Paleo and Gluten Free Diwali Dessert Recipes

Sweets are a must when it comes to celebrating any Indian holiday – including Diwali! Here are some of my favorite gluten-free and paleo Indian dessert recipes!

Paleo Indian Desserts by MyHeartBeets.com

Looking to make healthier choices this Diwali?

Well now you can have your mithai and eat it too!

Just because you’re following a grain-free or dairy-free diet, doesn’t mean you can’t partake in something sweet and delicious on Diwali! In today’s post, I’m sharing a list of paleo-friendly and gluten free Indian dessert recipes perfect for Diwali!

Why Celebrate Diwali?

If you haven’t heard Michael Scott singing the Diwali Song on The Office, you should. It’s ridiculous and catchy. Diwali is the celebration of good over evil or light over dark. It’s celebrated on one of the darkest nights of the lunar Hindu calendar. Why celebrate the “festival of lights” on the darkest night? To show that light will always win against the dark. People light diyas/candles/fireworks to celebrate this holiday and to show that good will always overcome evil.

I think the significance of the holiday is something that everyone can get behind. To celebrate, just spend the day being happy. Eat something sweet. Light a candle. And believe that good always wins.

The stories and beliefs behind Diwali differ. Different religions and regions have different beliefs. Hindus believe Diwali is when Rama and Sita returned from exile after winning a battle against the demon king, Ravana. Sikhs celebrate the sixth guru’s release from prison.

Diwali is a major holiday in India. We celebrate Diwali every year by going to the mandir (Hindu temple), which is right across the street from my parents’ home. On Diwali, my mom lights diyas and candles inside and outside the house. And of course, there’s always mithai. Sweets are a big part of Indian culture and there’s just no celebrating without mithai.

You can celebrate with mithai and other Indian sweets too – even if you are on a restrictive diet. Here are some Indian desserts – I’ll continue to add them onto this list and hopefully by next Diwali, you’ll have even more options! I hope you enjoy all of these gluten free diwali dessert recipes!