1. Home
  2. /
  3. Recipe
  4. /
  5. Banana halwa
6 Mins delivery
Recipe Image

Banana Halwa

Serves 4
40 mins
280 Kcal
Banana Halwa is the perfect, sinful dessert that employs sweet-ripened bananas, making this dish a great combination of natural sweetness and richness. This sweet Indian dessert was mainly enjoyed during festivals or grand celebrations. It's a comforting dish that can be quickly done to impress children and elders. The Banana Halwa recipe is simple yet highly fulfilling. It uses minimal ingredients and has a delightful melt-in-your-mouth texture. To cook this banana halwa recipe, the ripe bananas are mashed and then cooked with ghee, where they let their natural sweetness come through. Sugar is added, though the ripe bananas contain a fair amount of sweetness, so it's not that sweet. Then cardamom powder adds that warm, aromatic depth to the flavour, along with cashews and almonds, giving crunchiness and richness. The mixture will thicken, and flavours mix, providing a shiny, thick consistency. The only requirement for Banana Halwa is patience to cook the mixture till it becomes fudgy and holds its shape. Extra nuts are added to the dessert for crunch and flavour as finishing touches. Banana Halwa is a delectable and nutritious dessert with potassium, fibre, and essential vitamins from bananas. Whether it's just a sweet tooth craving or a need for something healthier instead of regular sweets, this Banana Halwa recipe will surely be a family favourite.

Ingredients required for Banana Halwa

  1. 4 ripe banana
  2. 2 tbsp ghee
  3. 150 gms sugar
  4. 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
  5. 1 pinch saffron
  6. Almonds
  7. 1 tbsp milk
  8. Pista

Cooking steps for Banana Halwa

  1. 1
    Let's start with the recipe of banana halva. Start with four ripe bananas—the kind with those sweet brown spots, because they're the MVPs for making a bang-on banana halwa.
  2. 2
    Peel the bananas, plop them into a mixing bowl, and mash them to a silky, lump-free puree with a fork or potato masher.
  3. 3
    Smooth consistency is the key here for that perfect texture later.
  4. 4
    Set your mashed bananas aside.
  5. 5
    Heat two tablespoons of ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan over medium heat.
  6. 6
    Trust me, a heavy-bottomed pan is your best friend here to prevent any burn drama.
  7. 7
    Once the ghee melts and starts smelling heavenly, add your mashed bananas to the pan.
  8. 8
    Stir the mix constantly for about 5-7 minutes.
  9. 9
    When your bananas start to reduce and look all glossy, toss in 150g of sugar.
  10. 10
    Mix it in well to evenly distribute the sweetness love.
  11. 11
    Now comes the patience test: keep stirring for another 10-12 minutes.
  12. 12
    The sugar will melt, combine with the bananas, and the mixture will thicken and take on a darker hue—that's your halwa magic happening.
  13. 13
    Add 1/4 teaspoon of cardamom powder for that warm, aromatic kick and a pinch of saffron strands soaked in a tablespoon of warm milk.
  14. 14
    Stir everything well and cook for another 5 minutes.
  15. 15
    Grease a plate or tray with a touch of ghee to prevent sticking, then carefully pour your halwa onto it.
  16. 16
    Spread it out evenly with a spatula, making sure it's all nice and smooth.
  17. 17
    Let it cool for a few minutes—this is when it sets and becomes easy to handle.
  18. 18
    Once it's cool but not rock-hard, slice it into your favourite shapes.
  19. 19
    Garnish the pieces with chopped almonds and pistachios for that extra crunch and fancy finish.
  20. 20
    Serve your banana halwa warm for a melt-in-your-mouth experience or at room temp as a post-meal treat or snack with tea.
  21. 21
    The ghee, bananas, and cardamom blend perfectly into a dessert that feels indulgent but homemade with love.
  22. 22
    Stir often to prevent any pesky burns, and if you're feeling extra, throw in a tablespoon of condensed milk or a handful of raisins for an extra dose of decadence.
  23. 23
    This banana halwa is not just a dessert; it's a vibe—perfect for gifting, festivals, or a cozy indulgence for yourself.

Shop Ingredients

Almonds
235
1
440
1
499
1
746
1
125
1
229
1
245
1
437
1
970
1
968
1
Milk (1 Tbsp)
28
1
34
1
26
1
24
1
35
1
48
1
Saffron (1 pinch)
210
1
277
1
395
1
423
1
403
1
366
1
854
1
Cardamom Powder (1/4 Tsp)
237
1
359
1
413
1
302
1
Sugar (150 gms)
51
1
50
1
56
1
235
1
75
1
294
1
54
1
79
1
50
1
261
1
Banana (4 ripe)
63
1
44
1
32
1
54
1
55
1
Ghee (2 Tbsp)
393
1
316
1
635
1
719
1
668
1
617
1
375
1
150
1
150
1
632
1
Pista
360
1
449
1
349
1
480
1
79
1
79
1
79
1
499
1
715
1

FAQs

What kinds of bananas are best suited for banana halwa?

The overripe bananas are ideal as they are sweeter and softer, which brings out the essence of taste and texture. Any variety of Nendran, Robusta, or Cavendish works fine, assuming the bananas do not show signs of mould or spoilage. Even if the peels turn black, the banana's inherent sweetness makes the addition of sugar redundant, and therefore, the halwa is both tasty and cost-effective.

How can I ensure that my banana halwa has just the right texture?

The trick to a perfect banana halwa is slow cooking with the rest of the ingredients. You'll need constant stirring so that nothing sticks or burns. Once you mash bananas, cook them with ghee on low or medium heat until the mixture thickens. Stir constantly so that nothing sticks or burns. It is ready when the halwa has reduced and pulls away from the pan sides. At the end, you can add sugar or jaggery if you want it sweet; it caramelises and makes the halwa smooth and shiny. Roasted nuts or a pinch of cardamom powder add a wonderful aroma.

How do you store Banana Halwa? How long does it last?

Banana halwa can be kept for up to 5-7 days inside an airtight container in the refrigerator. It should be entirely cooled before refrigeration so that the moisture will not get trapped inside, which may help it to spoil quickly. You can freeze the halwa if you want to store it for longer. Heat the halwa with some ghee until it regains its softness and flavour when thawed.