9 delicious Raksha Bandhan desserts with a healthy twist

ET Online

Aug 5, 2025

Jaggery-sweetened besan ladoo

Swap sugar with jaggery to make this protein-rich festive treat. Besan (gram flour) is roasted in ghee and sweetened naturally for a rich, earthy flavor that’s both traditional and healthy.

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Ragi chocolate barfi

Ragi (finger millet) is a calcium-rich grain that makes a great base for barfi. Combine with dark chocolate and jaggery for a fudgy, nutrient-dense sweet your sibling will love.

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Baked gujiya with dry fruit filling

Ditch the deep-frying, bake your gujiyas. Fill them with a blend of dates, figs, and nuts instead of khoya for a fiber-rich version of this classic North Indian festive pastry.

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Vegan coconut Ladoo

Use desiccated coconut, almond flour, and dates or maple syrup to roll these no-cook vegan ladoos. They’re gluten-free, dairy-free, and ready in just 10 minutes, perfect for last-minute prep.

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Millet kheer with almond milk

Replace rice with foxtail millet and use almond or coconut milk for a lighter, vegan version of traditional kheer. Add cardamom and jaggery for flavor and sweetness.

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Apple halwa without sugar

Grated apples, cooked slowly with a bit of ghee and flavored with cardamom and cinnamon, make a comforting and naturally sweet halwa, no refined sugar needed.

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Dates and nut energy bites

These are mini laddoos made by blending dates, almonds, walnuts, and a pinch of cocoa. No added sugar, no cooking, just roll and refrigerate. A perfect healthy Rakhi treat.

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Chia-infused shrikhand

Add soaked chia seeds to homemade hung curd shrikhand for an omega-3 boost. Sweeten with honey and infused with saffron and cardamom for a modern twist on a Gujarati classic.

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Rose sandesh

Give this Bengali delicacy a health upgrade by baking it with low-fat paneer and sweetening it with stevia or dates. Infused with saffron strands and rose water for a rich, fragrant treat minus the guilt.

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