Finding suitable Deepavali sweets for different dietary preferences can be confusing. A sweet may be vegetarian without being vegan, while “no added sugar” does not necessarily mean “sugar-free”.
For families and companies buying festive gifts, understanding these distinctions is important. It helps you choose sweets more confidently and communicate clearly with recipients who follow a vegan diet or are trying to reduce added sugar.
Nalan Restaurant is a 100% Vegetarian restaurant offering traditional and contemporary Indian sweets for Deepavali gifting in Singapore. While the complete collection is vegetarian, only selected sweets are specifically labelled vegan or no added sugar.
Here is a clear guide to what is currently available in Nalan’s 2026 Deepavali collection.
Classic mithai like Ghee Mysore Pak, Milk Barfi, and Motichoor Laddu rely on ghee (clarified butter) and milk-based ingredients like khoya or milk for their texture and richness. That’s part of what makes them taste the way they do — but it also means the vast majority of festive sweets on offer during Deepavali season are made with dairy, not suitable for a vegan diet.
The good news is that a handful of traditional recipes are naturally plant-based, or can be reworked to be, without losing the character of the sweet.
Before selecting a gift box, it is helpful to understand the difference between these terms.
Vegetarian sweets do not contain meat, fish or eggs. However, they may contain dairy ingredients such as milk, ghee, butter or milk solids.
Nalan’s Deepavali collection is 100% Vegetarian, but this does not mean every sweet is vegan.
Vegan sweets are made without animal-derived ingredients, including dairy products such as milk, butter and ghee.
Only sweets specifically identified as vegan should be selected when preparing a vegan Deepavali gift box.
“No added sugar” means that sugar has not been added as a separate sweetening ingredient during preparation. However, the product may still contain naturally occurring sugars from its ingredients.
Therefore, “no added sugar” should not be confused with:
Anyone managing diabetes or another medical condition should review the full ingredient and nutritional information and seek appropriate professional advice where necessary.
Nalan’s 2026 Deepavali collection includes four sweets that are specifically identified as vegan.
Mango Barfi brings a fruity, festive flavour to the traditional barfi format. It is part of Nalan’s signature sweet collection and is specifically labelled vegan.
It is suitable for customers looking for:
Mango Barfi can add variety to a customised festive assortment, particularly when the recipient enjoys fruit-inspired sweets.
Cashew Barfi is included among Nalan’s pre-order exclusive sweets and is specifically labelled vegan.
Its familiar nut-based character makes it a suitable choice for:
As Cashew Barfi is a pre-order exclusive, it should be requested in advance and is subject to availability.
Karupatti Kaju Katli offers a distinctive variation of the classic kaju katli and is specifically identified as vegan in Nalan’s 2026 collection.
It is a thoughtful option for customers seeking:
Karupatti Kaju Katli is listed as a pre-order exclusive and should be requested at least seven days in advance.
Almond Barfi is another nut-based sweet specifically labelled vegan. It is part of Nalan’s pre-order exclusive collection.
Its elegant presentation makes it suitable for:
Customers who want Almond Barfi included in a specific box should place their orders early.
Dried Fruit Barfi is the sweet specifically labelled No Added Sugar in Nalan’s 2026 signature collection.
It can be considered by customers looking for:
However, Dried Fruit Barfi should not be described as sugar-free. Dried fruits and other ingredients may contain naturally occurring sugars.
Customers with diabetes, food allergies or specific dietary requirements should review the full ingredient and allergen information before ordering.
Dates Mysore Pak appears in Nalan’s pre-order exclusive selection, but the current catalogue does not label it “No Added Sugar”.
The presence of dates in a product name does not automatically mean that no sugar has been added. For this reason, Dried Fruit Barfi is the only sweet in the current catalogue that should be promoted using the specific “No Added Sugar” description.
This distinction helps customers make informed choices without creating misleading dietary or nutritional claims.
Many traditional Indian sweets contain dairy ingredients, including:
For example, a product can be completely vegetarian while still containing milk or ghee. This is why customers should not assume that every Indian sweet is vegan.
Nalan clearly labels selected vegan products in its Deepavali catalogue, making it easier for customers to identify suitable choices.
A vegan Deepavali gift box may be arranged using the sweets specifically labelled vegan, subject to availability and confirmation from Nalan.
Possible selections include:
Because three of these varieties are pre-order exclusives, vegan gift boxes should be requested at least seven days in advance.
When placing the order, clearly state:
Orders placed with less than seven days’ notice normally receive an assorted selection of available sweets. Such an assortment should not be assumed to be vegan unless specifically confirmed by Nalan.
Companies are increasingly considering different dietary preferences when selecting gifts for employees and clients. A vegan-friendly option can help make corporate gifting more inclusive.
Nalan’s selected vegan sweets can be considered for:
Corporate buyers should collect dietary requirements before confirming the final assortment. Vegan boxes should be clearly identified so that they are not confused with the standard vegetarian selections.
Selected corporate gift boxes may also be customised with:
Branding and card preparation require additional lead time. Corporate customers can contact info@nalan.com.sg to discuss quantities, presentation and delivery arrangements.
“Vegan” and “no added sugar” do not mean allergen-free.
Several sweets may contain or be prepared with ingredients such as:
Customers with food allergies should review Nalan’s complete ingredient and allergen information carefully before placing an order.
If cross-contact is a serious concern, contact Nalan directly before ordering. Do not rely only on the product name or vegan label when making an allergy-related decision
Specific sweet selections and pre-order exclusive varieties require at least seven days’ advance notice.
This is particularly important when ordering:
For orders placed with less than seven days’ notice, an assorted selection of available sweets will be provided. Availability of specific vegan or no-added-sugar varieties cannot be assumed for short-notice orders.
Orders with specific sweet selections should be placed at least seven days in advance. This provides sufficient time for preparation and packing.
For orders placed with less than seven days’ notice, Nalan will provide an assorted selection of sweets available at that time.
Custom-branded packaging and greeting cards require longer preparation, so corporate buyers should contact Nalan as early as possible.
Nalan’s sweets have a shelf life of up to seven days from the date of preparation. For the best taste and freshness, they should be consumed within this period.
Store the sweets:
Refrigeration is not required. Avoid repeatedly moving the sweets between chilled and room-temperature environments, as sudden temperature changes may affect their texture and freshness.
Customers with food allergies or specific dietary requirements should review the complete ingredient and allergen information before ordering.
Yes, but they’re the exception rather than the rule. Nut and fruit-based barfis — like Mango Barfi, Cashew Barfi, Almond Barfi, and Karupatti Kaju Katli — are made without ghee or dairy, unlike most traditional mithai.
It means no refined sugar has been added during preparation, though the sweet may still contain natural sugars from fruit or jaggery. Dried Fruit Barfi is an example of a sweet built around this approach.
Yes — by selecting specifically from the vegan varieties (Mango Barfi, Cashew Barfi, Almond Barfi, Karupatti Kaju Katli) rather than a standard assorted box, which will typically include dairy-based sweets.
For vegan selections, corporate quantities, allergen enquiries and customised gift boxes, contact info@nalan.com.sg or WhatsApp +65 9732 4289 / +65 9171 8282.
A Contemporary Indian Vegetarian Experience in Little India and City Hall
Quik link
82 Serangoon Rd, Singapore 217987.
+65 9171 8282
info@nalan.com.sg
13 Stamford Rd, #B2-54, Capitol Singapore, Singapore 178905.
+65 9732 4289
info@nalan.com.sg