I was standing in my tiny Queens kitchen—the one where if you open the fridge and the oven at the same time, something bad happens—holding a jar of mixed nuts I bought on impulse because they were on sale. Again. Almonds. Cashews. Pumpkin seeds. Sunflower seeds. The usual “I’ll eat these instead of chips” lie we all tell ourselves.
And that’s when I remembered nuts and seeds ladoos.
Not in a Pinterest-perfect way. More like… a fuzzy memory. Someone’s aunt. A steel dabba. Ghee smell in the air. Me pretending I didn’t want seconds but obviously wanting seconds.
You know that feeling? When food memories sneak up on you while you’re doing something totally boring, like scrolling your phone or avoiding laundry?
Yeah. That.
Within the first five minutes, I was Googling, improvising, burning one batch slightly, and somehow ending up with the kind of snack that makes you pause mid-bite and go, “Wait. Why don’t I make this more often?”
How I Accidentally Fell Back in Love with Nuts and Seeds Ladoos
Let me rewind for a sec.
Back in 8th grade, I wore two different shoes to school. Not on purpose. It was a Monday. Same energy as me forgetting how good homemade ladoos are for… decades.
Growing up, ladoos were just there. They showed up when relatives visited. When someone passed an exam. When someone failed an exam (we don’t talk about that one). They weren’t “superfoods.” They were just… food. Comfort food.
Fast-forward to adult me in Queens, NYC—surrounded by açai bowls, $9 green juices, and protein bars that taste like sadness—and suddenly these humble nuts and seeds ladoos feel revolutionary.
They’re sweet but not candy-sweet. Filling but not heavy. Healthy-ish but still fun. Which, honestly, is all I want from life at this point.
Why Nuts and Seeds Ladoos Just Work
I’m not a nutritionist. I once thought quinoa was a kind of bird. But even I can tell when something makes my body feel good instead of angry.
Here’s why these little round miracles work so well:
- Healthy fats that don’t make you crash
- Protein without chalky aftertaste
- Natural sweetness (dates, jaggery, honey—pick your fighter)
- No baking. No fancy tools. No emotional breakdown required
And the best part? You can mess them up a little and they still turn out fine. Unlike macarons. Or life.
My Go-To Nuts and Seeds Ladoos (A Very Real Recipe-ish Thing)
Okay, disclaimer: I don’t measure properly. I measure with vibes. But this is roughly what I do.
Ingredients I Grab Without Overthinking:
- Almonds (a handful… or two)
- Cashews
- Walnuts (optional but dramatic)
- Pumpkin seeds
- Sunflower seeds
- Sesame seeds (just a little, they’re intense)
- Dates or powdered jaggery
- A spoon of ghee (don’t skip it, trust me)
- Cardamom (because nostalgia)
What I Actually Do:
- Dry roast everything separately because I once burned them together and I’m still not over it.
- Let them cool. (I never wait long enough.)
- Grind into a coarse mixture—not powder. Texture matters.
- Heat ghee, add dates or jaggery, stir like you mean it.
- Mix everything together.
- Roll into ladoos while it’s warm and you’re questioning your life choices.
That’s it.
No blender meltdown. No oven drama. Just vibes.
Are They Actually Healthy or Are We Just Lying to Ourselves?
Both things can be true.
Compared to store-bought sweets loaded with stuff you can’t pronounce, nuts and seeds ladoos are genuinely nourishing. Fiber. Minerals. Energy that doesn’t spike and crash like bad Wi-Fi.
But also… they’re ladoos. You’re still eating something sweet. The goal isn’t perfection. The goal is better choices that don’t feel like punishment.
You ever eat something “healthy” and feel resentful afterward? Yeah. This isn’t that.
Variations I’ve Tried (Some Worked, Some… Didn’t)
Because of course I experimented.
The Hits:
- Chocolate chips added (don’t tell anyone)
- Coconut flakes for texture
- Peanut + seed combo for budget-friendly magic
The Misses:
- Protein powder (why did I think this was okay?)
- Too much sesame (learned the hard way)
- Skipping ghee (just don’t)
Honestly, part of the charm is messing around. No one’s grading you.
Why These Ladoos Are Perfect for Queens Life
Living in Queens means everything is loud, fast, and delicious. Street food on one corner. Yoga studios on the next. Aunties who judge your grocery bags.
Nuts and seeds ladoos fit right in. They’re old-school but adaptable. Traditional but flexible. Kind of like this borough.
I’ve packed them for:
- Subway commutes
- Long walks through Astoria Park
- That awkward 4pm hunger where dinner feels far away
Kids, Adults, Midnight Snacking — Everyone Wins
I made a batch for a family get-together once. Kids loved them. Adults pretended to be “moderate” and then came back for more.
Someone asked, “Are these healthy?”
I said, “Healthier than whatever else is on that table.”
No one argued.
Random Side Thought (Because Why Not)
Isn’t it funny how foods we grew up with suddenly feel “special” once we move away? Like they waited patiently while we chased trends and kombucha.
And then one day, boom. Nuts and seeds ladoos show up like,
“Hey. Miss me?”
Yeah. I did.
Outbound Links (Because the Internet Is Fun)
- A genuinely comforting food blog I love: https://www.vegrecipesofindia.com
- For a laugh when things go wrong: https://thepioneerwoman.com (chaos energy, in a good way)
Final Thought (Not a Conclusion, Relax)
I’m not saying these ladoos will change your life. But they might change a Tuesday afternoon. Or a boring snack routine. Or the way you think about “healthy” food.
And honestly? That’s enough.
If you try making nuts and seeds ladoos, tell me how it went. Burned batch? Too crumbly? Accidentally ate half before they cooled?
Welcome to the club.
