10+ Indian Desserts Recipes in Instant Pot

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• Making Indian desserts in Instant Pot
• Kheer recipes in Instant Pot
• Halwa recipes in Instant Pot
• More Instant Pot Desserts
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Making Indian desserts in Instant Pot

Here is my collection of the best Indian dessert recipes made in an Instant Pot. Making desserts in Instant Pot is a great way of saving time and energy, yet getting the perfect result that tastes just like the authentic ones. Some elaborate Indian desserts that need hours of stirring and monitoring can be made very easily in the Instant Pot.

I love the use of Instant Pot to make desserts as it cuts down the cooking time immensely. I don't have to monitor or keep stirring a halwa to get the perfect taste and texture.

This collection will keep growing as I cook up more delicious desserts. Each recipe here is tried and tested and includes all the tips and tricks you need to make them perfect in the first go.

Click here to read more on the use of Instant Pot in Indian cooking and my collection of Indian rice recipes in Instant Pot.

Kheer recipes in Instant Pot

The word kheer comes from the Sanskrit word kshirika, which means made with milk. It has been mentioned in Ayurveda and is known to be a part of ancient Indian food. Its first mention was not as a rice pudding but actually made with jowar (sorghum) and milk. Millets were commonly used back in the early 14th century and the millet pudding was sweetened with fruits or jaggery.

Also called payasam, payesh, payas, or payasa, every state in India has its own version and is also be made of vermicelli or millets. Payas is considered auspicious and is also associated with annaprasana (infant's weaning ritual).

This sweet treat became widely popular once it was being served as prasada in temples. The white color (shwet) of this dish is associated with purity and is often a part of festivals and celebrations.

Here are some delicious payasam recipes that can be made in the IP in a breeze.

Kheer (Rice Pudding)

Indulge in a bowl of creamy and decadent Indian rice pudding, also known as kheer, made with three main ingredients - rice, milk, and sugar. Making it in an Instant Pot electric pressure cooker is incredibly easy and saves time. In just 20 minutes (with less than 5 minutes of hands-on time), you'll have a rich and luscious kheer that's sure to impress your family and friends.

Get the recipe: Instant Pot kheer.

Semiya Payasama

Vermicelli kheer is a delectable Indian dessert that is a perfect treat for any occasion, infused with the richness of whole milk, the sweetness of sugar, and the aroma of cardamom. Also known as semiya payasam or sheer khurma, this Instant Pot recipe is very easy to make. Despite being easier to make, the taste of this kheer is just as rich and satisfying as the traditional stovetop method. 

Get the recipe: Vermicelli kheer.

Moong Dal Kheer

Moong dal payasam or kheer is an easy and delicious South Indian sweet dish made with petite yellow lentils. This traditional dish is made with coconut milk and sweetened using jaggery.

Get the recipe: Moong dal payasam.

Sabudana Kheer

Sabudana kheer or payasam is a delicious pudding made using tapioca pearls. Also known as javvarasi payasam, this smooth and luscious dessert is naturally gluten-free and a popular vrat/fasting food.

Get the recipe: Sabudana kheer.

Chana dal payasam

Easy, delicious, and healthy chana dal payasam is made using Bengal gram, rice, and jaggery. This refined sugar-free sweet is perfect for festivals and celebrations. Making it in the Instant Pot saves time and gives perfect taste and texture.

Get the recipe: Chana dal payasam.

Halwa recipes in Instant Pot

Halwa is a dense, sweet confection that is popular across India. They are prepared both for festivals and for day-to-day dessert cravings. It originates from the Middle East and is derived from the Arabic word 'Hulw' which means sweetmeat.

Despite its origin, it is loved by us Indians immensely. Halwa is usually made by simmering something in milk - it could be a grain, fruit, or vegetable. An all-time favorite for Indians is gajar ka halva (made with grated carrots). You will mostly find halwa garnished with nuts and raisins that are fried in ghee.

Here are some halwa recipes made in the Instant Pot, which would rather take hours to cook on the stovetop.

Badam Halwa

Badam halwa or almond halwa is a rich and decadent dessert made with almonds, milk, and sugar. Traditionally, it is made by soaking, peeling, and grinding the almonds which are then slow-cooked for at least an hour. In this recipe, I am sharing an easy fuss-free method of making this indulgent halwa using a shortcut method (Instant Pot) and a shortcut ingredient (almond meal).

Get the recipe: Almond halwa.

Moong Dal Halwa

Moong dal halwa is a decadent dessert made with split mung bean (or petite yellow lentils), sugar, and ghee. Rich and warm halwa with ghee oozing from the sides and topped with nuts is perfect for your celebrations and festivals like Diwali.

Get the recipe: Moong dal halwa.

Pumpkin Halwa

Pumpkin halwa (or kaddu ka halwa) is a delicious and versatile Indian dessert made with pumpkin, milk, sugar, and ghee. It is a popular dish during the fall and winter months when pumpkins are in season. This easy version is made in the Instant Pot and requires minimal monitoring, unlike the traditional stovetop version.

Get the recipe: Pumpkin halwa.

Beetroot Carrot Halwa

Beetroot carrot halwa is a delicious and healthy Indian dessert made with grated beetroot and carrots. This is a combination of carrot halwa and beetroot halwa which are very popular halwa varieties. Adding both these vegetables to the halwa not only makes it healthier but also more delicious. This easy Instant Pot version is ready in 30 minutes and gives great results.

Get the recipe: Beetroot carrot halwa.

More Instant Pot Desserts

Here are some more unique and delicious Indian desserts made in the Instant Pot.

Meethi Semiyan

Rich, decadent, and easy-to-make meethi semiya is made with vermicelli, sugar, and ghee. This delicious dish is topped with nuts and flavored with cardamom and saffron. This popular Awadhi dessert is perfect for celebrations and festivals.

Get the recipe: Sweet vermicelli.

Sweet Pongal

Sweet Pongal is a refined-sugar-free dessert made using rice, moong dal, and jaggery as the main ingredients. This South Indian dish is an integral part of festivals like Makara Sankranti and Navratri. Make authentic temple-style sakkarai Pongal in the Instant Pot with this easy recipe.

Get the recipe: Sweet pongal.

More recipe collections:
1. Instant Pot soups.
2. Rice-based Indian recipes.