Instant Pot Gajar Halwa – Vegan Carrot Halwa Recipe. Carrot Halwa is an Indian dessert, a flourless Carrot Cake Crumble/pudding that is spiced with cardamom and served during festivals. Vegan Gluten-free Soy-free Recipe. Jump to Recipe
Gajar Halwa is a popular Winter-Spring dessert in Northern India. My Dad’s fave version has grated carrots that get slow roasted in a skillet over hours to become almost candied and the mix is more like a soft crumble. See my Stove top carrot halwa version here. This Instant pot version cooks within minutes and works amazingly.
The Carrots get roasted with sugar for a bit then pressure cooked, then roasted again to dry them up. This Instant Pot Halwa will cook to a softer more pudding like state, and gets close to the stove roasted one after sitting for a bit to cool. I use purple and red carrots for the gorgeous color that would normally show up only on long roasting. To make this nut-free, use sunflower seed meal and omit the cashews. Make this delicious dessert for Holi (the festival of colors coming in March) or valentines day (use more purple carrots!) 🥕🥕. See video above the Recipe.
More Instant Pot Indian Recipes
- Instant Pot Vegan Butter Chickin(soycurls). GF
- Lentil Veggie Dhansak – Lentil Veggie Stew in IP. GF
- Kohlapuri Veggies – Veggies in sesame coconut sauce GF
- Lentil Sweet Potato Soup GF
- Aloo Palak Dal- Potato Spinach Lentils in IP. GF
- Chana Saag – Chickpea Spinach Curry GF
- Instant Pot Chickin Saag with soy curls.GF
I know what you are thinking, that the Serving size should be 1 ;). Well, the 4 serves are dessert portions. Serve after a good meal! If you make this, do let me know how it turned out! Subscribe to My Youtube Channel for more videos.
Video:
Recipe Card
Instant Pot Gajar Halwa - Indian Carrot Halwa Vegan Dairyfree Recipe
Ingredients
- 1 tbsp vegan butter or oil
- 3 tbsp cashews
- 3 tbsp chopped dates or raisins, or currants
- 2.5 cups (320 g) of shredded carrots rainbow carrots or red or a combination of purple and red
- 4 tbsp sugar
- 1/8 to 1/4 tsp salt use 1/4 tsp if using oil instead of vegan butter
- 1/4 cup (28 g) almond flour/meal
- 1/4 cup (2.15 oz) non dairy milk such as almond or soy , use 1/2 cup if your carrots are not very moist
- 1/4 tsp (0.25 tsp) ground cardamom
- pistachios or cashews for garnish
Instructions
- Put the Instant pot on Saute (Stove top pressure cooker over medium heat). Add vegan butter or oil.
- Add cashews and cook until golden. Stir occasionally. About 2 minutes. Add dates/raisins and cook for a few seconds.
- Add carrots, sugar, salt and almond flour/ meal and mix well. Cook for 2-3 minute. Add non dairy milk and mix in.
- Close the lid. Pressure cook for 6 to 7 minutes pressure cook/manual button, hi in Instant pot. (3 mins over medium heat in stove top pressure cooker). Let the pressure release naturally. Open the lid, Mix in the cardamom. Taste and adjust sweet if needed.
- Put the pot on Saute and cook the mixture for 4 to 7 mins to roast it well and to dry out the liquid. Stir well frequently to avoid sticking. At this point you can add another 2 tsp vegan butter (This helps with the texture)and mix in. Once the mixture starts to stick and is dry-ish, press cancel and let it sit. The pot will be hot for a while, let the carrot mixture slow cook in the heat for 15 mins or so. Stir once in between. When the mixture is warm-cool, serve, or store refrigerated. Garnish with chopped cashews or pistachios to serve chilled or warmed . Stove top version here.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
PRAVEEN JOLLY
I have tried this recipe 3 times and have been pleased with the results. The only suggestion I have is to use at least 3/4 cup milk (I used soy milk). Otherwise, the Instant Pot goes into “burn mode”. (I have used orange carrots).
Vegan Richa Support
thanks Praveen
Monica
I tried following the recipe and the instapot kept telling me food burn. I had to add 4X the oatmilk, pressure cook it for a min and then rest i had to cook for over an hour to let the liquid dry out.
OVERALL: came out way too yu mmy!
Vegan Richa Support
Interesting … I’m glad that it came out yummy!!!!
PRAVEEN
The amount of milk (1/4 cup) is not enough for the amount of carrots in this recipe. The Instant Pot will go into “BURN” mode after a couple of minutes and the whole mixture will stick and burn to the bottom of the pot.
Richa
Carrots leak a ton of moisture as soon as they are heated. I’ve made it several times. You can add 2 tbsp more milk if you want.
