Aval Payasam | Poha Kheer

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Aval payasam recipe with step by step photos. Payasams or kheers are one of the easiest and quickest dessert that can be made. Like the Semiya payasam i had shared some days back, this aval payasam also gets done in 20 to 25 minutes. So for festive occasions or on auspicious days, you can consider making payasam as one of the naivedyam, since they are easy to make.

aval payasam garnished with fried cashews and raisins and served in 2 bowls with a fried cashew kept on a spoon on the left side and text layovers.

Aval is the Tamil name of poha. Poha is flattened rice and is easily available in India. In the recipe I have used thick poha, but you can also use thin poha. Even red poha can be used.

I was not able to post anything sweet for Janmashtami festival. So sharing this poha kheer recipe today which I made on the occasion of Janmashtami. Wish all who celebrate a happy Gokulashtami and dahi handi festival.

This payasam is also liked by kids as well. So, if you are making it for toddlers, you can skip adding the cashews and raisins in it, and instead add dry fruit and nut powders. This Aval Payasam is really one of the quickest ways you can prepare a supremely divine and delicious dessert at home.

Aval payasam can be served hot, warm or chilled. Enjoy this quick and easy dessert with your friends and family.

Step-by-Step Guide

How to make Aval Payasam

1. In a heavy kadai or pan, take 2 tablespoons of ghee and heat it on a low to medium heat.

making aval payasam recipe

2. When the ghee melts, add 10 to 12 cashews.

making aval payasam recipe

3. Begin to fry the cashews on a low heat.

making aval payasam recipe

4. Fry cashews till they become golden. Remove them with a slotted spoon and keep them aside.

making aval payasam recipe

5. Then add 1 tablespoon of raisins.

making aval payasam recipe

6. Stirring often fry the raisins, till they swell and become plump. Remove fried raisins with a slotted spoon and keep them aside.

making aval payasam recipe

Making aval payasam

7. In the same kadai, add ½ cup thick poha. You can also use thin poha or aval.

aval to make aval payasam recipe

8. Stir and mix the aval very well with the ghee.

aval for making aval payasam recipe

9. Begin to roast aval on a low heat stirring often.

aval for making aval payasam recipe

10. Roast till the aval changes color and gets a light golden color. Instead of roasting, aval or poha also can be rinsed in water and then added directly to boiling milk.

aval for making aval payasam recipe

11. Then add 2.5 cups of full-fat milk. Milk can be chilled, warm, hot or at room temperature.

making aval payasam recipe

12. Next add 1 pinch of saffron strands. Saffron is optional and can be skipped. Stir.

making aval payasam recipe

13. Keep the heat to a low and bring the payasam mixture to a boil stirring at intervals. Let the milk boil for 2 minutes. Do keep a check and stir at intervals or else the milk can froth over and spill out.

making aval payasam recipe

14. Then add 4 tablespoons sugar or add as required.

making aval payasam recipe

15. Next add ⅓ teaspoon cardamom powder. You can also add ½ teaspoon cardamom powder if you have not added saffron.

making aval payasam recipe

16. Mix very well so that the sugar dissolves.

making aval payasam recipe

17. Continue to simmer aval payasam for 3 to 4 minutes more. Scrape the dried and evaporated milk solids from the sides and add them back to the milk.

making aval payasam recipe

18. Switch off the heat. Lastly add the fried cashews and raisins and mix. You can reserve a few cashews and raisins for garnish.

making aval payasam recipe

19. Serve aval payasam hot or warm or chilled.

aval payasam

More tasty kheer varieties for you!

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Aval Payasam

Delicious poha kheer or payasam made with flattened rice, ghee and milk.
5 from 6 votes
Prep Time 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Cuisine South Indian, Tamil Nadu
Course Desserts, Sweets
Servings 3
Units

Ingredients

  • 2 tablespoons Ghee (clarified butter)
  • 10 to 12 cashews
  • 1 tablespoon raisins
  • ½ cup thick poha (aval or flattened rice)
  • 2.5 cups full fat milk
  • 1 pinch pinch saffron strands – optional
  • 4 tablespoons sugar or add as required
  • teaspoon cardamom powder – can also add ½ teaspoon cardamom powder if saffron has been skipped

Instructions
 

frying dry fruits

  • In a heavy kadai or pan, take 2 tablespoons ghee and heat it on a low to medium flame.
  • When the ghee melts, add 10 to 12 cashews.
  • Begin to fry the cashews on a low flame till they become golden. 
  • Remove with a slotted spoon and keep them aside.
  • Then add 1 tablespoons raisins.
  • Stirring often fry the raisins, till they swell and become plump. Remove fried raisins with a slotted spoon and keep them aside.

roasting poha or aval

  • Add ½ cup thick poha.
  • Mix the poha very well with the ghee.
  • Begin to roast poha on a low flame stirring often till they get a light golden color.

making aval payasam

  • Then add 2.5 cups full fat milk. Milk can be chilled, warm, hot or at room temperature.
  • Next add 1 pinch saffron strands. Saffron is optional and can be skipped. Stir.
  • Keep the flame to a low and bring the payasam mixture to a boil stirring at intervals. Let the milk boil for 2 minutes. Do keep a check and stir at intervals or else the milk can froth over and spill out.
  • Then add 4 tablespoons sugar or add as required.
  • Next add ⅓ teaspoon cardamom powder. You can also add ½ teaspoon cardamom powder if you have not added saffron.
  • Mix very well so that the sugar dissolves.
  • Continue to simmer for 3 to 4 minutes more. Scrape the dried and evaporated milk solids from the sides and add to milk. 
  • Switch off the flame. Lastly add the fried cashews and raisins and mix. You can reserve a few cashews and raisins for garnish.
  • Serve aval payasam hot or warm or chilled.

Notes

Few tips for making aval payasam
  • Coconut oil can be used instead of ghee. 
  • Thin poha can be used instead of thick poha.
  • Jaggery can be added instead of sugar. If adding jaggery, then add after the milk comes to a boil. Switch off the flame and add jaggery & cardamom powder. Mix very well.

Nutrition Info (Approximate Values)

Nutrition Facts
Aval Payasam
Amount Per Serving
Calories 417 Calories from Fat 162
% Daily Value*
Fat 18g28%
Saturated Fat 10g63%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g
Monounsaturated Fat 2g
Cholesterol 42mg14%
Sodium 90mg4%
Potassium 375mg11%
Carbohydrates 56g19%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 30g33%
Protein 10g20%
Vitamin A 335IU7%
Vitamin B1 (Thiamine) 1mg67%
Vitamin B2 (Riboflavin) 1mg59%
Vitamin B3 (Niacin) 1mg5%
Vitamin B6 1mg50%
Vitamin B12 1µg17%
Vitamin C 1mg1%
Vitamin D 3µg20%
Vitamin E 1mg7%
Vitamin K 2µg2%
Calcium 238mg24%
Vitamin B9 (Folate) 13µg3%
Iron 1mg6%
Magnesium 44mg11%
Phosphorus 242mg24%
Zinc 1mg7%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

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This Aval Payasam post from the archives, originally published in August 2017 has been updated and republished on January 2023.

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Meet Dassana

Welcome to Dassana's Veg Recipes. I share vegetarian recipes from India & around the World. Having been cooking for decades and with a professional background in cooking & baking, I help you to make your cooking journey easier with my tried and tested recipes showcased with step by step photos & plenty of tips & suggestions.

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10 Comments

  1. Made this today for eid. Came out so yummy and so easy to make. Ty for your recipe..5 stars