Besan Burfi

4.89 from 27 votes

Popular Indian sweet, Besan Burfi is made with gram flour, ghee and flavored with cardamom. This homemade recipe makes melt-in-mouth burfi every time! Gluten-free.

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Besan Burfi is a popular Indian sweet made with gram flour, ghee and flavored with cardamom.

This homemade recipe for besan burfi will give you melt in mouth burfi every time!

4 pieces of besan burfi arranged on a round silver antique plate

Sweets made with besan (gram flour) are some of my favorite sweets.

Like besan ladoo and this besan burfi!

They both have essentially the same ingredients-  besan, ghee and sugar but the way you make and shape them is what makes then different.

In India, burfi is the term used for a sweet fudge and it can be made with anything from lentils to nuts, fruits and in this case from besan.

The ingredient list for making besan burfi is small (ghee, sugar and cardamom) but as it is most Indian sweets, it takes some skills to get it right.

No, I am not trying to scare you guys. You can definitely make the perfect besan burfi even in first attempt but if it doesn’t turn out perfect, don’t be disheartened.

Indian sweets always need some practice. It has taken me many years of practice to get them right.

Tips to Make Perfect Besan Burfi

Here are few things to keep in mind to make the best besan burfi!

Roasting the besan properly: the most important step in making besan burfi is to roast the besan properly.

If your besan is not roasted properly, the burfi will have the raw taste (kaccha taste as we call in Hindi) and trust me it doesn’t taste good.

I have done that before and I was so disappointed because if your burfi tastes of raw besan after so much of hand workout, it definitely doesn’t feel good!

So roast the besan properly. Stir continuously because you want to make sure the besan is roasted uniformly and you also want to make sure it doesn’t get burnt.

The besan should be golden-ish yellow in color and not dark brown. If it turns dark brown, you have gone bit too far.

I roast for around 25 to 30 minutes on the lowest heat with constant stirring. Yes it requires patience so make sure you have plenty of it before you start.

4 pieces of besan burfi stacked together on a plate with more pieces on the sides

Sift the besan before adding it to ghee: this gives the burfi a nice, smooth texture. So do the additional step of sifting the besan.

Getting the sugar syrup consistency right: this can really make or break your burfi.

If the syrup is over-cooked the burfi will be hard and turn out like a rock.

If the syrup is under-cooked, the burfi will not set.

You have to cook the syrup until it reaches a one string consistency. And how do you know if it has reached that consistency?

Two things:

  1. Place a small drop of syrup between your thumb and index finger and then pull them apart, you should the formation of a string (check pictures below).
  2. If the string consistency thing sounds too complicated to you, simply let the sugar dissolve in water first. Once the sugar dissolves, lower the heat to “low” and simmer the syrup for 5 to 6 minutes. This will result in one string consistency, so follow the timings and do not over-cook the syrup.

What if my burfi doesn’t set? This means your under-cooked the sugar syrup. I will put back the mixture on heat and cook for few minutes until it leaves the sides of the pan and try to set it again.

Why is my burfi hard and not melt-in-mouth? You over-cooked the sugar syrup. You have to only cook it until it reaches one string consistency here. That results in best melt-in-mouth texture in my opinion.

As you can see, my burfis were quite big. If you want to make thinner and smaller burfis, spread the mixture in a large pan.

I have use 9 x 9 inch pan here so for thinner burfis, maybe use 9 x 13 inch pan.

Hope you guys give this melt-in-mouth Besan Burfi a try this festive season!

besan burfi stacked together on a black bowl with some diyas placed in the background

Method

Line a 9 x 9 inch pan with parchment paper and set aside. You can even use a bigger pan (like 10 x 13 inch) to make thinner burfis.

1- Melt ghee in a pan on medium heat.

2- Add the sifted besan into the pan and stir. Lower the heat to “low”.

3- Start stirring, the besan will clump up at first. Don’t worry and keep stirring.

4- After around 15 minutes, the besan will start to loosen up.

step by step picture collage of making besan burfi at home

5- After stirring for around 20 minutes, it will become smooth.

6- Around 25 minutes, it will become like a smooth paste. Add cardamom powder at this point. Please not that depending on the quality of besan being used it might never become a smooth paste. But once besan is roasted, it become fluffier (like air has been fillied into it), and you can always taste a little bit of mixture. You would know if besan is raw. So don’t worry if you never get a super smooth besan even after stirring for 25 minutes.

7- And cook for 5 more minutes.

8- So I cooked the besan for total of 30 minutes on low heat. Remove pan from heat and set aside.

