Kheer | Payasam Recipes

Published: Sep 1, 2024 by Kushi · This post may contain affiliate links.

Kheer, or Paysam or Payesh, is an Indian sweet recipe traditionally prepared for all festivals and special occasions. The main ingredients for Indian pudding can be rice, semiya (vermicelli), or lentil (dal), with sugar or jaggery as a sweetener and milk or coconut milk as a liquid.

Traditional Kheer Recipes (Payasam, Payesh) - Popular Indian Pudding Dessert Recipes.

Kheer (Payasam)

The word kheer is derived from kshira, which is a Sanskrit word for milk in North India. In South India, it is derived from the Sanskrit word payas, which means milk.

Kheer is a milk-based Indian dessert recipe. Payasam is prepared for all festivals, from Makar Sankranti, which occurs in January, to Christmas, which occurs in December. Temple lunch or dinner, auspicious occasion meals always ends with payasam. Payasam is also one of the popularly offered prasadam and naivedyam (bhog) recipes.

Among kheer, rice kheer, also known as rice payasam, chawal ki kheer or doodhpak, is popularly prepared for Varalaksmi vrat, Ram Navami, Navratri, Ganesh Chaturthi, Janmashtami, Diwali etc.

A second popular one is semiya payasam (seviyan kheer or vermicelli kheer), prepared mainly for Eid festivals, Raksha Bandhan, and Suttapunav.

We then have sabudana kheer (javvarisi payasam) prepared on fasting, vrat, and upvas days like Navratri, Ekadashi, Sai Guruvar, etc. You can make kheer in an Instant Pot, stovetop, or pressure cooker.

If you visit South Indian homes during festivals like Onam, Ugadi, and Ganesh chaturthi, you will see payasam made using lentils like moong dal or chana dal, and broken wheat, and these are known as paruppu, dal, paal, aval, palada or pasi paruppu payasam. This style of payasam is also called madgane or godshe in Konkani and payasa in Kannada.

During festivals like Diwali, people get creative and create this sweet with vegetables like carrots, bottle gourd (lauki), dates or paneer (Indian cottage cheese).

While you are here, check out traditional Indian sweets, Diwali mithai recipes, Navratri recipes.

Popular Payasam Recipes

Rice kheer

Rice kheer, Chawal ki kheer or payasam recipe - Classic Indian rice pudding dessert recipe.

Rice Kheer (Doodh Pak, Chawal Ki Kheer)

Rice Kheer is a delightful and luxurious, traditional old-fashioned Indian rice pudding prepared using rice, milk, nuts, and aromatic spices. This is dessert meant for the royals!

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Sabudana kheer (Tapioca pudding)

Sabudana Kheer | Tapioca Pudding Dessert | Sago Pudding | Sabudana Recipes for fast, vrat.

Sabudana Kheer

Sabudana Kheer, or Tapioca Pudding, is a popular, creamy, and classic Indian sweet pudding dessert prepared with tapioca pearls, milk, and sugar as the main ingredients.

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Vermicelli payasam

Best and Easy Semiya Payasam (Vermicelli Kheer) - Traditional Indian dessert recipe.

Vermicelli kheer

Semiya Payasam or Vermicelli Kheer is a classic, easy-to-make, and popular Indian dessert recipe made with vermicelli (seviyan), milk, sugar, nuts, and cardamom or saffron in less than 20 minutes. This vermicelli pudding is prepared for Indian festivals and special occasions. Both stovetop and instant pot instructions are added.

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Best Phool Makhana Kheer - Classic Indian dessert recipe for Navratri, Diwali, Karwa Chauth, etc.

Makhana Kheer

Phool Makhana Kheer or Makhane Ki Kheer is a rich and creamy popular Indian pudding dessert prepared using foxnut (phool makhana), milk, desi ghee, nuts, and flavored with saffron (kesar) and/or cardamom powder. A perfect dessert for the royals.

Check out this recipe.

Sheer Khurma dessert served warm in bowl garnished with dry fruits, nuts, saffron, rose petals.

Eid special Sheer Khurma

Sheer Khurma is a traditional, rich and creamy vermicelli pudding dessert made with seviyan (vermicelli), milk, dates, sugar, and lots of dry fruits and nuts. It can be served hot or cold. One of the best and easy desserts you can make for special occasions like weddings, birthdays, or festivals like Eid, Diwali, and Christmas.

Check out this recipe.

Kheer with grains and dal

Sabudana Chana Dal Payasam (Kheer) | Senaga Pappu Payasam | Kadalai Paruppu Paysam | Godshe Sweet.

Sabudana chana dal payasam

Sabudana Chana Dal Payasam (Kadalai Paruppu Payasam) is a flavorful and easy-to-make South Indian sweet or pudding recipe made with dal, sabudana, jaggery, and coconut milk. This sweet payasam is prepared during festivals like Ganesh Chaturthi, Onam, and Navratri, for naivedyam and prasadam, and during Fasting, upvas, and vrat days.

Check out this recipe.

