Aate Ka Halwa (Wheat Halwa)

// Learn to make Aate Ka Halwa with our easy recipe! This warm, buttery wheat flour dessert is perfect for any occasion.



Aate Ka Halwa also known as Atte Ka Halwa is rich and delicious Indian pudding made using roasted wheat flour.

Here, wheat flour is roasted with a generous amount of ghee (clarified butter) and is sweetened to perfection.

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Aate Ka Halwa topped with chopped nuts and rose petals, served in a decorative white bowl on a patterned silver tray, surrounded by greenery and candlelight.

Making this insanely delicious Atta Halwa is very simple and easy. 

On this page, I have shared a step-by-step picture and video recipe on How to make Aate Ka Halwa.

About Aate Ka Halwa

Aate ka Halwa (Atta Halwa) is a North Indian style wholesome and delicious wheat flour pudding. This sweet dish halwa, entirely made with whole wheat flour, is so full of delicious rustic flavors.

Prepared using aata (whole wheat flour), and ghee, this Indian dessert wheat halwa is simple and easy to make.

This aate ka halwa is roasted in ghee until perfection. The final touch is a hint of aromatic cardamom, some nuts and you are set to relish this blissful and melting in mouth deliciousness. Buttery, moist, smooth, sweet, comforting and so delicious — immediate gratification.

Wheat flour is Aata/Atta in Hindi, and Halwa is the simple name for any pudding. Thus, this aate ka halwa is the exact translation of wheat flour pudding.

Gourmet Aate Ka Halwa garnished with vibrant chopped nuts and edible flowers, presented on an ornate tray with a floral background.

Background of this Atta halwa Recipe

The recipe I have shared today is my family’s recipe. This aate ka halwa is my Dad’s one of my favorite desserts. So it was always a failsafe dessert choice to cook for my Mom whenever my Dad had dessert cravings and asked for something sweet all of a sudden.

This wheat flour halwa was surely a hit at my place throughout the year. We just loved this halwa in winter, autumn, spring, and sometimes even in summer. For some people, it might be a bit uncomfortable to eat hot food during warm summers, but for me, that’s not an issue. I love warm food.

My whole family loves it because making this Atta Halwa is super simple and it requires very basic ingredients which are easily available in any Indian kitchen.

What is Halwa

Halwa is an Indian style pudding loaded with clarified butter aka ghee. Other than this aate ka halwa, there are also some other popular halwas such as: suji ka halwa, mango halwa, instant gajar halwa, moong dal halwa, aloo halwa, and besan halwa.

Ingredients for making Atte ka Halwa?

For making this halwa, you’ll only need very few handy ingredients. The ingredients you’ll need are: 

  • Whole wheat flour: Aata or whole wheat flour is the main ingredient of this halwa recipe. Just make sure that you are using fresh atta to get the best rustic flavors.

  • Ghee (clarified butter): It is the second main ingredient of this halwa recipe. I have used homemade ghee in this halwa, but you can also use store bought ghee.

  • Sweetener: I have sweetened this halwa with regular white sugar, you can also use raw brown sugar or jaggery powder for a healthier touch.

  • Nuts: I have added chopped almonds, cashews and pistachios in this halwa recipe.

  • Flavor: Aate Ka Halwa is traditionally flavored with ground cardamom. You can also use cardamom powder, almonds, cashews, and water.

Rich Atta Halwa in a white ceramic dish, garnished with a colorful mix of nuts and rose petals, set against a rustic blue backdrop.

Difference between aate ka halwa and kadah prashad

Kada Prasad or Karah is ‘aate ka halwa’ served as a holy food in gurdwaras. Kadah Prashad is aate ka halwa made with only 3 equal ingredients — whole wheat flour, sugar and ghee.

For Karah Prasad, it has the same quantity of whole-wheat flour, ghee and sugar, which signifies the equality of men and women.

Karah Prasad should only have 3 ingredients, and anything else is prohibited. The Karah is a sacred food. This is always served in the same size of bowls to everyone in equal portions.