Let it cool down while you make the sugar syrup. Besan should cool down before sugar syrup is added to it.

step by step picture collage of making besan burfi at home

9- To a pan, add sugar and water on medium heat.

10- Let the sugar dissolve, will take around 4 to 5 minutes.

11- Then lower the heat and let syrup simmer for 5 to 6 minutes until it reaches one string consistency.

12- It takes me 6 minutes always after the sugar dissolves to reach the 1 string consistency on low heat.

Put a drop of sugar syrup between your thumb and index finger and pull them apart, you should see a single thread formation. This is the right consistency. If you have a kitchen thermometer this becomes much easier, it should measure 110 C (230 F) when done.

Turn off the heat as soon as the syrup reaches that stage. Do not over cook the sugar syrup. 

step by step picture collage of making besan burfi at home

13- Now add the sugar syrup to the cooked besan (which has cooled down at this point). 

14- Stir until all the sugar syrup is well combined with the besan. 

15- Transfer the mixture to a 9 x 9 inch pan lined with parchment paper.

Tap the pan to get rid of excess air. Sprinkle pistachios on top.

16- Let the burfi set for 2-3 hours and then cut into pieces. I trim the edges and then cut them into squares.

step by step picture collage of making besan burfi at home

Store besan burfi at room temperature for 10 days!

besan burfi stacked in a plate with a small bowl of pistachios in the background

If you’ve tried this Besan Burfi Recipe then don’t forget to rate the recipe! You can also follow me on Facebook and Instagram to see what’s latest in my kitchen!

This post has been updated from the recipe archives, first published in March 2017.

Besan Burfi

4.89 from 27 votes
Prep: 5 minutes
Cook: 30 minutes
Resting Time: 1 hour
Total: 35 minutes
Servings: 20 pieces
Popular Indian sweet, Besan Burfi is made with gram flour, ghee and flavored with cardamom. This homemade recipe makes melt-in-mouth burfi every time! Gluten-free.

Ingredients 

  • 1 cup ghee 200 grams
  • 3 cups besan 325 grams (gram flour)
  • 1.5 teaspoon cardamom powder
  • 2 cups minus 2 tablespoons granulated white sugar 360 grams, can reduce to 300 grams for a less sweeter burfi
  • 1/2 cup +1 tablespoon water 120 ml + 15 ml
  • chopped pistachios for garnishing
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Instructions 

  • Line a 9 x 9 inch pan with parchment paper and set aside. You can even use a bigger pan (like 10 x 13 inch) to make thinner burfis.
  • Melt ghee in a pan on medium heat. Add the sifted besan into the pan and stir. Lower the heat to "low".
  • Start stirring, the besan will clump up at first. Don't worry and keep stirring.
    After around 15 minutes, the besan will start to loosen up (see pictures above).
  • After stirring for around 20 minutes, it will become smooth.
    Around 25 minutes, it will become like a smooth paste. Add cardamom powder at this point and cook for 5 more minutes.
    Please not that depending on the quality of besan being used it might never become a smooth paste. But once besan is roasted, it become fluffier (like air has been fillied into it), and you can always taste a little bit of mixture. You would know if besan is raw. So don't worry if you never get a super smooth besan even after stirring for 25 minutes.
  • So, I cooked the besan for total of 30 minutes on low heat. Remove pan from heat and set aside.
    Let it cool down while you make the sugar syrup. Besan should cool down to room temperature before sugar syrup is added to it.
  • To a pan, add sugar and water on medium heat.
    Let the sugar dissolve, will take around 4 to 5 minutes.
  • Then lower the heat and let syrup simmer for 5 to 6 minutes until it reaches one string consistency.
    It takes me 6 minutes always after the sugar dissolves to reach the 1 string consistency on low heat.
  • Put a drop of sugar syrup between your thumb and index finger and pull them apart, you should see a single thread formation. This is the right consistency. If you have a kitchen thermometer this becomes much easier, it should measure 110 C (230 F) when done.
    Turn off the heat as soon as the syrup reaches that stage. Do not over cook the sugar syrup.
  • Now add the sugar syrup to the cooked besan (which has cooled down at this point).
    Stir until all the sugar syrup is well combined with the besan.
  • Transfer the mixture to a 9 x 9 inch pan lined with parchment paper.
    Tap the pan to get rid of excess air. Sprinkle pistachios on top.
  • Let the burfi set for 2-3 hours (or more) and then cut into pieces. I trim the edges and then cut them into squares. Store besan burfi at room temperature for 10 days!

