Festivals in India are incomplete without mithai. From a plate of golden besan laddoos at Diwali, to a creamy kheer during Holi, or a luxurious kaju katli at weddings, sweets are deeply woven into every cultural memory. But for those managing diabetes or sugar sensitivity, the same mithai platter often feels like an indulgence they must skip.
One small bite could mean a sugar spike, leaving many people feeling left out of the festive joy. But here’s the good news: Indian kitchens are evolving. More chefs and home cooks are experimenting with diabetic-friendly sweets that use natural sweeteners, jaggery, dates, stevia, and fibre-rich flours, so indulgence doesn’t have to mean guilt.
This guide explores 10 delicious low-sugar mithais that prove celebrations should be inclusive, healthy, and still traditional. With detailed recipes, sugar content breakdowns, and easy methods, you’ll discover how to enjoy festive sweets without compromising your health.
10. Besan Ladoo
Besan laddoos are the ultimate symbol of festive indulgence. Warm, nutty, and aromatic with cardamom, they’re often the first mithai passed around during Diwali or Raksha Bandhan. By simply swapping refined sugar for stevia or erythritol, you get the same authentic taste without the sugar overload.
Average Sugar Content: 3g (from milk powder and nuts), no added refined sugar per 100g.
Ingredients
- 1 cup roasted besan (gram flour)
- 1/3 cup milk powder
- 1/4 cup chopped nuts (almonds, pistachios)
- 2-3 tbsp ghee
- 2-3 tbsp powdered stevia or erythritol
- 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
Method
- Heat ghee in a pan, add besan, and roast on a low flame until golden and aromatic.
- Mix in milk powder and cardamom. Stir well.
- Add chopped nuts for crunch.
- Remove from flame, cool slightly, and mix in sweetener.
- Roll into laddoos while warm.
Tip: These laddoos are rich in protein and fibre, making them an excellent choice for slow energy release.
9. Dates and Nuts Ladoo
Dates are nature’s candy. Soft, chewy, and naturally caramel-like, they bring sweetness without refined sugar. Pair them with roasted nuts for a wholesome laddoo that balances indulgence with nutrition.
Average Sugar Content: 14g (natural fruit sugar) per 100g.
Ingredients
- 1 cup seedless dates
- 2 tbsp desiccated coconut
- 1/4 cup mixed dry fruits (almonds, cashews, walnuts)
Method
- Dry roast nuts until crunchy.
- Finely chop or blend dates into a paste.
- Combine dates, coconut, and nuts in a food processor until sticky.
- Shape into small laddoos.
Tip: These laddoos are fibre-packed and energy-boosting, making them ideal for kids and diabetic-friendly celebrations.
8. Sugar-Free Kaju Katli
Kaju Katli is the king of Indian mithais. Its diamond-cut beauty and melt-in-mouth richness make it a must-have for Diwali. Traditionally sugar-heavy, this version swaps refined sugar for stevia, keeping the magic intact.
Average Sugar Content: <1g per 100g.
Ingredients
- 1 cup cashews
- 2 tbsp milk
- 2-3 tbsp powdered stevia
- 1/2 tbsp cardamom powder
Method
- Grind cashews into a fine powder.
- Mix with milk and cardamom. Cook on low flame until dough forms.
- Add stevia and knead gently.
- Roll out the dough between parchment paper.
- Cut into diamond shapes.
Tip: For authentic flavour, garnish with edible silver foil (varak).
7. Ragi Laddoo With Dates
Ragi, also known as finger millet, is rich in calcium, iron, and fibre. When paired with dates, it transforms into a wholesome laddoo that feels festive yet deeply nourishing.
Average Sugar Content: 8g (natural from dates) per 100g.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup ragi flour
- 5 pitted dates
- 1 tbsp ghee
Method
- Roast ragi flour in ghee until aromatic.
- Blend dates into a smooth paste.
- Mix the date paste with roasted flour.
- Roll into laddoos while warm.
Tip: Perfect for Navratri or Karva Chauth fasting, offering a healthy burst of energy.
6. Moong Dal Payasam With a Healthier Spin
Moong Dal Payasam is comfort in a bowl. This diabetic-friendly twist uses coconut milk and date paste or stevia instead of refined sugar, making it creamy yet light on sugar.
