thank you Annika!
Kalbap says
Archana this is an awesome way to make gajjar halwa -especially on a hot summer’s day- making it in the instapot is an advantage as the kitchen stays cool and I didn’t sweat it out- it also cooks real quickly as compared to conventional stove top cooking. Next time however I may use milk instead. And maybe add a little khoya depending on how rich/creamy I want this to be. Almond milk though is a good alternative for the vegans and dairy allergic but almond milk is void of any meaningful nutrition and it seems as if you pay for nothing but white colored water packaged as “almond milk”. Instead you may use plain water in my opinion-since you do get the thickness and texture from the almond meal.
Would you please also post a recipe for dudhi halwa -my favorite.
Archana says
Hi Kalyani! So happy that you enjoyed this easy Carrot Halwa! I have a lot of dairy free friends so this has become my go to recipe. But I agree that its more authentic with milk and khoya or evaporated milk powder. I will post the recipe for dude halwa soon too. Thank you, it is always so nice to get these lovely notes from you!
Sou says
Recipe is nice and simple.
Where do you get almond meall?
If I wanted to use milk and khoya what are the proportions?
Archana says
Almond meal is sold in most grocery stores, you will get them in whole foods, trader joes. You can substitute the same quantity of milk and khoya to replace almond milk and almond meal. Let me know if you try this recipe!
Sou says
Tried it and it was simple and delicious. Received many compliments.
Archana says
Awesome! so happy that you tried this easy recipe and enjoyed it. It is a great make ahead dessert that can be enjoyed warm or cold!
Gayathri says
Thank you so much for this easy IP carrot halwa receipe esp the vegan version – so helpful for people like me who are lactose intolerant ???
Archana says
Hi Gayatri! You are most welcome! So happy to hear that you can enjoy this easy and healthy halwa !
aredn says
Can I substitute ghee for coconut oil to make it vegan?
Archana says
Yes, I have tried it and it works well with this recipe.
Qurratulain Thakur says
Hi Archana, thanks for this recipe. I want to try it but I want to use powdered milk powder instead of almond meal and almond milk. Can you tell me how much milk and milk powder I would need to substitute for the almond milk and almond meal? Thanks once again!
Archana says
Hi! You can substitute equal amount of almond milk and almond meal to milk and milk powder. I have made it many times with milk and milk powder and it comes out great! Thank you!! Let me know if you have any other questions.
Preeta says
Hi Archana, does the cooking time change if I reduce this recipe in half? Thanks!
Archana says
Hi Preeta! same pressure cook time.
Dimpy says
I tried Carrot Halwa. It turned out truly delicious. I made slight change of adding condensed milk instead of sugar.
Archana says
Thank you for your feedback, Dimpy! Good idea to replace sugar with condensed milk.
Anu says
Hi Archana, I’m about to try this recipe. I have almond milk but not almond meal. Is there any substitute? What does almond meal do to the recipe? Does it give thickness? Looking for diary free option.
Archana says
It is used instead of khoya or milk powder. You can make almond meal at home if you have whole almonds. Simply pulse them in food processor until you get powdered almonds, you can add cashews too if you like
Puneeta Choudhury says
Is almond meal same as almond flour?
Archana says
Almond meal a bit more coarse but you can also your almond flour
Neha says
Hi Archana, this was amazing when I tried it over the holidays. My husband and I are trying a sugar free January, and wondering if we can substitute in dates instead of sugar? Thoughts?
Archana says
Yes! Absolutely, replace sugar with sliced dates and it will be delicious.
Manish Om Prakash says
So, with some trepidation, I tried this recipe using whole milk and less sugar! And it is DELICIOUS!! !!!! Thank you!!!!
Archana says
Hi Manish! Thank you for your feedback. I am so glad you enjoyed easy halwa.
Priya says
Have you tried using ricotta cheese instead of almond meal? I wanted to check quality.
Archana says
Yes, works really well. Substitute the exact amount.
Deepa says
Can’t have almond milk or almond meal… but eager to try your recipe. So if we are replacing the 3/4cup sugar + 1cup almond meal in this recipe with condensed milk, how much of it is needed?
Archana says
Hi Deepa, replace almond milk with low fat milk. And stir in 3/4 cup of condensed milk in the end and cook for 5 to 7 mins on sauté as the halwa thickens.
Taz says
So if we replace the almond milk with low fat milk and then add 3/4 cup condensed milk, do we still use the sugar and almond meal or khoya in the recipe? Thanks!
Archana says
Hi Taz, You can replace almond milk with low fat milk. Skip sugar if you are using condensed milk. You can add almond meal or khoya for additional creaminess but are both optional if you use condensed milk. Hope this helps.
Bhavi says
I want to try this for a party. Can I make this a day before the party and refrigerate? Also, is Almond meal and Almond Flour the same? I have Almond Flour, so wanted to know if I can use that the same way as used in the recipe.
Thank you.
Archana says
Hi Bhavi, You can make the halwa 2 to 3 days in advance if you like. And yes you can use almond flour, basically the same.
Bhavi says
Thank you Archana. When the halwa is done, after how many hours should I refrigerate ? Also, If I plan to use 9 cups of shredded carrot (will add all ingredients mentioned quantity + 0.5 of all ingredients) , for how many min should i set in IP Manual (Hi) ?
Thank you.
Archana says
Refrigerate after it is at room temperature. And same pressure cook time for 9 cups – 5 min
Bhavi says
Thank you Archana. The halwa turned out very delicious. Thank you once again for a delicious vegan recipe.
Archana says
You are welcome! So glad you enjoyed it.
Aisha says
Hi!
I don’t have ghee, khoya, it coconut oil lol
Any alternatives? I can get coconut oil at the grocery store it’s just that I wouldn’t know what else to use it for sigh
I have regular butter, olive oil and regular oil
Also, I read in one of your comments that we can substitute condensed powder milk for almond meal. How about regular powder milk? (Idk if it’s the same thing or not)
Archana says
Hi Aisha, You can use butter instead of ghee or coconut oil. And you can use milk powder instead of almond meal. Enjoy!
Varshini says
Hi Archana
What is the kitchen gadget you use to grate ?
Archana says
I use Cuisinart food processor if I am grating large quantities
Maddy says
Which food processor do you use to grate the carrots? Can’t wait to try this recipe!
Archana says
I have a Cuisinart! I will add the exact link to the post
Supri says
Yummy treat with almost no guilt. Thanks Archana.
And I would like to try the traditional version for a party of 40 people. Can I make it in 6qt IP, how many carrots should I use and is it ok if I add mawa powder instead of milk powder.
Thank you
Archana says
Hi Supri, take 1 cup of grated carrot per person. I would cook the halwa in 2 batches in your 6 QT IP. and yes mawa powder in teh end will be great!