Welcome! If you’re searching for an incredibly easy, quick, and delicious Indian sweet, you’ve found it. This No-Bake Coconut Ladoo recipe is your new best friend for festivals, celebrations, or when a sweet craving suddenly strikes. Forget complicated steps and long cooking times; these delightful treats come together in just 10 minutes with only three essential ingredients.
This recipe is perfect for beginners and seasoned cooks alike, delivering soft, chewy, melt-in-your-mouth ladoos every single time. Let’s dive in and make a dessert that’s sure to impress everyone.
It all starts with these three simple ingredients.
Why You’ll Love This Instant Coconut Ladoo Recipe
Incredibly Fast: From start to finish, you’re only 10 minutes away from these amazing coconut balls. It’s the perfect last-minute dessert.
Only 3 Ingredients: All you need is desiccated coconut, sweetened condensed milk, and a touch of cardamom. It doesn’t get simpler than this.
No Cooking Required: This is a completely no-bake recipe, which means you don’t even need to turn on your stove.
Perfectly Sweet & Chewy: Each ladoo has a wonderful, soft texture and the perfect balance of sweetness. They are truly addictive!
Crowd-Pleaser: Whether for Diwali, a family gathering, or a potluck, these ladoos are always a massive hit. If you enjoy this, you might also like our traditional milk barfi recipe.
What is a Coconut Ladoo?
A Coconut Ladoo, or Nariyal Ladoo, is a popular Indian sweet made primarily from coconut. It’s traditionally prepared for festivals like Diwali, Ganesh Chaturthi, and Raksha Bandhan. While some versions require cooking the coconut with milk or sugar, this no-bake version offers a modern, instant twist on the classic, using condensed milk as a binder and sweetener.
The 3 Essential Ingredients You’ll Need
The beauty of this No-Bake Coconut Ladoo recipe lies in its simplicity. You only need a few pantry staples to create these heavenly bites.
Ingredient
Quantity
Notes
Desiccated Coconut
2 cups
Plus an extra 1/2 cup for rolling.
Sweetened Condensed Milk
1 can (14 oz)
This acts as both the sweetener and the binder.
Cardamom Powder
1/2 teaspoon
Optional, but highly recommended for authentic flavor.
Ingredient Notes & Substitutions
Desiccated Coconut: Use unsweetened desiccated coconut for the best results. The fine texture works perfectly. Avoid using large coconut flakes, as they won’t bind as well.
Condensed Milk: Make sure you are using sweetened condensed milk, not evaporated milk. The brand doesn’t matter, but full-fat versions provide a richer taste.
Cardamom: Freshly ground cardamom seeds will give you the best aroma and flavor, but pre-ground powder works just fine.
The perfect melt-in-your-mouth texture.
How to Make No-Bake Coconut Ladoo (Step-by-Step)
Follow these simple steps, and you’ll have perfect ladoos in no time.
Combine Ingredients: In a large mixing bowl, add 2 cups of desiccated coconut, the entire can of sweetened condensed milk, and the cardamom powder.
Mix Thoroughly: Using a spatula or your hands, mix everything together until it’s well combined and forms a sticky, uniform dough.
Shape the Ladoos: Take a small portion of the mixture (about 1-2 tablespoons) and roll it between your palms to form a smooth, round ball. If the mixture is too sticky, lightly grease your palms with a little ghee or oil.
Coat in Coconut: Spread the remaining 1/2 cup of desiccated coconut on a plate. Roll each ladoo in the coconut until it’s evenly coated on all sides.
Set and Serve: Place the finished ladoos on a tray or in mini cupcake liners. You can serve them immediately, but they firm up nicely if you refrigerate them for about 15-20 minutes.
Pro Tips for Perfect Ladoos Every Time
Don’t Overmix: Mix just until the ingredients come together. Overmixing can sometimes make the mixture oily.
Chill if Needed: If you live in a warm climate and the mixture feels too soft or sticky to roll, refrigerate it for 10-15 minutes to firm it up.
