If you are looking for an Indian sweet, refined sugar-free, nutrient-dense, and quick to make, Sattu Laddu is the answer. Naturally sweetened with dates, these melt-in-the-mouth laddus are made with roasted chickpea flour (sattu atta), nuts, saffron, and aromatic spices.
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I learned this recipe from my mom during her visit this summer, and it instantly brought back memories of her kitchen back home. Traditionally, Sattu ke Laddu are made with sugar, jaggery, or mishri (dhaga mishri), but we decided to try making them with dates instead. The natural sweetness from dates not only made the laddus refined sugar-free but also gave them a rich, caramel-like flavor that we all loved.
It's amazing how quickly this recipe comes together in under 30 minutes from start to finish, making it perfect for those days when you want to whip up something wholesome without spending hours in the kitchen. Whether it's for a festive celebration, a quick pick-me-up with your afternoon chai, or a nourishing treat for the kids, these sugar-free laddus have now become a staple in my home
Looking for more easy-to-make, wholesome desserts? Be sure to try my Oats Pistachio Laddu and Date and Nut Truffles recipes.
Ingredient Notes
- Sattu Atta - The star ingredient of this recipe, sattu atta, is easily available at most Indian grocery stores. If you can't find it, you can make it at home by finely grinding roasted dalia (roasted chickpeas) in a food processor, then sifting the flour for a smooth texture.
- Dates - Nature's sweetener and a natural binding agent. Dates bring a lovely caramel-like sweetness, making these laddus completely free from refined sugar. I like to use organic pitted Deglet Nour dates from Costco for their mild sweetness and soft texture. You can also use Medjool dates, which are larger and naturally sweeter; just reduce the quantity slightly to balance the flavor.
- Nuts - I love the nutty richness of almonds and pistachios in this recipe, but cashews or walnuts work beautifully too; feel free to mix and match.
- Ghee - Nothing beats the aroma and flavor of homemade ghee. It adds a luxurious richness and authentic taste that ties all the ingredients together.
How to Make Homemade Sattu Aatta
How to Make Sattu Ke Laddu
Store at room temperature for up to 2 weeks or refrigerate for upto 1 month.
Enjoy as a post-workout snack for a protein boost or serve with chai as an afternoon pick-me-up. I am planning to make them as festive treats for Holi, Ganesh Chaturthi, and Diwali.
★ Tried this recipe? I'd love to hear how it turned out! Leave a comment and let me know, or snap a quick pic and upload it-I love seeing your creations. If you're on Instagram, tag @ministry_of_curry so I can check it out. Your feedback means so much to me and makes all the time I spend perfecting each recipe totally worth it. Thank you!
Recipe
Sattu Laddu
Equipment
Recipe Video
Ingredients
- 1 cup sattu atta 100 grams, store-bought or homemade. See notes on how to make homemade sattu atta
- ½ cup ghee divided
- ¼ cup almonds
- ¼ cup pistachios
- 20 regular dates or 12 Medjool dates roughly chopped
- ¼ teaspoon saffron
- 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
- ¼ teaspoon ground nutmeg
Instructions
- Heat 2 tablespoons of ghee in a nonstick pan over low-medium heat. Add almonds and pistachios, and roast for 2-3 minutes until fragrant.
- Add chopped dates to the pan and roast for another 2-3 minutes until softened.
- Transfer the roasted nuts and dates to a bowl to cool slightly.
- In the same pan, add the remaining ghee and sattu atta. Roast on low heat for about 10 minutes, stirring often, until golden and aromatic. Turn the heat off and allow it to cool down for 5 to 10 minutes.
- Add the roasted nuts and dates to a food processor and pulse until combined but still slightly coarse for a bit of texture.
- Add the roasted sattu atta, saffron, cardamom, and nutmeg to the processor. Blend again until the mixture comes together.
- Shape the mixture into 12 laddus.
Notes
You can easily make fresh sattu atta at home using roasted chickpeas (roasted dalia, whole or split). Add them to a food processor and grind until fine. Sift to remove any coarse bits. Grind the coarse bits one more time and sift again to get a soft, fine flour. Store in an airtight container until ready to use.
Preeti B says
wow can’t wait to try these.. have been looking for a recipe to use up some dates which my boys don’t like but would be perfect in laddoo or tamarind dates chutney! Can i use besan instead of sattu atta for this recipe? Would it work?
Archana Mundhe says
Hi Preeti! Yes, it will work perfectly. I can’t wait to hear how your boys like the laddus!
MINI MEHTA says
did you try this with Besan, Let me know how it turned out
Archana Mundhe says
Hi Mini, I have not tried this recipe with Besan. But it ill be a good substitute for Sattu in this recipe.
Gina says
Lovely recipe. Easy to make and delicious too
Archana Mundhe says
Thank you so much for being the very first to try this new recipe! I’m so glad you found it easy and delicious—it means a lot!
Nitika says
Easy to make recipe. Ladoos are delicious and healthy.
Archana Mundhe says
Thank you!
Punya Guruduth says
Easy, Healthy and Tasty. So excited to make this laddoo for my daughters! Thank you Archana.
Archana Mundhe says
You are most welcome! I hope you and your daughters love them.
Cynthia R says
Hi Archana, I made these Sattu laddus yesterday. It turned amazing. Such a easy & forgiving recipe. I used Almonds & walnuts as I didn't have pistachios on hand. It could bind very smoothly. A great recipe! Thank you for this
Archana Mundhe says
Thank you Cynthia! I love that you used walnuts and almonds.