Paal Poli | Paal Poori

Paal poli | Milk poli | Paal Poori | Sweetened milk poli | how to make milk puri | Indian traditional sweet recipe |  paal poori recipe | bhogi recipes | bhogi easy poli variety | halu holige | poori payasam | payasam recipe |  authentic sweet recipe | traditional south Indian sweet | dessert with step by step pictures and video recipe. Check out the Paal poli recipe. If you like the video pls SUBSCRIBE to my channel.

Paal Poli Recipe | Milk Poli | Sweetened Milk Poori – Traditional South Indian Sweet for Bhogi

Paal Poli, also known as Milk Poli, Sweetened Milk Poori, or Halu Holige, is a beloved traditional South Indian dessert made by soaking deep-fried pooris in rich, flavorful milk. This authentic sweet is especially popular during festivals like Bhogi, Diwali, and other celebratory occasions across Tamil Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, and even parts of Bengal where a similar dish is known as Luchir Payesh.

Traditionally, the milk base is prepared by boiling milk for hours to achieve a thick, creamy consistency. But for those who prefer a quicker method, store-bought evaporated milk is a fantastic alternative—saving time without compromising on taste. In just 10 minutes, you can whip up a delicious milk sauce that tastes just like the slow-cooked version.

I first shared this recipe with a baked poori variation, but later updated it to the classic deep-fried version for a more authentic experience. Growing up, Bhogi was a special time filled with rituals like burning old items, playing Bhogi Melam, and indulging in festive treats. Our family tradition included preparing a variety of sweets like Paruppu Poli, Thengai Poli, Milk Poli, Payasam, and Paruppu Vadai. My sister always preferred Paal Poli, while I leaned toward Paruppu Poli—so Amma lovingly alternated between the two.

Can I use regular milk for Paal poli?

Yes, you can boil milk and cook it till the milk is reduced to 1/2 its quantity. To speed up the cooking, I used evaporated milk. Boil 6 cups of milk and cool till the milk reduces to half the quantity. https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PL3zYDDQHDMStzMgiV9xAJ6J-AloVRgJle

Can I use condensed milk instead of evaporated milk?

Yes, you can use condensed milk, but add very little as it will make the milk thick. Use around 2 tbsp of condensed milk for 3 cups of reduced milk. 

Should I add sugar to the Poli?

No, milk in the paal (milk) is enough for the Paal poli dish. After the paal poli gets well soaked in the milk, poli gets flavorful and tastes delicious.

How big should I make poori for paal poli?

The size of the poori depends on individual preference.   I prefer making smaller pooris as it is a good portion size for my kids. You can also make big paal pori.

Can I use jaggery for Paal poli?

You can add any sweetener of your choice. In our home, we generally prefer adding sugar to paal poli.

Can I consume Paal poli right after it is prepared?

No, we need to soak poli for at least 2 hours for the best taste. Sometimes my son enjoys eating some poori with the prepared milk as a side, but immersing the poli in milk yields the best taste.

What is Paal Poli or Milk Poli?

Paal Poli is a traditional South Indian sweet made with deep-fried pooris soaked in sweetened milk. It’s also known as Milk Poli, Paal Poori, or Halu Holige in different regions.

Is Paal Poli a Bhogi special recipe?

Yes! Paal Poli is one of the most popular Bhogi recipes. It’s often served alongside other festive dishes like Paruppu Poli, Payasam, and Vadai during Bhogi celebrations.

Is Paal Poli similar to Bengali Luchir Payesh?

Yes, both dishes share a similar concept—fried flatbreads soaked in sweetened milk. Paal Poli is popular in South India, while Luchir Payesh is a well-known sweet in Bengal.

