Kovilpatti Groundnut Candy with Jaggery and Cardamom

By , Test Kitchen Director · Reviewed by AislePrompt Editorial · ·

A sweet and nutty Tamil Nadu treat made with roasted peanuts and rich jaggery, flavored delicately with cardamom for an authentic finish. This indian-inspired snacks ready in about 30 minutes turns raw peanuts, grated jaggery, water into a satisfying snack for between meals, packed lunches, or game-day spreads — minimal active time and easy to scale up for a crowd. Each serving lands at about 220 calories and feeds 8, so it fits into lunchboxes, road trips, or an afternoon-energy gap without derailing the day. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 8 Indian cuisine 220 cal/serving
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Ingredients

Instructions

  1. Step 1: Dry roast 1 cup raw peanuts in a heavy pan over medium heat for 5-6 minutes until fragrant and lightly browned, then cool and coarsely crush.
  2. Step 2: In a separate saucepan, combine 3/4 cup grated jaggery and 1/4 cup water. Heat over medium, stirring until jaggery dissolves completely, then boil until the syrup reaches a hard-ball stage (250°F/121°C).
  3. Step 3: Remove syrup from heat and quickly stir in 1/2 tsp cardamom powder and the crushed peanuts, mixing thoroughly to coat all peanuts.
  4. Step 4: Pour the mixture onto a ghee-greased flat surface or parchment paper. Spread evenly to about 1/4 inch thickness using a greased spatula.
  5. Step 5: Allow it to cool completely at room temperature until firm, then cut into small squares or diamonds for serving.

Equipment for this recipe

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Frequently asked questions

How long does Kovilpatti Groundnut Candy with Jaggery and Cardamom take to make?

Total time is about 30 minutes (15 min prep + 15 min cook). Most home cooks find this fits comfortably into a weeknight; double the batch on Sunday for two dinners.

How do I store leftover Kovilpatti Groundnut Candy with Jaggery and Cardamom?

Store in an airtight container at room temperature for crisp items, or in the fridge for anything dairy- or produce-based, for up to 3–5 days. Re-crisp baked snacks in a 300°F oven for 5 minutes if they soften.

Can I substitute ingredients in Kovilpatti Groundnut Candy with Jaggery and Cardamom?

Yes — most ingredients in this recipe have flexible swaps. For oil, use any neutral high-smoke-point oil (avocado, grapeseed, refined coconut). For aromatics, dried herbs at ⅓ the volume of fresh work in a pinch. The full ingredient list is shoppable on Instacart so you can see substitutes in real time.

How do I scale Kovilpatti Groundnut Candy with Jaggery and Cardamom for a different number of people?

The recipe is written for 8 servings. Multiply each ingredient by (your serving target / 8). Cook time stays roughly the same up to 2x; for 3-4x batches, switch from a skillet to a sheet pan or stockpot so the food isn't crowded — overcrowding steams instead of browns.

What goes well with Kovilpatti Groundnut Candy with Jaggery and Cardamom?

Indian snacks like this pair well with a simple grain (rice, couscous, or crusty bread), a quick salad with acid (lemon vinaigrette, pickled onions), and a pan sauce or yogurt-based dip. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" to get specific side suggestions.

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