What Dessert Goes with Indian Food – 14 Desserts

When you think about dessert, you probably think of sweets like cakes, pies, ice cream, and pastries. However, when you’re looking to serve dessert after a delicious meal at an Indian restaurant, you will want to choose something savory. The best dessert to go with Indian food is a lassi or a yogurt drink. They’re creamy and refreshing, perfect for serving after a spicy meal.

Indian food has a reputation of being a spicy, savory dish, but there is no reason to limit the dish to the savory side.

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While Indian cuisine has traditionally been associated with spicy curries, chutneys, and a wide variety of breads, Indian desserts are also well-known in the United States.

They are typically made from fresh fruit, coconut, and milk.

The most common dessert in India is a simple one-ingredient dish called Poori Wala Halwa.

This sweet treat is made from a dough called Poori, which is cooked in milk.

It can be served hot or cold, and is typically served at breakfast time or as dessert.

If you’re looking for something different, try some of these other Indian desserts that we think will complement Indian food nicely.

Why Consider Serving A Dessert for Indian Food?

While most people think of Indian food as being hot and spicy, there are many other flavors that are associated with the cuisine.

Indian desserts are a favorite of many people around the world.

They typically offer a sweeter taste that is complemented by the spices found in many dishes.

If you’re looking to add a dessert to your menu, then consider making one that complements the meal.

This could mean serving a dessert that’s sweet and light, but also rich in flavor.

Alternatively, you might want to serve a dessert that is spicy or even bitter.

The point is to match the flavors of the meal and the dessert so they don’t clash with each other.

What Dessert Goes with Indian Food – 14 Desserts

A good dessert for Indian food is a light and refreshing fruit salad. Choose a variety of fruits like mangoes, peaches, plums, strawberries, pineapple, or even kiwi. If you’re having a spicy meal, opt for a sweet and sour dish. This includes a coconut curry, which has a tangy sauce made of lime and coconut milk.

1. Indian rice pudding (kheer)

This is one of my favourite dessert options when I’m eating at an Indian restaurant, and it’s also super easy to prepare. All you need is some basmati rice, a pinch of salt, and a few tablespoons of milk.

Bring all three ingredients to the boil, and then reduce the heat to a simmer and cook for around ten minutes until the milk has been absorbed. I like to serve this pudding warm, but you can also serve it cold or even reheat it in the microwave if necessary.

2. Chocolate fondue

This dessert is similar to fondue, but it’s made with chocolate instead of cheese. It’s great to share with friends and family when you’re eating Indian food, as it brings together some really lovely flavours. You’ll need some dark chocolate, some milk, and some butter for the cooking process. Melt the chocolate and milk in the microwave, then stir in the butter and serve immediately!

3. Caramelised bananas

Bananas are a really versatile fruit, and I love that you can use them in so many different dishes. In India, bananas are used in curries, desserts, cakes, and more, and when you’re in the mood for something sweet, serve up a bowl of caramelised bananas alongside some fresh mint tea.

You can also serve these as an accompaniment to a spicy curry dish if you’re looking for something more refreshing.

4. Pistachio barfi

Barfi is a wonderful dessert from India, where it’s typically served as a treat for family and friends on special occasions. It’s made with rose syrup, pistachios, and a whole lot of sugar, and its name means ‘sweet and sour’ in Hindi.

In the UK, this is a popular street food option when it’s time for the sweet tooth to kick in! If you can’t find ready-made barfi at your local supermarket, you can always make your own at home using our homemade Indian barfi recipe.

5. Chocolate mousse

The classic dessert of India, chocolate mousse really takes on a whole new dimension when served alongside Indian food! Indian food is traditionally quite dry, so it’s always a good idea to have something creamy to go alongside it to help cut through that spiciness.

Chocolate is one of my favourite flavours, and I think it works particularly well with a combination of coconut milk and cardamom. It makes a lovely contrast to the richness of the spiced flavours of an Indian meal.

6. Mango sorbet

Mango sorbet is great for bringing a tropical flavour into the evening, and for cooling down on a hot day. It’s also incredibly easy to make, as you simply blend together fruit and ice cream, then freeze it. The result is a refreshing, frozen treat that will keep your guests coming back for more.

