Tag: Healthy Sweet Snacks

Discovering the Best Healthy Sweet Snacks
Finding healthy sweet snacks that satisfy your cravings while keeping your diet on track can be a rewarding experience. In this article, we’ll explore a variety of sweet healthy Indian snacks that are both delicious and nutritious. Whether you’re looking for a quick bite or a more elaborate treat, these best healthy sweet snacks are sure to please your taste buds.
Why Choose Healthy Sweet Snacks?
Choosing healthy sweet snacks doesn’t mean compromising on taste. These snacks offer the sweetness you crave while providing essential nutrients and keeping your calorie intake in check. But what is the healthiest sweet snack? Generally, snacks made with natural ingredients like fruits, nuts, and whole grains are considered the healthiest.
Benefits of Sweet Healthy Snacks
Nutrient-Rich: Healthy sweet snacks are often packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants that contribute to overall well-being.

Energy Boost: These snacks provide a quick source of energy, making them perfect for an afternoon pick-me-up or a post-workout treat.

Satisfying Cravings: Sweet snacks healthy options can satisfy your sweet tooth without the added sugars and unhealthy fats found in traditional sweets.

Indian desserts or Indian sweet snacks are a great source of comfort, joy and happiness which are savory and make every festive moment an enjoyable time due to its sweetness, texture and taste. 
What Sweets Are the Healthiest?
When searching for healthy sweet snacks, it’s important to choose options that are low in added sugars and high in natural ingredients. Here are some of the best healthy sweet snacks:

Here are some healthy Indian sweet snacks with detailed descriptions which are easy indian recipes:
Dates and Nuts Ladoo
Description: Dates and nuts ladoo energy-boosting ladoos are made with dates and a mix of nuts like almonds, cashews, and walnuts. Dates provide natural sweetness, while nuts add healthy fats and proteins.

Benefits: Rich in fiber, antioxidants, and healthy fats, they offer a nutritious and satisfying snack option without added sugar.
Coconut Barfi
Description: Coconut barfi made with fresh or desiccated coconut and sweetened with jaggery or a small amount of coconut sugar. The mixture is cooked until it thickens and is then set into barfi pieces.

Benefits: Coconut is a good source of healthy fats and fiber. Using jaggery instead of refined sugar adds minerals like iron and magnesium.
Besan Ladoo
Description: Besan ladoo are made from roasted chickpea flour (besan), sweetened with jaggery, and flavored with cardamom. Ghee is typically used, but for a healthier version, you can use coconut oil. Its made in most festive seasons as a diwali food

Benefits: Besan is high protein and fiber, and jaggery is a healthier alternative to white sugar.
Kaju Katli
Description: Kaju katli is a popular sweet made from ground cashews, sweetened with a small amount of sugar, and often flavored with cardamom. The mixture is rolled out and cut into diamond shapes.

Benefits: Cashews are rich in healthy fats, protein, and essential minerals like magnesium and zinc. Moderation is key to keeping this treat healthy.
Ragi Halwa
Description: This halwa is made from ragi (finger millet) flour, sweetened with jaggery, and cooked in water or milk (or a plant-based milk for a vegan version). Ghee or coconut oil is used for cooking.

Benefits: Ragi is a super grain rich in calcium, iron, and fiber, making this halwa a nutritious dessert option.
Fruit Chaat
Description: Fruit chaat is a fresh and colorful mix of seasonal fruits like apples, bananas, pomegranates, and oranges, sprinkled with a dash of chaat masala and a squeeze of lemon juice.

Benefits: Packed with vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants from the fruits, this chaat is a refreshing and naturally sweet snack.
Oats and Nuts Chikki
Description: A healthier twist on traditional chikki, made with oats, mixed nuts, and sweetened with jaggery. The mixture is cooked until it binds together and then set into bars.

Benefits: Oats are high in fiber and have a low glycemic index, while nuts provide healthy fats and protein.
Sweet Potato Chaat
Description: Boiled and cubed sweet potatoes tossed with chaat masala, lemon juice, and a bit of jaggery for sweetness. Garnished with fresh coriander leaves.

Benefits: Sweet potatoes chaat are rich in fiber, vitamins A and C, and have a natural sweetness that reduces the need for added sugars.
Gur Papdi
Description: Also known as Sukhdi, this sweet is made from whole wheat flour, jaggery, and ghee. The ingredients are cooked together until they form a thick mixture, then set and cut into pieces.

