Diwali is the festival of lights, joy, and delicious sweets. Among the many Indian sweets, halwa holds a special place. It is soft, tasty, and perfect for celebrations. Halwa comes in many varieties like suji halwa, moong dal halwa, gajar halwa, and carrot halwa. These halwas are easy to make at home and fill the house with a sweet aroma.

This guide will share the best Indian halwa recipes for Diwali. Each recipe is simple, uses easy ingredients, and tastes amazing. You can make them for family, friends, or even as gifts.

Top 7 Indian Halwa Recipes to Try This Diwali

Diwali is the perfect time to enjoy delicious halwa. From classic suji and gajar halwa to rich moong dal and badam halwa, these sweets are soft, flavorful, and festive. These top 7 Indian halwa recipes are easy to make at home and will fill your celebrations with sweetness and joy.

1. Suji Halwa (Semolina Halwa)

Suji halwa is one of the most popular halwas in India. It is soft, sweet, and melts in your mouth.

Ingredients:

1 cup suji (semolina)
3/4 cup sugar
3 tbsp ghee (clarified butter)
2 cups water
5–6 cashew nuts
5–6 raisins
A pinch of cardamom powder

Method:

Heat ghee in a pan.
Add cashews and raisins. Fry them until golden. Remove and keep aside.
Add suji to the same pan. Roast it on low flame until it turns light golden and gives a nutty aroma.
Boil water in a separate pan.
Slowly pour hot water into the roasted suji. Stir continuously to avoid lumps.
Add sugar and mix well.
Cook for 3–4 minutes until the mixture thickens.
Add cardamom powder, fried cashews, and raisins. Mix well.
Serve hot.

2. Gajar Halwa (Carrot Halwa)

Gajar halwa is a classic Diwali sweet. It is made with grated carrots, milk, and sugar.

Ingredients:

4 cups grated carrots
2 cups full cream milk
3/4 cup sugar
4 tbsp ghee
10 cashews
10 almonds, chopped
A pinch of cardamom powder

Method:

Heat ghee in a pan. Add cashews and almonds. Fry until golden and keep aside.
In the same pan, add grated carrots. Cook for 5 minutes on low flame.
Pour milk over the carrots. Cook on low flame until milk is absorbed and carrots are soft.
Add sugar and cook for another 5–6 minutes.
Add cardamom powder and fried nuts. Mix well.
Serve warm.

3. Moong Dal Halwa

Moong dal halwa is rich, tasty, and perfect for festive occasions. It needs some patience but is worth it.

Ingredients:

1 cup moong dal (split yellow gram)
1 cup sugar
1 cup milk
1/2 cup ghee
10 almonds, chopped
10 cashews
A pinch of saffron (optional)

Method:

Soak moong dal for 2 hours and grind it coarsely.
Heat ghee in a pan. Add the ground dal. Roast on low flame until it turns golden brown. This may take 15–20 minutes.
Boil milk separately. Slowly add milk to the roasted dal. Stir continuously.
Add sugar and saffron. Mix well.
Cook until the halwa thickens and oil separates.
Garnish with fried nuts. Serve hot.

4. Besan Halwa (Gram Flour Halwa)

Besan halwa is quick, easy, and delicious. It has a rich flavor and is perfect for Diwali.

Ingredients:

1 cup besan (gram flour)
1 cup sugar
4 tbsp ghee
2 cups water
5 cashews, fried
1/2 tsp cardamom powder

Method:

Heat ghee in a pan. Add besan and roast it on low flame until it turns golden brown.
Boil water and slowly pour it into the roasted besan. Stir continuously.
Add sugar and cook for 5 minutes.
Add cardamom powder and fried cashews. Mix well.
Serve hot.

5. Badam Halwa (Almond Halwa)

Badam halwa is a rich and creamy sweet. It is made from ground almonds and milk.

Ingredients:

1 cup almonds, soaked and peeled
1 cup sugar
1/2 cup milk
4 tbsp ghee
A pinch of saffron

Method:

Grind almonds with milk to make a smooth paste.
Heat ghee in a pan. Add the almond paste and cook on low flame.
Add sugar and saffron. Mix well.
Cook until the mixture thickens and becomes glossy.
Serve warm.

6. Carrot and Khoya Halwa

Khoya adds richness to the halwa and makes it perfect for celebrations.

Ingredients:

2 cups grated carrots
1 cup khoya (mawa)
1/2 cup sugar
3 tbsp ghee
5–6 cashews and almonds
A pinch of cardamom

Method:

Heat ghee in a pan and fry the nuts. Remove and keep aside.
Add grated carrots and cook for 5–7 minutes.
Add khoya and cook until it melts and mixes with carrots.
Add sugar and cardamom. Mix well.
Garnish with fried nuts. Serve warm.

7. Pineapple Halwa

This is a fruity version of halwa. Pineapple halwa is sweet, tangy, and unique.

Ingredients:

1 cup pineapple, chopped
3/4 cup sugar
3 tbsp ghee
5–6 cashews
A pinch of cardamom powder

Method:

Heat ghee in a pan. Fry cashews until golden and keep aside.
Add pineapple pieces and cook on medium flame for 5–6 minutes.
Add sugar and cook until it thickens.
Add cardamom powder and fried cashews. Mix well.
Serve warm.

Tips for Perfect Halwa

Roast ingredients on low flame to avoid burning.
Always stir continuously while adding liquids to avoid lumps.
Use fresh ghee for a rich taste.
Garnish with nuts and saffron for a festive look.
Serve halwa warm for the best taste.

How to Store Halwa

Halwa can be stored in an airtight container for 2–3 days at room temperature.
For longer storage, keep it in the fridge for up to 5–7 days.
Reheat halwa on low flame before serving.

Why Halwa is Popular During Diwali

Halwa is easy to make and tastes delicious.
It can be made with simple ingredients available at home.
It has festive look when garnished with nuts and saffron.
Halwa brings sweetness and happiness to Diwali celebrations.

Healthier Halwa Options

Use less sugar to make halwa healthier.
Add milk or khoya for protein.
Use nuts and dry fruits for extra nutrition.
You can also try jaggery instead of sugar for a natural sweet taste.

Quick Halwa Recipe for Diwali

If you are busy, here’s a quick halwa recipe:

Ingredients:

1 cup suji
1 cup milk
1/2 cup sugar
2 tbsp ghee
Cashews and raisins

Method:

Heat ghee and fry cashews and raisins.
Roast suji for 2 minutes.
Add milk and cook for 5 minutes.
Add sugar, mix well, and cook until thick.
Garnish with nuts. Serve hot.

Conclusion

Halwa is a must-have sweet for Diwali. From suji halwa to moong dal halwa, gajar halwa, and badam halwa, each type is easy to make and very tasty. You can try these recipes at home and make your Diwali sweeter and happier. These Indian halwa recipes for Diwali are perfect for celebrations, bring a festive touch to your home, and are loved by everyone.

FAQs on Indian Halwa Recipes for Diwali

1. What is the easiest halwa to make for Diwali?

The easiest halwa is suji halwa (semolina halwa). It needs few ingredients and cooks quickly.

2. Can I make halwa without ghee?

Yes, you can use oil or butter, but ghee gives the best rich and traditional flavor.

3. How long can halwa stay fresh?

Halwa can stay 2–3 days at room temperature in an airtight container. Refrigerate for 5–7 days for longer storage.

4. Can I make halwa with less sugar?

Yes, you can reduce sugar to make a healthier version. You can also use jaggery as a natural sweetener.

5. Which halwa is best for Diwali gifts?

Moong dal halwa, gajar halwa, and badam halwa are rich and perfect for gifting during Diwali.