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    Home » Indian Sweets and Desserts

    Apple Halwa | Apple Pudding | Easy Apple Dessert Recipe

    Published: Jun 17, 2021 · Modified: Aug 28, 2023 by Kushi · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video Print Recipe

    Apple Halwa is the simplest and easiest dessert, yet it is so delicious and flavorful, prepared in 20 minutes. It is one of the best apple recipes to try when in season, especially during Fall, Navratri, or Diwali. This apple pudding dessert is gluten-free, flourless, eggless, and made without an oven.  

    Check out our list of best sweets and desserts for Indian festivals, Navratri recipes for 9 days, and Special Diwali sweets.

    Apple halwa or Indian apple pudding : Quick and easy apple dessert recipe.

    Jump to:
    • About Indian Apple Pudding
    • Ingredients
    • Step-by-step instructions
    • Tips
    • Storage Suggestions
    • Serving Suggestions
    • Sugar-Free Apple Halwa dessert
    • Recipe FAQS
    • More Halwa recipes
    • Recipe card
    • User Reviews

    About Indian Apple Pudding

    Halwa (Halva) also known as aluva, halua is an easy-to-make popular pudding dessert from Indian, Asian, and Middle Eastern cuisine prepared mainly using semolina (sooji), wheat flour, grains, or nuts by roasting them in ghee and cooking with water or milk. But these days, you get to see a lot of variations to it prepared using fresh fruits and vegetables in season.

    Because halua requires very basic ingredients, you can find halwa served for large gatherings during special occasions or festivals like Holi, Diwali, Navratri, Ganesh Chaturthi, Karwa Chauth, etc. It is also offered to God in the form of Naivedyam.

    This apple halwa recipe is made without using any flour. You just need apples, ghee, nuts, and cardamom for flavoring and sugar. Thus, seb halwa or apple halwa, gajar ka halwa, and banana halwa are considered one of the best recipes for vrat, fasting during the nine days of Navratri and karva chauth.

    While you are here, check out our sheera (sooji ka halwa), Bombay Karachi halwa, popular carrot halwa, apple sheera, and atta halwa recipes.

    Serve this apple halwa pudding as a dessert with a scoop of ice cream or as a filling for your cinnamon rolls or to make meetha paratha (stuffed flatbread, puran poli, obbattu, ubbati).

    Apple Pudding (Indian Apple Halwa Sweet) : Best dessert for Navratri, Diwali, Karva Chauth.

    Ingredients

    To make this Indian-style apple pudding or apple halwa sweet, you need very basic ingredients.

    Apples: Any variety of apples can be used, from fuji, gala, honey crisp, granny smith, pink lady apple, and McIntosh red, to make this halwa. Just keep in mind the sweeter the apples, the less amount of sugar you will be adding to the recipe. 

    Ghee: Homemade desi ghee or clarified brown butter adds a nutty aroma. 

    Dry fruits and nuts: For the crunch. 

    Sugar: As a sweetener. You can also make sugar-free apple halwa if the sweetness of apples is sufficient for you. Or even add jaggery instead of sugar. 

    Flavoring: Cinnamon and cardamom gives you the warm fall flavor. 

    See the recipe card below for a full list of ingredients and measurements.

    Spoonful of quick and easy, best apple halwa (pudding dessert).

    Step-by-step instructions

    Grate the apples for halwa or pudding.

    Step 1: Peel, chop and grate the apples and keep them ready. If you are looking for smooth apple halwa, then instead of grating, grind it.

    Roast nuts.

    Step 2: Heat ghee in a pan on medium heat. Add cashews and almonds and saute just till it becomes light. Add raisins. Saute for a few seconds. Transfer this to a plate and keep it aside.

    How to saute apples.

    Step 3: In the same pan, add grated apples and sauté till juice from the apple is released and then evaporates completely.

    Saute until moisture evaporates.

    Step 4: This will take approximately 8 minutes. The time will vary based on the thickness of the pan, the moisture content in apples, and the intensity of the flame.

    Add sugar.

    Step 5: Now add the sugar and continue to sauté.

    Cook until halwa thickens.

    Step 6: Once the sugar is added, the mixture loosens up and appears moist. Continue to cook until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens.

    Add cardamom and cinnamon powder.