See more Payasam recipes

Indian sweet recipes in TMF

Kerala based recipes in TMF

Milk-based recipes in TMF

Paal kozhukattai Pongal recipes | Bhogi recipes | kannum Pongal recipes

Other Poli recipes in TMF

Paal Poli - Baked Poori

Baked poori soaked in rich milk sauce makes a great dessert

5 from 3 votes

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Course: Sweet

Cuisine: Indian

Prep Time: 10 minutes minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes minutes

Calories: 1288kcal

Author: Vidya Srinivasan

Ingredients

For Poori

• Maida - 1 cup
• Rava/ Sooji - 1 tbsp
• Salt - pinch Oil - 1 tbsp + to fry
• Lukewarm Water - around 1/3 cup

For Paal

• Sugar - 3/4 cup Adjust according to your taste
• Evaporated Milk - 2 cans
• Saffron - a few
• Cardamom powder - 1/4 tsp
• Almond flakes + pista - to garnish

Instructions

• In a wide bowl, combine Maida, rava, salt, and mix well. Add 1 tbsp of oil and make crumbs out of the flour. Slowly add water little by little till you get a pliable poori dough
• Furthermore, grease your hands with a little oil and knead the dough well for a minute. Cover with a damp cloth and let it sit for at least 1 hour
• In a wide pan on medium heat, add evaporated milk and cook for 5 minutes
• Furthermore, add saffron, cardamom powder, and sugar and boil for 5-6 minutes and switch off
• After 2 hours, roll the dough into slightly thick poori and cut into the desired size

Deep-fried version:

• Heat oil in a wide pan, and when the oil is hot, add the poori and cook till the poori is cooked on both sides
• Warm the milk a little for better soaking
• Tap the poori gently with a paper towel to remove oil
• In a wide vessel, add poori and drizzle the milk over the poori. Add the remaining milk, and let paal poli sit for at least 2 hours. Serve it at room temperature or chilled with garnished nuts

Baked Version:

• Add an extra 1 tbsp of oil  and 1/4 tsp of baking powder while preparing the dough, and follow the rest of the process
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and place aluminum foil/ parchment paper on  the baking tray and grease it with generous oil
• Place it on the baking tray and if the top surface is dry, brush with a little oil or use cooking spray. Bake it for 7-10 minutes

Video

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Notes

1. Milk can be used instead of evaporated milk. Boil 6 cups of  whole milk and cook till it's reduced to 1/2 the quantity
2. Condensed milk can be added for extra flavor but avoid adding more
3. Cashews, walnut, or any other nuts of your choice can be used
4. Avoid making thick poori as it won’t absorb milk. The thickness should be like usual poori. Refer video for the thickness
5. Over baking may result in cracked baked poori so watch out the oven after 7minutes

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Nutrition

Calories: 1288kcal | Carbohydrates: 181g | Protein: 40g | Fat: 45g | Saturated Fat: 19g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 24g | Cholesterol: 114mg | Sodium: 721mg | Fiber: 4g | Sugar: 85g

Ingredients:

For Poori

Maida – 1 cup

Rava/ Sooji – 1 tbsp

Salt – pinch Oil – 1 tbsp + to fry

Lukewarm Water – around  1/3 cup

For Paal

Evaporated Milk – 2 cans

Sugar – 3/4 cup (Adjust according to your taste)

Saffron – a few

Cardamom powder – 1/4 tsp

Almond flakes + pista – to garnish

How to make Paal poli step by step pictures:

• In a wide bowl, combine Maida, rava, salt, and mix well. Add 1 tbsp of oil and make crumbs out of the flour. Slowly add water little by little till you get a pliable poori dough

• Furthermore, grease your hands with a little oil and knead the dough well for a minute. Cover with a damp cloth and let it sit for at least 1 hour
• In a wide pan on medium heat, add evaporated milk and cook for 5 minutes

• Furthermore, add saffron, cardamom powder, and sugar and boil for 5-6 minutes and switch off

• After 2 hours, roll the dough into slightly thick poori and cut into the desired size

Deep-fried version:

• Heat oil in a wide pan, and when the oil is hot, add the poori and cook till the poori is cooked on both sides

• Warm the milk a little for better soaking
• Tap the poori gently with a paper towel to remove oil
• In a wide vessel, add poori and drizzle the milk over the poori. Add the remaining milk, and let paal poli sit for at least 2 hours. Serve it at room temperature or chilled with garnished nuts

Baked Version:

• Add an extra 1 tbsp of oil  and 1/4 tsp of baking powder while preparing the dough, and follow the rest of the process
• Preheat the oven to 400 degrees Fahrenheit, and place aluminum foil/ parchment paper on  the baking tray and grease it with generous oil 
• Place it on the baking tray and if the top surface is dry, brush with a little oil or use cooking spray. Bake it for 7-10 minutes