Average Sugar Content: 10g (from dates) per 100g.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup moong dal
- 1/4 cup date paste
- 1 cup coconut milk
- 4 drops stevia
- Cardamom and nuts for garnish
Method
- Cook moong dal until soft.
- Add date paste, coconut milk, and cardamom.
- Simmer until creamy.
- Stir in stevia for added sweetness.
- Garnish with roasted nuts.
Tip: Serve warm with a drizzle of ghee for a festive touch.
5. Sugar-Free Coconut Barfi
Coconut Barfi is a nostalgic sweet that takes many back to childhood celebrations. By replacing sugar with stevia, it becomes a chewy delight without spiking blood sugar levels.
Average Sugar Content: 3g per 100g.
Ingredients
- 1 cup grated coconut
- 2 tbsp milk
- 2-3 tbsp stevia
Method
- Sauté coconut in milk until moisture evaporates.
- Add sweetener and cook until the mixture thickens.
- Spread on a greased tray.
- Cool and cut into squares.
Tip: Add a pinch of saffron or cardamom for an elevated flavour.
4. Sugar-Free Sandesh
Straight from Bengal, Sandesh is made with fresh paneer. Its crumbly, melt-in-mouth texture remains intact when sweetened with monk fruit or stevia.
Average Sugar Content: <1g per 100g.
Ingredients
- 1 cup fresh paneer
- 2 tbsp stevia or monk fruit sweetener
- Pinch of cardamom powder
Method
- Mash paneer until smooth.
- Add sweetener and cardamom.
- Shape into small discs.
- Chill before serving.
Tip: For a festive twist, garnish with pistachios or rose petals.
3. Amaranth (Rajgira) Chikki
Chikki is a festival must-have. This version uses rajgira (amaranth) and jaggery, offering crunch, minerals, and antioxidants while being less processed than refined sugar versions.
Average Sugar Content: 18g (from jaggery) per 100g.
Ingredients
- 1 cup amaranth seeds
- 1/2 cup jaggery
Method
- Roast amaranth seeds until they pop.
- Melt jaggery until caramel-like.
- Mix roasted seeds with jaggery.
- Spread on a greased tray, flatten, and cut into pieces.
Tip: Use black jaggery for a richer, smoky flavour.
2. Sabudana Kheer
A fasting essential during Navratri and Ekadashi, sabudana kheer becomes diabetic-friendly when sweetened with stevia or fruit puree. Its light texture makes it both festive and comforting.
Average Sugar Content: <3g per 100g.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup sabudana
- 2 cups milk
- 2 tbsp stevia or fruit puree
Method
- Soak sabudana for 30 minutes.
- Cook in milk until soft and translucent.
- Stir in sweetener or fruit puree.
- Garnish with saffron or cardamom.
Tip: For extra creaminess, use almond or coconut milk.
1. Falahari Badam Barfi
Festive platters are incomplete without a nut-based mithai. This almond-rich barfi balances luxury with health by using date paste or low-GI sweeteners.
Average Sugar Content: 6-8g per 100g.
Ingredients
- 1 cup mixed nuts
- 2 tbsp date paste
- 1/4 cup khoya or paneer
Method
- Mix nuts, date paste, and khoya.
- Cook gently until the mixture thickens.
- Spread on a tray and cool.
- Cut into square or diamond-shaped bars.
Tip: Serve with a drizzle of saffron-infused milk for festive flair.
Also Read: 8 Low Sugar Desserts That Taste Like a Cheat Day Treat
About the Author:
Akanksha Sinha
I’m Akanksha Sinha, a dedicated Sports Content Writer and Blogger with proven expertise in creating engaging sports blogs, news stories, and entertainment-driven articles. With a passion for storytelling and a strong command of research, I strive to deliver content that not only informs but also captivates readers across all age groups. At Possible11, she covers fantasy sports, match previews, and trending topics, making her a trusted voice for sports enthusiasts.
Over the years, I have developed a keen ability to analyze matches, players, and sports trends, turning raw information into reader-friendly narratives that spark conversation and build engagement. My work balances insightful analysis with entertainment value, making it appealing to both casual fans and dedicated sports enthusiasts.
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