20 Traditional Vegan Indian Dessert Recipes That Are Packed Full of Flavor

Indian desserts offer a wonderful range: creamy textures, fragrant spices, tropical flavors, and nutty richness. 

With careful substitutions – like vegan milk and coconut cream – these traditional sweets can remain fully plant-based while preserving their soul.

This collection brings 20 beloved Indian dessert recipes into the vegan realm, from silky puddings and syrup-soaked sweets to classic barfi, halwa, and frozen treats. 

Each one is flavourful and easy to share at family meals or festive gatherings.

Creamy, Pudding-Style Vegan Indian Dessert Recipes

These desserts are velvety, fragrant, and serve beautifully in bowls or shared platters.

1. Vegan Kheer (Rice Pudding)

This classic pudding is made from coconut milk and rice – infused with cardamom, saffron, and toasted almonds. It’s creamy and naturally sweetened with sugar or jaggery.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup basmati rice
• 2 cups coconut milk
• 1 cup plant milk
• 1/4 cup sugar or jaggery
• 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
• Pinch of saffron
• 1 tbsp toasted almonds

Instructions:

1. Rinse rice and simmer with plant milks and sugar until tender.
2. Stir in cardamom and saffron, then top with almonds before serving.

2. Vegan Mango Shrikhand

Made by blending coconut yogurt with ripe mango pulp, this dessert is spiced lightly with cardamom and garnished with pistachios. Refreshing, creamy, and perfect for summer.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup coconut yogurt
• 1/2 cup mango pulp
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
• Chopped pistachios

Instructions:

1. Stir all ingredients until smooth.
2. Chill and garnish with pistachios before serving.

3. Vegan Semiya Payasam (Vermicelli Pudding)

Toasty vermicelli cooked in coconut milk with turmeric, cardamom, and sweetener. Garnished with raisins and nuts, it’s light yet satisfying.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup vermicelli
• 2 cups coconut milk
• 1 cup plant milk
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp cardamom
• 1/4 tsp turmeric
• Handful of raisins and cashews

Instructions:

1. Roast vermicelli in a little oil, add plant milks and sugar.
2. Cook until soft, stir in spices, and top with raisins and nuts.

4. Coconut Ladoo

Sweet, nutty coconut balls made from desiccated coconut and sugar, lightly scented with cardamom. These no-bake delights are quick to prepare and travel well.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup desiccated coconut
• 1/2 cup coconut cream
• 2 tbsp sugar or jaggery
• Pinch of cardamom

Instructions:

1. Mix ingredients over gentle heat until sticky.
2. Roll into balls and chill.

5. Vegan Badam Milk Pudding

This almond-infused pudding is rich and creamy, made with almond paste, coconut milk, and cardamom. It’s elegant and easily portioned into cups or ramekins.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup almond butter or paste
• 2 cups coconut milk
• 1/4 cup plant milk
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp cardamom

Instructions:

1. Stir ingredients in a saucepan and simmer gently.
2. Cook until slightly thickened, then chill before serving.

Syrup-Soaked & Sweet Barfi-Style Treats

These desserts are sweet, fragrant, and often shaped into indulgent squares or rounds – perfect for festive occasions.

6. Vegan Coconut Barfi

A rich fudge made from coconut and sugar, flavored with cardamom and topped with chopped pistachio. The texture is soft and melts in your mouth.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup desiccated coconut
• 1/2 cup coconut cream
• 1/3 cup sugar or jaggery
• 1/2 tsp cardamom
• Chopped pistachios

Instructions:

1. Cook all ingredients until thickened, then spread into a tray.
2. Once set, cut into squares and garnish with nuts.

7. Vegan Besan (Chickpea Flour) Ladoo

Nutty and sweet, these ladoos use roasted chickpea flour blended with coconut oil, sugar, and spices. Quick to shape and delightful to share.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup chickpea flour (besan)
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp cardamom
• Chopped nuts optional

Instructions:

1. Roast flour in oil until fragrant, stir in sugar and spices.
2. Shape into balls and garnish with chopped nuts if desired.

8. Vegan Jalebi (Baked or Pan-Fried)

Bright, spiral-shaped and soaked in saffron syrup, these are usually fried – but can also be baked for a healthier twist. Crisp, sugary, and festive.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup all-purpose flour
• 1/2 tsp yeast
• 1/4 tsp turmeric
• Oil for frying (or bake with oil spray)
• Syrup: 1 cup sugar, 1/2 cup water, pinch saffron

Instructions:

1. Make a runny batter, pipe spirals, and fry until golden.
2. Dip in warm syrup, drain, and serve.

9. Vegan Gulab Jamun

Soft dough balls made with plant milk solids or almond flour, gently fried and soaked in fragrant rose-cardamom syrup. Delicate and sweet.

Ingredients:

• 1/2 cup almond flour
• 1/4 cup chickpea flour
• 1 tsp baking powder
• 1 cup plant milk
• Syrup: sugar, water, rose water, cardamom

Instructions:

1. Mix dough and shape into balls, fry at low heat until golden.
2. Soak in warm syrup until fully absorbed.

10. Vegan Sooji (Semolina) Halwa

Classic warm dessert made with semolina, saffron, coconut milk, and nuts. Comforting, rich, and perfect for cozy evenings or festive meals.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup semolina (sooji)
• 4 tbsp coconut oil
• 2 cups coconut milk
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp cardamom
• Saffron threads and chopped nuts

Instructions:

1. Roast semolina in coconut oil until golden.
2. Add warm coconut milk and sugar, cook until the pudding thickens. Garnish before serving.

