Almond Flour Gulab Jamun (paleo, gluten-free, lactose-free)

33 Comments

These almond flour gulab jamuns are a little different than your typical gulab jamuns but trust me, the flavor is divine! They are gluten-free, paleo-friendly, and baked rather than fried. You can bake these little Indian donuts in an oven or better yet, use a donut maker to make them easily!

Gluten Free Paleo Gulab Jamun in Donut Maker

What is Gulab Jamun?

One of the most popular Indian desserts! Gulab jamun is a sweet dumpling soaked in a rose and cardamom flavored sugar syrup. This dessert is served during weddings, holidays and other celebrations.

Unfortunately, you won’t be able to find gluten-free gulab jamun at any Indian restaurant. They are traditionally made with milk powder and flour. I’ve made my recipe both gluten-free and lactose-free – so if you have an allergy or just prefer to eat cleaner foods, you can now enjoy this amazing dessert once again!

Gluten-free, Paleo & Allergy-Friendly Gulab Jamun:

Gluten Free Paleo Gulab Jamun in Donut Maker

I mean do you see the inside of that gulab jamun?! Perfection, right? A delicious baked donut soaked in the most decadent rose and cardamom flavored syrup – it really doesn’t get any better.

I recently shared a recipe for fried coconut flour gulab jamun on my blog and while that recipe is delicious (and nut-free!), I thought I might as well share this baked almond flour gulab jamun recipe too. After all, we all deserve options – especially those with food allergies. If you love gulab jamun, you will love these two recipes so go ahead and make the recipe with the ingredients and method that best suits you.

If you’re allergic to almonds, or if you don’t own a donut hole maker, you can easily make the deep-fried gulab jamuns instead. If you prefer to bake – go with the almond flour donuts. You can’t go wrong in terms of flavor. I made the donuts in the collage below using my donut hole maker but I’ve tested the recipe using a donut pan and that works too – they just look a bit different (like actual donuts).

Gluten Free Paleo Gulab Jamun in Donut Maker

I came up with this recipe several years ago when I was following a strict paleo diet. Those of you who have my eBook, South Asian Persuasion: 100+ Paleo Indian Recipes, have had both of my gulab jamun recipes for awhile now. I figured it was about time that I share them on my blog – I know many of you still follow a paleo diet or would prefer a cleaner version of this classic Indian dessert. I hope you’ll check out my eBook for other gluten-free, grain-free, paleo-friendly Indian recipes!

Let me know how much you love this once you make it!

Almond Flour Gulab Jamun (gluten-free, paleo, dairy-free)

Gluten Free Paleo Gulab Jamun in Donut Maker

Almond Flour Gulab Jamun (gluten-free, paleo, dairy-free)

Gulab jamun is a sweet dumpling soaked in a rose and cardamom flavored sugar syrup. This dessert is served during weddings, holidays and other celebrations.
5 from 11 reviews
Pin Recipe Print Recipe
Servings 32 gulab jamuns

Ingredients
 

Syrup:

  • 1 cup maple syrup
  • ÂĽ cup coconut sugar
  • ½ cup water
  • ½ teaspoon lemon juice
  • 1 teaspoon rose water
  • 1 teaspoon ground cardamom
  • Pinch of saffron optional
  • Crushed pistachios for garnish

Instructions
 

  • Preheat a donut hole maker. If using a donut pan, preheat oven to 350°F.
  • Add the dry ingredients to a large bowl and mix well. Pour in the coconut milk, maple syrup, and ghee, mix well. Then, add the egg, and mix until well combined.
  • Scoop the batter into a ziplock bag, seal the top, and snip one of the bottom corners. Pipe the batter into the mold, filling it all the way.
  • Cook until the donut machine indicator light goes off. For the oven, bake for 15 minutes. Remove the donuts and cool on a wire rack.
  • To make the Syrup: Add the maple syrup, coconut sugar, water, lemon juice, rosewater, cardamom and saffron (if using) to a saucepan over low-medium heat and cook for 5-8 minutes.
  • Turn off the heat and then add the donuts to the saucepan and allow them to soak in the syrup for 5-10 minutes.
  • Garnish with crushed pistachios and serve warm.

Nutrition

Serving: 1servingCalories: 101kcalCarbohydrates: 15gProtein: 1gFat: 4gSaturated Fat: 2gTrans Fat: 1gCholesterol: 8mgSodium: 31mgPotassium: 47mgFiber: 1gSugar: 10gVitamin A: 7IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 24mgIron: 1mg
Did you make this recipe?Tag @myheartbeets on Instagram and hashtag it #myheartbeets!

