18 Tempting Kerala Desserts: Sweets for Every Taste

Known for its delicious curries and savouries, people usually overlook the desserts of Kerala. From rich to simple to fruity, the sweet dishes of Kerala are enough to make anyone drool.

Each traditional Kerala sweet offers something special to keep you wanting more. Don't miss the chance to indulge in these heavenly treats while exploring this beautiful region.

To help you find them, we have collated some of the best Kerala desserts for you.

Desserts of Kerala

1. Palada Payasam
2. Banana Halwa
3. Neyyappam
4. Unniyappam
5. Elaneer Pudding
6. Rava Ladoos
7. Arisi Thengai Payasam
8. Mutta Maala
9. Chatti Pathiri
10. Ada Pradhaman
11. Bamboo Rice Payasam
12. Coconut And Mawa Ladoo
13. Pumpkin Payasam
14. Orange Payasam
15. Akkaravadisal
16. Coconut Pitha with Mawa
17. Shahi Tukda with Coconut Oil
18. Milk Rice with Green Gram

Palada Payasam

Imagine a velvety dessert that melts in your mouth, leaving behind a lingering sweetness. Palada Payasam is a quintessential Kerala delight made from rice ada, milk, sugar, and ghee. Each bite of this creamy dish celebrates flavours and textures, with the soft rice flakes soaked in sweetened milk and the subtle hint of cardamom adding an aromatic touch. 

This Kerala dessert is a treat for the taste buds and a feast for the eyes. It is garnished with fried cashews and raisins. Palada Payasam is a must-try for anyone craving a taste of Kerala's culinary delights.

Banana Halwa

Banana Halwa is one of the best traditional Kerala sweets. It is a testament to the state's rich culinary heritage. This sweet symphony for your tastebuds is made from ripe bananas, sugar, ghee, and cardamom. 

The ripe bananas are mashed to perfection, creating a sweet and fragrant base. When cooked with ghee and sugar, the mixture transforms into a rich, dense halwa that is both indulgent and satisfying. Whether enjoyed as a dessert or a snack, Banana Halwa is a great way to experience the authentic flavours of Kerala.

Neyyappam

Craving something sweet and indulgent? Look no further than Neyyappam, a traditional Kerala sweet that will satisfy your sweet tooth. Made with rice flour, jaggery, ghee, and coconut, Neyyappam is a sweet and savoury pancake that is deep-fried to perfection. The combination of jaggery and coconut gives this dish a rich and aromatic flavour. At the same time, the crispy exterior and soft interior create a delightful contrast in textures. Whether enjoyed as a snack or a dessert, Neyyappam is a must-try for anyone looking to experience the authentic flavours of Kerala.

Unniyappam

Unniyappam is not just a sweet; it's a tradition, a legacy passed down through generations in Kerala. It is made from ripe bananas, rice flour, jaggery, coconut, and cardamom. These small, deep-fried dumplings are a testament to Kerala's rich culinary heritage. 

Each bite of Unniyappam is a delicious blend of flavours, with the sweetness of the bananas blending harmoniously with the rich, earthy flavour of the jaggery and the aromatic hint of cardamom. Whether enjoyed as a snack or a dessert, Unniyappam is a delicious way to experience the authentic flavours of Kerala.

Elaneer Pudding

Looking for a dessert that is as refreshing as it is indulgent? Elaneer Pudding is just what you need. This exotic dessert is made from tender coconut pulp, milk, sugar, and agar-agar powder. It is one of the must-try sweet dishes of Kerala. The tender coconut pulp adds a refreshing twist to the creamy pudding. The agar-agar gives it a smooth and silky texture. Whether enjoyed on a hot summer day or as a sweet treat after a meal, Elaneer Pudding will surely delight your taste buds and leave you craving more.

Rava Ladoos – The Coconut Flavoured Ladoos

Craving something sweet and satisfying? Rava Ladoos are just what you need. They are made from semolina, sugar, ghee, and coconut. These sweet balls are a delight to the senses. The semolina is roasted to perfection, giving the ladoos a rich and nutty flavour. The coconut adds a hint of sweetness and texture. Whether enjoyed as a snack or a dessert, Rava Ladoos will surely leave you craving more.

Arisi Thengai Payasam

Arisi Thengai Payasam is one of Kerala's renowned sweet dishes. This traditional Kerala dish is made from rice, coconut milk, jaggery, and cardamom. It is a feast for the senses. The rice is cooked perfectly in coconut milk, giving the payasam a rich and creamy texture. The jaggery adds a hint of sweetness. Whether enjoyed as a dessert or a sweet treat, Arisi Thengai Payasam will surely leave you craving more.

Mutta Maala 

Mutta Maala is not just a dish; it's a tradition, a symbol of celebration and togetherness. This special dish is made from eggs, sugar, and ghee and is often served as a sweet treat during Ramadan. The eggs are beaten to perfection, creating a light and fluffy texture, while the sugar and ghee add a rich and indulgent flavour. Whether enjoyed with family and friends or as a sweet treat after a meal, Mutta Maala will surely leave you craving more.

