The ultimate vegan dessert list: 10 Indian sweets to try today
Coconut ladooMade with grated coconut and jaggery or sugar, this no-dairy sweet is rich, chewy and naturally vegan. Flavoured with cardamom, it’s perfect for festivals or quick indulgence.
Tilgul (Sesame Jaggery Ladoo)Popular during Makar Sankranti, these ladoos combine roasted sesame seeds and jaggery. Rich in calcium and iron, they offer a crunchy and nutritious bite without any milk-based ingredients.
Peanut chikkiA crispy brittle made with peanuts and jaggery, chikki is naturally vegan and high in protein. It’s a great winter snack that satisfies sweet cravings healthily.
Kesari bath (Vegan)This semolina-based sweet dish can be made vegan by replacing ghee with coconut oil. Flavoured with saffron and nuts, it’s aromatic, comforting and light on the stomach.
Banana halwaMade with ripe bananas, jaggery, coconut oil and cardamom, this Kerala speciality is gooey, rich and completely dairy-free. It’s often cut into bite-sized squares for easy serving.
Rava ladoo (Vegan)A vegan version uses roasted semolina, coconut and jaggery or sugar, bound with coconut oil instead of ghee. Soft, sweet and slightly crunchy, it’s a South Indian favourite.
Anarsa (Vegan Version)This Maharashtrian delight uses rice flour, jaggery and poppy seeds. Skipping ghee makes it vegan-friendly while retaining its chewy texture and distinct, mildly spiced flavour.
Sweet Boondi (With Oil)Traditionally fried in ghee, vegan versions use plant-based oil. The tiny and fried gram flour balls soaked in sugar syrup make for a festive and crunchy treat.
Dates and nuts rollsThis no-added-sugar sweet is made by blending dates with chopped nuts, then rolling and slicing. It’s naturally vegan, fibre-rich and packed with energy, perfect for guilt-free indulgence.
Narikolor Laru (Assamese Coconut Balls)A Northeast Indian sweet made with grated coconut and jaggery, shaped into soft balls. It’s naturally vegan, subtly sweet and rich in texture and often enjoyed during Bihu festivals.