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There’s something so comforting about a bowl of my mom’s Sweet Daliya. Made with fragrant cardamom, chopped almonds, and naturally sweetened with jaggery, this Instant Pot cracked wheat is simple, wholesome, and full of nostalgia. It comes together quickly in the Instant Pot, making it perfect for busy mornings. Plus, it’s completely refined sugar-free. Optionally, you may add your favorite milk and you’ve got a cozy, nourishing breakfast.
Whenever I visit home in New Jersey, my mom makes Sweet Daliya at least once for breakfast. On my most recent trip, we got absolutely pounded with snow. While most of us were outside shoveling, she was inside making daliya for us in her pressure cooker. I skipped shoveling (no regrets) and stood in the kitchen watching her make it… again.
Daliya is also known as Lapsi in Gujarati households. Growing up, I’ve seen many Gujarati families prepare Lapsi a little differently – often richer with more ghee and sugar, and sometimes garnished with cashews and raisins. It’s especially popular during festivals, pujas, and other auspicious occasions. While my version is simpler, that’s how I grew up enjoying daliya for breakfast.
Recipe Tweaks I Made
I recently made a few small tweaks to my mom’s recipe. I noticed my daliya was a bit mushier than hers, so I followed her tip and added less water. This prevents the daliya from becoming mushy – each grain stays beautifully separated. She’s made it with sugar before and with jaggery another time. Since jaggery is refined sugar-free and has subtle caramel notes, I personally prefer it.
If you love cozy Indian breakfast bowls like this, you’ll also enjoy my Instant Pot Oats Kheer (made with steel-cut oats), my naturally sweetened Stovetop Date Oatmeal with ghee & pecans, or these fusion Thandai Overnight Oats that are perfect for warmer days.
Another Variation: Sweet Milk Daliya (Doodh Daliya)
Another variation I love is Doodh Daliya, which is made with milk. Here’s how I make it: Once the daliya is cooked, transfer a small portion to a separate saucepan and add some cold milk. Warm it gently on the stove and enjoy. I especially love this variation on days when I’m craving a hot, comforting porridge.
TIP: Do not add hot milk directly to jaggery as it can easily curdle – I’ve experienced this.
Ingredients & Substitutions
- Daliya (Cracked Wheat): Daliya is cracked wheat in English. You can easily find it at your local grocery store or find cracked wheat on Amazon.
- Ghee: I love ghee in this recipe for that richness, just a tablespoon will do. Alternatively, you may use butter or oil.
- Gud (Jaggery): Gud, also known as Jaggery, adds a wonderful, slightly caramel flavor to this recipe. You can find jaggery on Amazon. Also, you may also use brown sugar or cane sugar instead.
- Green Cardamom: Lightly crush 3 green cardamom pods, remove and discard the outer green shells, then grind the seeds into a powder.
- Almonds: Chop 1/2 cup of almonds. Feel free to add cashews and pistachios as well.
*See the recipe card below for full information on ingredients and quantities.*
Let’s Make Sweet Daliya
Dry Roast Daliya
Step 1. Hit Saute mode on the Instant Pot. Once hot, add ghee.
Step 2. Once the ghee melts, add cracked wheat.
Step 3. Sauté the cracked wheat for 8-10 minutes until golden-brown.
Step 4. Once you begin to smell the aroma and the color changes, add crushed cardamom and a pinch of salt. Sauté for 30 seconds and press Cancel on the Instant Pot.
Cook Daliya
Step 5. Add water to the Instant Pot.
Step 6. Stir and close the Instant Pot, then set it to High Pressure for 10 minutes. Let the pressure naturally release.
Step 7. Once the daliya is done, it should look like this.
Step 8. Add chopped almonds and jaggery. Gently stir without making the daliya mushy. Transfer to a bowl and enjoy hot!
Daliya – Great for Mealprepping!
Daliya is perfect for meal prepping. Make the recipe as directed, and once it has cooled, store it in an airtight container in the refrigerator. When you’re ready to serve, simply warm up the portion you want in the microwave.
Tried this recipe? If so, please leave a comment & rate this recipe. That would mean so much to me. If you’re on Instagram, please tag me so I can see your creations. I’m happy to share and mention you. Thank you!
This post has been updated from the recipe archives with new photos and tips, first published in March 2022.
Daliya Recipe
INGREDIENTS
- 1 tbsp ghee, or butter/oil
- 1 cup cracked wheat, daliya
- 3 green cardamom pods, crushed
- pinch of salt
- 2 cups water
- 3 tbsp jaggery
- 1/2 cup almonds, chopped
INSTRUCTIONS
- Dry Roast Daliya. Turn on Sauté mode in your Instant Pot and melt the ghee. Add the cracked wheat and roast it for 8–10 minutes until it turns golden and fills the kitchen with that nutty, comforting aroma. Stir in the crushed cardamom and a pinch of salt, sauté for just 30 seconds, and then cancel the Instant Pot.
- Cook Daliya. Add water, give it a gentle stir, and close the lid. Cook on High Pressure for 10 minutes, then let the pressure release naturally. Once it’s done, stir in the chopped almonds and jaggery carefully so the grains stay separate. Serve it hot, and savor every cozy, nourishing spoonful—just like my mom makes at home.
The best Daliya recipe ever tried and had, easy to make , healthy for the system and loved by all in the family…. 👍👍