From Gujiya to Malpua - 10 Recipes That Make Holi Sweets Healthier & Tastier

The celebration of Holi requires traditional sweets because they form an essential part of the festival. 

The shift towards health-conscious living has led people to seek methods that enable them to continue eating their favorite treats while avoiding feelings of guilt. 

Give classic Holi sweets a nutritious upgrade using Air Fryer, during this year's festival by retaining their traditional delectability and celebration quality. 

These 10 delicious cooking recipes serve to create both traditional and wellness-friendly Holi festival meals.

1. Gujiya 

Credits: Canva

Gujiya is the heart of Holi celebrations, but deep-fried versions can be heavy. This baked version keeps the crispness intact while being a healthier alternative.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups whole wheat flour
• ½ cup semolina
• ½ cup jaggery powder
• 1 cup khoya (reduced milk)
• ½ cup mixed nuts (chopped)
• 2 tbsp desiccated coconut
• 1 tsp cardamom powder
• 2 tbsp ghee
• Warm milk (as needed)

Instructions:

1. Mix whole wheat flour, semolina, and ghee. Add warm milk gradually and knead into a firm dough.
2. In a pan, roast khoya until light brown, then mix with jaggery, nuts, coconut, and cardamom.
3. Roll out small dough balls, fill with the mixture, and seal.
4. Bake at 180°C in an OTG for 15-20 minutes until golden brown.

2. Jaggery & Nuts Thandai - A Nutrient-Packed Cooler

Credits: Flux

Thandai is a Holi essential, and this version uses jaggery instead of sugar to enhance both flavor and nutrition.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups chilled milk (or almond milk for a vegan option)
• 2 tbsp soaked almonds
• 1 tbsp cashews
• 1 tbsp fennel seeds
• 1 tbsp poppy seeds
• ½ tsp black pepper
• 1 tbsp rose petals
• 2 tbsp jaggery powder
• A pinch of saffron
• Chopped pistachios for garnish

Instructions:

1. Blend soaked almonds, cashews, fennel, poppy seeds, black pepper, and rose petals into a fine paste.
2. Heat milk and add the paste with jaggery and saffron.
3. Let it cool, refrigerate, and serve chilled with pistachio garnish.

3. Millet Ladoos - The Power-Packed Bite

A nutritious take on traditional ladoos, these millet ladoos are rich in fiber and essential minerals.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup pearl millet flour (bajra)
• ½ cup jaggery powder
• ¼ cup ghee
• ¼ cup mixed nuts (chopped)
• 1 tsp cardamom powder

Instructions:

1. Dry roast millet flour until fragrant.
2. Heat ghee, add nuts, and mix with the flour.
3. Add jaggery and cardamom powder, mix well, and shape into ladoos.

4. Baked Malpua - The Lighter Delight

Skip the deep-frying and bake your malpua for the same taste with fewer calories.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• ½ cup mashed ripe banana
• 1 tbsp jaggery powder
• 1 tsp fennel seeds
• 1 cup milk
• ½ tsp baking powder
• Ghee for brushing

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients into a smooth batter.
2. Pour small portions onto a greased baking sheet.
3. Bake at 180°C using an OTG for 10-15 minutes until golden brown.
4. Serve with jaggery syrup and chopped nuts.

5. Date & Nut Barfi - A Natural Sweetness

Credits: Canva

Replace sugar with dates to create a naturally sweet barfi that’s full of energy.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dates (seedless, finely chopped)
• ½ cup mixed nuts
• 1 tbsp ghee
• 1 tsp cardamom powder

Instructions:

1. Heat ghee in a pan, add dates, and cook until soft.
2. Add nuts and cardamom powder.
3. Spread onto a greased tray, let it cool, and cut into squares.

6. Coconut & Jaggery Kheer - The Creamy Bliss

A dairy-free, sugar-free version of kheer that tastes just as indulgent.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup coconut milk
• ½ cup cooked brown rice
• ¼ cup jaggery
• 1 tsp cardamom powder
• Chopped nuts for garnish

Instructions:

1. Heat coconut milk and add cooked rice.
2. Stir in jaggery and cardamom powder.
3. Simmer until thickened and garnish with nuts.

7. Moong Dal Halwa with Less Ghee

Credits: Canva

This lighter version of moong dal halwa uses less ghee while retaining its rich taste.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup moong dal (soaked and blended into paste)
• 2 tbsp ghee
• ½ cup jaggery
• 1 cup milk
• ½ tsp cardamom powder

Instructions:

1. Heat ghee and roast moong dal paste until aromatic.
2. Add milk and stir until thickened.
3. Mix in jaggery and cardamom powder, cook until smooth.

8. Steamed Puran Poli - A Healthier Spin

Steaming instead of frying puran poli reduces oil consumption while keeping it soft and delicious.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• ½ cup chana dal (boiled and mashed)
• ¼ cup jaggery
• 1 tsp cardamom powder

Instructions:

1. Mix flour with water to make a soft dough.
2. Cook chana dal with jaggery until thick.
3. Roll out dough, fill with stuffing, and air fry instead of frying.

9. Ragi Gulab Jamun - A Fiber-Rich Twist

Credits: Canva

Replace maida with ragi for a healthier version of gulab jamun.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup ragi flour
• ¼ cup khoya
• ¼ cup jaggery syrup
• ½ tsp baking soda
• Ghee for frying (or air-fry for a healthier version)

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients into a soft dough.
2. Shape into balls and fry or air-fry until golden brown.
3. Soak in warm jaggery syrup and serve.

10. Oats & Honey Shakarpara - A Crispy Delight

Credits: Canva

A high-fiber alternative to traditional shakarpara, baked instead of fried.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup oats flour
• ½ cup whole wheat flour
• 2 tbsp honey
• 2 tbsp ghee
• Warm water (as needed)

Instructions:

1. Mix ingredients into a firm dough.
2. Roll and cut into diamond shapes.
3. Bake at 180°C using an OTG for 15 minutes until crisp.

Celebrate Healthier Holi with Glen India

A wholesome Holi experience begins with cooking in the kitchen where proper appliances ease the entire process.

The smart kitchen appliances from Glen India which include air fryers and OTGs simplify the preparation process of traditional sweets while reducing the oil consumption to maintain both flavor and well-being. 

Celebrate this Holi by savouring traditional sweets with no worries because Holi festive consumption needs to remain free of guilt.