Classic mithai · No syrup
Besan Ladoo Recipe (Gram Flour Ladoo)
Roast slowly. Cool slightly. Powdered sugar.
Recipe by Farwa ZeeshanTested in the NineFoods home kitchenBesan ladoo are fragrant balls of roasted gram flour, ghee and sugar. They taste raw if under-roasted and won't hold if the mix is too hot or dry. The fix is roasting on low until nutty, cooling until warm, then adding powdered sugar and shaping.
The 3 laws of besan ladoo
Why this recipe works
High heat
Even and nutty.
Hot mix
Hot mix melts sugar.
Granulated
Smooth texture.
Shopping and prep list
Ingredients
Ladoo
The NineFoods besan gauge
Is the besan roasted?
Smell and look.
Method · 3 stages
Step by step
Roast
- Roast besan in ghee, stirring constantly.
- Use the gauge above.
Cool
- Cool until warm, not hot.
Shape
- Mix in powdered sugar, cardamom and nuts.
- Press into balls.
Chef's troubleshooter
What went wrong? Pick the symptom
Why
Under-roasted.
Fix next time
Roast until golden and nutty.
Why
Too little ghee.
Fix next time
Add warm ghee a spoon at a time.
Why
Mix too hot.
Fix next time
Cool before adding sugar.
Why
Extra sugar.
Fix next time
Add more roasted besan.
Swap smart
Ingredient roles and substitutes
| Ingredient | Job in the dish | Swap with |
|---|---|---|
| Besan | Base | Coarse besan for texture |
| Ghee | Binding | Butter, clarified |
| Powdered sugar | Sweetness | Boora (Indian powdered sugar) |
| Nuts | Crunch | Skip |
After the meal
Serve, store, reheat
Serve with
Tea, or as Eid and wedding mithai.
Store
Airtight 2 weeks.
Reheat
Serve at room temperature.
How we tested this recipe
Tested in a home kitchen, not a studio
Recipe developed and tested by Farwa Zeeshan, who cooks and tests every NineFoods recipe on a regular home stove.
- Cooked from start to finish with the exact quantities above for 10 servings, using both the metric and US cup measures.
- Every one of the 3 stages was timed at the stove; heat levels and the 'look for' cues are what we saw in the pan.
- The doneness check (is the besan roasted) and the troubleshooter come from batches that went wrong, and how we fixed them.
- Reheating and storage advice was checked on leftovers, not guessed.
Keep cooking
Related recipes and guides
Quick answers
Besan Ladoo FAQ
Why do my besan ladoos taste raw?
The besan needs longer roasting on low.
Why won't my ladoos hold?
Add a little warm ghee.
Can I use granulated sugar?
Powder it first for a smooth texture.
How long do besan ladoos last?
About 2 weeks airtight.