15 Diabetic-Friendly Desserts | Sugar-free, Low Carb & More

Last updated on February 7th, 2023

If you have diabetes and a sweet tooth too then it is so difficult for you to resist your dessert cravings. But don’t worry! There are many diabetic-friendly desserts that can treat your sweet tooth. They don’t raise your sugar levels and also let you eat your favorite desserts. 

Overview

Everyone loves sweets but diabetics patients always have to curb their sweet cravings because of their sugar levels. However, diabetics can also eat diabetic desserts or sugar-free desserts. These diabetic-friendly desserts give their palate a sweet tinge. Many diabetic Indian desserts are sweet in taste but not sweet enough for their blood glucose levels. 

In this blog, we will unravel such low-carb and diabetic desserts so nobody has to live a tasteless life. 

15 Diabetic-Friendly Desserts

1) Sugar-free Besan Ladoo

Besan ladoo is one of the favorite sweets of every household. They are signature sweets when it comes to conventional sweets. It is one of the most common yet tasty delicacies by our grandmothers and mothers. It is so popular that even sweets companies have started making sugar-free besan ladoo for all the ladoo lovers who are either diabetic or health conscious. Let’s know, how to cook sugar-free besan ladoo at home:

Ingredients:

• 2 cups Besan (gram flour): 2 Cups
• Desi ghee (clarified butter): 1/2 Cup
• Artificial sweetener: 1 Cup 
• Cardamom powder: 1 Tsp 

Recipe:

• Start by heating clarified butter or desi ghee in a pan.
• Add besan to it. Roast on low flame until it turns golden and you can smell the nutty aroma.
• Remove from heat, transfer into a large bowl and allow it to cool. Do not leave it in the pan or the besan might burn.
• Once cooled, add in the artificial sweetener and cardamom powder. Mix well. 
• Add more ghee if the mixture feels dry.
• Add nuts if you wish.
• Now shape ladoos and serve them. 

Also Read: Insulin Resistance Diet for Diabetes

2) Sugar-free Kaju Katli

Everyone loves kaju katli but people with diabetes always have to say “No” to this delicious sweet. Sugar-free dessert is a ray of hope for people with diabetes. They can eat sweets without guilt. Let’s read how you can make this diabetes-friendly dessert. 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup cashews (ground)
• 5-6 tbsp sugar free
• 4-5 strands of saffron
• Half teaspoon cardamom powder
• Water as required

Recipe:

• First of all, put water, sugar free natural sweetener and saffron in a pan.
• Stir the water until the sugar free dissolves well in it.
• Now add cardamom powder
• When this mixture starts to thicken, add ground cashews little by little.
• Keep in mind that when adding ground cashews, keep stirring it continuously so that no kernels fall in it. 
• Cook it on low flame.
• Your mixture is ready. Keep it to cool down.
• When the mixture cools down, apply ghee on a plate and spread the prepared mixture evenly.
• When it hardens well, cut the cashew slices with the help of a knife.

Read More: Insulin Injection Sites: Where and How to Inject Insulin?

3) Nariyal Ladoo

Coconut Ladoo is very tasty. As much as its taste is wonderful, its benefits are equally wonderful. They taste great even without sugar or syrup. It doesn’t take much time to be prepared and can be prepared with very few ingredients. Almost with those that are available on your kitchen shelf. Let’s know the method: 

Ingredients:

• 1 cup fresh grated coconut
• 2 tbsp ghee
• 2 tsp natural sweetener available in the market
• ¼ cup coconut milk
• 1 pinch Himalayan salt
• 1 pinch nutmeg (jayfal) powder

Recipe:

• Let the pan heat on medium heat.
• Now heat ghee in it.
• After melting the ghee, add dry coconut powder to it.
• Keep stirring the powder continuously in the pan so that it does not burn.
• After roasting the coconut powder, mix coconut milk and nutmeg powder and natural sweetener in it and cook for two more minutes.
• Keep stirring the mixture until it becomes a thick paste.
• Squeeze it by hand to see if it is well dried or not.
• Allow the mixture to cool slightly, after that make small laddoos from it and serve.

