Every Ganesh Chaturthi festival comes with large celebrations, immense joy and the heavenly aroma of traditional sweets. Lord Ganesha is affectionately known as Modakpriya, as is believed to love modak above all other offerings. The classic Ukadiche Modak (steamed rice-flower dumplings) are holds a very important place in the Ganesh Chaturthi festivities, but preparing them takes considerable time and effort during the busy festive schedule. 

If you are someone who is pressed for time, but are finding ways to incorporate  no-gas cooking options with your kids, here are 5 delicious no-gas modak recipes for your Ganpati celebrations.

1. No-Cook Instant Chocolate Marie Cookie Modak 

This Modak recipe is a massive hit amongst children. These modaks require a handful of pantry staples, and assembles within 10 minutes. 

Ingredients 

  • 12-15 Marie or Digestive Biscuits
  • 3 tbsp cocoa powder
  • 4–5 tbsp condensed milk
  • 1 tbsp melted ghee 
  • 2 tbsp finely chopped nuts 

Instructions 

  1. Grind the biscuits into a fine powder.

  • Transfer the biscuit powder to a bowl, add cocoa powder, melted ghee, chopped nuts. Mix everything well.

  • Now, add condensed milk, and with a spatula combine everything together. Later start kneading, until it becomes a soft dough. 

  • Grease the modak mould with a drop of ghee.

  • Press the dough gently into the mould, close it, remove any access, and gently unmould your chocolate modaks. 

    • 2. No-Gas Coconut Paan Modak Recipe 

    This recipe brings a refreshing twist to the traditional recipe, as it is infused with the aroma of paan leaves and sweet gulkand. 

    Ingredients 

    • 1.5 cup desiccated coconut
    • ½ cup condensed milk
    • 3 fresh betel leaves 
    • 2 tbsp of gulkand 
    • 1 tbsp of chopped nuts 

    Instructions

    1. Blend betel leaves with 1 tsp condensed milk to make a fine paste. 

  • Take a bowl, add betel leaves paste, desiccated coconut, and the remaining condensed milk. Mix together, until everything combines. 

  • In a separate bowl, mix gulkand with chopped nuts to create a filling.

  • Take a small portion of the green paste mixture, and press it on the edges of the modak mould, so that there is space in the centre to add filling. 

  • Stuff the cavity with gulkand mixture and seal tight with more coconut dough. Gently open and reveal your green paan modaks.

    • 3. No-Gas Healthy Date and Dry-Fruit Modak

    For health conscious people, this modak recipe will become a festive treat this Ganesh Chaturthi. 

    Ingredients 

    • 1 cup seedless dates
    • ½ cup mixed nuts 
    • 1 tbsp melon seeds 
    • ½ tsp cardamom 
    • 1 tbsp ghee

    Instructions 

    1. Pulse the nuts and melon seeds in a food processor until they turn coarsely ground.

  • Now add seedless dates and ghee to the food processor, and pulse until it forms a sticky dough. 

  • Add cardamom powder and knead the mixture into a smooth ball.

  • Grease your modak mould with ghee, and place the mixture gently into the mould. 

  • Press firmly and gently open to reveal your healthy modak.

    • 4. No-Gas Instant Saffron Mawa Modak

    Enjoy the rich taste of traditional mawa modaks, without stirring on the stove for hours.

    Ingredients

    • 1 cup milk powder
    • ½ cup powdered sugar
    • 4-5 tbsp heavy cream
    • ½ tsp cardamom powder
    • 8-10 strands of saffron dissolved in 1 tbsp of milk
    • Chopped pistachios for garnish 

    Instructions 

    1. In a large bowl, prepare your dry ingredients: mix milk powder, cardamom powder, and powdered sugar together. 

  • Add your saffron infused milk to the dry ingredients, and mix until it gets the colour and fragrance.

  • Slowly add heavy cream, 1 tbsp at a time, and mix gently to form a dough.

  • Grease your modak mould, add a sliver of pistachio, and then place your dough into the moulds.

  • Press firmly and gently take them out of the mould and enjoy.

    • 5. No-Bake Oreo Nutella Modak

    A modern fusion that your kids will love, this Ganesh Chaturthi.

    Ingredients 

    • 1 pack of oreo biscuits (roughly 12-14  biscuits)
    • 2 tbsp of condensed milk 
    • 3 tbsp of nutella spread 

    Instructions 

    1. Crush the oreo cookies in a blender. 

  • Transfer them to a bowl, and knead the crushed powder with condensed milk.

  • Grease the modak mould, and fill it with the dough in such a way that you leave some space in between. 

  • Now, fill that space with the nutella spread. Now cover it with oreo cookie dough. 

  • Press gently, and then carefully unmould your modaks. 

    • Recipe Overview At A Glance 

    Modak

    Key Ingredient

    Prep Time

    Flavour

    Chocolate Marie

    Biscuit Powder & Cocoa

    10 minutes 

    Chocolatey & Crunchy

    Coconut Paan

    Desiccated Coconut & Paan

    10 minutes 

    Refreshing & Floral

    Date & Dry Fruit

    Seedless Dates & Nuts

    15 minutes 

    Naturally Sweet & Nutty

    Saffron Mawa

    Milk Powder & Saffron

    10 minutes 

    Rich, Traditional & Milky

    Oreo Nutella

    Oreo Cookies & Nutella

    12 minutes 

    Decadent & Fusion

    Storage Tips For No-Gas Modaks

    After making these modaks it will become very difficult for you to control yourself. But you should store these no-gas modaks. Place them in an airtight container and keep them in the refrigerator. They typically stay fresh for up to 3-4 days; ensure you store them in a cool, dry place if you are not refrigerating them, though refrigeration is recommended due to the dairy content.

    Pro-Tips For Perfect No-Gas Modaks

    • Always grease the mould with a tbsp of ghee, so that it unmoulds easily. 
    • If the dough feels too soft or too sticky, place it in the refrigerator for ten minutes, then your dough will be good to go. 
    • Always add liquid gradually, so that the dough does not become watery. 

    Conclusion 

    Celebrations become even more meaningful when everyone participates in the kitchen. Try these quick modak recipes with your family this Ganesh Chaturthi, to offer Lord Ganesha a delightful prasad in no time. 

    (Image Credits: Pinterest)
    To read more such stories, stay connected to Her Zindagi.