Priti
This looks delicious and I am so excited to make it on saturday for Diwali. One question – can I use almond flour instead of almond meal?
Richa
Yes! I use either, should update that
Bharati
Would it taste the same with coconut milk instead of almond?
Vegan Richa Support
it would be scrumptious surely, but have a little coconut taste – not almond
Ami
This is an absolute winner! I accidentally bought 80oz bag of carrots and didn’t know what to do with it. I came across this while looking up carrot recipes and I am so glad I did. I grew up eating this as my mom would make it very frequently but did not have it in years. Reminded of my childhood and I think this vegan version tasted even better. I used oat milk and oat butter and it came out amazing. Thanks for such an amazing recipe!!
Vegan Richa Support
how nostalgic – with a modern twist
Bijal
Hi..yummy..
Do you use unsalted vegan butter? If yes, can you please let me know which one. I am not sure if salted vegan butter will taste the salt in sweet dish or not.
Also please mentioned which brand of vegan butter do you use, I myself is vegan and been looking for something like this.
All recipes are super yumm 🙂
Thanks!
Richa
I use salted butter. Ghee inherently is salty thats why when i use oil as a substitute i usually add a bit of salt in the dish which usually uses ghee. With salted vegan butter you wont need the extra salt
Bijal
Thanks..Can you recommend any specific Vegan butter brand that you use for indian desserts ..Thanks..
Richa
i use earth balance
Bijal
Great..Thank you very much for your prompt response 🙂
Punam
I made this today. I used almond milk. My dad, who is not vegan, said it was good. I think I’ll use cashew milk next time for added creaminess.
I was happy to have this after 2.5 years. Miss some desserts but not enough to cause harm to another living being.
Richa
add cashew milk or cashew cream after pressure cooking during the sauteing as cashew milk will tend to stick and burn at the bottom.
Archi
Thanks Richa for the wonderful recipe . Can you tell me why we add salt in recipe ? I was sceptical about it but I tried it and followed the recipe but the Halwa taste is little different than what I used to eat before I became vegan
Richa
ghee is usually salty, while oil is neutral flavor, so the salt adds a bit of that ghee flavor. non vegan halwa would have had ghee or mawa or both, usually in very high amounts and is roasted for a long time. You can add more vegan butter in this recipe for a richer flavor, and also saute for 10-15 mins on low saute setting so that the carrots continue to roast. Pressure cooking also alters the overall flavor. So you can cook it on stove top instead and see if that tastes closer to dairy based gajar halwa. The long roasting time adds deeper roasted flavor
Archi
Thanks for your prompt response . I’ll try your suggestions next time . Kudos to you for all you do .
Baby pearl
I am def making this. I am hosting an Indian vegan brunch on coming Sunday. This will be a fitting dessert as I have several pounds of carrots in the fridge.
Sayani Majumdar
This was heavenly, as good as the gajar halwa I used to make before with milk. I have been gradually cutting out animal products from my diet and recipes like the ones you share (I have also tried the vegan “butter chicken”- and loved it!) make the transition much less daunting. I can’t thank you enough for perfecting these recipes for us- I have been having a lot of fun in the kitchen with delicious results to boot!
Richa
Thats awesome!! So glad you loved it!
Kody
This has become a special occasion dessert for my significant other and myself. This evening we celebrated our four year anniversary with your japanese curry and this as a dessert. Thank you for being you, and continuing to be in our home. With love, our family.
Richa
Thats amazing. Thank you for making the recipes and loving the results! ❤️❤️
CP
What can i substitute for almond meal as i don’t use that? Also can i use milk instead of almond or soy milk?? Thx 🙂
Richa
coarsely ground cashews will work.
I havent used dairy in years so i wouldnt know. I cannot recommend using dairy in any of my recipes as his blog and I are vegan for ethical reasons and he point of the blog is to show that dairy isnt needed in making great food.
Many cows and baby calfs are killed worldwide for dairy. India is the largest exporter or beef and veal(baby cow meat) in all of the World, Because of the Dairy industry. 2.4 Million Tonnes of beef and veal are exported each year, almost all of which comes from spent Dairy female cows and Baby male calfs who are useless for the dairy industry. 38500000 cows are slaughtered every year in India, that is 105900 per day, 4390 per hour.
Animal agriculture is also the largest producer of green house gasses, more than fossil fuels, and uses many times more Resources(water, land) of the planet.
The alternate non dairy milks and yogurts, creams, butter taste equally good and are beneficial for people, health, environment, as well as the planet.
Priya
I am going to try this recipe! I am also vegan for ethical reasons. Have been trying your other IP recipes and loving it. Thank you!
