• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
Whisk Affair
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Indian Recipes
  • Meal Type
    • Salads
    • Soups
    • Appetizers
    • Main Course
    • Desserts
  • My Cookbook
    • My E-Books
  • Subscribe
menu icon
go to homepage
subscribe
search icon
Homepage link
  • Home
  • Recipe Index
  • Indian Summer Beverages
  • Buy my Cookbook
    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube
  • ×

    Whisk Affair » Recipes » Indian Sweets & desserts » Besan Halwa (Indian Chickpea Flour Dessert)

    Published: Apr 18, 2021 | Last Updated On: Apr 17, 2023 by Neha Mathur | This post may contain affiliate links. I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Besan Halwa (Indian Chickpea Flour Dessert)

    238 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Made using chickpea flour, ghee, and lots of dry nuts and fruits, Besan Halwa is a traditional, rich North Indian sweet dish favorite for celebrations, festivals, and pujas. It’s easy to make, comes together in 25 minutes, and makes for a delicious dessert (vegetarian, gluten-free).

    Halwa makes for an amazing dessert after your weekend meals. Try some other halwa recipes too – Lauki Ka Halwa, Moong Dal Halwa, Sooji Ka Halwa, Bread Halwa, Beetroot Halwa, Aate Ka Halwa, Carrot Halwa, and Aloo Ka Halwa.

    Besan halwa served in a bowl.
    Jump to:
    • About Besan Halwa
    • Ingredients
    • How To Make Besan Halwa
    • Frequently Asked Questions
    • Pro Tips By Neha
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Storage Suggestions
    • You Might Also Like
    • Recipe Card

    About Besan Halwa

    Besan Halwa (Indian Chickpea Flour Pudding) is a delicious Punjabi sweet dish prepared using chickpea flour (besan, gram flour), ghee, sugar, and dried nuts and fruits.

    It is a thick and creamy sweet dish made for weddings, special occasions, pujas, and festive occasions like Holi and Diwali.

    Like other Indian besan sweets like besan ladoo, besan burfi, Mysore pak, etc., this chickpea flour halwa recipe is also a classic.

    This delicious besan ka halwa comes together in under 25 minutes using a handful of ingredients. It is a great sweet dish to make when you want something super delicious and quick.

    Some recipes ask for making sugar syrup separately, but my recipe to make this besan ka sheera is super simple and one-pot. Do try!

    This besan halwa recipe is vegetarian and gluten-free. You can easily double or triple it too.

    Ingredients

    Besan halwa ingredients 1
    Besan halwa ingredients 2

    To make this besan halwa recipe, you will need a few basic ingredients like besan flour (gram flour, chickpea flour), ghee, sugar, milk, water, and cardamom powder. All the ingredients are available at any Indian grocery store.

    Use whole milk (full-fat milk) for the best results. Having said that, you can use skim milk and low-fat milk too.

    Make the halwa only in ghee and not oil.

    White granulated sugar can be replaced with brown sugar or coconut sugar.

    Do not forget to add cardamom powder, which adds a unique flavor. You can crush and add green cardamom seeds if you do not have cardamom powder.

    Finish off the halwa with some almond and pistachio slivers. You can also add cashews and raisins to it.

    To make besan ka halwa recipe even more indulgent and give it a royal touch, add 15-20 saffron strands soaked in 1 tablespoon milk for 30 minutes.

    How To Make Besan Halwa

    Heat ½ cup ghee in a heavy bottom pan at medium heat.

    Ghee heating in a pan.

    Once the ghee is melted, add ¾ cup chickpea flour and fry until it turns dark brown and aromatic (10-12 mins), stirring continuously to avoid the flour from burning at the bottom of the pan.

    Note – The color of the final halwa will depend on how well you have roasted the flour. You want the flour to be dark golden brown but not burn it. It goes from perfectly browned to burnt in a few seconds. So keep a close eye while roasting it.

    Chickpea flour added to the pan.
    Mixed well.
    Roasted flour.

    Once the chickpea flour is browned well, add 1 cup water and ½ cup milk to the pan and mix well. Cook until the liquid is absorbed by the flour, stirring continuously.

    Water and milk added to the pan.
    Cooked flour.

    Now add ½ cup sugar and 1 teaspoon cardamom powder to the pan and mix well.

    Sugara nd cardamom powder added to the pan.

    Cook for 5-6 minutes until the ghee starts to separate from the sides of the pan. Stir continuously while cooking.

    Once done, garnish with almond and pistachio slivers and serve hot.

    Ready besan halwa.

    Frequently Asked Questions

    Can you make vegan besan ka halwa?

    To make the halwa vegan, replace ghee with coconut oil and dairy milk with any plant-based milk like coconut milk, oat milk, soy milk, almond milk, etc.

    Pro Tips By Neha

    Try to make besan ka halwa only in ghee, and do not reduce the amount of ghee.