Pin This Recipe

Like this recipe? Pin it to your favorite Pinterest board now so you will remember to make it later!

Pin Recipe Now0

Related Recipes

Cookbooks

Find out more about my cookbooks Indian Food Under Pressure and South Asian Persuasion.

About Ashley

Hi, I’m Ashley. Thanks for being here! I truly believe that food brings us closer together. Gather around a table with good food and good people, and you’ll have the ingredients you need to create some happy memories. My hope is that you find recipes here that you can’t wait to share with family and friends.

Subscribe

Subscribe to get our latest content by email. We won't send you spam. You can unsubscribe at any time.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Comment & Rating

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Recipe Rating




Comments

  1. Vasu Sirohi says

    I’m sorry, but I feel the need to correct you here. The traditional recipe for Gulab Jamun doesn’t call for milk powder at all, it calls for ‘ Khoya Or Mava” which essentially is slowly simmered combination of milk and sugar over slow heat for hours ( much similar to condensed milk but richer in texture and density). Milk powder could never compare the flavour of a slow cooked recipe.

  2. Deidre says

    5 stars
    I just made this. And it is DELICIOUS!
    I did not have a donut pan. So I just made it into a small cake (I used a pie pan actually).
    When it was cool, poked holes in the top with a toothpick and then flipped it over so that the browned part was on the bottom.
    I cut the syrup recipe in half, so I could just pour it over the whole thing and leave it. It worked out perfectly! So tasty.

  3. Elisa JUnco says

    Hi Ashley,

    Is it possible to bake the gulab jamuns without a donut pan? If so, which one of your recipes would work for this option?
    I’d like to make them without frying them and I’m not a fan of using non stick teflon cookware.

    Thank you,
    Elisa

  4. Minakshi says

    Thanks so much for posting this receipe
    I made this
    The whole house smelled amazing
    Tried as soon as it was ready
    I made it in mini muffin pans very yummy 🤤
    But as soon as I dipped them in the sugar syrup
    They all fell down.. the shape was ruined still taste was same.. pls let me know what happened??

    • Ashley - My Heart Beets says

      Hi Minakshi, I’m glad you liked the flavor – I’m not sure why they fell though. Did they totally fall apart or just a bit? Maybe you can try letting them cool down more before putting them in the syrup and see if that helps?

  5. Shawn Titus says

    I can’t wait to try this recipe, however I don’t have a donut hole maker or a cake pop maker. Any suggestions?

  6. Tanaya says

    5 stars
    Tried these out today for Diwali! They’re basically the real thing with better ingredients! 🙂 thanks for developing thin recipe!

  7. Navya Shetty says

    5 stars
    By any chance do you have a video on how to make this reciepe in Baby cake pop maker.Yours looks so even coloured .I wonder if we an get same result with traditional method using milk powder and then bake it in cake pop maker instead of frying it.

  8. Protima Advani says

    The recipe calls for ghee. What can I use to make it dairy free? Eager to make it next week for Ganpati puja.

    Thanks

  9. Nancy Shah says

    I love this recipe. Can’t wait to try it this weekend. What’s a good egg substitute for gulab jamuns? I use either apple sauce, flax meal, or egg replacer. Not sure what would go well with this recipe. Can I use coconut oil in place of ghee? I’m vegan so trying to make a vegan version.
    Thank you for sharing your amazing recipes ❤️

  10. Vidya says

    What can I substitute for the coconut milk? Heavy cream? I am looking for a gluten free recipe, so dairy is okay

  11. Lyn says

    I’m making this right now and was planning on making it in the oven but it’s pretty runny. Any suggestions?

  12. JAGS says

    5 stars
    I’ve been looking for a “donut” recipe to use in my “cake pop” maker and these were perfect. I actually just added cardamom to the dry mix and after baking let my daughter shake them up into some cinnamon sugar after they came out. They were wonderful as is or with the cinnamon sugar. I’d like to make the syrup next time… but I was busy making your Onion Masala!

  13. F&F: Ammi's Kitchen says

    Omgg, this looks so good and is the first easy+practical recipe I’ve seen for gluten-free gulab jamuns. Can’t wait to try making them. Also, just came across your blog, and I love your recipes!

paneer lababdar

Ashley's Secrets

INDIAN FOOD

MADE EASY

Favorite tips & tricks to

easy & delicious Indian cooking

FREE EMAIL BONUS