However, in aate ka halwa you are free to use flavorings like cardamom and you can also add nuts. And you are not bound to use the same amount of flour, ghee, and sugar.

Serving Suggestions

Aate ka halwa (Atta Halwa) generally served as an after meal dessert. You can also pair it with walnut halwa, walnut burfi, bread malai roll, caramel kheer, and bhapa doi

But if you want to have it along with meals, then having them with puri as halwa-puri is a wonderful combination. You can also serve them along with snacks such as paneer pakora, samosa roll, and aloo poha.

Tips for Making best Aate Ka Halwa

  1. Use Hot Water: Water should be boiling hot for adding to the roasted flour.

  2. Slow roasting: Be patient while roasting wheat flour for making halwa, because this halwa is always roasted on medium low heat, so it takes some time and a little effort. But all the efforts are worth it.

  3. Ghee: The good amount (loads) of ghee is the key to making the most delicious and authentic halwa. So don’t be afraid of adding ghee to it.

  4. Raisins: I did not add any raisins aka kishmish to this atte ka halwa, but you can surely add it to this halwa along with almonds and cashews. If you are adding raisins to this halwa, then make sure you soak them in warm water for 10 minutes.

  5. Nuts: I have only added cashews and almonds to this halwa, but you can also add pistachios to this halwa.

A bowl of Atte Ka Halwa held by a person, beautifully topped with nuts and petals, ready to be served.

FAQ

Is cardamom necessary for this halwa?

No, it’s not compulsory. I personally like to add cardamom to this aate ka halwa because it adds a very sweet aroma to it.

Is adding loads of ghee necessary for this halwa?

I would say, Yes! The amount of desi ghee decides the deliciousness of this halwa. If you want to have the real authentic aate ka halwa which has a silky smooth, soft, moist, and melt-in-mouth texture then you would have to add a generous amount of ghee.

This fabulously delicious Aate ka halwa is definitely doused in desi ghee.

Can I use leftover aate ka halwa?

Well, this would be a hard scenario that you have some leftover halwa especially when you have kids at home. But if you still have some halwa, you can refrigerate it and then you can simply warm it up in the microwave for a few seconds anytime you want to enjoy it the next day.

Are there any dishes which can be made using leftover aate ka halwa?

Yes, you can use this Atta Halwa as a stuffing for your parathas or toasts. You can also add it to the semolina pudding aka suji ki kheer.

How long does it take to make aate ka halwa?

This halwa can be ready in 30 minutes from start to finish.

How easy is it to cook this halwa on a scale 1 to 10?

(10 = very easy, even my 5 year old can make it // 1 = No, I can’t do it at all, not in this life.)

This is really easy to make. So I would give it an 8. The only thing to be considered is that it only requires continuous stirring. I think that’s the only tough part.

When can you make this halwa?

This nutritious halwa can be made during any festivals, occasions or even on the days when you want to have a quick and delicious dessert but don’t want to spend a lot of time in the kitchen.

I personally love to have it during the rainy season, and in the winter time along with some piping hot pakoras and some tea.

Is this halwa served hot or cold?

Traditionally, this Aate Ka Halwa is served piping hot straight out of the pan. Some like to eat it warm, others like to eat it at room temperature and very few rare people like to eat it cold (Yes, I personally know some of them).

I personally don’t like any type of Atta Halwa cold because halwa always contains ghee and when it is cold it leaves a weirdly greasy texture in the mouth which I don’t like. So try it in every way and find your desired way of eating this aate ka halwa.


