If winter had a flavour, it would taste like Panjeeri — toasty, nutty, buttery, and sweet. One spoonful warms you up instantly and fills your soul with pure comfort. Homemade Panjeeri | Panjiri is more than a winter treat — it’s tradition, strength, warmth, and comfort all packed into one fragrant, wholesome mix.
More Winter Warming Treats – Besan Oats Ladoo, Saffron Flavoured Rava Ladoo, Eggless Whole Wheat Jaggery Cookies, Sunnundalu, Peanut Chikki Jaggery Brownies, Peanut Fried Gram Chikki
What is Panjeeri?
Panjeeri is a traditional Indian sweet snack made with:
- Ghee
- Black Urad Dal | Black Gram
- Coconut
- Nuts
- Seeds
- Edible gum (Gond)
- Jaggery
- Warming spices
It is roasted slowly until golden, nutty, and aromatic. The final texture is coarse, slightly crunchy, and soft at the same time.
In many homes, Panjeeri is served:
- after childbirth
- during winter months
- during festivals
- as a travel-friendly snack
- as a natural energy booster for kids
The ingredients differ from home to home. Some add whole wheat flour, some add semolina and some use only jaggery, while others prefer sugar. But the essence remains the same — comfort, warmth, and nourishment.
The Timeless Tradition
Panjeeri isn’t just a snack; it’s a legacy. Its roots run deep in Ayurvedic traditions, where food is considered medicine. For centuries, it has been a staple in North Indian homes, particularly in Punjab, where its warming qualities are highly valued during the harsh winters.
- Postpartum Powerhouse: One of Panjeeri’s most renowned roles is its use in postpartum recovery. New mothers are often given Panjeeri to help regain strength, replenish nutrients lost during childbirth, and aid lactation. The ingredients are carefully selected to provide warmth, energy, and boost immunity.
- Winter Warmer: The generous use of ghee, nuts, seeds, and warming spices like fennel and cardamom makes Panjeeri an ideal food for combating the winter chill. It provides sustained energy and helps keep the body warm from within.
- Energy Booster for All: Beyond its specific uses, Panjeeri is a fantastic energy booster for people of all ages. Students, athletes, or anyone needing a quick, healthy snack can benefit from its nutrient-dense composition. It’s a natural alternative to highly processed energy bars.
Why Panjeeri is a Superfood
Let’s look at the ingredients in Panjeeri | Panjiri and see why each one makes it such a powerful, healthy food.
1. Desi Ghee (Clarified Butter): The Golden Elixir
Desi ghee is the heart and soul of Panjeeri. More than just a cooking medium, ghee is cherished in for its numerous health benefits.
- Healthy Fats: Ghee is rich in healthy saturated fats and possess anti-inflammatory properties.
- Vitamin Powerhouse: It’s a good source of fat-soluble vitamins A, D, E, and K, crucial for immunity, bone health, skin health, and blood clotting.
- Digestive Aid: Ghee is believed to improve digestion and nutrient absorption. It lubricates the digestive tract and can help soothe inflammation.
- Energy Source: Being a concentrated source of energy, ghee provides sustained vitality without the sugar crash associated with simple carbohydrates.
2. A Medley of Nuts: The Crunch of Good Health
Panjeeri recipe calls for a generous mix of almonds, cashews, walnuts, dates and pistachios – each bringing its unique set of benefits.
- Almonds: Rich in Vitamin E, magnesium, and healthy fats, almonds are excellent for heart health, brain function, and skin.
- Cashews: Good source of healthy fats, protein, and minerals like copper and magnesium, essential for energy production and bone health.
- Walnuts: Known for their high omega-3 fatty acid content, walnuts are brain-food, promoting cognitive function and reducing inflammation.
- Pistachios: Packed with antioxidants, fiber, and protein, pistachios contribute to eye health and can help manage blood sugar.
- Dry Dates: Packed with iron, potassium, and natural fibre. Help in increasing energy levels, support digestion, and improve haemoglobin. Their natural sweetness also makes the mix healthier and more nourishing.
