Indian Seviyan Kheer (Vermicelli Kheer)

Instant Pot Seviyan Kheer is a creamy, delicious Indian dessert made with vermicelli, milk, sugar, and cardamom. This easy recipe uses a handful of pantry staples and requires minimal hands-on cooking. It is perfect for festive celebrations, family gatherings, or whenever you crave a comforting homemade Indian dessert.

Growing up, traditional Indian sweets were always a special part of celebrations and family meals. A bowl of homemade kheer brings back that familiar feeling of comfort. Soft vermicelli, creamy milk, and fragrant cardamom make every spoonful feel special.

Making seviyan kheer in the Instant Pot is a convenient way to prepare this classic dessert. The ingredients are cooked together with minimal supervision, and the vermicelli softens as it absorbs the milk. A little cardamom adds warmth, while chopped nuts provide a lovely crunch.

Whether you serve it warm after dinner or chilled on a summer afternoon, this Instant Pot vermicelli kheer is a dessert the whole family can enjoy.

Jump to:

• What Is Seviyan Kheer?
• Why You Will Love This Instant Pot Seviyan Kheer Recipe
• Ingredients You Will Need
• How to Make Seviyan Kheer in the Instant Pot
• How To Make Seviyan Kheer On The Stove Top
• Tips for Making the Best Instant Pot Seviyan Kheer
• Variations of Seviyan Kheer
• What to Serve With Seviyan Kheer
• How to Store Seviyan Kheer
• Frequently Asked Questions
• More Recipes You Might Like
• Indian Seviyan Kheer (Instant Pot)

What Is Seviyan Kheer?

Seviyan kheer is a traditional Indian milk pudding made with thin vermicelli, milk, sugar, and cardamom. It is also known as semiya kheer, sevai kheer, or vermicelli kheer. Similar desserts are prepared across India, with slight variations in ingredients and cooking methods.

The vermicelli is traditionally roasted in ghee before being simmered in milk. Sugar adds sweetness, and cardamom gives the dessert its signature aroma. Almonds, cashews, pistachios, raisins, and saffron can also be added for extra flavor.

Unlike rice kheer, which takes longer to cook, seviyan kheer comes together relatively quickly. The Instant Pot makes the process even more convenient by reducing the need to stand over the stove.

Why You Will Love This Instant Pot Seviyan Kheer Recipe

• Easy to make: The Instant Pot simplifies the cooking process and reduces hands-on effort.
• Made with simple ingredients: You need roasted vermicelli, milk, sugar, ghee, and a few flavorings.
• Perfect for festivals: Serve it for Diwali, Raksha Bandhan, Eid, or other special occasions.
• Easy to customize: Add saffron, nuts, raisins, or a little condensed milk to suit your taste.
• Delicious warm or cold: Enjoy it straight from the pot or refrigerate it for later.
• Vegetarian-friendly: This recipe is naturally vegetarian when prepared with dairy ingredients

Ingredients You Will Need

Here is everything you need to make this easy Indian seviyan kheer recipe.

Roasted Vermicelli (Seviyan)- Roasted vermicelli is the main ingredient in this recipe. Thin Indian vermicelli made from wheat is commonly used. You can find it at Indian grocery stores or in the Indian food aisle of many supermarkets.

If you use unroasted vermicelli, roast it in ghee until it turns lightly golden and smells nutty. Break long strands into smaller pieces if needed.

Milk- Whole milk gives the kheer a creamy texture and rich flavor. You can also use 2% milk, but the final consistency may be slightly lighter.

Ghee - A little ghee is used to roast the vermicelli. It adds a wonderful aroma and brings out the nutty flavor of the noodles. You can use unsalted butter if you do not have ghee, although ghee gives the dessert its traditional flavor.

Sugar- Granulated white sugar is commonly used to sweeten seviyan kheer. If you are cooking it on the stovetop, add it once the vermicelli is nearly cooked, then stir until it dissolves. You can adjust the quantity to suit your taste.

Cardamom- Ground green cardamom gives this dessert its signature fragrance. Freshly ground cardamom offers the best flavor, but store-bought cardamom powder works well too.

Nuts and Raisins- Chopped almonds, cashews, pistachios, and raisins add texture and flavor. You can lightly roast them in ghee before adding them to the kheer. Use any combination you enjoy.

Saffron- A few strands of saffron add a delicate aroma and a beautiful golden hue. Soak them in a tablespoon of warm milk for a few minutes before stirring them into the kheer.

How to Make Seviyan Kheer in the Instant Pot

Make sure the metal insert, lid, and ring are properly cleaned and dried of the instant pot, before making this kheer.

Press Sauté mode on your Instant Pot, and press Start.

Add ghee, and once the ghee melts, add slivered nuts and roasted vermicelli. Roast it for about 30-45 seconds until fragrant.

Now add the milk. Next, add sugar, cardamom, and saffron strands. Stir everything.

Press Cancel on The Instant Pot.

Close the Instant Pot Lid with the vent on sealing position. Press Porridge. Manually set the timer for 8 minutes.

One the Instant Pot beeps, open the lid once the pressure releases naturally.

Adjust the consistency to your liking. I love thick, creamy pudding like seviyan kheer.

Saute for 2 minutes if you want a thicker kheer.

For thinner consistency, add milk and adjust the consistency to your liking.

Serve the seviyan kheer warm, garnished with extra pistachios and rose petals. You can also refrigerate it and enjoy it chilled.

How To Make Seviyan Kheer On The Stove Top

Roast the Vermicelli

Heat ghee in a heavy-bottomed saucepan over medium-low heat. Add the vermicelli and roast it for 2–4 minutes, stirring frequently. It should turn lightly golden and smell fragrant.