    Fry the besan on medium heat. If you fry on high heat, the besan might get burned.

    Ensure to fry the besan until it turns dark brown and a nutty aroma starts. If not fried properly, the besan will taste raw.

    You can replace water with milk for a richer halwa. You can also use half water and half milk.

    Add some whole wheat flour or sooji (semolina) to the besan mixture to make different variations of besan ka halwa.

    Serving Suggestions

    Serve besan halwa warm or at room temperature. Garnish it with dry fruits, nuts, and dried rose petals.

    It is a great dessert for festivals, special occasions, or get-togethers.

    Besan halwa is also considered a great dish to eat during pregnancy and for growing kids and is said to be a sure-shot remedy to comfort the severest cold.

    You can make it a little thinner by adding more milk if you plan to serve it as a medicine for a cold or sore throat.

    Storage Suggestions

    Besan ka halwa tastes best when made fresh. But if you still have leftovers, refrigerate the halwa for 2-3 days in an airtight container.

    Reheat it in a pan or microwave until nice and warm. If you feel it has become thick after refrigerating, add milk or water and adjust the consistency.

    You can also freeze this delicious Indian dessert for up to 2 months. Once ready to eat, thaw it overnight in the fridge or over the counter for a few hours. Heat in a microwave and serve.

    You Might Also Like

    • This super yummy Mango Falooda is an Indian beverage or dessert with layers of falooda sev, milk, basil seeds, and fresh mango pieces and mango puree layered in a tall glass. It is a delight to eat and one of the best mango recipes.
      Mango Falooda
    • Sheer Khurma or Sheer Korma is a traditional Indian dessert that is a must-make for the festival of Eid. It is made by cooking fine vermicelli with ghee, milk, dates, and dry fruits. Saffron is added to it for a unique flavor.
      Sheer Khurma (Vermicelli Milk Dates Pudding)
    • Lachha Rabdi (Rabri) is a popular North Indian dessert made by reducing milk and flavoring it with saffron and rose water (or cardamom). Make it in an authentic way using my easy recipe.
      Authentic Lachha Rabdi (Rabri)
    • Puran Poli Sweet (Pooran Poli) is a traditional Indian sweet dish (Maharashtrian) made using whole wheat flour dough stuffed with a sweet lentil filling. Serve it with a dollop of ghee and milk on the side for a delicious breakfast, snack, or dessert.
      Maharashtrian Puran Poli Sweet

    Recipe Card

    Loved this recipe?Click here to leave a review and give us a five star rating ★★★★★
    Made using chickpea flour, ghee, and lots of dry nuts and fruits, Besan Halwa is a traditional, rich North Indian sweet dish that is a favorite for celebrations, festivals, and pujas. It's easy to make, comes together in 25 minutes, and makes for a delicious dessert (vegetarian, gluten-free).

    Besan Halwa Recipe (Indian Chickpea Flour Dessert)

    Made using chickpea flour, ghee, and lots of dry nuts and fruits, Besan Halwa is a traditional, rich North Indian sweet dish that is a favorite for celebrations, festivals, and pujas. It's easy to make, comes together in 25 minutes, and makes for a delicious dessert.
    4.09 from 12 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Dessert
    Cuisine: Indian
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes minutes
    Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes
    Total Time: 25 minutes minutes
    Servings: 6 people
    Calories: 248kcal
    Author: Neha Mathur

    Ingredients 

    • ½ cup ghee
    • ¾ cup chickpea flour (besan, gram flour)
    • 1 cup water
    • ½ cup whole milk (full-fat milk)
    • ½ cup sugar
    • 1 teaspoon cardamom powder
    • almond and pistachio slivers for garnishing
    US Customary or Metric
    Prevent your screen from going dark

    Instructions

    • Heat ghee in a heavy-bottom pan at medium heat.
    • Once the ghee is melted, add chickpea flour and fry until it turns dark brown and aromatic (10-12 mins), stirring continuously to avoid the flour from burning at the bottom of the pan.
    • Note – The color of the final halwa will depend on how well you have roasted the flour. You want the flour to be dark brown in color but not burn it. It goes from perfectly browned to burnt in a few seconds. So keep a close eye while roasting it.
    • Once the chickpea flour is browned well, add water and milk to the pan and mix well. Cook until the liquid is absorbed by the flour, stirring continuously.
    • Now add sugar and cardamom powder to the pan and mix well.
    • Cook for 5-6 minutes until the ghee starts to separate from the sides of the pan. Stir continuously while cooking.
    • Once done, garnish with almond and pistachio slivers and serve hot.

