Indian Deep-fried Desserts

Gulab jamun is a dessert based on milk solids that are kneaded into a dough, shaped into balls, and deep-fried in ghee. The balls then get soaked in a sugary concoction flavored with saffron, green cardamom, and rose water. When served, gulab jamu... READ MORE

Although it is believed to have its origins in Persia, zulbia or jalebi is an international dessert with variations that spread throughout the Middle East, India, and Asia. In its basic form, this sweet dessert is created by combining flour with y... READ MORE

Khaja is a traditional dessert consisting of flour, sugar, and ghee-based dough that is deep-fried in oil until golden and crispy. After the preparation, khaja is sometimes soaked in sugar syrup, depending on the regional variation of the recipe. ... READ MORE

Boondi are small deep-fried round balls made from besan (gram flour). They come in a sweet or savor version. The process of making boondi starts with a thick besan batter that is poured through a sieve and dropped directly into sizzling oil, creat... READ MORE

Originating in Bengal, pantua is a soft, spherical dessert that is entirely drenched in cardamom-and-saffron-flavored sugar syrup. A dough of khoa (dried evaporated milk solids), chhena (Indian cottage cheese), flour, and baking ... READ MORE

Malpua is a sweet Indian pancake made by deep-frying a batter of rice flour, thickened milk, and (quite often) cardamom. These pancakes are traditionally prepared for celebrations and festive events, and they are the most popular in winter and dur... READ MORE

These flower-shaped cookies are prepared with a thin batter which consists of rice flour, eggs, and coconut milk. They are made with specialized achu molds which are heated, then dipped and coated in batter, before the cookies are deep-fr... READ MORE

Chavde is a crispy, deep-fried Indian dessert that's traditionally prepared during the festival of Ganesh Chaturthi. It consists of thinly-rolled, round-shaped dough and a fragrant mixture of roasted coconut, cardamom, sesame seeds, and sugar. The... READ MORE

Chiroti is a traditional dessert originating from South India, and it's very popular in Maharashtra and Karnataka. This fried, layered, and flaky sweet pastry is usually prepared on religious festivals such as Diwali and special occasions. It's us... READ MORE

Thekua is a flavorful, crispy Nepalese dessert consisting of whole wheat flour, jaggery, and grated coconut. The dough is traditionally deep-fried in ghee until it develops a reddish-brown color. This unique treat is especially popular during the<... READ MORE

Chandrakanthalu are traditional Indian cookies originating from Andhra Pradesh. They’re made with a combination of green gram (moong dal), sugar, coconut, cardamom, saffron, cashew nuts, and ghee. The dal is soaked, ground into a paste, then... READ MORE

Arisa pitha is a traditional pancake-like sweet snack and a type of pitha originating from Odisha. It's usually made with a combination of rice flour, sesame seeds, jaggery, sugar, ghee, and oil. The rice is soaked, slightly drained, and ground in... READ MORE