Ananya
Hey Richa, I want to know whether it tastes better with soymilk or almond milk. If I’m using soymilk, do I use the vanilla flavoured one? Also, is it fine if I crush and chop the cardamom instead of making a powder? I don’t have access to a blender atm
Richa
Yes chopped cardamom is definitely fresher and better than powder. I would say use a combination of both so the cardamom flavor mixes in quickly with the powder and does its slow refreshing release with the whole seeds crushed.
I generally make it with almond milk. Somme soy milk brands dont behave as well.
Liese
Made this for a Vegan Dinner group and it everyone loved it, so I got a chance to pass on both the recipe and of course your site!
I didn’t use any sugar but added a couple more dates. Used a tablespoon of coconut oil at the beginning and 1/2c TJ’s reduced fat coconut milk. It was moist but not wet after pressure cooking so didn’t do anything more except add the spice. It firmed up a little further since it was a few hours before it was served.
Another excellent recipe, thank you.
Richa
Awesome!! Yes adjust away to preference. The traditional indian version is much sweeter and much more roasted and more dry somewhat like candied carrots. Either which way in texture works out very pleasing.
Stacey
Do you think it would work with zucchini instead of carrot? I have a bunch of zucchini I need to use up.
Richa
yes. There is a squash halwa that uses opo squash which is similar to zucchini and its a similar process so it should work. Add some thick cashew cream when you saute mixture after opening the lid for a creamy halwa.
Stacey
Awesome! Thanks. I will try it tonight.
Stacey
It turned out so good with the zucchini! They are very wet so there was plenty of liquid. I used coconut sugar instead of cane and I did add some cashew cream as you suggested. My husband and son loved it as well. We will definitely be adding this super easy vegetable dessert to our rotation. Thanks so much! I really am so grateful that you do what you do. It makes it easy to cook healthy vegan food for my family without having to rely on packaged foods. So many of your recipes are just part of our days now.
Richa
Awesome! i think with zucchini, no milk during pressure cooking will work too. So glad everyone loved it! And thank you for the wonderful note. I am happy that you try out the recipes and they turn out well!
Mohamed
Would it work in a regular pot onstead of a pressure cooker? If yes how would it work and how long would it take?
Richa
Yes, the stove top (skillet) version is linked on the post. see https://www.veganricha.com/2016/09/vegan-carrot-halwa-gajar-halwa-recipe.html
Elizabeth
I tried this and it was too dry–burned to the bottom of the Instant Pot and wouldn’t seal. I would definitely recommend adding liquid.
Richa
it depends on the carrots i guess. Mine doesnt dry out. you can use a 1/2 cup milk.
Richa
When i made the video, I reshot the almond meal part as i had forgotten to add that, so the mixture dried out for another 2-3 mins and then i closed the lid and it still worked. I have noticed that sometimes the IP takes longer to come to pressure for various reasons. So if your unit by your experience takes longer or generally needs some extra liquid, then add some more. the extra liquid can be cooked out later on saute.
April Parekh
Maybe try doing the pot in pot method. You could put a couple of cups of water in the bottom of your IP and put a stainless steel ring or trivel and then put a small stainless steel mixing bowl on top of that.
sagar
Thank you for putting in all the awesome blogs for Recipe it help us to search directly what we are looking for. Keep it up!
Vegan Richa Support
I appreciate it!
sagar
Keep up the good work
Just Amazing information.
I think I’m your big fan because you always come with such a wonderful information and it’s really gonna help us thanks for sharing valuable information with us keep posting…!!!
Great work
Vegan Richa Support
I’m honoured
Rita
Love this video and recipe. Sharing to my page and group on fb.
Sarah
Can you provide a method for cooking that’s not in the Instant Pot, and perhaps just stovetop?
Thanks!
Richa
its linked inthe post in the recipe notes and above as well. Stove top version==> https://www.veganricha.com/2016/09/vegan-carrot-halwa-gajar-halwa-recipe.html
Cassie Thuvan Tran
I absolutely LOVED carrot halwa, especially when made fresh at Indian restaurants! I had no idea that they were made with butter, so I felt a bit more guilty about it after I found out. Thank you for this incredible vegan alternative! <3
Lynda Birch
This looks delicious and I would like to try it but I find the amount of liquid is very low for an IP. Is 1/4 almond milk cup correct? Or do the carrots provide enough liquid to bring the pot to full pressure?
Richa
The carrots release moisture during cooking so it works out fine. If you see the video, right after opening , there is some moisture with the carrots about 2 tbsp or so. Thats why it gets sauteed for a few minutes to cook that out. If you feel like your carrots arent juicy enough, try with a 1/3 or 1/2 cup liquid.
Lynda
I finally got around to making this yesterday and it is delicious! I did add a little extra milk because the carrots I had seemed dry. It turned out perfectly. Thank you for another great tasting and easy to make recipe.
Richa
yay!!
Olivia
Love this! I can smell the cardamom already…
Richa
It is so good!