4) Sugar-Free Ragi Barfi

Ragi is healthy for diabetics. It is a good substitute for wheat and white rice. It does not spike sugar levels. Let’s know this diabetic-friendly dessert recipe:

Ingredients:

• 1 cup ragi flour
• 1 cup ghee
• 1 teaspoon ground green cardamom
• 1 cup jaggery powder
• 1/4 cup lukewarm milk
• two tablespoons dried fruits

Recipe:

• To make ragi barfi, keep a pan on low flame and melt some ghee in it. 
• After melting the ghee, add ragi flour and fry it.
• When the flour turns brown after roasting, turn off the gas and let it cool for 5 to 6 minutes.
• After this, keep the pan again on low flame.
• Now add jaggery powder along with green cardamom powder and then mix it well.
• The jaggery will slowly melt, but keep stirring the mixture. 
• If you find it too dry, add some warm milk and mix properly. 
• When the jaggery is cooked, turn off the gas.
• After turning off the gas, add ghee again. 
• Now take a plate and grease it with ghee, then pour the ragi mixture and garnish it with chopped dry fruits. 
• Now let it cool down well and then cut it into square shape. Your ragi barfi is ready.

Also Read: Health Benefits of Ragi

5) Anjeer Barfi

Figs are considered healthy all over the world. It controls diabetes by improving digestion. You can also eat it as fig barfi, which does not contain refined sugar at all. It is a very popular diabetic Indian dessert recipe. 

Ingredients:

• 175 grams diced figs
• 75 grams seedless dates
• 50 grams raisins
• 50 grams pistachios chopped
• 50 grams cashew nuts chopped
• 50 grams almonds chopped
• 4 tsp desi ghee

Recipe:

• First, grind figs, dates and raisins in a mixer and make a paste. 
• Keep in mind, do not add water while grinding.
• Now put a pan on the gas and put two spoons of desi ghee in it and roast cashews, almonds and pistachios till they become light golden. 
• Now put ghee in the same pan and fry the fig paste on low flame for seven to eight minutes while stirring continuously.
• After this add roasted cashews, almonds and pistachios and fry for three to four more minutes while stirring. 
• Now turn off the gas and spread the mixture as thick as burfi in a greased plate or square tray with ghee and let it set for two hours. 
• Now cut with a knife into your desired shape. 
• Your healthy fig or anjeer barfi is ready.

Also Read: Reverse your Diabetes Naturally without Medicines

6) Lauki ka Halwa

It is a low-carb dessert which is a healthy diabetic dessert for diabetic people. Let’s read the recipe:

Ingredients:

• 2 Gourds
• 3 tbsp desi ghee
• 2-3 cloves
• 8-9 raisins
• 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
• 1/4 tsp cinnamon powder
• 1 cup milk
• 1 cup jaggery powder

Recipe:

• First of all grate gourd or lauki. Squeeze it to strain extra water. 
• Take a pan and add ghee to it.
• Now add grated lauki in it and roast it for 4-5 minutes. 
• Now add milk to it and let it boil. 
• Keep stirring it and cook it for 10-15 minutes until it gets thick. 
• Now add jaggery, raisins, cloves, cardamom powder, and cinnamon powder to it. 
• Let excess water get dried.
• Lauki ka halwa is ready. 

7) Khajoor Kaju Sugar-Free Barfi

This is naturally sweet. It is a good sugar-free dessert for diabetics. 