Notes

  1. The most important thing is to roast the besan properly so that the burfi doesn't taste raw. So do roast for 25-30 minutes on low heat.
  2. You can even add saffron strands for extra flavor. Add it while roasting the besan towards the end. 
  3. You can reduce the amount of sugar to 1.5 cups (300 grams) for a less sweet besan burfi.
  4. Investing in a kitchen thermometer is a good idea since that will help get accurate results. When the sugar syrup is cooked to the right consistency, it should measure 110 C (230 F). 
  5. Please not that depending on the quality of besan being used it might never become a smooth paste. But once besan is roasted, it become fluffier (like air has been fillied into it), and you can always taste a little bit of mixture. You would know if besan is raw. So don't worry if you never get a super smooth besan even after stirring for 25 minutes.
  6. If you burfi doesn't set even after 5-6 hours, you can put the mixture back in the pan. Cook for few minutes (6-8 mins) on medium heat and then try to set it again.

Nutrition

Calories: 241kcal, Carbohydrates: 34g, Protein: 4g, Fat: 10g, Saturated Fat: 6g, Cholesterol: 23mg, Sodium: 12mg, Potassium: 152mg, Fiber: 2g, Sugar: 26g, Vitamin A: 5IU, Calcium: 9mg, Iron: 0.9mg

Nutrition information is automatically calculated, so should only be used as an approximation.

Additional Info

Course: Sweets
Cuisine: Indian
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Hi, I’m Manali!

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Recipe Rating




136 Comments

  1. 5 stars
    Thank you for this great recipe and for all the warnings about proper roasting! I took your advice and tasted the before and after – holy moley the right amount of roasting makes alllllll the difference! This was my first attempt at one of my favorite treats (from a restaurant a thousand miles away now) & the satisfaction of tasting it again has brought me so much joy, even if my first effort came out a tiny bit dry. ❤️❤️❤️

  2. 4 stars
    THANK YOU for this recipe. Instead of adding the suggested amount of sugar I used 1.5 cups. Personally, I felt this amount of sugar is still too much. Next time I’d try 1 cup. Overall, it came together just like the Indian Shops in Surrey, BC Canada. Woot woot!

  3. 5 stars
    Hi

    Just want to say this is the perfect recipe for besan.

    If I wanted to make double in one batch is that possible do I double up on all the ingredients ?

  4. 5 stars
    Hi Manali!
    Thank you for posting such a lovely recipe. I made it for Rakshabandhan and it was hit! Making another batch tomorrow since everything was finished by evening.

  5. Would like to make the besan to come out hard in texture rather than fudge like soft … what should I do to get this consistently

    1. Gurdip you need to cook the sugar syrup to the correct stage. If it’s hard it means you over cooked the sugar syrup. Investing in a kitchen thermometer and following the mentioned temperature will give you accurate results always.

  6. Hi,
    Thank you for such a wonderful recipe. I love burfi but the only time I made it, it didn’t come out right (it was not your recipe, though). Is it possible to roast the besan in the oven? I know it might sound odd, but we often roast almond flour this way. Thanks so much.
    Judy

    1. Hi Judy, that’s an interesting idea. We never had oven in India growing up so I never saw it. You can roast it but roasting in ghee really brings out the flavor of the besan and you can’t roast with ghee, while stirring constantly in the oven so flavor might not be the same.

  7. 4 stars
    I followed the recipe, my burfi tastes raw. How can I correct this?
    Is it safe to eat burfi that tastes raw? If not, what do I do with this burfi?

    ,

    1. Hi Suman, unfortunately once you have made the burfi you can’t do anything. Roasting the besan is a very crucial step in making the burfi. Time varies depending on the thickness of the pan and the intensity of heat being used. So probably you needed more time for the besan than what I did. Roasted besan has a very nice aroma and when it doubt, just take some out in a small bowl, let it cool a bit and taste it. Raw besan will, well taste raw and you would know it’s not done and you need to roast it more.

  8. I follow your recipe but it’s hard and scrambled, not setting at all, can I do something now to make it soft or eatable

    1. Hi Ennie, this happens because of one of the 2 reasons-
      1- you didn’t let the besan cool completely after roasting
      2- you overcooked the sugar syrup. If you keep it between 105-110 C, it will always turn out just fine, that’s why I recommend using a kitchen thermometer for accurate results.

      You can make besan ladoos now, mixture should bind, if not add some warm melted ghee and bind ladoos and enjoy

  9. Maybe because my besan was not at room temperature (I didn’t cool it totally)? Just made another batch and you’re right I don’t think temp was the problem!

  10. I cooked sugar til 220F but final burfi setting was crumbly firm. I believe temp needs to be much lower (but not too low).

    1. nope I make it all the time, that temperature is perfect. I made it twice this week, it sets perfectly at that temperature. I am really not sure how it was crumbly.