It's back to basics with an age-old recipe from India for Whole Wheat Flour Halwa or Atta Halwa.
Atta Halwa is a popular north Indian dessert recipe with wheat flour, ghee, and sugar.
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With an equal amount of sugar and ghee, this recipe is perfect as a dessert. I have shared several Halwa recipes in the past, and today’s recipe is associated with Indian festivals more than any other Halwa.
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Why this recipe works
You can try this for the Navratri festival (or Diwali too). I am using whole wheat flour and replacing sugar with Jaggery (Palm-based). I am also replacing Ghee with oil (or using vegan ghee) as vegan alternatives.
It is amazing how many people are still surprised that Ghee can be replaced in almost all Indian dessert recipes.
I hope this recipe will be an eye-opener to change your opinion about using Ghee. It has the same melt-in-your-mouth taste that we crave.
The important part of getting it right is the quantity and making sure that there are no lumps formed when you mix the ingredients.
When you get it right, it stays good for several days. Preparing this took less than 30 minutes from scratch and didn’t need special ingredients.
Wheat flour Halwa can be paired with a cup of hot coffee or Chai for a truly satisfying experience.
Lastly, you can mix in any dry fruits like almonds or raisins. Try it today and let me know how you like it!
Choice of sweetener
This wheat flour halwa is made with wheat flour, oil, and a sweetener. The sweetener is traditionally sugar, but I have used jaggery instead.
If you want to avoid sugar in your desserts, then this atta halwa is perfect for you. Both the options are equally tasty, and it is only a matter of taste preference.
Originally this “Atta Halwa,” wheat flour halwa is from north India. They serve as an offering at temples.
Given the traditional and religious background, it is not a vegan dessert inherently.
I have looked for vegan alternatives so that this wonderful, delicious dessert becomes an option for vegans too!
How to make this
Heat the olive oil in a medium-size pan. Roast the wheat flour in the corn oil or avocado oil on a low flame for about 7- 8 minutes or until you get a roasted texture.
Meanwhile, dilute the jaggery in 2 ¼ cups of water in a separate pan.
Simmer the jaggery water over medium flame. When jaggery dissolves and starts to boil, remove it from heat.
Pour the sweet jaggery mix into the roasted flour gradually and continue to stir the flour to avoid any lumps.
Add cardamom powder, vegan ghee, and roasted nuts (optional) and continue to stir for about 3-4 minutes, and turn off the heat.
Wheat Flour Halwa is ready. Spread it in a separate bowl and let it cool.
Enjoy the vegan atta halwa with coffee or chai.
Expert tips
Here are some important tips and recommendations to make your perfect Atta halwa today:
- You must roast wheat flour with oil and ensure it mixes properly in low to medium heat. This will help avoid having undercooked or burnt flour.
- Use avocado oil or vegan ghee instead of corn oil for better results.
- Sugar brings better texture than jaggery. Use your judgment to choose jaggery, sugar, or a 50-50 combination.
- Add a pinch of salt to enhance the sweetness.
- Roasted cashews and almonds can be used at the end to garnish the dessert, but that’s optional.
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📖 Recipe
Atta Halwa Recipe
Process Shot
Check above for step-by-step pictures (most of my recipes include pictures)
Ingredients
- 1 cup wheat flour - Atta
- 2 ¼ cup water
- 1 cup jaggery
- 3 tablespoon sugar - optional
- 1 teaspoon cardamom powder
- 6 tablespoon corn oil or vegan ghee
- 2 tablespoon roasted nuts - optional
Instructions
- Heat the four tablespoons of oil in a medium-size pan. Roast the wheat flour in the corn oil or avocado oil, on a low flame for about 7- 8 minutes or until you get a roasted texture.1 cup wheat flour - Atta
- Meanwhile, dilute the jaggery in 2 ¼ cups water in a separate pan.2 ¼ cup water, 1 cup jaggery
- Simmer the jaggery water over medium flame. When jaggery dissolves and starts to boil, remove from heat.
- Pour the sweet jaggery mix into the roasted flour gradually and continue to stir the flour to avoid any lumps.3 tablespoon sugar
- Add cardamom powder, add remaining oil or vegan ghee, and roasted nuts (optional) and continue to stir for about 3-4 minutes and turn off the heat.1 teaspoon cardamom powder, 2 tablespoon roasted nuts
- Wheat Flour Halwa is ready. Spread it on a separate bowl and let it cool.
Video
Notes
- You must roast wheat flour with oil and ensure it mixes properly in low to medium heat. This will help avoid having undercooked or burnt flour.
- Use avocado oil or vegan ghee instead of corn oil for better results.
- Sugar brings better texture than jaggery. Use your judgment to choose jaggery, sugar, or a 50-50 combination.
- Add a pinch of salt to enhance the sweetness.
- Roasted cashews and almonds can be used at the end to garnish the dessert, but that’s optional.
YOUR OWN NOTES
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.
Vandana says
Amazing! Atte ka halwa is on of favorite Indian desserts. Loved that you have used jaggery instead of sugar. I will make it today itself. Thanks for sharing this recipe.
Amrita Roy says
Wheat flour halwa looks divine. Moreover it's guilt free as you have prepared using oil instead ghee and sugar is replaced by jaggery
Priya Srinivasan says
We love wheat flour halwa, i make this in the same pan as i make ghee, to just use up the residue in the pan. Love this vegan version with jaggery!
sapana says
Atts hslwa is a favorite sweet dish at my home. Whenevr someone wants to have something sweet after dinner. I prefer making this halwa. Looks so deliicous.
Jagruti's Cooking Odyssey says
This classic and divine looking aate ka halwa is my favourite, packed with deliciousness and so easy to whip up, loving the vegan version too!
Padma Veeranki says
This wheat flour halwa takes me back to my childhood days when my mom used to make this quite often...It's been so long since I even made it...Now after looking at this delicious halwa, I'm tempted to make asap!!
Mayuri Patel says
I have some palm jaggery which I want to use up. Will use it up for wheat halwa. I usually add sugar but am sure the caramel like taste of jaggery will make this halwa taste different.
Uma Raghupathi says
Yes Mayuri! Jaggery gives an authentic taste and plus sugar free 🙂
ARCHANA says
Omg! Drooling here! Its been ages since I made this atta ka halwa. Never tried with jaggery though will love to try it. This is one halwa for which I will go to gurdwara.
Lata Lala says
Aate ka halwa is a favourite dish at my place too. Making without ghee and sugar replaced by jaggery is a lovely idea Uma.
Uma Raghupathi says
Thank you Lata. Hope you will try this soon.
Pavani says
Aata halwa is such a classic and traditional Indian dessert. Love your vegan version of it. Will have to try this sometime during the festival season.
Bless my food by Payal says
This sounds so interesting that atte ka halwa without regular ghee. The best part of this recipe is that even weight watchers too can cherish it. Superb
Uma Raghupathi says
Yes this is perfect for vegan & non vegan family 🙂 Thank you
Nisha Ramesh says
Delicious. Its so perfect for the festive season now! 🙂
end of the fork says
Mmm I love halwa! Ghee makes it quite dense and filling so it's great to have a lighter option.
Jagruti says
No one say no to aate ka halwa, I too sometimes make without ghee, so delicious !
Uma Raghupathi says
Yes! Happy to hear that Jagruti 🙂 Thanks
jayashreetrao says
This is a popular sweet dish, but its good that ghee can be replaced. It will be ideal for many.