Quick Gajar Ka Halwa Recipe (No Mawa, Easy Carrot Halwa)
Tarla Dalal
• Updated : Jan 19, 2026
gajar ka halwa without mawa is a delicious halwa with the rich hue of carrots and the luxurious flavour of milk. Learn how to make carrot halwa without khoya.
This easy, quick gajar halwa without mawa, is so easy and simple, and is made with common, everyday ingredients. It does not even use khoya. You can make it on any day you feel like treating your family to a special desi dessert.
Table of Content
This carrot halwa without mawa has the perfect amount of sweetness, creaminess and the flavour is very delicately perked up by the addition of cardamom powder. And the garnish of dry fruits gives a finishing touch to this Indian mithai.
Gajar Ka Halwa is a quintessential Indian winter dessert primarily because it features seasonal red carrots, which are at their peak of sweetness, crunch, and juiciness during the colder months.
This carrot halwa without khoya can be served at the end of any Indian party and also during the fasting festivals of Janmashtami, Ekadashi and Navratri. It is often a part of ‘chappan bhog’ served as an offering to Lord Krishna during Janmashtami.
Tips for gajar ka halwa without mawa. 1. Ensure to grate the carrot thick as they tend to shrink in size after cooking. 2. Make sure to use nice and red carrots they are comparatively sweeter than orange carrots. 3. Use full fat milk to make this luscious gajar halwa.
You can also try other tasty Indian treats like the Khubani Halwa and the Lauki Halwa.
Tags
Soaking Time
0
Preparation Time
15 Mins
Cooking Time
20 Mins
Baking Time
0 Mins
Baking Temperature
0
Sprouting Time
0
Total Time
35 Mins
Makes
5 servings
Ingredients
For Quick Gajar ka Halwa
- 4 cups thickly grated carrot
- 4 tbsp ghee
- 1 1/2 cups milk
- 1/2 cup condensed milk
- 1/2 tsp cardamom (elaichi) powder
- 1 tbsp almond (badam) slivers
- 1 tbsp chopped cashew nut (kaju)
- 1 tbsp pistachio slivers
Method
For quick gajar ka halwa
To make gajar ka halwa, heat the ghee in a pan, add the carrots and sauté on a medium flame for a minute, while stirring occasionally.
Add the milk, mix well and cover with a lid and cook on medium flame for 15 minutes until the milk reduces.
Add the condensed milk and cardamom powder , mix well and cook on high flame for 5 minutes, while stirring continuously.
Add the almond slivers, chopped cashew nuts and pista slivers. Mix well.
Serve the gajar ka halwa hot.
Quick Gajar Ka Halwa Recipe (No Mawa, Easy Carrot Halwa) Video by Tarla Dalal
Quick Gajar ka Halwa, Carrot Halwa Without Mawa recipe with step by step photos
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See the below image of list of ingredients for gajar ka halwa without mawa.
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To make gajar ka halwa, we need grated carrot. Red carrots are the best to make this halwa. However, they are available only during the winter season. When red carrots are not in season, use the orange variety that is available all through the year. Irrespective of the colour, carrot roots should be firm, smooth, relatively straight and bright in color.
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Wash the carrot with water and peel the carrot using a peeler.
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Using a grater, measure 4 cups thickly grated carrot. Ensure you grate them thickly for carrot halwa without mawa. This will give a good mouthfeel after being cooked.
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Heat 4 tbsp ghee in a pan.
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Add 4 cups thickly grated carrot.
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Sauté on a medium flame for a minute, while stirring occasionally.
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Add 1 1/2 cups milk.
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Mix well.
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Cover with a lid and cook on medium flame for 15 minutes or until the milk reduces.
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Add ½ cup condensed milk.
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Add ½ tsp cardamom (elaichi) powder.
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Mix well and cook on high flame for 5 minutes, while stirring continuously.
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Add 1 tbsp almond (badam) slivers.
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Add 1 tbsp chopped cashew nut (kaju).
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Add 1 tbsp pistachio slivers.
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Mix well.
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Serve easy, quick gajar halwa without mawa hot.
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1. What ingredients are needed for this gajar ka halwa without mawa?
You’ll need grated carrots, ghee, milk, condensed milk, cardamom powder, and dry fruits like almonds, cashews, and pistachios.
2. Do I need mawa (khoya) to make this halwa?
No this recipe specifically makes gajar ka halwa without mawa, using condensed milk instead for richness.
3. Can I substitute condensed milk with sugar or regular milk?
Condensed milk adds creaminess and sweetness. You can substitute with sugar and more milk, but the taste and texture will vary from the original recipe.
4. How long does this halwa take to prepare?
Total time is about 35 minutes 15 minutes to prepare and 20 minutes to cook.
5. Can I use orange carrots instead of red carrots?
Yes though red carrots are sweeter and preferred, orange carrots work fine if red aren’t available.
6. Do I need to grate carrots finely or thickly?
The recipe recommends thick grating so they don’t shrink too much while cooking.
7. What type of milk should I use?
Use full-fat milk for a richer and creamier halwa.
8. How many servings does this recipe make?
This halwa serves about 5 people.
9. Can this dessert be served cold or only hot?
Traditionally it’s served hot, but you can also enjoy it warm or cold based on preference.
