Delicious South Indian Halwa Recipes To Treat Your Sweet Tooth

By Tarishi Shrivastava

October 31, 2024

South Indian halwas are a fiesta of flavours, textures and colours, each one a reflection of the region’s culinary heritage. These are perfect to indulge your sweet tooth or to celebrate any occasion with a twist. Here are 7 South Indian halwa varieties you must try:

Tirunelveli Halwa

Made with wheat milk, this famous halwa has a glossy, jelly-like texture and a rich taste, traditionally cooked in ghee to intensify the flavour.

Ashoka Halwa

A Tamil Nadu favourite, Ashoka halwa is made with moong dal, ghee and sugar, and has a smooth, melt-in-your-mouth texture and a delicate flavour.

Banana Halwa

A Kerala special, this uses ripe bananas, sugar and coconut oil, resulting in a unique flavour and chewy texture with a hint of natural banana sweetness.

Kasi Halwa

Made with white pumpkin, this halwa has a soft, translucent look and mildly sweet taste, often with saffron and cardamom added.

Pineapple Kesari 

A fruity twist on the traditional kesari, this has pineapple chunks, giving the halwa a sweet-tart flavour that is hard to resist.

Carrot Halwa (Gajar Ka Halwa)

A South Indian favourite, this has grated carrots, milk and ghee, a creamy and mildly spiced treat.

Jackfruit Halwa 

Made from ripe jackfruit pulp, this halwa is sticky and aromatic, bursting with tropical flavours unique to the South.