Scoop, Fry, Steam: 5 Ways to Turn Jackfruit into Dessert Gold

Jackfruit has long played a humble yet flavourful role in Indian kitchens—be it in curries, pickles, or festive treats. But this mighty fruit, with its spiky exterior and golden heart, is now stepping into the spotlight for all the right reasons. Beyond its meaty texture and savoury fame, jackfruit has a surprisingly sweet side that’s perfect for dessert lovers. From creamy scoops to sticky delights, here are six delicious ways to let jackfruit steal the (sweet) show.

1. Jackfruit Ice Cream 🍨

When the king of fruits meets the queen of desserts.

Prep time: 5 mins | Cook time: 20 mins | Chill time: 12 hrs | Servings: 4

This creamy, dreamy treat is tropical summer in a scoop. Made with real jackfruit chunks and slow-simmered milk, this ice cream is all about pure indulgence and old-school charm.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Fresh Ripe Jackfruit deseeded
• ½ cup Fresh cream
• 3/4th cup Sugar
• 2 tbsp cornstarch
• 1 tsp ice cream essence
• CMC
• GMS powder
• 2-1/4th cup full cream milk

Method:

1. Deseed and chop the jackfruit and set aside.
2. Reduce the milk by boiling and stirring continuously to half the volume. Add the cream.
3. Add sugar and whisk till the sugar is dissolved. Add ice cream essence.
4. Reduce the flame. Mix cornstarch in a small bowl with cold milk and mix well, so that no lumps remain.
5. Add the cornstarch to the reduced milk and cook on a slow fire until the milk becomes smooth and creamy.  Cook for 2 minutes till the cornstarch is fully cooked.
6. Take a small bowl and add the CMC and GMC, as well as a little water to dissolve both the powders.  Strain the powder mixture and add to the milk. Mix well.
7. Let the mixture cool to room temperature. Add jackfruit pieces and fold in well.
8. Cover the mixture with a plastic film so that the mixture does not come in contact with the air to form ice over the surface.
9. Chill for about 12 hours.  Serve with chopped jackfruit pieces on the ice cream for garnish.

2. Jackfruit Fritters 🧆

Crunchy, golden, and just sweet enough to get you hooked.

Prep time: 5 mins | Cook time: 20 mins | Servings: 4

Craving a quick fix that’s crispy, sweet, and golden brown? These jackfruit fritters blend the nutty flavour of rice flour with the natural sweetness of jackfruit pulp for a bite-sized treat that’s impossible to resist. Think of them as desi doughnuts with a tropical twist—perfect with a cup of chai or as a festive treat.

Ingredients:

• 1 cup Rice flour
• 2 tbsp Wheat flour
• 1 tsp Salt
• 2 tbsp Sugar
• ½ tsp Cardamom powder

Method:

1. Take a large bowl and add rice flour and wheat flour, and mix well.
2. Deseed the jackfruit and chop it into pieces, add sugar, and blend it in a mixer well.
3. Add a little water to the flour mix, and add Eno fruit salt to the mixture.
4. Add cardamom powder and the jackfruit mixture. Mix well until the mixture turns into a smooth batter.
5. Fry on medium heat in the form of medium-sized drops and fry until golden brown.

3. Thai Jackfruit Sticky Rice 🍚

Sticky, creamy, and luxuriously tropical—this dessert feels like a vacation on a plate.

Prep time: 5 mins | Cook time: 20 mins | Servings: 4

Sticky, creamy, and luxuriously tropical—this dessert feels like a vacation on a plate. Inspired by Thailand’s beloved mango sticky rice, this version swaps in fragrant jackfruit cups for an equally indulgent twist. Each spoonful offers a delightful play of textures and subtle coconut sweetness.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of peeled and deseeded jackfruit
• 200 g sticky rice
• 350 ml coconut milk
• 2 Pandan leaves
• 1 tsp Salt
• 3 cloves
• 2 tbsp sugar
• 2 tsp sesame seeds
• Water
• Cornstarch
• 1 tbsp Coconut cream

Method:

1. Soak the rice for about 3 hrs.
2. Cut the jackfruit pieces vertically to form elongated cups.
3. Cut the jackfruit pieces vertically to form elongated cups.
4. Cook the rice with 1 tsp sugar, a knotted pandan leaf, 200 ml coconut milk, 2 cloves, and 1 tsp salt in a non-stick pan or steam in a rice cooker.
5. Add the coconut milk, coconut cream, sugar, salt, cloves, coconut cream and a pandan leaf to a non-stick pan.  Add cornstarch slurry to it and cook on a low flame until creamy.
6. Roast sesame seeds in a pan until fragrant.
7. Fill the jackfruit cups with the sticky rice, pressing well, so that it takes the shape of the jackfruit cups.
8. Drizzle the cooked and cooled coconut sauce over the jackfruit and rice cups.
9. Sprinkle with the sesame seeds.

4. Jackfruit Pancakes 🥞

Fruity, fluffy, and fabulous for breakfast or dessert.

Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 10 mins | Servings: 5

Fruity, fluffy, and fabulous for breakfast or dessert—these jackfruit pancakes are like sunshine on a plate. With a base of idli rice and a touch of cardamom, they’re subtly sweet and full of texture from dry fruits. Whether paired with honey or enjoyed plain, they’re a tropical twist on a homely classic.

Ingredients:

• Idli Rice
• 1 cup Jackfruit, peeled and deseeded
• 5 Raisins
• 5 Almonds
• 5 Cashews
• ½ tsp Baking soda
• 2 tablespoons Ghee
• ½ tsp Cardamom powder

Method:

1. Soak the idli rice overnight.
2. Deseed the jackfruit pieces and chop them into pieces.
3. Blend the soaked rice and jackfruit pieces until a smooth batter-like consistency is achieved by adding a few teaspoons of water. Add the chopped dry fruits, cardamom powder and baking soda and mix well.
4. Heat a non-stick pan and add ghee to it.  Reduce the flame to medium and add 2 tablespoons of batter. Rotate the pan so the mixture spreads evenly. Flip the pancake after 2 to 3 minutes and cover with a lid so it cooks evenly on the other side.
5. Serve hot with honey or maple syrup with boiled eggs on the side.

5. Turon with Jackfruit 🥖

Prep time: 10 mins | Cook time: 10 mins | Servings: 10-12