10. What tips improve the halwa’s flavor?
Use nice, sweet carrots, grate them thick, and don’t skimp on cardamom and dry fruits for better aroma and texture.
If you liked this gajar ka halwa without mawa Recipe then also check out other recipes like:
1. Use Sweet, Fresh Carrots
Choose bright red carrots if they’re available they tend to be sweeter and give a richer colour and taste to the halwa than regular orange ones.
2. Grate Carrots Thickly
Grate the carrots thickly rather than finely this helps maintain a nice texture and mouthfeel after cooking since carrots shrink while cooking.
3. Don’t Skip Full-Fat Milk
Use full-fat milk (not low-fat) to make the halwa creamier and richer as it reduces beautifully with the carrots.
4. Cook on Medium Flame First
When you add milk to the sautéed carrots, cook on medium flame with a lid this helps the milk reduce evenly without burning the bottom.
5. Stir When Adding Condensed Milk
After adding condensed milk, stir continuously on a higher flame for a few minutes to avoid sticking and ensure it blends evenly with the carrot-milk mix.
6. Toast Dry Fruits Lightly
Before adding nuts like almonds, cashews, and pistachios, you can lightly toast them in ghee briefly this enhances flavour and crunch. (General halwa tip)
7. Adjust Sweetness as Required
Since condensed milk adds sweetness, taste once the milk has reduced and adjust sweetness if needed before the final cooking step. (General cooking best practice)
8. Serve Warm for Best Texture
Gajar ka halwa tastes best served warm with a garnish of nuts, which keeps the texture soft and rich.
Nutrient values (Abbrv)per plate
| Energy | 144 Calories |
| Protein | 1.8 g |
| Carbohydrates | 14.2 g |
| Fiber | 1.6 g |
| Fat | 8.3 g |
| Cholesterol | 3 mg |
| Sodium | 16 mg |
Click here to view Calories for Quick Gajar ka Halwa, Carrot Halwa Without Mawa
The Nutrient info is complete
Prajakta
March 14, 2021, 4:35 a.m.
Tried this and very easy and tasty. Hubby loved it. Can I do the same with doodhi?
Tarla Dalal
March 14, 2021, 4:35 a.m.
Hi Prajakta, Happy to know you liked the recipe. Yes, you can do the same with doodhi. You can refer this recipe https://www.tarladalal.com/Doodhi-ka-Halwa-2027r
Kavita Agarwalla
Oct. 20, 2020, 1:11 p.m.
I tried...it''s too yummy
Tarla Dalal
Oct. 20, 2020, 1:11 p.m.
Thanks for the feedback !!! Keep reviewing recipes and articles you loved.
Kirti
Sept. 16, 2020, 2:36 a.m.
Swati J
Aug. 31, 2020, 6:34 a.m.
I tried and it turned out super yum!! Very quick and very tasty! Thank you mam for sharing _x0001F60A_
Tarla Dalal
Aug. 31, 2020, 6:34 a.m.
Thanks so much for trying our recipe, it means a lot to us. Keep trying more recipes and sharing your feedback with us.
Wendy
Feb. 21, 2020, 4:03 p.m.
Super easy n super delicious! Can we use butter instead of ghee and kaju instead of badam?
Tarla Dalal
Feb. 21, 2020, 4:03 p.m.
Hi Wendy, for authentic taste we recommend you to use clarified butter that is Ghee. You can add baadam or pistachios instead of kaju.
Romina
Nov. 22, 2018, 4:25 p.m.
Tarla Dalal
Nov. 22, 2018, 4:25 p.m.
Thanks for the feedback !!! keep reviewing recipes and articles you loved.
Surbhi
July 12, 2017, 5:32 p.m.
Tried this...it was so yummy....nd yeahh it is easy to make...?
Tarla Dalal
July 12, 2017, 5:32 p.m.
Hi Surbhi, Happy to know you liked the recipe. Do try more & more recipes and share with us your feedback. Happy Cooking!
arya patil
Oct. 17, 2016, 8:43 a.m.
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G S AHLUWALIA
Feb. 26, 2016, 7:16 p.m.
Is homemade gajar halwa is bad for high potassium paitient
Mridu
Aug. 19, 2014, 12:35 p.m.
?????? ???? ???? ?? ???? ??? ?????? ???? ????? ???? ???? ???? ???? ???? ?? ???? ??? ?????? 2 ?? ??? ??? ???? ?? ??? ????? ????? ???? ????? ????? ?? ??? ?? ?????? ?? ?? ???? ????? ????? ???? ???? 200 ???? ?? 250 ????? ??????
Hiral
Aug. 19, 2014, 12:25 p.m.
Hi Tarla Dalal aunty, yes, have tried this recipe amd it came out so yummy. Specially with my 16 months old daughter its hard to spend time in kitchen stirring Jus a quick question as I m watchin out calories I take, what I can substitute sugar or brown sugar with? Can I add jaggery and will give me the same taste as it is now? Thankyou. Kind regards
Tarla Dalal
Aug. 19, 2014, 12:25 p.m.
Hi, Try using jaggery sugar, which will be in granulated form. There might be slight difference in colour.
Archana
March 22, 2014, 12:40 p.m.
Quick gajar halwa.. is really tasty.. the best part it is made without mawa.. but the taste is much better and also feels rich. Thank you for this recipe..