Benefits: Whole wheat flour provides fiber and nutrients, while jaggery adds minerals like iron. Ghee, in moderation, offers healthy fats.
Apple Kheer
Description: A light and refreshing kheer made with grated apples, milk (or plant-based milk), and sweetened with a small amount of jaggery or honey. Flavored with cardamom and garnished with nuts.

Benefits: Apples add fiber and natural sweetness, while using milk or plant-based milk makes it creamy and nutritious without needing much-added sugar.

These healthy sweet snacks not only satisfy your sweet tooth but also provide essential nutrients and energy, making them perfect for a balanced diet
Tips for Creating Your Own Healthy Sweet Snacks

Use Natural Sweeteners: When making healthy sweet snacks, opt for natural sweeteners like honey, maple syrup, or dates instead of refined sugars.
Incorporate Whole Foods: Focus on whole foods like fruits, nuts, seeds, and whole grains. These ingredients provide essential nutrients and help keep you full longer.
Control Portions: Even healthy snacks can contribute to weight gain if consumed in large quantities. Be mindful of portion sizes to enjoy your snacks without overindulging.

FAQ’s

What is the healthiest sweet snack?

The healthiest sweet snack is typically made from natural ingredients like fruits, nuts, and whole grains. Examples include fruit and nut bars, Greek yogurt with honey and berries, and dark chocolate-covered almonds.

What sweets are the healthiest?

The healthiest sweets are those that are low in added sugars and high in natural ingredients. Options like apple slices with almond butter, chia seed pudding, and frozen grapes are excellent choices.

What is a healthy but nice snack?

A healthy but nice snack is one that satisfies your cravings while providing essential nutrients. Examples include fruit and nut bars, Greek yogurt with honey and berries, and dark chocolate-covered almonds.

How can I make my sweet snacks healthier?

To make your sweet snacks healthier, use natural sweeteners like honey or maple syrup, incorporate whole foods like fruits and nuts, and be mindful of portion sizes.

Are there easy healthy sweet snacks recipes?

Yes, there are many easy healthy sweet snack recipes, such as fruit and nut bars, chia seed pudding, and frozen grapes, that are quick to prepare and delicious. Explore more recipes on Manjula’s Kitchen and discover the joy of cooking nutritious and delicious food.
Conclusion
Incorporating healthy sweet snacks into your diet can help you enjoy the sweetness you crave while maintaining a balanced and nutritious diet. From fruit and nut bars to chia seed pudding, there are plenty of delicious options to explore. By focusing on natural ingredients and mindful portion sizes, you can enjoy these sweet healthy snacks guilt-free. Start experimenting with these ideas and discover your favorite healthy sweet snacks today!

  • Sweet Potato Halwa (Eggless Pudding)

    Sweet Potato Halwa (Eggless Pudding)

    Sweet Potato Halwa

    Sweet Potato Halwa (Eggless Pudding)

    Sweet Potato Halwa (eggless pudding) is one of the easiest Halwa recipes to make. Cardamom and Cinnamon spices give it a delicate and unique flavor. This is a tasty, warm dessert for cold winter months.
    No ratings yet
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Indian
    Servings 6 people

    Ingredients
      

    Ingredients:

    • 2 cups sweet potato peeled and mashed
    • 5 tablespoons unsalted butter or ghee clarified butter
    • 1 cup milk
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground cardamom (ilachi)
    • 1/4 teaspoon cinnamon powder (dal chini)
    • 1/8 teaspoon of nutmeg (jaifel)
    • 8 cashews broken in small pieces for garnishing (kaju)

    Instructions
     

    Method

    • Boil the sweet potato peel and mash; Sweet potatoes can be cooked in a microwave. Wrap the potatoes in wet paper towel and cook for 7-8 minutes.
    • Heat butter in heavy bottom pan over medium heat. Add sweet potatoes and stir fry by stirring continuously and pressing down for about 8-10 minutes.
    • Add milk and mix it well. After milk comes to a boil cook for 2 minutes, add sugar and cook for additional 6-8 minutes or until Halwa should start leaving the side of the pan. Halwa should be very moist.
    • Turn off the heat and add cardamom, cinnamon, and nutmeg. Mix it well.
    • Serve hot or at room temperature. Garnish with cashews. Halwa tastes best when served hot.