3. Power-Packed Seeds: Tiny Grains, Mighty Benefits
Pumpkin seeds, melon seeds, and flaxseeds are nutritional superstars that add texture and a wealth of micronutrients.
- Pumpkin Seeds: Excellent source of magnesium, zinc, and antioxidants, supporting immune function, bone health, and prostate health.
- Melon Seeds: Rich in protein, healthy fats, and vitamins, they are good for skin, hair, and overall vitality.
- Flaxseeds: A fantastic source of omega-3 fatty acids, fiber, and lignans, known for their heart-protective and hormone-balancing properties.
4. Edible Gum (Gond): The Traditional Healer
Gond, or edible gum, is a crucial ingredient in traditional Panjeeri, particularly for new mothers.
- Strengthening Bones: Helps lubricate the joints and build stronger bones, which is important during postpartum recovery.
- Warming Properties: Gond contributes to the warming nature of Panjeeri, aiding in internal warmth during colder months.
5. Lotus Seeds (Makhana): The Light & Crunchy Addition
Makhana, or fox nuts, are a popular snack in India and add a delightful crunch to Panjeeri.
- Low in Calories, High in Nutrients: Makhana are low in calories but rich in calcium, protein, and fiber, making them a healthy addition.
- Gluten-Free: They are naturally gluten-free, suitable for those with gluten sensitivities.
6. Grated Coconut: Tropical Flavor & Healthy Fats
Coconut adds a lovely aroma, flavour, and healthy fats to the Panjeeri.
- Fiber: It adds dietary fiber, aiding in digestion.
7. Urad Dal: The Binder & Texturizer
Black urad dal provides structure and a pleasant texture to the Panjeeri.
- Energy Source: Nutrient powerhouse, rich in protein, fiber, minerals like iron, calcium, potassium, and folate
- Benefits: Aids in improving digestion, boosting energy, strengthening bones, balancing hormones, and supporting heart health with its antioxidants.
- You can use whole white or whole black or split black or split white urad dal. I used whole black urad dal in this recipe.
8. Jaggery | Caster Sugar: Natural Sweetness
- You can add caster sugar if you like, but jaggery is a better choice since it gives natural sweetness and added nutrition.
- Jaggery is unrefined sugar that retains minerals like iron, magnesium, and potassium.
9. Aromatic Spices: The Flavor & Health Boosters
Cardamom, ginger and fennel powder transform Panjeeri from nutritious to incredibly delicious.
- Cardamom Powder: Aromatic and digestive, enhances the flavours and aid digestion.
- Fennel Powder: Known for its digestive properties, fennel also adds a subtle, sweet aroma.
- Dry ginger powder (Sonth): Adds warmth to Panjeeri and helps improve digestion, reduce inflammation, and boost immunity during winter.
Tips to Make Perfect Panjeeri
Panjeeri is more than a recipe. It is a tradition. comfort in every spoon, taste of winter mornings, warm kitchens, and family memories. This recipe is rich, nourishing, and easy to follow. Every ingredient adds something valuable. The combination of nuts, seeds, makhana, gond, urad dal, and spices creates a wholesome food that supports your body in the cold months. Make a batch this winter. Store it in jars. Share it with your family. It will become a seasonal favourite in your home too. Panjeeri is Indian Winter Holiday Treat.
Here are useful tips that will help beginners:
- Roast Everything on Low Flame – This is the secret to a good Panjeeri. Slow roasting creates flavor. High flame burns ingredients.
- Keep the Texture Coarse – Do not grind anything too fine. Panjeeri should be: crumbly, chunky and crunchy in parts. The variation in texture is what makes it delicious.
- Use Good Quality Ghee – Desi ghee gives aroma and nourishment. Do not replace it with oil.
- Choose Jaggery for Healthier Sweetness – Jaggery gives a deep, caramel-like flavor. You can use: powdered jaggery, block jaggery, organic jaggery. All work well.
- Fry Gond Slowly – If the gond does not puff properly, the texture will be chewy. Always fry it on medium heat.
- Add Spices Carefully – Cardamom adds aroma. Fennel helps digestion. Do not skip them.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Can I make Panjeeri without ghee?