7. Lemon Tarts

A quick way to make Indian food even more special is to serve it with some fresh lemon tarts! Just slice up some thickly cut slices of crusty white bread, pop them into the oven on a baking tray, and then fill the bread with a mixture of freshly whipped cream and lemon zest.

You can decorate the top with a little sprinkling of sugar if you wish, or you can leave them as they are and let your guests add some more if they’re feeling adventurous!

8. Cardamon biscuits

I like to think of cardamon biscuits as an Indian version of shortbread. They’re incredibly easy to make and taste delicious served alongside any Indian main course. Just mix together flour, butter, sugar, and cardamon, and then add enough boiling water to bind the mixture together.

It’s important to use boiling water here so that the biscuits don’t split open when you bake them. It’s best to use a teaspoon measure for this, as otherwise it can be difficult to get a uniform consistency of dough.

Let the biscuits cool completely before you pop them into the oven to cook for around 10 minutes at 180°C. Don’t over-bake them, though, or they will become dry and brittle.

9. Thandai Mousse Gulab Jamun Cups

If you’re looking for a dessert that is truly out of this world, then thandai mousse gulab jamun is the one for you! It’s a mouth-watering combination of sweet and savoury, which makes it ideal for serving with any Indian dish. It is made from a mixture of mousse and milk pudding (or gulab jamun).

You can also add extra flavour to the mousse by adding chopped almonds or pistachios to the batter. The cups are filled with a thick, creamy mousse, which is flavoured with cardamom, saffron, pistachio, and almond extract.

10. Indian Carrot Pudding

Another great option is Indian carrot pudding. This is a traditional dessert that was traditionally made using dried carrots and served in a glass dish with a scoop of ice cream on top.

However, it’s not just suitable for dessert! Indian carrot pudding is an excellent accompaniment to spicy curries, and is especially good for anyone who wants a sweet alternative to spicier dishes.

Here, I’ve used shredded carrot in a simple sweet and sour sauce to make this version of the classic dessert more like a stew. It’s perfect served with some fresh fruit on the side.

11. Basundi

I love basundi! It’s so easy to make, and so delicious too. It’s basically a traditional dessert made from rice flour, coconut milk, and sugar. The coconut gives it a very distinctive flavour, and you can get creative with the flavours you use too!

12. Indian Milk Balls

If you want to add a little extra sweetness to your dish, you could also serve up a sweet Indian milk ball with your curry. They’re made from a mixture of curdled milk, cream, and sugar, and are often eaten on special occasions in India. I really like this dessert option as it offers a lovely contrast to the savoury flavours of your meal.

It’s also packed with calcium, and is really rich and creamy. You can make them at home simply by adding a cup of milk to a mixing bowl, and whisking together some evaporated milk, cream, and icing sugar.

Add a couple of spoonfuls of cardamom-flavoured syrup for extra flavour, and shape the mixture into balls using a dessertspoon or two of your preferred chocolate cookie dough.

13. Boondi Ladoo

Boondi ladoo is basically a dessert made from sweetened coconut mixed with shredded coconut and sugar and then fried. It’s usually served in a bowl, alongside some ice cream, but it’s also great to take to a picnic or potluck.

Try and find one with a decent amount of flavour, and don’t hesitate to add in whatever ingredients you love! My personal favourite is one that includes a mixture of almonds, pistachios, and cashews, as well as raisins, mango pieces, and jaggery!

14. Shahi Tukra

Another easy option to serve with Indian food is shahi tukra. It’s a sweet yoghurt-based dessert that’s served cold. It’s the perfect way to cool down on a hot summer day! The best flavours to use here are vanilla and cardamom, but you can experiment with different spices if you fancy something different.

You can either use a packet of ready-made sweetened yoghurt, or make your own at home using plain yoghurt and sugar.

Conclusion

You can pair most desserts with Indian food. A great dessert to go with Indian cuisine is pudding. The creamy and sweet flavors of the pudding pairs well with the spice of Indian food.