    Notes

     Serving suggestions
    You can serve this as pudding. Serve with vanilla ice cream or over a plain cookies/ biscuits.
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  • Almond Brittle (Almond Chikki)

    Almond Brittle (Almond Chikki)

    Almond Brittle

    Almond Brittle (Almond Chikki)

    Almond brittle also known as Chikki in India this is quick and easy recipe to make. This old fashioned candy every body will enjoy a tasty sweet savory snack that is most popular during winters.
    No ratings yet
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Indian
    Servings 12 oz

    Ingredients
      

    Ingredients:

    • 2 tablespoons butter
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1/8 teaspoon salt
    • 1/2 cup sliced almonds
    • 1 tablespoons sesame seeds roasted

    Instructions
     

    Method

    • Grease about 8×10 cookie sheet and keep aside.
    • In a heavy bottom sauce pan, over medium high heat melt the butter, then add sugar, and salt.
    • Keep stirring the sugar continuously till sugar start melting and changing the color to light brown. Turn off the heat as soon it comes to golden brown in color. This should take 4-5 minutes. Note: when sugar starts melting it changes the color very quickly and it can easily burn.
    • Add almonds and sesame seeds, stir quickly. Pour over the greased sheet and spread evenly.
    • After brittle comes to room temperature brake them in pieces.
    • Store them in air tight container.

    Notes

    Suggestions
    1. Almond Brittle makes a delicious homemade gift. Pack it in a jar or candy bag.
    2. Garnish ice cream and kheer to give a gourmet look with few pieces of Brittle.
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  • Puran Poli – Sweet Flatbread

    Puran Poli – Sweet Flatbread

    Puran Poli

    Puran Poli – Sweet Flatbread

    Puran Poli is a sweet flat bread with a sweet dal lentil filling. This is a popular bread in the states of Gujarat and Maharashtra. Puran poli is a wonderful breakfast dish, and can also be served as a snack.
    5 from 1 vote
    Course Bread
    Cuisine Indian
    Servings 10 Puran Poli

    Ingredients
      

    Ingredients:

    • 1/2 cup of whole wheat flour (atta)
    • ¼ cup all-purpose/plain flour (Maida)
    • 2 tablespoons oil
    • Approximately 1/3 cup water

    Filling

    • ¾ cup Toor dal (Ahrar dal) (available in Indian grocery stores)
    • 1 cup sugar
    • ½ teaspoon turmeric
    • 1 teaspoon cardamom powder (elaichi)
    • ¼ teaspoon nutmeg (jaiphal)

    Also Needed

    • Approximately 3 tablespoons oil
    • Approximately ½ cup of dry whole wheat to roll the bread

    Instructions
     

    Filling

    • Wash and soak the toor dal in two cups of water for at least four hours. Dal will double in volume after soaking. Discard any remaining water.
    • Add toor dal and turmeric to two cups of water and cook in a heavy pan over medium-high heat. When dal boils, remove the yellow foam from the top. Reduce the heat to medium and cover the pan.
    • Let it cook for 25 minutes, adding more water if needed. Dal should be very soft and mushy.
    • Add sugar and cook until the dal looks like paste and starts to hold together. Add cardamom and nutmeg powder and mix well. The dal filling will be very soft and sticky.

    Dough

    • In a bowl, mix whole-wheat flour, all-purpose flour, and oil; add water slowly to make a very soft dough. The dough should not stick to your fingers. Cover the dough and set it aside. Let it rest for at least ten minutes.

    Making Puran Poli

    • Divide both the dough and the dal filling into ten equal parts. The parts of the dal filling should be about 2½ times that of the dough balls.
    • Roll the dough balls into 2½”-diameter circles. Place one part of the filling in the center of each. Seal by pulling the edges of the rolled dough together to make a ball. Proceed to make all ten balls. Let the filled balls settle for three to four minutes.
    • Heat the skillet on medium-high heat. To test, sprinkle a couple of drops of water on the skillet. The water should sizzle right away.
    • Press the filled ball lightly on both sides on a surface covered with dry whole wheat flour.
    • Lay the balls on the sealed side up and lightly press them into circles about 2” in diameter. Roll the balls gently into 5” circles. If the dough sticks to the rolling pin or rolling surface, lightly sprinkle dry whole wheat flour on both sides of the semi-rolled puran poli.
    • Place the Puran poli in the skillet. When it starts to change color, flip it over. You will notice some golden-brown spots.
    • After a few seconds, spread one teaspoon of oil on the puran poli. Flip them again and lightly press the puffed areas with a spatula. Flip again, and press with the spatula making sure the puran poli are golden-brown on both sides.
    • Repeat the same process for the remaining.
    • Puran poli is ready to be served and it tastes best when eaten hot.

