Meethi Seviyan Recipe: Easy, Traditional Indian Vermicelli Dessert with Nuts and Cardamom

Introduction to this Meethi Seviyan Recipe

This meethi seviyan recipe will give you a beautiful earthy Pakistani sweet dish, that is incredibly simple to make. You literally only need 5 ingredients and it’s made in under half an hour! Not bad for a traditional Pakistani dish that you know everyone will love.

This is a recipe that any beginner cook can start with, you really can’t go wrong. The dish is made by cooking thin vermicelli noodles in ghee or oil and then sweetening them with sugar. Therefore giving the term dry seviyan, as there is no milk added to this dish like my kheer seviyan. The vermicelli noodles are usually flavoured with cardamom and or saffron.

The Indian vermicelli dessert is traditionally associated with celebrations and special occasions. In particular, it is made during Eid, a significant Islamic festival. It is also a traditional sweet dish prepared to mark the end of the fasting month of Ramadan, Eid ul Fitr.

The Cultural Significance of this Meethi Seviyan Recipe

Meethi Seviyan holds a special place in the culinary traditions of South Asia, particularly in India and Pakistan. This sweet, vermicelli-based dessert is often associated with joyful celebrations and festive occasions. During Eid, it’s a staple dish served to family and guests as a symbol of sweetness and prosperity. Similarly, during Diwali, it’s enjoyed as part of the festive spread, reflecting the warmth and togetherness of the season. The dish’s simplicity, combined with its rich flavours, has made it a beloved treat across generations. Whether it’s marking the end of Ramadan or lighting up Diwali nights, Meethi Seviyan is more than just a dessert—it’s a celebration of culture, tradition, and shared happiness.

How to make this Indian vermicelli sweet

Make sure you break the vermicelli strands into small pieces before cooking. The first time I made this dessert I made the mistake of cooking the full length strands, it made it rather tricky to eat. It’s much easier to have smaller bite size pieces.

As usual, this is another Pakistani dessert to garnish with nuts. You cold also garnish with pistachios as well as almonds, it is really your personal preference. Either way, do not miss out the garnishing with nuts, it really adds a lovely contrast to the soft vermicelli.

Traditional this dessert by making a sugar syrup; “sheera”. This is what sweetens the vermicelli. However in my recipe, I combine the sheera process with the cooking of the vermicelli, thereby saving time and washing up. Everything is made in the one pan. It seemed like an unnecessary step to make a sugar syrup separately and that add it into the vermicelli.

You can serve the sweet vermicelli cold, so it’s a great dessert to prepare in advance and keep in the fridge until you want to serve it at your dinner party. Alternatively, serve the sweet vermicelli with doodh patti and you have the perfect afternoon snack to enjoy with friends . They won’t be able to fault you on your hospitality!

Variations on this Indian Vermicelli Dessert

This versatile dessert can be customised to suit a variety of tastes! Add a pinch of saffron for a luxurious, aromatic twist, or a splash of rose water for a floral note that pairs beautifully with the sweetness. For extra texture and flavour, toss in dried fruits like raisins, dates, or chopped apricots. You can also experiment with nuts such as cashews or walnuts for added crunch. These variations not only enhance the dish but also make it more appealing to a wider audience, whether you’re serving it at a festive gathering or enjoying it as a cosy treat at home. Get creative and make this classic dessert your own.

Why make this Meethi Seviyan Recipe

This meethi seviyan recipe is very easy to prepare, requiring only a few ingredients and minimal cooking time. This makes is great for a weeknight sugar fix or when cooking for a dinner party, who does not want to take less cooking time for their dishes. The accessibility and minimal ingredients makes this dessert a popular choice for home cooks looking to create a delicious dessert without spending hours in the kitchen. You can have this lovely sweet succulent dessert ready in under half an hour with a mere handful of ingredients.

Serving Suggestions for this Quick Meethi Seviyan Recipe

Meethi Seviyan is a versatile dessert that pairs beautifully with a variety of dishes, making it perfect for any meal or occasion. Serve it alongside a steaming cup of karak chai for a comforting combination that balances the sweetness of the dessert with the spiced warmth of the tea. For a more indulgent experience, pair it with kheer (rice pudding) to create a delightful duo of creamy and textured sweets. You can also include it as part of a larger festive spread, complementing savoury dishes like biryani , kebabs, or spring rolls. Whether enjoyed as a standalone treat or as part of a grand meal, Meethi Seviyan adds a touch of sweetness and tradition to every bite.

See my video on Youtube, Instagram or TikTok to see how to make this festive dessert idea. Try this recipe today and share your results in the comments!

Ingredients for Meethi Seviyan

Serves 4

Time 30 minutes

• 50 grams of roasted vermicelli , crush roughly into small pieces
• 90 grams of unsalted butter
• 300ml of water
• 80 grams of caster sugar
• 1 cardamom pod, crushed with seeds intact
• 10 almonds, coarsely chopped

Method

1. Melt the butter in the pan.

2. Turn the heat to low and then add the vermicelli. Stir the vermicelli for 3-4 minutes. The vermicelli will brown and become frothy as it cooks and softens.

3. Next, add the water, sugar, cardamom pod and half of the almonds to the pan. Stir through and keep gently stirring until the mixture is fairly dried out, the vermicelli will thicken during this time. The heat should remain low and you will need to stir at regular intervals to make sure it does not catch to the pan. This should take around 8-10 minutes.

4. Pour the dessert into your serving dish to serve. You can serve the vermicelli hot or chilled, either is equally delicious! Finally, before serving, sprinkle the remaining almonds on top.