    Video

    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wPBFSFGattE

    Notes

    To make the halwa even more indulgent, add 15-20 strands of saffron soaked in 1 tablespoon of milk for 30 minutes.
    You can replace water with milk for a richer halwa.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 248kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 9g | Cholesterol: 40mg | Sodium: 17mg | Potassium: 111mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 18g | Vitamin A: 35IU | Calcium: 27mg | Iron: 0.5mg
    Pin this recipe for later use!I LOVE to see your creations so pin and mention @WhiskAffair!
    Sign up for regular updates?I would love to have you as part of my journey. Click to sign up!

    More Sweets & Desserts Recipes

    • Fruit Cream is an Indian dessert with fresh fruits added to a creamy base. This fruit salad with cream is super easy to make and tastes very refreshing. Make it using my easy recipe (vegetarian, gluten-free).
      Easy Indian Fruit Cream (Fruit Salad w/ Cream)
    • Shahi Tukda (Shahi Toast) is a Mughlai dessert made using deep-fried bread slices, reduced saffron flavored milk (rabdi), and sugar syrup. It is a perfect dessert for festivals and special occasions (vegetarian).
      Mughlai Shahi Tukda
    • Gajar Ka Halwa (Carrot Halwa) is a traditional Indian sweet dessert made with fresh red carrots, milk, and sugar. It's a winter delicacy and is popularly served at festivals, weddings and special occasions. Learn the traditional method to make this Indian dessert (vegetarian, gluten-free).
      Traditional Carrot Halwa (Gajar Ka Halwa) w/ Khoya
    • Try these addictive White Chocolate Nuts Cups for Diwali this season. They are super easy to make and need minimal ingredients (vegetarian, gluten-free).
      White Chocolate Nuts Cups

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

      Did you make this recipe? Let me know! Cancel reply

      Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

      Recipe Rating




    1. Priyanka Sinha

      April 28, 2019 at 12:40 pm

      5 stars
      I tried your recipe and it came out really well!

      Reply
      • Neha Mathur

        April 29, 2019 at 7:58 am

        Thnx for trying 🙂

        Reply
      • Masna

        May 03, 2020 at 1:21 pm

        Mine turned too dark in colour, but taste was good don’t know what did I do wrong

        Reply
        • Neha Mathur

          May 04, 2020 at 10:21 am

          Hi Masna, the besan should be roasted just about dark brown for perfect colour. Over roasting will make the halwa dark in colour.

          Reply
          • Mamta

            November 02, 2022 at 12:33 pm

            5 stars
            my halwa turned out very good

            Reply
    2. Arshad

      January 12, 2020 at 7:16 pm

      I have not tried the recipe but I want to make sure that the amount of Besan is 1/2 cup and Ghee is 1/2 cup, Sugar is 1/2 cup, Milk is 1/2 cup.
      Thanks.

      Reply
      • Neha Mathur

        January 13, 2020 at 2:36 am

        Yes, it’s the right amount.

        Reply
    3. AARZOO

      January 18, 2020 at 3:35 pm

      5 stars
      My mom used to make Besan ka halwa for my dad as his comfort food. She passed away a few months ago. I have only a few of her recipes but didn’t have one for the halwa. I followed your recipe and kept my mom’s voice in my head to make sure I don’t overdo the heat or stirring. It turned out good and my dad loved it. Thank you so much for helping me try and recreate such a beloved recipe and remember her.

      Reply
      • Neha Mathur

        January 20, 2020 at 2:07 am

        It is so good to hear this 🙂

        Reply
    4. Rahul

      February 09, 2020 at 3:27 pm

      5 stars
      Tried many other besan Ka halwa recipes but I can this one was the best among all.
      I didn’t used 1/2 cup water as you mentioned that it will come up with richer taste with milk only.
      Thank you for the recipe. It was the best desert I’ve ever made.

      Reply
      • Neha Mathur

        February 10, 2020 at 8:07 am

        So glad to read this 🙂

        Reply
    5. AJMUL ALI

      March 04, 2020 at 3:04 pm

      Yes I tried your recipe seriously it’s too tasty one of my girlfriend came from U. s. A and she Never tried any Indian food but she love this halwa thank you so much

      Reply
      • Neha Mathur

        March 04, 2020 at 3:20 pm

        Good to know this 🙂

        Reply
    6. vedica bhardwaj

      July 17, 2020 at 1:05 pm

      hi neha! this is me vedica bhardwaj…. a restaurant owner in Boston and i must say that this is the perfect place for me to get ideas for the beautiful cum auspicious indian specialities for celebrating them across the western world! thanks and a warm hearted congratulations for your effort come in bright colours…. People like you are admired!
      cheers to future!