Ingredients:

• 500 grams dates (without seeds)
• 100 grams mixed nuts such as cashews, almonds, walnuts
• 1 tablespoon finely chopped pistachios for garnishing
• 2 tbsp poppy seeds
• 2 tbsp desi ghee
• ½ tsp cardamom powder

Recipe:

• To make dates and cashew barfi, wash the dates and take out their seeds.
• Now put dates in the grinder and grind them coarsely.
• Keep in mind, do not make a paste of dates.
• Now take some ghee in a pan and fry it well by adding dates.
• Now add coarsely ground cashews to it and cook on a low flame while stirring continuously.
• If you want, you can also add finely chopped almonds and walnuts to it.
• Now after turning off the flame, add cardamom powder to it for flavor.
• Now take it out on a plate and cut it in the shape of barfi.
• Sugar free barfi of dates and cashews is ready.
• Garnish with finely chopped pistachios.

Also Read: Health Benefits of Ginger for Diabetes Patients

8) Apple Rabdi

Fruits have natural sugar so it is always a good option to use fruits in sweets. Fruits make the best diabetic desserts. Let’s know how to make one such sugar-free dessert Apple Rabdi:

Ingredients:

• Low fat milk – 3 cups
• Grated apple with skin – 3/4 cups 
• Cardamom powder – 1/4 tsp
• Nutmeg (jaiphal) powder – A pinch
• Sugar substitute – 1 tsp 

Recipe:

• Take a non-stick pan and pour milk into it. 
• Let the milk boil and simmer it for 10-15 minutes.
• Keep stirring this.
• Now add the grated apple and again simmer it for good 2-3 minutes. 
• Add elaichi and nutmeg powder to it. 
• Mix it and now switch off the gas.
• Let it cool.
• When it is cooled, add any sugar substitute and put it in the refrigerator for 1 hour. 
• Now your wonderful apple rabdi is ready to eat. 

9) Diabetic-friendly Malai Peda

When you hear about peda, the first thing that comes to mind is so much sugar and fat. But diabetics people should not worry. This diabetic dessert is easy to make at home. Individuals with diabetes can eat this without guilt. Let’s learn how to make it:

Ingredients:

• Low-fat milk: 2 1/2 cups
• Full-fat milk: 2 cups
• Cornflour: 2 tsp
• Low-fat milk: 1 tsp
• Warm milk: 2 tsp
• Kesar (Saffron): 1/4 tsp
• Cardamom powder: 1/4 tsp
• Citric acid: 1/4 tsp
• Sugar substitute: 1 1/4 

Recipe:

• First of all mix cornflour and 1 tsp low-fat milk in a bowl and keep it aside.
• Now take a 2nd bowl and add 2 tsp warm milk and kesar.
• Take another bowl and mix citric acid and 1 tbsp water. 
• Now take a pan and pour low-fat and full-fat milk into it and boil it on high flame for 6-8 minutes.
• Stir it.
• Now change the flame to medium and cook it for 25-30 minutes. 
• Boil it till it becomes half. 
• Now add the saffron mixture you kept aside and cook it for 4-5 minutes. 
• Now add the cornflour mixture and citric acid and water mixture to it as well and cook it for 12 minutes. 
• Keep it stirring continuously.
• Now take it out on a plate and let it cool for half an hour.
• Add elaichi and sugar substitute and mix with your hands. Now make balls and flatten them on the palm.
• Your diabetic friendly dessert malai peda is ready. 

Also Read: Top 10 Homeopathic Medecines for Diabetes

10) Mixed Fruit Shrikhand

It is one of the most famous Indian diabetic-friendly desserts. People with diabetes can also enjoy this low-carb dessert if cooked with diabetic-friendly ingredients and methods. It is rich in fiber as fruits are a great source of fiber. Let’s know the recipe for this diabetic dessert. 

