Sweet potato halwa, also known as shakarkandi ka halwa, is an Indian sweet potato pudding. It’s basically the Indian version of sweet potato casserole. Instead of pecans and marshmallows, this cardamom-spiced sweet potato halwa calls for juicy plump golden raisins and a crunchy nut garnish.
I’m sharing my simple method of making this halwa in an instant pot. Why use an instant pot? Because it’s easier – you can do everything in one pot!
My recipe calls for a special secret ingredient that you won’t find in other sweet potato halwa recipes… besan (Indian chickpea flour)! This secret ingredient helps thicken the halwa, giving it body and making it extra luxurious.
“Awesome recipe!!! My in-laws are from Pakistan and I’m from America and I totally impressed them. Especially with the addition of the almond flour instead of besan at your suggestion. Thank you so so much. I use your recipes all the time.”
Eva
There is one very important thing you need to know about this sweet potato halwa. The moment it’s done, it will be very hot. So you should let it cool down a bit before you eat it.
Yes, yes. I know this seems like very obvious advice, and while common sense dictates that you should not eat very hot things, your other senses will try to deceive you into thinking that what you’re seeing and smelling must be eaten immediately. These other senses will attempt to take over. You may end up trying to shove spoonfuls of steaming hot halwa into your mouth, which will definitely result in you burning your tongue and not being able to properly taste things for several hours. You can ask me how I know this, but you should already know how I know if you know me, you know?
As long as you have a normal adult amount of patience, you’ll be fine. I’m going to pretend like my toddler is rubbing off on me and not the other way around.
This sweet potato halwa is actually very different from the butternut squash halwa already on my blog. My butternut halwa is much, much lighter – less decadent, but still good.
This sweet potato halwa is on another level. It’s legit, real deal, sugar-laden, ghee-soaked halwa. Which, according to my father, is the only proper way to make authentic halwa. You can try my carrot halwa and my moong dal halwa – two other warm Indian pudding-like desserts that have his approval. If a recipe of mine has my father’s approval… it’ll win your approval too—no doubt about it.
What’s besan? Why add besan to this halwa? Can I use something else?
Remember that secret ingredient I mentioned earlier? I’m talking about besan. Well, I know it’s a bit of an unusual ingredient for sweet potato halwa, but it helps thicken this dessert and gives the pudding a kind of creamy, silky-smooth texture.
For those who don’t know what besan is, it’s flour made from chana dal. It’s sometimes called chickpea flour, but really it’s made from skinless desi chickpeas. I know besan might be tricky for some of you to find – you can also use regular American chickpea flour (garbanzo bean flour) in this particular recipe as I’ve tested it, and it works just fine too. If you’d like recommendations for brands, I like 24 Mantra Organic Besan (desi chana flour). For American chickpea flour, go with Bob’s Red Mill (can usually find this at any regular grocery store). Please know, you cannot always substitute garbanzo bean flour for chana dal flour (for example, this won’t work in khandvi).
I’ve also tried making this halwa with almond flour, and it’s actually very good too. It gives the halwa more of an almond flavor (naturally), and it’s very rich (see notes in the recipe card on how to sub this for besan). I know some folks out there (like my husband) have to be nut-free/almond-free. Roby (who often falsely claims he isn’t a dessert guy or a sweet potato guy) can no longer eat anything with almond flour and actually wanted to try this, so I used besan for him. And I prefer besan because, again, it gives the halwa a great silky-smooth texture. You can use either one – tell me what you think.
Even though Roby claims to hate strongly dislike sweet potatoes (who the heck hates sweet potatoes?), he gave my halwa a glowing review: “I don’t even like sweet potatoes, and I’d eat this.” Well, yes, Roby, that’s because there’s a ton of ghee and sugar in this lol. For the record, Roby did eat it. Quite a bit of it. So even if you (or a family member) think you don’t like sweet potatoes, there’s still a chance you’ll enjoy this halwa. You can also always make my moong dal halwa instead as well.
You’ll love the flavor and the ease of making this halwa – everything in one pot. There is some stirring at the end (think: 10-minute arm workout), but it’s still much easier than the traditional method and well worth the minimal effort.
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Instant Pot Sweet Potato Halwa
Instant Pot Sweet Potato Halwa
Ingredients
- 2 pounds sweet potatoes peeled and chopped into 2-inch pieces
- ½ cup besan*
- Âľ cups water
- 1 cup sugar
- 1 cup ghee
- ÂĽ cup raisins
- ÂĽ teaspoon ground cardamom
- Nuts garnish
Instructions
- Press the sauté button and add the besan to the instant pot. Dry roast the besan by stirring for 10 minutes, or until it smells a bit toasty and the color darkens by a shade or two. Remove the besan from the pot and set it aside in a bowl for now.