      Reply
      • Neha Mathur

        July 18, 2020 at 4:27 am

        Happy to hear this Vedica 🙂

        Reply

    Primary Sidebar

    Hey! Nice to meet you

    Neha Mathur, Founder & Recipe Expert at Whisk Affair

    Hi! I'm Neha, Blogger & Recipe Expert behind Whisk Affair. I've nurtured Whisk Affair since 2012 by trying & testing every recipe published. Be sure that it will turn out good each time! Read More about me…

    Stay Connected

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • Twitter
    • YouTube

    My Cookbook

    Neha's Cookbook Cover

    Click to Buy Now on Amazon

    Most Popular Recipes

    • Make this delicious restaurant-style Hibachi Fried Rice (Japanese Style Fried Rice) for a quick Asian-inspired meal. Serve it with Hibachi chicken and Yum Yum sauce and get transported to a Japanese Steakhouse.
      Best Hibachi Fried Rice (Japanese Style Fried Rice)
    • This oven-baked lemon garlic baked tilapia is super easy to make and comes together in under 20 minutes. It's low carb, gluten-free, keto-friendly, and very flavorful. Here is how to make it.
      Spicy Lemon Garlic Baked Tilapia
    • Creamy Garlic Parmesan sauce served in a bowl.
      Creamy Garlic Parmesan Sauce
    • Lemon tea served in cups.
      Lemon Tea
    • Light, hearty and delicious, Chicken Clear Soup is super easy to make at home. It is made using simple ingredients and comes together in under 30 minutes. This soul-soothing soup is gluten-free and low carb too.
      Chicken Clear Soup
    • Egg White Scramble is a healthy, fluffy, and delicious option for breakfast. Serve it with some toast and fruits and milk on the side. Here is how to make the best fluffy scrambled egg white recipe at home!
      Scrambled Egg Whites

    Summer Mango Recipes

    • Kacche Aam Ki Launji is a sweet and spicy chutney made using tangy green mangoes, jaggery, and a few simple spices. This chutney keeps good in the refrigerator for upto 3 months. So make a big batch and enjoy!
      Kacche Aam Ki Launji (Sweet & Spicy Raw Mango Chutney)
    • Learn How To Make Mango Pulp in under 5 minutes and use it round the year to make your favorite recipes.
      How To Make Mango Pulp (Mango Puree)
    • Green mango chutney is a spicy and tangy Indian accompaniment made using green mangoes. Serve it with an Indian snack or meals for a tangy treat.
      Green Mango Chutney (Raw Mango Chutney)
    • This Easy Mango Pico De Gallo is fruity, sweet, and spicy and comes together in under 10 minutes using simple ingredients. Serve it with nachos, chips, rice, or tacos for a perfect summer special accompaniment (vegan, gluten-free).
      Easy Mango Pico De Gallo (Mango Salsa)
    • Mango Magic Tropical Smoothie is a delicious drink loaded with tropical flavors. Sip it for breakfast or for snacks (gluten-free, can be easily made vegan).
      Mango Magic Tropical Smoothie
    • Aam Panna (Tangy Raw Mango Drink) is a refreshing Indian summer beverage made using green raw mangoes. It is sweet, tangy, and bursting with beautiful flavors. Make it in an instant pot or a traditional pressure cooker (vegan, gluten-free).
      Aam Panna (Tangy Raw Mango Drink)

    Indian Beverages

    • Make Mango Frooti (a popular sweet and tangy mango drink) at home using my easy recipe. It tastes just like the store-bought one, minus the harmful colors and preservatives (vegan, gluten-free).
      Homemade Mango Frooti
    • Kokum Juice (Kokum Sharbat) is a Konkani beverage made using dried kokum. It is a perfect drink to sip on hot summer days (vegan, gluten-free).
      Kokum Juice (Kokum Sharbat)
    • Mohabbat ka Sharbat is a refreshing Old Delhi-style summer drink. It has flavors from watermelon and rose syrup. Here is how to make it (vegetarian, gluten-free, and can be made vegan).
      Mohabbat Ka Sharbat
    • Sambaram (Morum Vellam) is Kerala-style spicy buttermilk made with yogurt, curry leaves, green chilies, and ginger. It is popularly served during Onam Sadhya with the festive spread (vegetarian, gluten-free).
      Sambaram (Morum Vellam, Kerala Style Buttermilk)
    • Kahwa is a Kashmiri tea flavored with cinnamon, cardamom, and saffron. It is a great drink to sip on cold winter days but can be had throughout the year. Here is how to make it at home.
      Kashmiri Kahwa Tea
    • Paan Shots is a refreshing drink made using fresh betel leaves, aromatic gulkand (rose jam), and creamy vanilla ice cream. Try my easy recipe here.
      Paan Shots

    Footer


    ^ back to top

    About

    About Neha

    Diwali E-Book

    My Cookbook

    Stay Connected

    Sign up! for emails and updates

    Contact Me

    Policies

    Privacy Policy

    Terms & Conditions

    Accessibility Policy

    Whiskaffair has been featured in leading media including the huffington post, bloomberg quint, buzz feed, your story and many more

    Copyright © 2022 WhiskAffair Food LLP