If you want a stress-free and guilt-free mithai, then this Sugar-Free Badam Katli made in the Instant Pot is for you. Using almond flour, this easy Badam Katli can be ready within minutes because you do not need to spend ages making a sugar syrup. This low-carb Indian sweet has no added sugar, no honey, agave or jaggery.
This post contains affiliate links, meaning I get a commission if you decide to make a purchase through my links at no cost to you.
INSTANT POT SUGAR-FREE BADAM KATLI/BARFI
Badam Katli translates as Almond Thins. Badam Katli is a variation of the traditional Kaju Katli. Kaju Katli is made from cashew powder. The distinctive flavours have a similar resemblance to marzipan. It is also possible to make Peanut Katli from peanut powder. This is a cheaper alternative but equally as delicious.
The gorgeous design of these almond slices alongside their fudge-like texture make for a truly spectacular treat. We have made these katli using stevia for true no-added-sugar badam katli.
In traditional katli, you first have to prepare a sugar syrup but in this version, you can simply cook the stevia and water in the instant pot or electric pressure cooker and subsequently add the almond flavour. We also love our Instant pot Kaju Katli with regular sugar now and then.
PLUS POINTS OF THESE SUGAR-FREE BADAM KATLI ARE
✅Gluten-free and protein-packed
✅No honey, jaggery or agave nectar and free from refined sugar
✅Suitable for diabetics or following a low-carb diet
✅No need to worry about making perfect sugar syrup, quick and ready in under 15 minutes
✅Ideal as an edible gift
✅Keeps well for up to 2 weeks
SUGAR FREE BADAM KATLI
For different personal reasons, people may want to eat Indian sweets with no added sugar. Maybe someone in the family has a health condition or you’re trying to watch your diet.
Sometimes, you just crave a sweet treat mid-week and want to it enjoy guilt-free!
Many recipes out there will claim to be sugar-free but they are still made with either jaggery, or other sweet ingredients such as honey or agave. These recipes are not truly sugar-free as these ingredients still contain sugar and so are not really any “healthier” than the sugar alternative.
The above ingredients still raise sugar levels.
We use a 100% natural sweetener that is a blend of stevia and erythritol (natural nectar that is found in plants)
The taste of the sugar-free badam katli has a close resemblance to the traditional katli. The difference is a slight cooling aftertaste that comes from the sweetener.
Have a look our another delicious dessert Sugar-free Shrikhand with Saffron , No added Sugar Slow Roasted Mawa Peda and everyones favourite Diwali sweet Boondi, How to make Boondi Sugar-free
INGREDIENTS FOR SUGARFREE BADAM KATLI
● Almond flour – very finely ground almonds or almond meal. We have used shop-bought almond flour.
● Stevia – the sugar substitute. We have used 100% natural sweetener (*affiliate)that is a blend of stevia and erythritol.
● Milk powder – we have used full-fat cream milk powder which is used for making Indian sweets such as Barfi and Gulab jamun. The milk powder helps to bind the almond flour especially as we are using natural sweetener rather than a sugar syrup which would be more sticky.
● Ghee – to lend smoothness
● Saffron and Cardamom Powder – for a touch of flavour and to make the katli luxurious
● Silver Varq – to decorate
HOW TO MAKE VEGAN BADAM KATLI
The addition of ghee and milk powder in this recipe means this sweet is not vegan. However, vegan substitutes make it very easy.
Use coconut oil or vegetable ghee to replace the desi ghee
Add corn starch or arrowroot powder instead of milk powder
Ensure that the silver vark/foil is vegan also.
You may like to see our Vegan Kesar Badam Katli
VARIATIONS OF BADAM KATLI
Omit saffron and cardamom powder to make plain badam katli.
A few drops of rose essence to make rose badam katli
Don’t want to make katli? You can make ladoo instead – instead of rolling out flat, roll into balls
Use cashew powder if you don’t want to use almonds.
You may also use ground peanut or pistachio for this recipe.
WHEN AND HOW TO SERVE BADAM/KAJU KATLI?
Ask any Indian, and they’ll tell you Badam/Kaju Katli is typically served on festivals such as Diwali, Holi, or Raksha Bandhan.
Ask me and I’ll tell you there is a place for this sugar-free badam katli at any time of the day. In the morning, afternoon, or something sweet after a spicy Indian meal.
When no one is watching, I’ll probably eat a few for breakfast too …
CAN YOU FREEZE KAJU/BADAM KATLI?
I DON’T HAVE AN INSTANT POT, CAN I MAKE IT IN A REGULAR PRESSURE COOKER OR STOVETOP?
