Healthy Gond Dry Fruit Laddu: The Ultimate Winter Immunity Booster

The Ultimate Winter Immunity Booster

Is there anything more comforting than the aroma of Desi Ghee and roasting nuts wafting through the kitchen during winter? As we step into 2026, prioritizing health without compromising on tradition is the goal. Enter the Healthy Gond Dry Fruit Laddu—a winter superfood disguised as a dessert.

At Neera Food Lab, we believe food should be your medicine and your joy. These laddus are packed with Gond (edible gum), which is known for strengthening bones and providing warmth to the body, and sweetened naturally with Jaggery (Gud), making them refined sugar-free. Whether you are looking for a post-workout snack, a midday energy boost, or a traditional immunity shield against the cold, this recipe is your answer.

Why You Need Gond Laddus in Your Winter Diet

Before we dive into the kitchen, let’s talk about why this recipe is a winter essential.

• Internal Warmth: Gond is a heat-generating ingredient that helps combat the chilling winter winds.
• Joint Health: Traditionally, Gond is recommended for lubricating joints and relieving back pain.
• Natural Energy: Loaded with almonds, cashews, and pistachios, one laddu gives you sustained energy without the sugar crash.
• Iron-Rich: By swapping sugar for Jaggery, you get a good dose of iron and antioxidants.

Ingredient Spotlight & Sourcing Tips

To get that perfect Neera Food Lab texture, quality matters.

• Gond (Edible Gum): Ensure the crystals are dry. If they are slightly moist, sun-dry them before frying to ensure they puff up completely.
• Makhana (Fox Nuts): These add volume and a unique crunch that balances the density of the nuts.
• Desi Ghee: Do not skimp on this! Ghee is the binding agent and the carrier for all the fat-soluble vitamins in the nuts.
• Jaggery: Use dark, chemical-free jaggery for a richer color and better health benefits.

Pro-Tips for the Perfect Bind

Making laddus can sometimes be tricky—too dry and they crumble; too hot and you burn your hands.

1. Roast on Low: Patience is key. Roasting nuts on high heat will burn the outside while leaving the inside raw. Low and slow ensures a thorough crunch.
2. Puff the Gond Well: If the Gond isn’t fried properly, it will stick to your teeth. It should pop like popcorn and turn white.
3. The Temperature Check: Add the jaggery syrup to the mixture while it is warm, not boiling hot. Mix it quickly and start shaping the laddus while the mix is still warm to the touch.

Healthy Gond Dry Fruit Laddu (Winter Special)

Recipe by Neera SharmaCourse: DessertCuisine: Indian

Servings

24

Laddus

Prep time

45

minutes

Cooking time

30

minutes

Calories

180

kcal

A nutrient-dense, immunity-boosting winter sweet made with edible gum (Gond), crunchy dry fruits, and jaggery. This refined sugar-free recipe is perfect for joint health and keeping warm during the cold season.

Ingredients

• 100 g Gond (Edible Gum)

• 100 g Almonds (Badam)

• 100 g Cashews (Kaju)

• 20 g Pistachios (Pista)

• 25 g Makhana (Fox Nuts/Lotus Seeds)

• 2 tbsp Raisins (Kishmish) (or as required)

• 50 g Dry Grated Coconut

• 250 g Desi Ghee (Clarified Butter)

• 250 g Jaggery (Gud), melted

Directions

• Roast the Nuts: Heat a small amount of ghee in a heavy-bottomed pan. Add almonds and roast on a low flame until they turn crunchy. Add cashews and roast until golden. Remove them from the pan and set aside.
• Puff the Gond: In the same pan, ensure there is enough ghee. Add the Gond crystals. Stir continuously on low-medium heat until the crystals puff up completely and become white. Remove and keep on a separate plate.
• Roast Lighter Ingredients: Add a little more ghee if needed. Roast the Makhana until crisp (they should snap when pressed). Lightly roast the pistachios. Add raisins and roast briefly until they swell up. Finally, add the dry grated coconut and roast just until aromatic (do not brown it too much).
• Grind the Mixture: Transfer all the roasted nuts (Almonds, Cashews, Pistachios, Makhana) into a mixer jar. Pulse them into a coarse powder. Note: Do not make a fine powder; we want a crunchy texture.
• Crush the Gond: Take the fried Gond (which is on a separate plate) and crush it using the bottom of a bowl or a specialized crusher. It should be a fine, grainy texture.
• Combine Everything: In a large mixing bowl (Parat), combine the crushed Gond, the coarsely ground nut mixture, and the roasted coconut & raisins. Mix well with a spatula.
• Add Sweetness & Bind: Pour the melted Jaggery (mixed with the remaining warm ghee) over the dry mixture. Mix everything thoroughly with a spatula first to avoid burning your hands.
• Shape the Laddus: Once the mixture is warm enough to handle, grease your palms with a drop of ghee. Take small portions of the mixture and press firmly to shape them into round laddus.

Recipe Video

Notes

• Storage: Store these laddus in an airtight container at room temperature. They stay fresh for up to a month.
• Serving: Enjoy 1 laddu daily with a glass of warm milk for the best immunity benefits.