Easy Instant Pot Carrot Halwa (Gajar ka Halwa)
This authentic Instant Pot Carrot Halwa recipe is made in the traditional Pakistani & Indian style but without hours of active time over the stove. So comforting, naturally gluten-free, and only requires 6 ingredients!
- Prep time
- 20 min
- Cook time
- 30 min
- Yield
- 4 servings
- Difficulty
- MEDIUM
Ingredients
- 1 lb organic carrots (measured after removing tops & ends) (tops and ends removed, peeled only where necessary)
- 3 tbsp ghee (divided)
- 4-5 green cardamom pods
- 1 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup heavy whipping cream
- 3+1/2-4 tbsp raw cane sugar or sweetener of choice (depending on how sweet your carrots are)
- 1 tbsp slivered pistachios (optional, for garnish)
- 1 tbsp slivered almonds (optional, for garnish)
Instructions
- 1
Use the shredder attachment of food processor to thinly grate the carrots, in batches if necessary. Set aside.
- 2
Select the Sauté setting on the Instant Pot and set to More/High. Once hot, add 2 tbsp of the ghee, cardamom pods, and shredded carrots. Sauté for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally, until the color starts to change and the carrots reduce down a bit. Add the whole milk and heavy whipping cream and stir to mix.
- 3
Cancel the sauté setting, secure the lid and set the Pressure Release to Sealing. Select the Pressure Cook setting and set the cooking time to 30 minutes on High pressure.
- 4
Allow the pressure to naturally release for 3-5 minutes, then quick release any remaining pressure by moving the Pressure Release to Venting.
- 5
Select the Sauté setting and set to More/High. Sauté, stirring occasionally until most of the moisture has evaporated and the carrots start sticking to the bottom (~10 minutes).
- 6
Add the remaining 1 tbsp of ghee and sugar and sauté again, scraping the bottom of the pot as you go, for another 8-10 minutes. This step is imperative to bring out the color and flavor.
- 7
Once the the halwa is dry, the ghee starts to separate, and the carrot halwa turns a deep orange (closer to red) color, press the Cancel button to turn off the Instant Pot.
- 8
Scoop into a serving dish and decorate with pistachios and almonds, if desired.