Absolutely, you can. We have made our Badam Gulkand Katli on the stovetop successfully. Check out the post for all the tips and make it yourself.
Regular Pressure Cooker Badam/Kaju Katli
1. Add stevia/sugar in a pressure cooker along with water and stir well.
2. Close the lid, make sure the vent is secured.
3. Cook exactly for 4 whistles on medium heat.
4. Turn off the heat, and release the pressure manually.
5. Add almond/cashew powder, ghee and mix well and bring it everything together.
6. Remove the dough from the cooker on a greased plate or parchment paper and knead the dough to make it smooth (roughly 5-6 minutes)
7. Roll out the dough to your desired thickness, Katli should not be very thick like Barfi.
8. Cut into the desired shape, usually, katlis are cut into a diamond shape.
INSTANT POT BADAM KATLI TIPS
1. Stir the sweetener and water well before closing the Instant Pot Lid
2. Release the pressure immediately or else the syrup may loose consistency.
3. If the dough breaks add a tsp. of milk and mix well.
4. You can adjust the quantity of the recipe but still cook the sugar for 3 minutes in the Instant Pot
5. Use parchment or baking paper to roll out the katli to prevent sticking
6. If grinding the flour at home, do not grind for too long as you may end up making nut butter
EQUIPMENT/TOOLS NEEDED TO MAKE INSTANT POT BADAM KATLI
૧ – Instant pot or any other electric pressure cooker
૨ – Measuring cups/spoons or weighing scale
૩ – Spatula
૪ – Parchment paper
૫ – Rolling pin
૬ – Clean ruler (optional)
૭ – Pizza cutter or sharp knife
HOW TO MAKE SUGARFREE KAJU/BADAM KATLI IN INSTANT POT?
Follow these step-by-step instructions to make sugar-free katli in the Instant pot. For exact measurements in metrics and imperial in the recipe card below.
1. Mix almond flour with milk powder and keep the other ingredients ready.
2. Add stevia and water in the inner pot of the Instant pot, stir well.
3. Close the lid, set the valve in a sealing position.
4. Pressure cook HIGH for 3 minutes.
5. When done release the pressure manually.
6. Add ghee and almond flour, mix well until everything comes together.
7. Transfer the dough on a greased parchment paper, and knead until very smooth and silky.
8. Roll it out. Apply silver varq if using.
9. Cut into the desired shape.
10. Allow to cool before removing from the parchment.
IF YOU LIKE THIS RECIPE
…you might also like our other almond Indian mithai recipes:
3. Almond, Coconut and Pineapple Halwa
Do you like to read our blog? then don’t forget to sign up for email updates to get new recipes delivered right to your inbox. you can find us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Pinterest and Youtube Channel.
NO ADDED SUGAR BADAM KATLI IN INSTANT POT
Equipment
- Instant pot/stove/pan
- Flat chopping board
- Parchment paper
- Rolling Pin
- Sharp knife or pizza cutter
Ingredients
- 1 ¾ cup ground almond
- ⅓ cup stevia
- ¼ cup water
- 3 tbsp. milk powder
- 2 tbsp. ghee
- Pinch saffron threads
- Pinch cardamom powder
Instructions
- Combine almond flour with milk powder and keep the other ingredients ready.
- Add stevia and water in the inner pot of the Instant pot, stir well.
- Close the lid, set the valve in a sealing position.
- Pressure cook HIGH for 3 minutes.
- When done release the pressure manually.
- Add ghee and almond flour, mix well until everything comes together.
- Transfer the dough on a greased parchment paper, and knead until very smooth and silky.
- Roll it out. Apply silver varq if using.
- Cut into the desired shape.
- Allow to cool before removing from the parchment. Wait at least half an hour.
Video
Nutrition
The nutritional information provided is an approximation calculated by an online calculator/plugin. Please consult a professional dietitian for nutritional advice.
Farzana
Friday 10th of June 2022
Can I not boil the water in a saucepan instead of pressure cooker?
Hayley
Saturday 11th of June 2022
@Farzana, yes you can.
Priya Srinivasan - I Camp in My Kitchen
Tuesday 24th of August 2021
Wow Badam Katli, looks inviting! that too made in IP and no sugar is such a delight! Delicious treat to try for the festive season!
Avin
Monday 16th of August 2021
I love the fact that this recipe is sugar free. And so many options and alternatives to choose frome. Lovely!
cookingwithsapana
Saturday 14th of August 2021
Love badama katli and making them in Instant Pot is really a good idea. Such a wonderful recipe to try theupcoming festivities.
Uma Srinivas
Thursday 12th of August 2021
badam katli is my favorite dessert. I never thought to use Stevia in katli recipe. Will try it out in future.