Best rice kheer called ada pradhaman or palada pradhaman recipe from South India

Kerala style ada pradhaman

Ada Pradhaman is a traditional Kerala-style kheer or payasam prepared using Ada (rice flakes), sugar or jaggery, and milk.

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Moong Dal Kheer | Paruppu Payasam | Indian traditional sweet dessert recipe.

Moong dal kheer

Moong Dal Kheer (Paruppu Payasam) is a traditional Indian dessert recipe made with lentils and tapioca pearls (sabudana). This sweet payasam is prepared during auspicious occasions and festivals like Onam, Ganesh Chaturthi, Diwali, Navratri and Ugadi and is also offered to a god in the form of naivedyam and prasadam in temples.

Check out this recipe.

Aval Payasam (Atukula Payasam, Poha Kheer) - Indian sweet recipe with jaggery and coconut milk.

Poha kheer or Aval Payasam

Aval Payasam is a popular South Indian Pudding made using flattened rice flakes, jaggery, and coconut milk. This kheer or payasam is offered as naivedyam and prasadam during festivals like Krishna Janmashtami, Ganesh Chaturthi, and Navratri.

Check out this recipe.

Caramelized Rice Kheer Recipe | Indian Kheer Dessert or Rice Pudding.

Caramel kheer

Caramel Kheer is a twist to the traditional kheer recipe with a unique taste. This kheer is made with rice, sugar, milk, and nuts. The caramelized sugar gives this dessert a rich flavor and beautiful golden color. Serve this for Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, Navratri, or any special occasions.

Check out this recipe.

Kerala Temple style nei payasam, aravana payasam, rice kheer with jaggery, #kheer #payasam #Navratri

Popular temple style payasam

Temple Style Nei Paysam is a popular recipe from Kerala offered as naivedyam or prasadam at Sabarimala. The flavor in this kheer comes from the cooked rice blended with ghee and jaggery, a hint of warmth from the ginger powder. The addition of toasted coconut, nendran banana, and roasted dry fruits enhances the taste of this dish.

Check out this recipe.

Payasam with fruits

jackfruit payasam or chakka pradhaman served in two serving glass garnished with dry fruits and toasted coconut.

Onam special jackfruit payasam

Jackfruit Payasam is a flavorful and aromatic kheer recipe prepared using ripe jackfruit, jaggery, and coconut milk as the main ingredients. This payasam is an Onam special recipe from Kerala cuisine.

Check out this recipe.

Mango Vermicelli kheer, semiya payasam, seviyan kheer. Eid, Holi Navratri Diwali Indian Recipes

Mango vermicelli kheer

This Mango Vermicelli Kheer is a quick and easy, rich and classic, a fuss-free recipe, a delicious twist to traditional kheer, and a popular Indian pudding sweet prepared using milk, vermicelli, sugar and flavored with cardamom powder and saffron.

Check out this recipe.

ender Coconut Malai Kheer, Elaneer Payasam, #kheer #pudding #payasa #indiansweets #diwalimithai

Tender coconut malai kheer

Tender Coconut Malai Kheer or Elaneer Payasam is a mildly sweet, hearty, and addictive kheer or pudding recipe that you should try this festival season.

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Dates Kheer Khajoor Payasam Kharjura Payasa healthy sugar free diabetic friendly weight loss desserts

Dates Kheer

Dates Kheer or Khajoor Payasam or Kharjura Payasa is a classic and rich, sugar-free, creamy, and delicious dessert recipe prepared using dates as the main ingredient along with nuts and milk of your choice.

Check out this recipe.

Semiya Sabudana Mango Payasam | Mango Sabudana Kheer with Jaggery and Vermicelli - Indian dessert.

Mango payasam with sabudana

Sabudana Mango Payasam is a simple and delicious Indian sweet recipe prepared using sago, vermicelli (semiya), jaggery, mangoes, and coconut milk. Make this 2 in 1 sago semiya payasam with seasonal fruits for festivals or special occasions.

Check out this recipe.

Ingredients

Kheer or Payasam sweet is always made with four ingredients
Rice: Traditionally, rice is used. Which can be substituted with broken wheat, moong dal, chana dal, poha, sabudana (sago), vermicelli, semolina (sooji rava), phool makhana, etc.

Sweetener: Jaggery, sugar, condensed milk, anything can be used.

Milk: Coconut milk or whole milk is popular. For a vegan version, you can substitute cashew or almond milk.

Flavoring: Cardamom or, saffron or both.

Optional: Dry fruits and nuts

Recipe FAQs

What is the difference between kheer and payasam?

Kheer is popular in North India, and Payasam is used for the same dessert in South India. Payasam is also made with grains and lentils, coconut milk, and jaggery.

Is kheer better hot or cold?

It can be served hot, warm, or cold. It tastes great all ways.

How do you thicken kheer?

Adjust the consistency by cooking it for a longer time. Payasam thickens as it cools down.

How long does payasam last in the fridge?

You can store kheer or payasam in the refrigerator for 2-3 days. It thickens on cooling. So adjust the consistency by adding water or milk.

How do I prevent kheer from burning?

Always cook kheer or payasam on low heat, stirring frequently to prevent it from sticking to the bottom.

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