Aate Ka Halwa (Wheat Halwa) (Step-by-step photo instructions)

How to Make Aate Ka Halwa

  1. Heat ghee in a non-stick or heavy-bottomed kadai over medium-low heat.
  2. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-1 for Aate Ka Halwa (Wheat Halwa)
  3. Add the whole wheat flour and stir well to combine.
  4. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-2 for Aate Ka Halwa (Wheat Halwa)
  5. Stir continuously and roast the flour over medium heat until it changes color and turns golden brown.
  6. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-3 for Aate Ka Halwa (Wheat Halwa)
  7. At this point, the roasted wheat flour should smell very aromatic, and the roasted flour would release the ghee.
  8. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-4 for Aate Ka Halwa (Wheat Halwa)
  9. Add hot water slowly to the roasted wheat flour. (The wheat flour mixture splutters, so be careful while adding water.)
  10. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-5 for Aate Ka Halwa (Wheat Halwa)
  11. Keep stirring to make sure that there are no lumps in the mixture. (At this point, the halwa mixture would turn into lighter shades.)
  12. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-6 for Aate Ka Halwa (Wheat Halwa)
  13. Keep stirring until the wheat mixture is golden brown again.
  14. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-7 for Aate Ka Halwa (Wheat Halwa)
  15. Add sugar and stir well to combine.
  16. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-8 for Aate Ka Halwa (Wheat Halwa)
  17. Keep stirring until the halwa loses the ghee again.
  18. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-9 for Aate Ka Halwa (Wheat Halwa)
  19. Add cardamom powder, chopped almonds, and chopped cashews and mix well.
  20. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-10 for Aate Ka Halwa (Wheat Halwa)
  21. Cook for 2 more minutes. The halwa is ready to serve.
  22. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-11 for Aate Ka Halwa (Wheat Halwa)
  23. Remove from heat and transfer it into serving dishes.
  24. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-12 for Aate Ka Halwa (Wheat Halwa)
  25. Garnish with chopped nuts and serve hot or warm.
  26. Image of the recipe cooking step-1-13 for Aate Ka Halwa (Wheat Halwa)

Recipe Card


Aate Ka Halwa (Wheat Halwa) [Recipe]

Recipe Image
Learn to make Aate Ka Halwa with our easy recipe! This warm, buttery wheat flour dessert is perfect for any occasion.
★★★★★
(Rating: 5 from 37 reviews)

Prep time 🕐 Cook time 🕐 Total time 🕐
5 mins
Category ☶ Cuisine ♨ Serves ☺
Desserts Indian 4
Nutrition Info ⊛ Serving size ⊚
205 calories 1

INGREDIENTS

For Aate Ka Halwa
  • 1/3 cup ghee
  • 1/2 cup whole wheat flour
  • 1.5 cups hot boiling water
  • 1/3 cup sugar
  • 1/4 teaspoon cardamom powder
  • 3 tablespoons chopped cashews and almonds, + 1 tablespoon for garnish

INSTRUCTIONS:

How to Make Aate Ka Halwa
  1. Heat ghee in a non-stick or heavy-bottomed kadai over medium-low heat.
  2. Add the whole wheat flour and stir well to combine.
  3. Stir continuously and roast the flour over medium heat until it changes color and turns golden brown.
  4. At this point, the roasted wheat flour should smell very aromatic, and the roasted flour would release the ghee.
  5. Add hot water slowly to the roasted wheat flour. (The wheat flour mixture splutters, so be careful while adding water.)
  6. Keep stirring to make sure that there are no lumps in the mixture. (At this point, the halwa mixture would turn into lighter shades.)
  7. Keep stirring until the wheat mixture is golden brown again.
  8. Add sugar and stir well to combine.
  9. Keep stirring until the halwa loses the ghee again.
  10. Add cardamom powder, chopped almonds, and chopped cashews and mix well.
  11. Cook for 2 more minutes. The halwa is ready to serve.
  12. Remove from heat and transfer it into serving dishes.
  13. Garnish with chopped nuts and serve hot or warm.

WATCH RECIPE VIDEO: Click the play button and video will load ...


NOTES:

  1. Water should be boiling hot for adding to the roasted flour.
  2. Be patient while roasting wheat flour for making halwa, because this halwa is always roasted on medium low heat, so it takes some time and a little effort. But all the efforts are worth it.


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