If you are using pre-roasted vermicelli, you can skip this step or toast it briefly in ghee for extra flavor. Keep an eye on the vermicelli because thin strands can brown quickly.

Add the Milk

Pour the milk into the saucepan with the roasted vermicelli. Stir well and bring it to a gentle simmer over medium heat.

Reduce the heat once the milk starts simmering. Stir occasionally to prevent the milk from scorching. Let the vermicelli cook until it becomes soft and tender.

Add Sugar, Nuts and Cardamom

Once the vermicelli is cooked, add the sugar and mix well. Allow the kheer to simmer for another 2–3 minutes, stirring until the sugar dissolves completely.

The milk may look slightly thinner after the sugar is added. This is normal. It will continue to thicken as the kheer cools.

Stir in the ground cardamom and your choice of chopped nuts and raisins. If you are using saffron milk, add it at this stage.

Let the kheer simmer gently for another minute so the flavors can come together. Avoid cooking it for too long after the vermicelli has softened, as the noodles will continue absorbing liquid.

Stir in the chopped almonds, cashews, pistachios, and raisins. If you are using saffron milk, add it now.

Let everything simmer gently for another minute so the flavors can come together.

Adjust the Consistency and Serve

Turn off the heat when the kheer reaches your preferred consistency. Remember that it will thicken as it cools.

Serve the seviyan kheer warm, garnished with extra pistachios or rose petals. You can also refrigerate it and enjoy it chilled.

Variations of Seviyan Kheer

One of the best things about homemade seviyan kheer is how easily it can be customized.

1. Seviyan Kheer With Condensed Milk

For a richer, sweeter dessert, replace some of the sugar with sweetened condensed milk. Add it after the vermicelli has softened, then simmer gently. Taste before adding any extra sugar, as condensed milk is already sweet.

2. Saffron Seviyan Kheer

For a festive version, soak a few saffron strands in warm milk and add them toward the end of cooking. Saffron gives the kheer a delicate floral aroma and a beautiful golden color.

3. Seviyan Kheer With Dates

You can use finely chopped dates to add natural sweetness. Add them while the vermicelli simmers so they soften slightly. Reduce the sugar according to your taste. Try my sheer khurma recipe.

4. Vegan Seviyan Kheer

To make a dairy-free version, use an unsweetened plant-based milk, such as almond or oat milk, and replace ghee with coconut oil or a plant-based butter. Choose vermicelli without dairy ingredients. The final texture and flavor will vary depending on the milk you use.

5. Dry Fruit Seviyan Kheer

For a richer dessert, add a combination of almonds, cashews, pistachios, and raisins. Lightly roast the nuts in ghee before adding them. This gives them a deeper flavor and makes the kheer extra special.

What to Serve With Seviyan Kheer

Seviyan kheer can be enjoyed on its own or served as part of an Indian meal. It pairs beautifully with festive dishes and traditional thalis.

Serve it after a comforting meal of dal, rice, roti, and sabzi. During festivals, it makes a lovely addition to a spread of homemade Indian sweets and snacks. You can also serve small bowls of chilled seviyan kheer after a family dinner.

For a festive presentation, garnish each serving with sliced pistachios, rose petals, almonds, and a few saffron strands. You can also add edible gold or silver varak fir garnishing.

How to Store Seviyan Kheer

Allow the kheer to cool slightly before transferring it to an airtight container. Refrigerate it promptly and keep it chilled.

Seviyan kheer can generally be refrigerated for up to 3 days when handled and stored properly. The vermicelli will continue absorbing milk as it sits, so the pudding will become thicker over time.

How to Reheat Seviyan Kheer

Transfer the desired portion to a saucepan. Add a splash of milk and warm it over low heat, stirring gently until the kheer reaches your preferred consistency.

You can also enjoy it cold straight from the refrigerator. If it has thickened considerably, stir in a little cold milk before serving.

For food safety, refrigerate perishable leftovers within 2 hours of cooking, or within 1 hour when temperatures exceed 90°F (32°C).

Frequently Asked Questions

1. What is seviyan kheer made of?

Seviyan kheer is made with vermicelli, milk, sugar, ghee, and cardamom. Nuts, raisins, and saffron are optional additions that enhance its flavor.

2. Is seviyan kheer the same as semiya kheer?

Yes. Seviyan kheer and semiya kheer are names for similar vermicelli-based milk puddings. The name often varies by region and language, and individual recipes may use different ingredients or cooking methods.

3. Can I use roasted vermicelli to make kheer?

Yes. I recommend using store-bought roasted thin vermicelli for this recipe. You can add it directly to simmering milk, although briefly toasting it in ghee can add more flavor.

4. Why is my seviyan kheer too thick?

Vermicelli absorbs milk as it cooks and continues to do so after cooking. If your kheer becomes too thick, add a little warm milk and stir until it reaches the desired consistency.

5. Can I make seviyan kheer ahead of time?

Yes. You can prepare it a day ahead and refrigerate it in an airtight container. It will thicken as it chills, so add a little milk before serving if needed.

6. Can I serve seviyan kheer cold?

Absolutely! Seviyan kheer tastes delicious both warm and chilled. Refrigerate it for a few hours if you prefer a cool, creamy dessert.

7. Which vermicelli is best for seviyan kheer?

Thin Indian roasted wheat vermicelli is a popular choice. You can use roasted or unroasted varieties. Follow the package instructions if the vermicelli has a different thickness, as cooking times may vary.

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