    Step 7: Add cinnamon powder, cardamom powder, and mix. Cook for one more minute.

    Add roasted nuts.

    Step 8: Finally, add the roasted nuts and mix, and switch off the flame.

    Tips

    • You can reduce the amount of sugar depending on the sweetness of the apple.
    • For flavorings, you can add vanilla extract, a pinch of nutmeg, or even pumpkin spice. 
    • If you like it dark brown or orange, add a pinch of saffron food color.
    • Use any combination of dry fruits and nuts, or skip it completely. 
    • To avoid the apple from browning, grate it just before you are going to use or drizzle some lemon juice and keep it. 
    • This is a very light dessert, as no flour, no milk, cream, or khoya is used. 
    • Best way to add apples to your kid's diet. You can use jaggery instead of sugar. 

    Storage Suggestions

    • Halwa can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for seven days. Just reheat it in the microwave for a few seconds if you like it warm.
    • Apple pudding is a make-ahead dessert option for parties and gatherings.
    Apple Pudding or Apple Halwa Sweet (No eggs, no milk, gluten free and made without oven. )

    Serving Suggestions

    • Apple halwa or pudding can be served alone, warm or cold, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
    • You can also use it as a filling for bread, cinnamon rolls or as a side with Indian flatbread like Chapati, Phulka, etc.

    Sugar-Free Apple Halwa dessert

    You can also make apple halwa dessert without adding sugar if you are on a diet or weight loss program. Adding sugar is optional. For best results, select sweet apples. You can also consider alternate sweeteners such as stevia, jaggery, Sugar Free, Splenda, etc., instead of regular sugar.

    Vegan Apple pudding

    You can easily make this recipe vegan by substituting butter with vegan butter or coconut oil.

    Bowl of homemade apple halwa recipe with vanilla ice cream.

    Apple Halwa with jaggery

    If you love Indian sweets and desserts with jaggery, then simply substitute sugar with jaggery powder or grated jaggery. All other steps for halwa remain the same.

    Recipe FAQS

    What kind of apples is good for halwa?

    You can make halwa with any variety of apples, from fuji, pick lady honey crisp, or gala to granny smith. Adjust the sugar in the recipe based on the tartness of apples.

    How do I prevent the halwa from sticking to the pan while cooking?

    Make sure you stir the apples continuously during the cooking and add the sugar only once the moisture is released from the apples.

    More Halwa recipes

    • Indian atta halwa (wheat halwa) or gurudwara style kada prasad sweet on a serving bowl.
      Atta Halwa | Kada Prasad | Wheat Halwa
    • Bombay halwa, karachi halva, how to make halwa sweet at home, Diwali mithai recipes #halwa
      BOMBAY HALWA | KARACHI HALWA | HOW TO MAKE HALWA SWEET
    • Banana Halwa, Flourless, eggless no-bake fudge, overripe banana or plantain recipes, Indian sweets
      EASY BANANA HALWA | HOW TO MAKE BANANA HALWA
    • recipe for best and easy homemade carrot halwa or gajar ka halwa Indian sweet and dessert.
      Carrot Halwa | Gajar Ka Halwa Recipe

    Did you like this recipe? Please leave a star ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ rating below and/or a review in the comments section. You can also stay in touch with us through social media by following us on Pinterest, Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter.

    Recipe card

    Best apple halwa sweet (Indian apple pudding dessert) - quick and easy apple recipe.

    Apple Halwa | Apple Pudding | Easy Apple Dessert Recipe

    Kushi
    Apple Halwa is the simplest and easiest dessert, yet it is so delicious and flavorful, prepared in 20 minutes. It is one of the best apple recipes to try when in season, especially during Fall, Navratri or Diwali. This Indian apple pudding dessert is gluten-free, flourless, eggless, and made without an oven.  
    5 from 11 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 5 minutes mins
    Cook Time 15 minutes mins
    Total Time 25 minutes mins
    Course Desserts, sweets
    Cuisine Asian, Indian, middle eastern
    Servings 4
    Calories 127 kcal