No. Ghee is essential for flavor, nutrition, and digestion.
2. Can I use sugar instead of jaggery?
Yes. But jaggery gives better taste and warmth.
3. Can I skip gond?
You can, but the texture and benefits will change.
4. Is Panjeeri safe for kids?
Yes. Give small amounts to toddlers. It is great for school-going kids.
5. Can I reduce the amount of nuts?
Yes. Add more seeds or makhana instead.
Panjiri | Panjeeri Recipe
A wholesome and nourishing Panjeeri made with roasted nuts, seeds, gond, and jaggery. It is perfect for winter immunity and postpartum strength.
Ingredients
Nuts & Seeds
- ½ cup Almonds
- ½ cup Cashews
- ½ cup Unsalted pistachios
- ½ cup Walnuts
- 10 dry Dates, chopped
- ½ cup Pumpkin seeds
- ½ cup Melon seeds
- 3 tbsp. Flaxseeds
- ¼ cup Golden raisins
Crispy Ingredients
- ½ cup Edible gum (gond)
- 3.5 cups Lotus seeds (makhana)
Roasted Dry Mix
- 1 cup Black urad dal
- 1.5 cups grated Dry coconut
Sweetener
- 1 cup Jaggery powder
Spices
- 1 tsp. Cardamom powder
- 1 tsp. Fennel powder
- 1 tbsp. Ginger powder
Ghee
- About 1 cup desi ghee (use as needed for roasting)
Instructions
How To Make Panjeeri - Step by Step Recipe
Before starting, reserve few nuts and seeds for adding in the last.
1. Toast Nuts, Seeds & Raisins
- Heat some ghee in a pan. Add almonds, cashews, walnuts, pistachios, dry dates, pumpkin seeds, melon seeds, flaxseeds, and raisins.
- Roast until fragrant.
- Remove ¼ cup from this mix and keep aside for topping.
- Pulse the rest into coarse chunks. Do not powder. Set aside.
2. Fry Gond
- Add more ghee. Fry gond in small batches until puffed and crisp.
- Remove ¼ cup gond for topping.
- Let the rest cool.
3. Roast Makhana
- In the same pan, add more ghee and roast makhana until crisp.
- Remove ¼ cup makhana for topping.
- Grind the remaining makhana with the fried gond into a coarse mix.
- Combine with the crushed nuts.
4. Roast Urad & Coconut
- Heat more ghee. Add urad dal.
- Roast on low flame until aromatic by stirring continuously.
- Add grated coconut in the last 5 minutes and continue roasting.
- Mix this with the crushed nuts–gond–makhana mixture.
- Add cardamom, ginger, and fennel powders.
5. Prepare Jaggery Syrup If using jaggery block instead of jaggery powder then, follow these steps and prepare jaggery syrup.
- In a small pan, add 1 tbsp ghee, jaggery, and water.
- Cook until the jaggery melts into a smooth syrup.
- Strain and Cool completely.
6. Combine Everything
- Pour the cooled jaggery syrup into the dry mixture. If using jaggery powder, then add it in this step and combine.
- Mix well using your hands until everything is evenly coated.
7. Decorate & Store
- Top with the reserved nuts, makhana, and seeds.
- Store in airtight jars. Keep refrigerated for longer shelf life.
Add love to make this Panjeeri taste 'Yummy'.
Notes
Serving Suggestions
- Enjoy 2–3 tablespoons every morning.
- Sprinkle over warm milk or yogurt.
- Serve as an energy snack for kids or new mothers.
Notes
- Roast everything on low flame for the best flavor.
- Keep the texture coarse, not powdery.
- You may reduce jaggery for a low-sugar version.
Nutrition Information:
Yield:
40Serving Size:
1Amount Per Serving: Calories: 200Total Fat: 10gSaturated Fat: 3gUnsaturated Fat: 7gSodium: 102mgCarbohydrates: 26gFiber: 4gSugar: 15gProtein: 4g
The nutritional information provided is approximate and is calculated using online tools. Information can vary depending on various factors, but we have endeavoured to be as accurate as possible.
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