Have you ever eaten a dessert made with lentils?! Sweetened lentils are the star of this simple sweet dish! This moong dal payasam is made with small yellow lentils, jaggery, cardamom and coconut milk!
This Kerala style moong dal payasam is sweet, creamy and absolutely delicious! Moong dal payasam is basically the south Indian version of kheer but instead of rice we’re using small yellow lentils and instead of milk, we’re using coconut milk!
Kerala Style Moong Dal Payasam
The name of the South Indian state of Kerala translates to “the land of coconut trees,” and so it’s no surprise that this traditional moong dal payasam calls for coconut milk. There, they use fresh coconut milk, but for simplicity’s sake, my recipe calls for canned coconut milk.
This moong dal payasam goes by several different names. It’s also known as parippu payasam or moong dal ki kheer. It’s a special dessert often served during the Onam festival (I talk a bit about this festival in my avial blog post). You can of course serve this any time and for any reason!
My recipe calls for roasting the moong dal in the instant pot – it adds such a nice nutty flavor and aroma to the payasam. I also suggest sautéing cashews and pieces of coconut in ghee then adding it at the end. It gives the creamy kheer a nice crunch and adds flavor too. You can find frozen coconut pieces from your local Indian grocery store. With coconut being so popular these days, you might even be able to find them at your regular grocery store – I think I’ve even seen them at Trader Joe’s!
This isn’t a healthy dessert but I will admit, I feel a little better about eating a dessert made with lentils. My Keralite husband, Roby, doesn’t typically eat sweets but when he does – he likes them SWEET. That’s why we almost always end up adding a full cup of jaggery to this paysam, but feel free to adapt this dessert to your taste. You can also use coconut sugar or brown sugar if you don’t have jaggery on hand – I do love the taste of jaggery though.
If you make this dessert, leave a comment letting me know what you think! Have you ever made dessert with lentils? I think you’re going to love it!
Instant Pot Moong Dal Payasam
Instant Pot Moong Dal Payasam
Ingredients
- ½ cup small yellow lentils moong dal
- 1 tablespoon ghee or coconut oil if dairy-free
- ¼ cup cashews halved
- ¼ cup coconut slices*
- 1 ¼ cups water
Add later
- 1 cup jaggery or coconut sugar adjust to taste!
- ½ teaspoon ground cardamom
- 1 13.5 ounce can of full-fat coconut milk
Instructions
- Press the sauté button. Add the small yellow lentils (moong dal). Dry roast the dal for 2-3 minutes, or until it turns golden and gives off a slightly nutty aroma. Remove the lentils and rinse them under cold water.
- Press the sauté button. Add ghee to the pot. Once it melts, add the cashews and coconut pieces. Stir-fry until golden. Remove and set aside.
- Add the rinsed lentils back into the pot along with 1 ¼ cups water.
- Secure the lid, close the pressure valve and cook for 12 minutes at high pressure.
- Naturally release pressure.
- Mash the lentils with a ladle, then press the sauté button, add the jaggery and cardamom and mix well. Pour in the coconut milk and stir until well combined. Cook for 2-3 minutes, or until it thickens a bit.
- Serve warm or cold and garnish with the ghee coated cashews and coconut pieces.
Notes
- *Find frozen coconut slices at your local Indian grocery store.
- you can always add less sugar to start then add more if needed at the end after pressure cooking. We like our desserts sweet 😉
Sudha says
Thank you so much for the yummy recipe 🙏🏻
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Sudha, that’s so great to hear! Thanks for letting me know this turned out 🙂
KALA says
Hi Ashley, where can i find coconut sugar? I am in US, thanks look forward to your reply.
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Hi! You can find coconut sugar at most grocery stores – trader joes and whole foods carry it. You can also find it on amazon. Regular Hope that helps!
Meera says
Really awesome recipe! Super simple, easy to make, and exactly like the payasam my family makes in Kerala. Thanks for the quick and delicious treat!
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Meera, I’m so glad to hear that! Thank you for letting me know how much you like this recipe 🙂
Jaya Subramanian says
Loved the way it turned out ! Just like mom’s . Thank you!
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Hi Jaya, I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for letting me know how the payasam turned out for you 🙂
Nalini says
Due to Covid I missed my cousin’s wedding in South India. On his reception menu was this payasam. I never thought I could make it, until I saw your recipe here. Thank you so much. Sitting in Canada, I was able to have this home made ‘brown’ payasam. Easy and perfect.
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Hi Nalini, I’m glad you were able to enjoy some homemade payasam 🙂 Thank you for sharing this with me.
Sheetu says
Just made today and we absolutely loved it. You are my go to site for instant pot recipes. They are fool proof and taste amazing. Thank you!
My Heart Beets says
Sheetu, I’m so happy to hear that! Thank you for letting me know how it turned out for you 🙂
Tina says
Is it OK to use regular cow’s milk in this recipe instead of coconut milk?
Kalyani says
Tried it today and my 6 year old loved it! Thank you so much:)
My Heart Beets says
Kalyani, that’s so great to hear! Thanks for letting me know how it turned out and how much your 6 year old enjoyed it 🙂
Maya says
Followed the recipe to the T and the payasam was absolutely delish! Thank you for clear and easy to make recipes.
Ashley - My Heart Beets says
Maya, that’s so nice to hear! Thank you for letting me know how it turned out for you. 🙂