- Add the sweet potatoes and water to the pot. Secure the lid, close the pressure valve and cook for 10 minutes at high pressure.
- Open the valve to quick-release pressure.
- Press sauté, add the ghee, stir, then add the roasted besan, sugar, raisins and ground cardamom. Stir this continuously for 10 minutes or until the halwa comes together - it'll be a bit of an arm workout. A fun workout though!
- Garnish with nuts and serve warm.
Video
Notes
- Besan is flour made from chana dal - this is the brand I like. If you can't find besan, you can also use American chickpea flour (Bob's Red Mill).
- I prefer this halwa with besan but you can also use 1 cup of blanched almond flour instead. I would suggest toasting the almond flour for 2-3 minutes in step 1.
Dipti says
Sweet potato halwa is my favorite , wanted to try something different plus wanted more quantity . Glad I found your recipe. I was little nervous adding some besan in my fav. However it turned out really good. Feeling little under the weather and this halwa help gain some strength as well. Someone in my family doesn’t like sweet potato loved this recipe too. Thank You . Will make it again.
Erika says
It is kind of funny that I use your recipes so often, but I don’t have an Instant Pot. I just don’t have room in my kitchen. That being said, I just used a skillet to cook the besan and boiled the sweet potatoes in a big pot. I used an immersion blender to get the halwa really smooth and then mixed in the raisins at the end.
It was really good!
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Erika, haha that’s awesome – glad you make so many of my recipes and that they’re working out well on the stovetop! Thanks for sharing 🙂
Harish Chinai says
Excellent directions and motivated me to try it in my IP. Will let you know how it turned out.
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Harish, awesome – can’t wait to hear what you think!
Jay says
I made the halwa and then used it to create sweet potato pie which had an Indian flavor. It was liked by all who got to eat it. Fantastic creation. Thanks a lot for this recipe. Wonder if a fudge can be created with a version of this halwa.
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Jay, wow that sounds amazing! Love that you made an Indian sweet potato pie! I actually tried making a pumpkin besan fudge – and couldn’t get it quite right so I didn’t post it, but I definitely think it’s possible!
Eva says
Awesome recipe!!! My in-laws are from Pakistan and I’m from America and I totally impressed them. Especially with the addition of the almond flour instead of besan at your suggestion. Thank you so so much. I use your recipes all the time.
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Thanks, Eva! I’m so glad you and your in-laws enjoyed this 🙂 Thanks for letting me know how it turned out for you!
kitty says
Love sweet potato halwa, have never added basen but always make it with poppy seeds, it adds a wonderful texture to it.
My Heart Beets says
Poppy seeds sound so interesting! Do you use white poppy seeds? A lot or just a bit? Very curious!
Zainab says
In step 4, do you do the stirring in saute mode?
After releasing the pressure, the instant pot goes in ‘keep warm setting’. Do I continue to stir at this setting or change the setting to saute again?
My Heart Beets says
Hi Zainab, yes, you have to press sautĂ© – I can’t believe I left that out – total mind blip! Thanks for asking, I’ve updated the recipe card!
Revathi says
Hi Ashley… I have been following your blog for sometime now and I have tried couple of instant pot recipes… today I did the sweet potato halwa and it was excellent.. it took me a while to get to the consistency, but it was worthwhile…
Request from me – My son loves rainbow cookies… I would like to see you make them so I that can try it…
My Heart Beets says
Revathi, that’s so great to hear 🙂 Thanks for letting me know how the halwa turned out for you.
Mekhala says
You did not mention after quick release, what setting to do,when stirring the sugar rtc
My Heart Beets says
Hi Mekhala! For all of my recipes – unless I specify – please go with the default setting according to your model. Or, if you’re okay stirring quickly then you can always go with high and make it faster.
Rama says
Hi.! This is an awesome recipe. Do you have an instapot recipe for Mysore pak?
My Heart Beets says
Thanks Rama! I don’t but it’s on my to-try list!
Prerna Gadhiya says
Hi Ashley. I noticed that you have mentioned about the sweet potatoes being peeled and cut into 2 inch pieces. Have you mashed them before adding to the pot with water or added the pieces as a whole?
My Heart Beets says
Hi Prerna, I put them in raw then pressure cook them 🙂 When you stir in step 4, they’ll mash together. Hope that helps! Let me know what you think of this recipe if you make it!
Mimi says
Can the stirring be done with an electric mixer?
My Heart Beets says
That would be amazing but the thing is I feel like you’ll need a spatula or large spoon to pick up the halwa off from the bottom of the pot as your stir. I worry a hand mixer won’t do that. But if you try please let us know!
PB says
I am not sweet potato fan but I will definitely be trying this sweet potato halwa.
My Heart Beets says
Hope you love it!