Baked or Freezer-Friendly Vegan Indian Desserts

These treats offer texture and convenience – perfect for serving cold or slicing from the fridge.

11. Vegan Carrot Halwa Squares

Adapted from the Indian carrot pudding, baked as bars with grated carrots, coconut milk, and spices. Moist and subtly sweet.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups grated carrot
• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1/4 cup almond flour
• 3 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp cardamom

Instructions:

1. Mix ingredients in a baking dish and bake at 350°F for 30–35 minutes.
2. Cool and slice into squares.

12. Vegan Kulfi Bars

Indian-style ice cream using coconut milk, mango or cardamom flavors, and frozen into a mold – silky and refreshing.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups coconut milk
• 1/2 cup mango purée or crushed pistachios
• 1/4 cup sugar
• 1/2 tsp cardamom

Instructions:

1. Mix ingredients, 
2. Pour into molds
3. Freeze until solid.

13. Vegan Gulab Jamun Trifle Cups

These individual trifle cups layer small vegan jamuns with coconut whipped cream and berry or rose syrup. Elegant and handheld.

Ingredients:

• Vegan jamuns (recipe #9)
• Coconut whipped cream
• Rose syrup or berry syrup

Instructions:

1. Layer jamuns, cream, and syrup in small cups.
2. Chill before serving.

14. Vegan Atta (Whole Wheat) Halwa Muffins

Whole wheat-based muffins spiced with cardamom and sweetened with dates or jaggery. Easy to bake and ideal for breakfast or dessert.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour
• 1/2 cup dates or jaggery
• 1/4 cup plant milk
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 tsp cardamom

Instructions:

1. Mix ingredients into batter, pour into muffin cups.
2. Bake at 350°F for 18–20 minutes.

15. Vegan Besan Halwa Brownies

A fusion treat combining chickpea-flour halwa flavors in brownie form. Dense, moist, and subtly nutty.

Ingredients:

• 3/4 cup chickpea flour
• 1/4 cup coconut flour
• 1/2 cup coconut sugar
• 1/4 cup coconut oil
• 1/2 cup plant milk
• 1/2 tsp cardamom

Instructions:

1. Mix batter, pour into pan, and bake at 350°F for 25 minutes.
2. Cool before slicing.

Fruit And Nut-Based Vegan Indian Desserts

These treats rely on fruit, nuts, and fragrant spices – simple, naturally sweet, and elegant.

16. Vegan Coconut Pineapple Barfi

Tropical and sweet, this barfi combines coconut, crushed pineapple, and cardamom for a festive treat. It sets firm and slices neatly.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup coconut
• ½ cup crushed pineapple
• 1 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp cardamom

Instructions:

1. Combine all ingredients, and cook until the mixture thickens. 
2. Spread into a tray and cut once set.

17. Vegan Rose Cardamom Rice Cakes

Soft rice-based squares flavored with rose water and cardamom. Lightly sweet and delicately aromatic.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cooked rice
• 1/4 cup almond flour
• 1–2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/4 tsp rose water
• 1/2 tsp cardamom

Instructions:

1. Mix all ingredients together and press into pan
2. Chill until firm. 
3. Slice into pieces to serve.

18. Vegan Pistachio Almond Kulfi Pops

Creamy pops made from blended pistachios, almonds, coconut milk, and maple syrup. Rich and nutty without dairy.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup coconut milk
• 1/2 cup pistachios and almonds, blended
• 1/4 cup maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp cardamom

Instructions:

1. Combine and pour into molds
2. Freeze until solid.

19. Vegan Dry Fruit Rolls (Fruit Leather)

Healthy rolls made by blending dried dates, figs, pistachios, and spices into a paste, then drying. Naturally sweet and great for snacks.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup dates
• 1 cup dried figs
• 1/2 cup pistachios
• Pinch of cardamom

Instructions:

1. Blend all ingredients into a thick paste. 
2. Spread on a tray and dehydrate or bake on low until firm
3. Roll and slice.

20. Vegan Ras Malai Cups

Mini “cakes” soaked in sweetened plant milk flavored with cardamom and saffron, topped with nuts. Light, creamy, and individual-sized.

Ingredients:

• Mini vegan dumplings (e.g., cashew-based)
• 1½ cups coconut milk
• 2 tbsp maple syrup
• 1/2 tsp cardamom
• Pinch saffron
• Chopped pistachios

Instructions:

1. Simmer mini dumplings in sweetened coconut milk until soft.
2. Chill and garnish before serving.

Final Thoughts

These traditional Indian desserts shine with aroma, texture, and layers of flavor – and now they’re 100% plant-based. 

From creamy puddings like kheer to syrup-soaked sweets like jalebi and guava barfi, these vegan renditions preserve authenticity while embracing sustainability and compassion.

Try these treats for Diwali, family dinners, or anytime you’re craving something rich, warm, and delightfully spiced. 

With pantry staples and plant-based swaps, you can make every dessert moment a celebration of flavor.