Uniform Size: Use a small cookie scoop or a tablespoon to ensure all your ladoos are a consistent size. For another simple dessert, try these no-bake Oreo truffles.
Fun Flavor Variations to Try
While the classic recipe is fantastic, you can easily customize these ladoos.
Nutty Crunch: Add 1/4 cup of finely chopped almonds, pistachios, or cashews to the mixture for a delightful crunch.
Rose Infusion: Add 1 teaspoon of rose water or a few drops of rose essence for a beautiful floral aroma.
Chocolate Drizzle: Once set, drizzle the ladoos with melted white or dark chocolate for an extra decadent touch.
Storage and Make-Ahead Instructions
These ladoos store wonderfully, making them a great make-ahead dessert.
Room Temperature: You can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days.
Refrigeration: For longer shelf life, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. They will be firmer when cold, so let them sit at room temperature for a few minutes before serving.
Mixture is too dry: This is unlikely with condensed milk, but if it happens, add a tablespoon more of condensed milk until it reaches the right consistency.
Mixture is too wet/sticky: The mixture is meant to be sticky. However, if it’s unmanageable, add a little more desiccated coconut, one tablespoon at a time, until it’s easier to roll. Chilling the dough also helps significantly.
This can happen if the ratio of coconut to condensed milk is off. The mixture should be sticky. If it’s too dry, add a little more condensed milk. If it’s too wet, add a tablespoon of desiccated coconut at a time until it’s easy to roll.
You can, but it will change the recipe. Fresh coconut contains more moisture, so you would need to cook it with the condensed milk on low heat for a few minutes to dry it out before rolling. This recipe is specifically designed for the convenience of desiccated coconut.
You can store them in an airtight container at room temperature for up to 3 days or in the refrigerator for up to 2 weeks. They will become firmer when chilled.
Yes, but it would require a different, non-instant recipe. Traditional methods involve cooking coconut with milk and sugar (or jaggery) until it thickens. This no-bake version specifically relies on condensed milk for its quick and easy preparation.
More Easy Dessert Recipes You’ll Adore
FL Recipes
No-Bake Coconut Ladoo: The Easiest 10-Minute Recipe
This No-Bake Coconut Ladoo recipe is the easiest Indian sweet you'll ever make! Ready in just 10 minutes with only 3 ingredients, these soft, chewy ladoos are perfect for Diwali and other celebrations.
2cupsDesiccated Coconutunsweetened, plus 1/2 cup for rolling
1can (14 oz)Sweetened Condensed Milk
0.5teaspoonCardamom Powderoptional
Equipment
1 Large Mixing Bowl
1 Spatula
Method
In a large mixing bowl, add 2 cups of desiccated coconut, the entire can of sweetened condensed milk, and the cardamom powder.
Using a spatula or your hands, mix everything together until it's well combined and forms a sticky, uniform dough.
Take a small portion of the mixture (about 1-2 tablespoons) and roll it between your palms to form a smooth, round ball. If the mixture is too sticky, lightly grease your palms with a little ghee or oil.
Spread the remaining 1/2 cup of desiccated coconut on a plate. Roll each ladoo in the coconut until it's evenly coated on all sides.
Place the finished ladoos on a tray or in mini cupcake liners. Serve immediately, or refrigerate for 15-20 minutes to help them firm up.
Nutrition
Calories: 155kcalProtein: 2gFat: 9gFiber: 2g
Notes
Chill if Needed: If the mixture feels too soft or sticky to roll, refrigerate it for 10-15 minutes to firm it up. Uniform Size: Use a small cookie scoop or a tablespoon to ensure all your ladoos are a consistent size.
I hope you love this No-Bake Coconut Ladoo recipe as much as my family does! If you make it, I would be so grateful if you could leave a comment and a rating below. And don’t forget to share your beautiful creations on Pinterest! Your feedback helps other home cooks and supports this blog. Enjoy!
You're just 10 minutes away from the best No-Bake Coconut Ladoos!
Hi, I’m Emily Carter, and welcome to FL Recipes! I share simple, healthy recipes that make cooking easy, fun, and delicious for everyone. more about me »