Ingredient:

• Chopped mixed fruits of your choice: 1 1/2 cups
• Low-fat curd (hung): 1 Cup 
• Warm low-fat milk: 1 tbsp
• Saffron (kesar): Few strands
• Sugar substitute: 2 tsp
• Cardamom powder: 1/4 tsp

Recipe:

• Take a bowl and mix milk and saffron. Stir well to dissolve the saffron.
• Now take a big bowl and add curd, saffron-milk mixture, cardamom powder, and sugar substitute. Beat them well with a whisk. 
• Now keep it in the refrigerator to set it.
• Now while serving, add mixed fruits and then shrikhand. 
• Layer it again with fruits and shrikhand. 
• Now serve it fresh and chilled. 

 11) Oats Apple Phirni

Oats apple phirni is one healthy diabetic dessert with oats and apples. Apple is rich in fiber whereas oats are also low in glycemic index. They both are not just wonderful in taste but healthy too. Let’s read this diabetic dessert recipe:

Ingredients:

• Coarsely powdered oats: 3/4 cup
• Grated apple: 3/4 cup
• Low-fat milk: 3 cups
• Sugar substitute: 2 tsp 

Recipe:

• Take a non-stick pan and heat milk in it. Boil it. 
• Now add oats to it and cook it for 2 minutes. Keep the flame to medium.
• Now turn off the gas, add the sugar substitute, and let it cool.  
• In the next step, add the grated apple and refrigerate it for 30 minutes. 
• It’s ready to serve, tasty and chilled. 

Also Read: Health Benefits of Oats

12) Almond Barfi

Almonds or nuts are good for diabetes and can be added into the diabetic-friendly diet. Similarly, almonds can be a great option for diabetic desserts. Almond barfi is one such diabetic-friendly indian dessert. 

Ingredients:

• Khoya: 500 gm
• Crushed almond: 1 cup
• Chopped almond: Garnishing 
• Sweetener or sugar-free syrup: As per the wish 

Recipe:

• First of all, grate the khoya.
• Take a non-stick pan and cook the khoya for a few minutes.
• Now cook this for 5 minutes on low flame.
• Turn off the heat and add roasted crushed almonds to it. 
• You can add sugar-free syrup or sugar substitute as per your wish.
• Garnish it with chopped almonds. 

Also Read: Effects of Having Madhunashini Vati in Diabetes

13) Diabetic-friendly Gajar ka Halwa

Gajar ka halwa is an unbeatable sweet of winter. Everyone loves gajar ka halwa to enjoy winter. But since it’s a dessert, people with diabetes always have to compromise. But they don’t need to be sad as they can add diabetic-friendly desserts such as gajar ka halwa into their diet. 

Ingredients:

• Carrot: 1 Kg
• Milk: 1 Liter
• Stevia: 2 Tsp
• Elaichi: 4
• Patti Kesar: 10
• Almond: 20 Pieces
• Pistachio: 10 Pieces

Recipe:

• Grate the carrots and, if necessary, add ghee. Carrots are added to 2 teaspoons of ghee that has been heated. For 3 to 4 minutes, heat it.
• Stir in the milk and bring to a boil. After it boils, turn down the heat and stir it with a spatula.
• Include the Elaichi powder.
• Stir it continuously for 20 to 25 minutes.
• When the milk is somewhat liquid, add the Stevia.
• Turn off the flame and stir in the almonds, pistachios, and kesar.

Tip:

Soak the almonds and pistachios overnight, or for eight to ten hours. Use them after removing the skin.\

14) Sandesh

Sandesh or Sondesh is a popular Bengali sweet. Although it’s very sweet in taste because of its syrupy texture, diabetic people can eat this sweet with some modification. Let’s know the diabetic-friendly dessert sandesh recipe.

Ingredients:

• Full Cream Milk: 1 Litre 
• Lemon: 2
• Stevia: As per taste
• Cardamom: 5
• Saffron: 20-25 Threads
• Pistachios: 12

Recipe:

• Pour the milk into a container with a sturdy base or bottom and simmer it slowly.
• Take another bowl and mix lemon and little water in it.
• When you notice a light boil in the milk, turn off the heat and allow the milk to slightly cool.
• Now add small amounts of lemon water to the milk that has just warmed up. Constantly stir and keep stirring. The milk should stop being added once it begins to coagulate.
• Strain this mixture using a muslin cloth, then wash it with cold water. Holding the cloth firmly, squeeze out every last drop of water.
• When the chena is finished, move it to another plate and begin mashing it. To achieve smoothness, continue to knead for 5 to 6 minutes.

