Simple Gluten Free Kitchen

Aval Ladoo / Red Rice Flakes Balls

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Hi everybody,

Diwali is not far away and I hope my Indian friends are all geared up for the festival.  This post should have arrived earlier but I was away on vacation. I will keep this post short as I am still a little jet lagged. In case you don’t know Diwali is on 30th October and is the Indian festival of lights. Both Hindus and Sikhs celebrate it with pomp and style, from decorating the house to lighting traditional lamps, to bursting fire crackers and to gorging on yummy sweets.

 

aval-laddoo

 

Apart from the celebrations, giving is an integral part of this festival. I have continued that tradition to a small extent by donating to food bank, children’s hospital, animal shelters and other registered charities. Every year I set aside some money to be donated to Indian orphanage  later when I visit India.

So, during Diwali, many different snacks and sweets are prepared in nearly every house-hold, to be enjoyed and distributed to friends and family. I wanted to make all sweets as healthy as possible this year with no sugar or with healthy alternative options. So after the success of my sugar free coconut burfi I made aval ladoo.

 

aval-ladoo-with-coocnut-palm-sugar

 

This 3 ingredient ladoo recipe comes together very fast and is perfect for any festive occasion, family gathering or to just pop one after workout. It is healthy, easy, and delicious!  Made with aval, this is popular sweet both in South and north India generally made with clarified butter and white sugar. Aval known as poha, is beaten, dried flakes of rice. You can make it with any type of aval – brown , white or red . I used red rice flakes, almond butter and coconut palm sugar. I was feeling a bit adventurous so I also tried some with honey. Both the version of ladoos are excellent taste wise, only difference being that honey sweetened ones are  easier to roll into balls. The texture is slightly coarse similar to semolina balls and they stay good for a month at room temperature. Enjoy!

 

So, I bid you a ‘Happy Divali’ and a lovely week ahead.

 

aval-laoo-with-honey-and-almond-butter

 

aval-ladoo-1

 

 

Print
Aval Ladoo / Red Rice Flakes Balls

Prep Time: 20 minutes

Cook Time: 5 minutes

Total Time: 25 minutes

Yield: 18-20 balls

Ingredients

  • 250 g red rice poha (flakes)
  • 3/4 cup almond butter
  • 3/4 cup coconut palm sugar or 1/2 cup honey
  • 1/2 tsp cardamom powder
  • 2 tbsp. cashews, dry roasted and finely chopped (optional)

Instructions

  1. Dry roast red poha in a pan over medium heat, stirring occasionally, until fragrant and crispy.
  2. Transfer roasted poha in a food processor bowl and grind to a fine powder.
  3. Add almond butter, cardamom powder and sugar or honey.
  4. Process until everything is mixed nicely.
  5. Dump the mixture on a cookie sheet.
  6. Mix in cashews(if using).The mixture will not look sticky enough but it will get together to form beautiful balls.
  7. With your hands (I like to wear gloves), take a handful of the mixture, and using firm pressure, form into a ball. I have practice making it with one hand but you can use both hands, tossing the ladoo from one hand to another. You must use firm pressure while making ladoos, or they will fall apart in a powdery mess.
  8. Repeat the process till the mixture is finished.
  9. Stack them carefully in an airtight container and store at room temperature. If you can resist them, they will keep for over 3 weeks.

Notes

If you are not able to form a ladoo, add 1 tablespoon of milk or almond butter (If you add milk do refrigerate the ladoos to avoid spoiling).

https://www.simpleglutenfreekitchen.com/2016/10/aval-ladoo-red-rice-flakes-balls.html

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. These make great snacks, dear! I’ve just received some goodies from my Indian neighbour too this morning. Happy holidays! xoxo

    Reply

  3. So interesting to learn about this. They look like a wonderful snack/treat and an excellent gift to share with others. Happy Diwali!

    Reply

  5. I have never had anything like these rice balls…so interesting Balvinder…thank you so such a great post.
    Hope you are having a great week and happy Diwali 🙂

    Reply

  8. Love these kind of balls, I make different versions of them quite often. Using red rice flakes is definitely new. I wish you a nice day today!

    Reply

  11. I have been having trouble finding red rice flakes that are not processed on equipment that also processes wheat. Is there a brand you recommend? Thanks.

    Reply

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