    Equipment

    • 1 Non-stick pan

    Ingredients
      

    • 4 Apples, peeled, chopped and grated
    • 2 tablespoon Ghee or Brown butter (use vegan butter for vegan version)
    • ¼ cup Sugar  (adjust to taste depending on sweetness of apple)
    • ¼ teaspoon Cardamom powder
    • ¼ teaspoon Cinnamon powder
    • 1 tablespoon Cashews (optional)
    • 1 tablespoon Almonds (optional)
    • 1 tablespoon Raisins (optional)

    Instructions
     

    • Peel, chop and grate the apples and keep them ready. If you are looking for smooth apple halwa, then instead of grating, grind it.
      4 Apples, peeled, chopped and grated
    • Heat ghee in a pan on medium heat. Add cashews and almonds and saute just till it becomes light. Add raisins. Saute for a few seconds. Transfer this to a plate and keep it aside.
      2 tablespoon Ghee or Brown butter, 1 tablespoon Cashews (optional), 1 tablespoon Almonds (optional), 1 tablespoon Raisins (optional)
    • In the same pan, add grated apples and sauté till juice from the apple is released and then evaporated completely.
    • This will take approximately 8 minutes. The time will vary based on the thickness of the pan, moisture content in apples, and the intensity of the flame.
    • Now add the sugar and continue to sauté. Once the sugar is added, the mixture loosens up and appears moist. Continue to cook until the sugar dissolves and the mixture thickens.
      ¼ cup Sugar 
    • Add cinnamon powder cardamom powder, and mix. Cook for one more minute.
      ¼ teaspoon Cardamom powder, ¼ teaspoon Cinnamon powder
    • Finally, add the roasted nuts and mix, and switch off the flame.

    Video

    Notes

    • You can reduce the amount of sugar depending on the sweetness of the apple.
    • For flavorings, you can add vanilla extract, a pinch of nutmeg, or even pumpkin spice. 
    • If you like it dark brown or orange, add a pinch of saffron food color.
    • Use any combination of dry fruits and nuts, or skip it completely. 
    • To avoid the apple from browning, grate it just before you are going to use or drizzle some lemon juice and keep it. 
    • This is a very light dessert, as no flour, no milk, cream, or khoya is used. 
    • Best way to add apples to your kid's diet. You can use jaggery instead of sugar. 

    Serving suggestions

    • Apple halwa or pudding can be served alone, warm or cold, optionally with a scoop of vanilla ice cream.
    • You can also use it as a filling for bread, cinnamon rolls or as a side with Indian flatbread like Chapati, Phulka, etc.

    Storage suggestions

    • Halwa can be stored in an airtight container and refrigerated for seven days. Just reheat it in the microwave for a few seconds if you like it warm.
    • Apple pudding is a make-ahead dessert option for parties and gatherings.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 127kcalCarbohydrates: 13gProtein: 0.4gFat: 9gSaturated Fat: 5gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.4gMonounsaturated Fat: 3gCholesterol: 19mgSodium: 1mgPotassium: 14mgFiber: 0.2gSugar: 13gVitamin A: 0.4IUVitamin C: 0.03mgCalcium: 3mgIron: 0.2mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    Note: We originally posted this recipe in June 2021. It has now been modified in Aug 2023 with Expert Chef Tips, FAQs, Storage Instructions, etc.

    More Indian Sweets and Desserts

    • Mithai Trifle - Fusion dessert with layers of popular Indian sweets, whipping cream, crumbled cake.
      Indian Mithai Trifle Dessert
    • Rasgulla Tres Leches Dessert - Classic Indian Mexican Fusion Recipe for Holidays and Occasions.
      Rasgulla Tres Leches
    • Rabdi Gulab Jamun Tiramisu
    • Rabdi Gulab Jamun Parfait - Indian Fusion Dessert Recipe for festivals and occasions.
      Rabdi Gulab Jamun Parfait

    Reader Interactions

    Comments

    1. Tara

      September 04, 2022 at 9:45 am

      5 stars
      Such a fantastic and delicious use of in-season apples! I especially love how it comes together in less than 30 minutes.

      Reply
    2. Jovita

      September 14, 2022 at 5:18 am

      5 stars
      This apple dessert is very beautiful and delicious! It's also easy to make. Yum!

      Reply
    3. Kate

      September 28, 2022 at 8:28 am

      5 stars
      Easy to make, full of lovely flavours and healthy too - thanks for a great recipe!

      Reply
    « Older Comments
    5 from 11 votes (3 ratings without comment)

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