Ladoo, round ball
Common food
Photo: Wikipedia
Ladoo is a beloved, spherical Indian sweet made from flour, sugar, and ghee, often studded with nuts and cardamom. Its texture ranges from melt-in-your-mouth crumbly (besan ladoo) to delightfully chewy (boondi ladoo), delivering a rich, buttery, and aromatic sweetness. Nutritionally, it's an energy-dense treat, providing a significant calorie boost from fats and carbohydrates.
Calorie split: 7% protein · 45% carbs · 48% fat
↓ Full nutrition💚 Why it's loved
People adore ladoo for its comforting, nostalgic sweetness and the way it instantly elevates any celebration, from festivals to weddings. Its versatility is key, with dozens of regional variations allowing it to suit diverse tastes and dietary preferences.
⚠️ Watch-outs & how to enjoy it better
Its high sugar and calorie content can lead to blood-sugar spikes and is a concern for those managing diabetes or watching their weight. The high fat content, often from ghee, also makes it very calorie-dense. To counteract this, practice strict portion control (enjoy one small piece) and pair it with a source of protein or fiber, like a handful of nuts or a cup of unsweetened yogurt, to slow sugar absorption.
Key benefits
- Quick source of energy from carbohydrates and fats
- Contains some protein from gram flour (besan) or lentils
- Provides dietary fiber when made with ingredients like oats or whole wheat
- Often includes nuts and seeds for added minerals and healthy fats
- A traditional celebratory food that boosts morale and social bonding
🍽️ Popular dishes
🌍 Where it's eaten
💡 Did you know?
The word 'ladoo' is derived from the Sanskrit 'lāṭikā,' meaning a small spherical sweet, and its preparation is considered an auspicious art, with the perfect round shape symbolizing wholeness and prosperity.
Full nutrition (USDA data · scales with serving)
| Water | 22.8 g |
| Energy | 411 kcal |
| Protein | 6.9 g |
| Total lipid (fat) | 22.3 g |
| Carbohydrate, by difference | 46.7 g |
| Fiber, total dietary | 4.0 g |
| Total Sugars | 29.8 g |
| Calcium, Ca | 26.0 mg |
| Iron, Fe | 1.3 mg |
| Magnesium, Mg | 24.0 mg |
| Phosphorus, P | 84.0 mg |
| Potassium, K | 196 mg |
| Sodium, Na | 140 mg |
| Zinc, Zn | 0.83 mg |
| Copper, Cu | 0.17 mg |
| Selenium, Se | 0.20 ug |
| Vitamin C, total ascorbic acid | 0.90 mg |
| Thiamin | 0.10 mg |
| Riboflavin | 0.06 mg |
| Niacin | 0.35 mg |
| Vitamin B-6 | 0.12 mg |
| Folate, total | 111 ug |
| Folic acid | 0.00 ug |
| Folate, food | 111 ug |
| Folate, DFE | 111 ug |
| Choline, total | 37.2 mg |
| Vitamin B-12 | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin B-12, added | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin A, RAE | 187 ug |
| Retinol | 183 ug |
| Carotene, beta | 52.0 ug |
| Carotene, alpha | 0.00 ug |
| Cryptoxanthin, beta | 2.0 ug |
| Lycopene | 0.00 ug |
| Lutein + zeaxanthin | 0.00 ug |
| Vitamin E (alpha-tocopherol) | 0.27 mg |
| Vitamin E, added | 0.00 mg |
| Vitamin D (D2 + D3) | 0.10 ug |
| Vitamin K (phylloquinone) | 4.7 ug |
| Alcohol, ethyl | 0.00 g |
| Caffeine | 0.00 mg |
| Theobromine | 0.00 mg |
Fat & fatty acid profile (per 100g)
| Fatty acids, total saturated | 11.4 g |
| SFA 4:0 | 0.50 g |
| SFA 6:0 | 0.35 g |
| SFA 8:0 | 0.21 g |
| SFA 10:0 | 0.47 g |
| SFA 12:0 | 0.54 g |
| SFA 14:0 | 1.8 g |
| SFA 16:0 | 5.4 g |
| SFA 18:0 | 1.9 g |
| Fatty acids, total monounsaturated | 4.6 g |
| MUFA 16:1 | 0.25 g |
| MUFA 18:1 | 4.1 g |
| MUFA 20:1 | 0.03 g |
| MUFA 22:1 | 0.00 g |
| Fatty acids, total polyunsaturated | 1.5 g |
| PUFA 18:2 | 1.4 g |
| PUFA 18:3 | 0.12 g |
| PUFA 18:4 | 0.00 g |
| PUFA 20:4 | 0.03 g |
| PUFA 20:5 n-3 (EPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:5 n-3 (DPA) | 0.01 g |
| PUFA 22:6 n-3 (DHA) | 0.00 g |
| Cholesterol | 58.0 mg |
FAQ
What is the main ingredient in ladoo?
The base varies widely, but common primary ingredients are gram flour (besan), semolina (rava), whole wheat flour (atta), or even puffed rice droplets (boondi).
Is ladoo gluten-free?
Not typically, as most versions use wheat-based flours. However, ladoos made from gram flour (besan), semolina (rava), or coconut are naturally gluten-free.
How long do ladoos stay fresh?
When stored in an airtight container at room temperature, most ladoos remain fresh for 3-5 days. Refrigeration can extend this to about a week.
Nutrient density (calculated · NRF9.3)
Nutrient Rich Foods index: beneficial nutrients (protein, fiber, vitamins, minerals) minus saturated fat, added sugar & sodium, per 100 kcal.
NRF9.3 index — Fulgoni, Keast & Drewnowski, 2009. Computed from USDA nutrients.
Weight-loss friendliness (composite index)
Energy density 4.11 kcal/g · 7% calories from protein · 4.0 g fiber · 29.8 g sugar per 100 g.
Composite of energy density (Rolls et al., 1999), protein & fiber satiety, minus sugar. A calculated heuristic — ranks satiety-per-calorie, not a clinical measure.
Dietary load (calculated from USDA values)
Potential renal acid load. Positive = acid-forming, negative = alkaline-forming.
Sodium-to-potassium ratio: 0.71 (lower is better — aim for ≤ 1)
Sodium:potassium per WHO potassium guidance. Computed from USDA nutrients.