Also Read: Indian Diet Chart for Diabetics

 15) Chocolate Mousse

If you love chocolates and refrain from eating them because of your high sugar level then don’t! Dark chocolates are always recommended to people with diabetes as they do not spike sugar levels much. Let’s read how to prepare chocolate mousse as a diabetic dessert. 

Ingredients:

• Dark chocolate: 50 grams
• Salted butter or unsalted butter: 15 gram 
• pinch of salt/coconut oil
• Cocoa powder: 1 tbsp
• Coconut cream: 200 ml
• Stevia to taste
• Cinnamon: 1/4 tsp 

Recipe:

• First of all, microwave the butter and chocolate for 30 seconds.
• Now whip cream, cocoa powder, and stevia together.
• In the next step, add this mixture to butter and chocolate mix.
• Whip until soft peaks form, then place in bowls.
• For the final step, add berries and mint leaves on top to increase its test and nutrition both (optional)
• Serve cold after being chilled for at least an hour.

Read More: Can Diabetics Eat Jaggery?

Things to keep remember before preparing Diabetic-Friendly Desserts

It is not true that people with diabetes should completely abandon eating desserts. They also can enjoy diabetic-friendly desserts. There are some tips they can use before preparing diabetic desserts: 

1.  Minimize the use of sugar. Refined sugar is unhealthy for diabetics as it increases sugar levels. 
2. Instead, use sugar substitutes that are sweet but do not spike sugar levels. Many sugar substitutes available in the market are considered sugar-free yet sweet in taste like stevia, sucralose, aspartame, etc. 
3.  Full-fat dairy products increase glucose levels so replace them with low-fat dairy products.
4. Fruits have natural sugar that is not harmful to diabetes. Fruits are also rich in fiber. Since fiber slows glucose absorption in the body, it does not increase sugar levels so use fruits in your diabetic desserts.
5.  Use whole grain, whole wheat, or oats instead of all-purpose flour. It provides high fiber that helps maintain sugar levels.
6. Try to count your calories and accordingly add sweets to your diet. Your daily carb count helps you to decide your sugar intake.
7. You can also take help from your dietitian to make a healthy diabetic diet with sweets. 

Conclusion

Whether it’s a festival or a family function, they are incomplete without sweets. However, people with diabetes always have to stay away from sweets because of their high sugar levels. Diabetes is a condition in which the pancreas doesn’t produce enough insulin that helps cells to use glucose as energy.

The remaining glucose is stored in the liver. But when the pancreas either does not produce enough insulin or the body can’t use insulin properly then this excess glucose or sugar stays in the bloodstream. These high glucose levels in the blood are known as diabetes.

Diabetes requires a specific diet that helps to maintain sugar levels in the body. Since sweets or desserts are full of sugar, they aren’t considered the right choice for diabetes but there are many diabetic-friendly desserts. These diabetic desserts let you enjoy sweets and do not increase your sugar levels. Hope you can also treat your sweet tooth with above mentioned diabetic-friendly desserts. 

Also Read: Normal Blood Sugar Levels Chart

FAQ’s

Reference

https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/life-style/food-news/5-diabetic-friendly-recipes-for-the-diwali-sweet-tooth/articleshow/79218930.cms

https://www.aajtak.in/lifestyle/food/story/sugar-free-mithai-recipe-diwali-sweets-for-diabetic-patients-lbsf-1559301-2022-10-21

https://www.tarladalal.com/article-7-diabetic-friendly-indian-sweets–18Last Updated on February 7, 2023 by Dr. Damanjit Duggal