Payasam Recipes for Onam: 6 Traditional Kerala Payasam Recipes You Must Try This Onam

A traditional spread of payasam

Onam is not complete without a banana leaf loaded with rice, curries, pickles — and right at the end, a generous ladle of warm, sweet payasam. For every Malayali family, whether in Kerala or here in the UK, payasam is the dish that turns an ordinary Sadhya into a celebration. It is the last course everyone waits for, and often the one dish that decides how good the whole Onam feast was.

If you are planning your Onam Sadhya this year and looking for the best payasam recipes for Onam, you have landed in the right place. In this guide, we have put together six classic Kerala payasam recipes — from the rich Ada Pradhaman to quick semiya payasam — along with tips to get the taste right every time. We have also linked the exact Kerala ingredients you will need, all available at PickEasy, your trusted Kerala grocery store online in the UK.

What Makes Payasam the Star of Onam Sadhya

Payasam is a slow-cooked, milk or coconut-milk based pudding, sweetened with sugar or jaggery and flavoured with cardamom, ghee-fried cashews and raisins. Every Kerala household has its own version, and no two Onam Sadhyas taste exactly alike because of the small variations passed down through generations.

While the ingredients differ from one payasam to another, most recipes share a few essentials:

• Rice or ada (rice flakes) – the base of most Kerala payasams

• Milk or coconut milk – for the creamy body

• Jaggery or sugar – the sweetening agent

• Ghee, cardamom, cashews and raisins – for aroma, richness and garnish

You can find authentic, Kerala-sourced versions of all of these on PickEasy's rice and spices & masala categories, so your payasam tastes exactly like the one back home.

Top Payasam Recipes for Onam You Should Try This Year

Below are six of the most-loved payasam recipes for Onam, ranging from the traditional slow-cooked pradhamans to quick, beginner-friendly options.

1. Ada Pradhaman Recipe for Onam (The King of Onam Payasams)

Ada Pradhaman is widely considered the most festive of all Onam payasams. It combines rice ada, jaggery and thick coconut milk into a dark, glossy pudding that's rich without being overly sweet.

 Ada Pradhaman

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice ada (soaked in warm water for 20 minutes)

• 2 cups jaggery, melted and strained

• 2 cups thick coconut milk + 3 cups thin coconut milk

• 3 tbsp ghee

• Cardamom powder, dry ginger powder, cashews, raisins and coconut slivers for garnish

Method:

1. Cook the soaked ada in water until soft, then drain and set aside.

2. In a heavy-bottomed pan, heat the melted jaggery syrup and add the cooked ada. Simmer for 5–6 minutes.

3. Pour in the thin coconut milk and let it simmer on low heat for 15–20 minutes, stirring occasionally.

4. Add the thick coconut milk, cardamom powder and dry ginger powder. Stir gently and switch off the flame immediately — do not boil after adding thick coconut milk, or it may curdle.

5. In a separate pan, fry cashews, raisins and coconut slivers in ghee until golden, then use them to garnish the payasam.

Tip: If you're short on time, PickEasy's ready-made rice ada mixes make this recipe far simpler without losing the authentic flavour.

2. Palada Payasam Recipe for Onam (Kerala's Creamiest Favourite)

If Ada Pradhaman is the king, Palada Payasam is the most-loved everyday favourite. Made with rice ada slow-cooked in milk until it turns a soft pink-brown, this is the payasam most Keralites grow up with.

 Palada Payasam

Ingredients:

• 1 cup rice ada

• 1.5 litres full-fat milk

• 1 cup sugar

• Cardamom powder and a few strands of saffron (optional)

• Ghee-fried cashews for garnish

Method:

1. Cook the ada separately in water until soft, then drain and rinse.

2. In a heavy-bottomed pan, bring the milk to a boil and let it simmer on low heat, stirring often, until it reduces and thickens slightly.

3. Add the cooked ada to the simmering milk and continue cooking on low flame for 30–40 minutes, stirring frequently to prevent sticking. The milk will slowly take on a caramel-pink hue.

4. Add sugar, cardamom powder and saffron, and cook for another 10 minutes.

5. Garnish with ghee-fried cashews and serve warm or chilled.

If making ada from scratch feels like a lot of effort on Onam day, PickEasy's Easy Matta Rice Palada Payasam Mix by Periyar lets you get the same authentic, creamy Palada Payasam in a fraction of the time — just add milk, stir and cook.

3. Semiya Payasam Recipe for Onam (Quick Vermicelli Payasam)

When you need a payasam that comes together in 20 minutes without compromising on taste, Semiya Payasam is the answer. It's a household favourite for both Onam and everyday celebrations.

Semiya Payasam

Ingredients:

• 1 cup roasted vermicelli

• 2 tbsp ghee

• 1 litre milk

• ½ cup sugar (adjust to taste)

• Cardamom powder, cashews and raisins

Method:

1. Heat ghee in a pan and roast the vermicelli on low flame until golden. Skip this step if you're using pre-roasted vermicelli.

2. Add the milk and bring to a gentle boil, then simmer until the vermicelli is fully cooked and the mixture thickens slightly.

3. Stir in the sugar and cardamom powder, and cook for another 3–4 minutes.

4. Fry cashews and raisins in ghee and add them on top before serving.

PickEasy's Prince Foods Roasted Vermicelli 400g is pre-roasted and ready to use, so you can skip straight to boiling it in milk — perfect for a quick Onam dessert.