Chatti Pathiri

Chatti Pathiri is more than just a dish; it's a culinary journey through the flavours of Malabar. It is made with thin pancakes stuffed with a sweet filling of coconut, nuts, and sugar. This dish is an amazing mix of flavours. The pancakes are perfectly cooked, creating a crispy exterior that gives way to a soft and sweet interior. Whether enjoyed as a dessert or a snack, Chatti Pathiri will surely leave you craving more.

Ada Pradhaman

Ada Pradhaman is not just a dessert; it's a culinary masterpiece that symbolises Kerala's rich culinary heritage. It is a traditional Kerala sweet made from rice ada, coconut milk, jaggery, and spices. 

The rice ada is cooked perfectly in coconut milk, giving the payasam a rich and creamy texture. The jaggery adds a hint of sweetness. Whether enjoyed as a dessert or a sweet treat, Ada Pradhaman will surely leave you craving more.

Bamboo Rice Payasam

Bamboo Rice Payasam is not just a dish; it's an experience, a journey through the flavours of Kerala. Made from bamboo rice, milk, sugar, and ghee, this is one of the unique desserts of Kerala. The bamboo rice adds a unique flavour and aroma to the payasam, while the milk and sugar create a rich and creamy texture. Whether enjoyed as a dessert or a sweet treat, Bamboo Rice Payasam will surely leave you craving more.

Coconut And Mawa Ladoo

Coconut and Mawa Ladoos offer a scrumptious twist to the traditional ladoo. Made from coconut, mawa (reduced milk solids), sugar, and cardamom, these ladoos are a flavourful and healthier alternative to sugar-laden sweets. The combination of coconut and mawa gives these ladoos a rich and creamy texture, while the cardamom adds a hint of aromatic flavour. Whether enjoyed as a snack or a dessert, Coconut and Mawa Ladoos will satisfy your sweet cravings guilt-free.

Pumpkin Payasam

Pumpkin Payasam is one of the loved Kerala sweets. It is made from ripe pumpkin, coconut milk, jaggery, and spices. This sweet dish is a celebration of Kerala's culinary diversity. The ripe pumpkin is cooked to perfection in coconut milk, giving the payasam a rich and creamy texture, while the jaggery adds a hint of sweetness. Whether enjoyed as a dessert or a sweet treat, Pumpkin Payasam will surely leave you craving more.

Orange Payasam 

Orange Payasam is a refreshing version of the traditional dessert. This sweet dish is made from orange juice, milk, sugar, and cardamom and has a citrusy flavour. The orange juice adds a tangy and refreshing taste to the creamy payasam. In contrast, the cardamom adds a hint of aromatic flavour. Whether enjoyed as a dessert or a sweet treat, Orange Payasam will tantalise your taste buds and leave you craving more.

Akkaravadisal 

Akkaravadisal is a simple, sweet dish that will satisfy your sweet cravings. It is made from boiled rice, jaggery, milk, ghee, and spices. This dish is one of the simple yet flavourful sweet dishes of Kerala. The boiled rice is cooked to perfection in milk and jaggery, giving the dish a rich and creamy texture, while the ghee and spices add a hint of aromatic flavour. Whether enjoyed as a dessert or a sweet treat, Akkaravadisal will surely leave you craving more.

Coconut Pitha with Mawa

Coconut Pitha with Mawa is an irresistible sweet dish that is sure to tantalise your taste buds. It is made from coconut, mawa, cashew nuts, raisins, and sugar, this dish is among the top desserts of Kerala. The coconut and mawa give the dish a rich and creamy texture, while the cashew nuts and raisins add a crunchy and chewy texture. Whether enjoyed as a dessert or a sweet treat, Coconut Pitha with Mawa will leave you craving more.

Shahi Tukda With Coconut Oil

Shahi Tukda with Coconut Oil adds the essence of the south to a traditional Mughlai dessert. It is made from bread, sugar syrup, coconut oil, and nuts. This dish is a flavourful and aromatic treat. The bread is fried perfectly in coconut oil, giving it a crispy and crunchy texture. The sugar syrup adds a hint of sweetness. Whether enjoyed as a dessert or a sweet treat, Shahi Tukda with Coconut Oil is sure to satisfy your sweet cravings uniquely.

Milk Rice with Green Gram

Milk Rice with Green Gram is a tasty Kerala dessert made from rice, green gram, milk, sugar, and cardamom. This sweet dish is a celebration. The rice and green gram are cooked perfectly in milk and sugar, giving the dish a rich and creamy texture. The cardamom adds a hint of aromatic flavour. Whether enjoyed as a dessert or a sweet treat, Milk Rice with Green Gram will surely leave you craving more.

We hope you take the opportunity to try these Kerala sweets in the region where they are the most authentic. Take a trip with your loved ones and enjoy these delicious desserts!