    Notes

    Tips

    1. When cooking the dal, use a large pot to prevent it from boiling over, as this can happen very easily.
    2. Cooked Puran Poli can be stored for a week in the refrigerator.  Re-heat over a skillet or in the toaster oven.
    Variation
    Puran Poli can be prepared using Chana dal, however, it has to be cooked for a slightly longer time.   
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  • Coconut Burfi

    Coconut Burfi

    Coconut Burfi

    Coconut Burfi

    Coconut Burfi is made with coconut powder combined with a cardamom flavored sugar syrup. This is a scrumptious dessert or snack. Makes 24 to 30 pieces.
    No ratings yet
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Indian

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup heavy cream or whipping cream
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1 cup dry milk powder
    • ½ cup coconut powder
    • ½ cup grounded walnut
    • ¼ teaspoon cardamom powder

    Instructions
     

    • Grease an 8-inch round or square plate and set aside.
    • Boil the heavy cream on medium-high heat.
    • After milk comes to a boil, turn the heat down to low-medium heat.
    • Add the sugar and Stir so sugar is dissolve.
    • Let it simmer six to seven minutes making sure to stir frequently. The milk syrup should heat until 230 degrees on candy thermometer or one thread.
    • Add the milk powder and mix well. Stir for about two to three minutes on medium heat or until the mixture should start leaving the pan.
    • Turn off the heat and add cardamom powder, coconut powder and ground walnut and mix well.
    • Spread on a greased plate about 1/2 inch thick and let it cool for about an hour. Cut the burfis in square or diamond shapes, or any desired shape.

    Notes

    If sugar syrup heats to above 230 degrees, the burfi will be dry. If the syrup is not thick enough, the burfi will take longer to cook with dry milk powder, making the burfi chewy like taffy.
    Keyword barfi, Burfi, Candy, Coconut, Cream, Gluten Free, Sweets, syrup, Walnuts
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  • Badam Burfi (Almond Candy)

    Badam Burfi (Almond Candy)

    Badam Burfi

    Badam Burfi (Almond Candy)

    Badam (almond) Burfi is a healthy substitute for candy but is rich in flavor. Almond burfi can be served as dessert or snack.
    5 from 1 vote
    Prep Time 10 minutes
    Cook Time 20 minutes
    soaking time 30 minutes
    Total Time 30 minutes
    Course Dessert
    Cuisine Indian
    Servings 10 people

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup whole almonds
    • 1 cup sugar
    • 1/8 tsp cardamom powder
    • 2 tbsp ghe clarified butter
    • 1/3 cup milk

    Instructions
     

    • Soak the almonds in hot water for 30 minutes. Peel the skin off the almonds. 
    • Blend the almonds into a fine paste using just enough milk as needed to blend. Add the sugar and whip it for a couple of minutes.
    • Heat the ghee in the frying pan on low-medium heat. As the ghee melts, add the almond paste and cook on medium heat, stirring continuously.
    • Continue stirring until the mixture thickens to the consistency of bread batter and starts leaving the sides of the pan.
    • Add the cardamom powder. Remove the frying pan from the heat.
    • Whip the batter using a spoon in a circular motion for about two to three minutes.
    • Pour it into the prepared greased pan. Smooth en the surface of the mixture to about a quarter inch thick.
    • Let cool for about 20 minutes until burfi is just look warm.
    • Cut into 1-inch squares or any shape you like.

    Notes

    Cool to the room temperature and store burfi in an airtight container. Almond burfi has a long shelf life and can be kept outside for up to one week. When refrigerated, almond burfi will last a couple of months.
    Suggestions: 
    You can make burfi using almond meal or almond flour. If you are using almond meal, mix one cup almond meal with the sugar and milk and knead the mixture for two minutes. Let the mixture sit for 10 to 15 minutes. Then follow the directions above. The almond flour burfi will be a little chewy.
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