4. Paal Payasam Recipe for Onam (Simple Rice and Milk Payasam)

Paal Payasam is the simplest of all Kerala payasams — just rice, milk and sugar, slow-cooked until velvety. It's light, comforting, and a Sadhya staple that never goes out of style.

Paal PayasamPayasam

Ingredients:

• ¼ cup raw rice (unakkalari or basmati)

• 1 litre milk

• ¼ cup sugar

• Cardamom powder

Method:

1. Wash the rice and pressure cook it along with the milk for 3–4 whistles.

2. Transfer to a large, heavy-bottomed vessel and simmer on low heat, stirring frequently, until the mixture thickens and turns a light golden colour.

3. Add sugar and cardamom powder, and simmer for another 10 minutes.

4. Serve warm as part of your Onam Sadhya.

5. Gothambu (Wheat) Payasam Recipe for Onam

Made with broken wheat instead of rice, Gothambu Payasam has a distinct nutty flavour and is a popular alternative for Onam and Vishu celebrations alike.

 Gothambu (Wheat) Payasam

Ingredients:

• 1 cup broken wheat (gothambu), soaked for an hour

• 2 cups jaggery, melted and strained

• 2 cups thick coconut milk + 3 cups thin coconut milk

• 2 tbsp ghee, cardamom powder, cashews and raisins

Method:

1. Pressure cook the soaked wheat until soft.

2. In a pan, combine the cooked wheat with the jaggery syrup and thin coconut milk, and simmer for 15 minutes.

3. Add the thick coconut milk and cardamom powder, stir gently and turn off the heat.

4. Garnish with ghee-fried cashews and raisins.

For an easier route to this festive favourite, try PickEasy's Easy Wheat Palada Mix, available in our Other Groceries collection, which cuts down prep time considerably while keeping the authentic taste.

6. Instant Payasam Recipe for Onam Using Ready-Made Mix

Not everyone has hours to spend in the kitchen on Onam day, especially with a full Sadhya to prepare. That's where ready-made payasam mixes come in handy without compromising on authenticity.

 instant payasam mix

Method using PickEasy's Palada Payasam Mix:

1. Boil milk in a heavy-bottomed pan.

2. Add the Palada Payasam Mix by Prince Foods or the Easy Palada Payasam Mix and stir continuously to avoid lumps.

3. Simmer on low heat for 10–15 minutes until it thickens to a creamy consistency.

4. Add sugar and cardamom powder to taste, and top with ghee-fried cashews and raisins.

This is one of the fastest payasam recipes for Onam if you're juggling multiple Sadhya dishes at once, and it still delivers the rich, creamy taste Kerala payasam is known for.

Tips for Perfect Payasam Every Time

• Always use a heavy-bottomed pan to prevent milk or coconut milk from scorching at the base.

• Add thick coconut milk only at the very end and never let the payasam boil after that, or it will curdle.

• Roast cashews, raisins and coconut slices separately in ghee for the best garnish flavour.

• Adjust sweetness gradually — jaggery quality and milk richness can vary, so taste as you go.

• Good-quality matta rice, ada and roasted vermicelli make a noticeable difference, so it's worth sourcing authentic Kerala ingredients rather than substitutes.

  
  

Shop Authentic Payasam Ingredients at PickEasy

Getting the taste of home-style Kerala payasam right starts with the right ingredients. As a trusted Kerala grocery online store in the UK, PickEasy stocks everything you need for your Onam Sadhya, including:

• Easy Matta Rice Palada Payasam Mix by Periyar – for authentic Palada Payasam in minutes

• Palada Payasam Mix by Prince Foods – a quick, reliable base for creamy payasam

• Roasted Vermicelli by Prince Foods – ideal for a fast Semiya Payasam

• Easy Wheat Palada Mix and Easy Palada Payasam Mix, available under Other Groceries

• Matta rice, jaggery, cardamom, ghee and cashews from our wider grocery range

If you'd rather skip the cooking altogether, check out our pre-order Onam Sadhya packages by Prince Foods, available in both 2-serve and 5-serve options, complete with all the traditional dishes delivered straight to your door across the UK.

Frequently Asked Questions About Payasam Recipes for Onam

What is the difference between payasam and pradhaman? Payasam is usually a lighter, milk-based pudding, while pradhaman refers to a richer version made with jaggery and coconut milk, cooked using a more elaborate, layered technique. All pradhamans are payasams, but not all payasams are pradhamans.

Which payasam is a must for Onam Sadhya? Ada Pradhaman and Palada Payasam are considered essential for a traditional Onam Sadhya, though most Kerala households serve at least two or three varieties.

Can I make payasam ahead of Onam day? Yes, most payasams (except Ada Pradhaman, which is best fresh) can be made a day in advance and refrigerated. Reheat gently on low flame before serving, and add fresh garnish just before serving.

Are ready-made payasam mixes as good as homemade? Good-quality mixes, like PickEasy's Palada Payasam Mix, are made with the same base ingredients used in traditional recipes, so they deliver a very close, authentic taste with far less effort.

Final Thoughts

Whether you follow the traditional route with homemade ada and slow-simmered coconut milk, or take a shortcut with ready-made mixes, these payasam recipes for Onam will help you bring the true taste of Kerala to your Sadhya table this year. Stock up on authentic Kerala ingredients at PickEasy and make this Onam a sweet one for the whole family.

Happy Onam from all of us at PickEasy!