Halwai Style Whole Wheat Balushahi Recipe

Balushahi or badusha is a yummy sweet. This badusha recipe is fairly simple. It actually resembles glazed donuts of the west. This syrupy sweet needs no introduction. North India calls it Balushahi, balsahi while south calls it Badushah.

Originally balu shahi is made with maida/plain flour. My mom makes this recipe with atta/wholemeal flour instead of plain flour. This is her family recipe, and it is much loved by all.

Looking for a version without deep frying? Try my air fryer balushahi recipe, which uses a separately tested boil-and-air-fry method with a longer sugar-syrup soak.

Ingredients

• wholemeal flour
• ghee
• yogurt

For frying: Use oil or ghee as per your taste

• Optional: Edible silver varq /chopped pistachios/ rose petals

For sugar syrup:

• water with saffron
• lemon juice
• sugar

refer to recipe card for details. 

how to make balushahi at home? (Traditional fried)

For the dough:

• In a bowl, add the flour and ghee together and start mixing by hand until you get a crumbly texture.

• Add yogurt to knead a medium soft dough(not too hard/soft).Sprinkle little water if needed.
• Cover and rest it for 4-6 hours or overnight.

• Take some dough and make a smooth ball.
• Press with your thumb in the center,to make like a peda, as shown in the image.

• Heat oil and fry on a low heat until brown on both sides.
• Keep it aside and let it cool until it reaches room temperature.

• In a pan,heat water and mix sugar to it along with saffron.Let it cook until sugar dissolves.

• Pour the sugar water on the fried balushahi. Let it set.It looks like a glazed donuts once done.Serve on room temperature.

Serving suggestion: Optionally apply the sheets of edible silver varq on the sweet balushahi.It needs to be placed delicately as it sticks very fast.

Related links

• Comprehensive list of Diwali sweets
• Wholewheat Mawa gujiya - Fry / Air fry
• Wholewheat Malpua | Instant Indian Pancake
• Top Holi Recipes
• Vegan gujiya (fry/air fry)
  Diwali snack platter

Print Recipe

5 from 1 vote

Balushahi recipe | Badusha recipe

Balushahi should be stored in an air-tight container

Prep Time20 minutes mins

Cook Time30 minutes mins

Dough resting6 hours hrs

Course: Desserts, Egg-free, Festive recipes, Indian Cuisine, Party recipes, Tiffin recipes

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: badushah, balushahi

Servings: 8

Author: bhavana bhatia

Equipment

• wok
• Mixing bowl

Ingredients

For the dough

• 2 cups wholemeal flour
• ⅓ cup ghee
• ⅓ cup yogurt
• ⅓ cup water sprinkle only as needed

For deep frying

• oil or ghee as needed to fry on low heat

For sugar syrup

• 2 cups water
• 1 ½ cups sugar
• 4-6 strands saffron
• 3-4 drops lemon juice optional
• 1 teaspoon cardamom powder

Optional garnish

• edible silver leaf or chopped pistachios optional

Instructions

Make the dough

• Rub the wholemeal flour and ghee together until crumbly. Add yogurt and sprinkle in water only as needed to make a medium-soft dough.
• Cover and rest the dough for 4-6 hours or overnight.
• Divide the dough into equal portions, shape round balls and press a small dent in the centre of each.

Deep fry

• Heat oil or ghee in a deep pan on low heat. Fry the shaped balushahi slowly until golden brown and cooked through on both sides.
• Remove and let the fried balushahi cool to room temperature.

Sugar syrup and serving

• Heat the sugar, water and saffron together until the sugar dissolves. Add a few drops of optional lemon juice and cardamom powder if using.
• Pour the sugar syrup over the cooled fried balushahi, allow it to set, and serve at room temperature.
• Garnish with edible silver leaf or chopped pistachios, if desired.

Substitution

Traditionally we make it with plain flour. So you can use that if you are particular.

Storage

Store it in an air-tight jar. Serve on room temperature.

Conclusion: OG Indian donut, Balushahi or Badushah comes with memories and smiles. This traditional family sweet recipe is full of love.