16 Delicious Onam Dessert Recipes To Relish Kerala’s Traditional Cuisine In Your Own Kitchen

Indulge in the delectable world of Onam desserts that celebrate the rich culinary heritage of Kerala. These sweet treats are integral to the festive celebrations, offering a taste of tradition and culture. From creamy puddings to crispy fritters, each dessert’s unique charm delights the taste buds. The best part? Many of these delightful creations are surprisingly simple to recreate in the comfort of your own kitchen. Let’s explore a selection of Onam dessert recipes that make for a delightful homemade experience.

Best Onam Dessert Recipes To Try At Home

1. Ada Pradhaman By Sanjeev Kapoor Khazana

Indulge in the rich flavours of Kerala with Ada Pradhaman, a traditional dessert made from rice flakes cooked in jaggery and coconut milk. This sweet delight is simple to prepare at home, requiring only basic ingredients that come together to create a luscious dessert reminiscent of festive occasions. Check out this amazing recipe by Sanjeev Kapoor Khazana right away!

2. Unniyappam By Hebbars Kitchen

Experience the goodness of Unniyappam, small, round fritters infused with ripe bananas and jaggery. These delightful treats hold a touch of nostalgia and are surprisingly easy to make in your kitchen. This recipe by Hebbars Kitchen will allow you to enjoy the essence of Onam right at home.

3. Elaneer Payasam By Home Cooking Show

Elevate your dessert game with Elaneer Payasam, a refreshing concoction crafted from tender coconut water and milk. This unique dessert offers a tropical twist and showcases the natural sweetness of coconut water. This amazing recipe by Home Cooking Show makes it an ideal choice for a homemade Onam delight.

4. Achappam By Nisha Madhulika

Savour the crispy joy of Achappam, a traditional deep-fried snack that’s both intricate and enticing. Made from a batter of rice flour, coconut milk, and jaggery, Achappam is a beloved treat during Onam festivities. Creating these intricate patterns at home can be surprisingly achievable with practice and this recipe by Nisha Madhulika.

5. Semiya Payasam By Masala Kitchen

Relish the comfort of Semiya Payasam, a creamy vermicelli pudding enriched with ghee, nuts, and raisins. This dessert’s simplicity of preparation makes it a popular choice for celebrations. With this easy-to-follow recipe by Masala Kitchen, embark on a culinary adventure as you create this dessert that captures the essence of Onam.

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6. Parippu Payasam By Rajshri Foods

Delight in the classic Parippu Payasam, a luxurious lentil pudding sweetened with jaggery. Its velvety texture and nutty undertones make it a cherished treat during Onam. Unveil the secret behind this beloved dessert with this easy recipe by Rajshri Foods.

7. Kozhukatta By Home Food Jovita Noronha

Embark on a culinary journey with Kozhukatta, delectable dumplings filled with coconut and jaggery. These delicate sweets bear an uncanny resemblance to the rice dumplings served during Onam feasts. With a little practice and this recipe by Home Food Jovita Noronha, you can master the art of crafting these dumplings that hold the essence of tradition.

8. Pineapple Pulissery By Sanjeev Kapoor Khazana

Experience the play of flavours in Pineapple Pulissery, a sweet and tangy yoghurt-based curry. The combination of ripe pineapple and coconut milk brings out the unique taste of Kerala cuisine. By following this simple recipe by Sanjeev Kapoor Khazana, you can recreate this delightful dish that balances sweetness and sourness.

9. Palada Payasam By Jinoos Kitchen

Palada Payasam is undoubtedly Onam’s crown jewel. Creamy, rich, and cooked slowly to perfection, this sweet dish feels like a warm hug after a heavy sadya meal. Traditionally, it takes hours and a lot of patience, but Jinoos Kitchen makes it so easy that you can prepare it without feeling overwhelmed. It’s the kind of dessert that makes you want to go back for just ‘one more bowl.’

10. Banana Halwa By HomeCookingShow

Banana Halwa is Kerala’s love affair with bananas turned into a chewy, glossy sweet that everyone craves. Usually, it’s thought of as a time-consuming Onam dessert, but with HomeCookingShow’s recipe, the process becomes simple and fun. What you get is a shiny slab of halwa that melts in your mouth, packed with the natural sweetness of ripe bananas. This halwa is one of those desserts that feels indulgent but homely. Yes, you can enjoy it during Onam but also on any day when you want to treat yourself.

Also Read: Onam Sadya: 10 Ayurvedic Health Benefits Of Kerala’s Vegetarian Festive Meal

11. Akkaravadisal By Sharmis Passions

Perfect for ceebrating Onam, it is a temple-style delicacy that feels both festive and soulful. This comforting and rich dessert is made with rice, lentils, and lots of ghee. Sharmis Passions makes this traditional dish feel so simple that even beginners can try it without fear. Instead of thinking of it as a complicated festive sweet, you’ll see it as a bowl of happiness that comes together with a little love and patience. Perfect for Onam, but also perfect for those cosy days when you want something warm and nourishing.

12. Neyyappam By Bincy’s Kitchen

Golden brown, crisp at the edges, soft in the centre, and smelling of ghee, Neyyappam is the kind of sweet that immediately fills your home with nostalgia. Many Malayalis associate it with childhood memories of festivals and family gatherings. Bincy’s Kitchen’s recipe makes it surprisingly easy to prepare this Onam dessert, so you can fry up a batch without much effort. The beauty is that it works both ways: it can be a festive special or a quick snack with tea. Either way, it’s irresistible once you start.

13. Kerala Boli By Achus Royal Kitchen

Thin, soft, and stuffed with a sweet lentil filling, Kerala Boli is the lighter, more delicate cousin of puran poli. This recipe by Achus Royal Kitchen makes this festive delight easy to prepare at home. It will let you enjoy the traditional flavours without worrying about complicated steps. The beauty of Kerala Boli lies in its versatility. Yes, it can be eaten on its own, but if you’re in the mood for an extra burst of sweetness, you can level it up with some payasam.

14. Chakka Pradhaman By Jinoos Kitchen

Onam is incomplete without Chakka Pradhaman, the king of Kerala desserts made from jackfruit, jaggery, and coconut milk. If you’re looking for a rich, fragrant, and indulgent dessert recipe for Onam, don’t look further than this seasonal treasure. Jinoos Kitchen makes this otherwise elaborate recipe doable for anyone, even if you’re new to cooking traditional sweets. The end result is a golden bowl of joy that tastes like Kerala in its purest form. It’s a dessert that tells you festivals are about savouring flavours as much as traditions.

15. Elayappam By Hebbars Kitchen

Soft, mildly sweet, and steamed inside fragrant banana leaves, Elayappam is one of those traditional sweets that makes you feel close to nature. It’s simple in its ingredients but rich in its charm. This simple yet detailed recipe by Hebbars Kitchen shows how easy it is to make this Onam dessert at home, without needing too many fancy tools or ingredients. The best part is opening the banana leaf and letting the sweet aroma hit you before the first bite. It’s festive, homely, and incredibly satisfying.

16. Nei Appam By HomeCookingShow

Similar to Neyyappam but with a distinct flavour of ghee, Nei Appam is another Kerala favourite that makes its way into almost every festive spread. The caramelised edges and soft insides make it completely addictive. HomeCookingShow simplifies the whole process so that instead of feeling like a tedious festive dish, it feels like a fun treat you can whip up anytime. Whether for Onam or just a weekend craving, Nei Appam is the kind of dessert that never disappoints.

Try your hand at these Onam dessert recipes and enjoy the festive flavours!

Cover Image Courtesy: Canva/prabhjits and Canva/santhosh_varghese