Fruit chaat is a vibrant medley of fresh, seasonal fruits tossed together with a blend of tangy spices. This Indian fruit salad is a popular street food in India and is now becoming increasingly popular in other parts of the world.
This delightful and refreshing Indian-style fruit salad has a burst of flavors, textures, and colors, making it a popular choice for a light and healthy snack or dessert in Indian cuisine.
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Fruit chaat is commonly found in South Asian cuisine, particularly in India, Pakistan, and Bangladesh. Fruit chaat is usually served chilled and can be enjoyed as a refreshing snack or a light dessert.
It is a popular dish during festive occasions, as well as a street food option. The combination of sweet and savory flavors, along with the vibrant colors and textures of the fruits, make this fruit salad a well-balanced and flavorful dish.
Why you will love this recipe?
- Refreshing and healthy: Fruit chaat is a refreshing dish that combines a variety of fresh fruits, making it a healthy and nutritious option.
- Burst of flavors: The combination of different fruits creates a nice mix of flavors, ranging from sweet to tangy.
- Suitable for various occasions: This Indian fruit salad is a versatile dish that can be enjoyed as a snack, dessert, or even as a side dish in a larger meal.
- Enjoyed during festivals: This Indian fruit salad is enjoyed during Hindu fasting days like Navratri and Shivratri. It is also one of the most common dishes made during Ramadan iftars.
Ingredients
Fruits: I have used apple, pear, banana, mandarine, grapes, and pomegranate.
Spices: I am using chaat masala, roasted cumin powder, black salt, and crushed pepper. You can substitute pepper with red chili powder. If you are making it for Navratri fasting, use sendha namak (pink salt).
Lemon juice: This not only enhances the flavor of the dish but also prevents the fruits from browning.
Variations
Creamy: Skip the spices and make creamy fruit chaat by mixing it with a sweet yogurt dressing or topped with a dollop of whipped cream. You can also top it with vanilla custard or ice cream and serve it as a delicious dessert. You can also sweeten the fruits, similar to this traditional banana salad.
Nutty: Chopped nuts, such as almonds, pistachios, cashews, or walnuts, can be added to this fruit salad to provide a crunchy texture and a nutty flavor. You can either sprinkle them on top or mix them into the chaat.
Tropical: Use tropical fruits like mangoes, pineapples, papayas, and kiwis to make fruit chat. These fruits bring a tropical touch to the chaat and give it a unique flavor profile.
Tarts: Fill tartlets with juicy fruits and top them with whipped cream to make fruit chaat tarts.
Juicy: Add a small amount of fresh orange juice or pineapple juice along with the spices to make a juicy fruit salad. For this recipe, you will need ¼ cup of fruit juice.
Fruit aloo chaat: Boil bite-sized pieces of potatoes until they are fork-tender. Add the boiled potato cubes to make this chaat well-rounded.
Step-by-step instructions
Step 1: Cut all the fruits into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large bowl. Also, chop the mint leaves and add them. Squeeze lemon juice on top.
Step 2: Mix the lemon juice well making sure the fruits are coated.
Step 3: Add the spice powders - chaat masala, black salt, pepper powder, and roasted jeera powder.
Step 4: Mix well, making sure the spices coat the fruits.
What fruits to avoid when making fruit chaat?
The most commonly used fruits used in this Indian fruit salad are apples, bananas, orange or mandarine, pomegranates, and grapes. Other fruits like papaya and mango are also used when in season. However, there are some fruits that are not ideal for making a fruit chat.
Fruits with high water content: Watermelon, cantaloupe, honeydew melon, etc., are high-water fruits that can make the chaat watery and less flavorful.
Avocado: This does not pair well with other ingredients in fruit chat due to the high-fat content.
Sticky fruits: Figs, dates, jackfruit, etc., are sticky and can make the chaat messy to eat.
Overripe fruits: Fruits that are overly ripe or very delicate, such as ripe peaches or overripe papaya or banana, may not hold their shape well in the fruit chaat and can turn mushy. It is best to use fruits that are firm yet ripe to get the best texture.
Expert Tips
Select fruits that are ripe but still firm to ensure the chaat has the right texture. Overly ripe or mushy fruits may affect the overall consistency and presentation.
Before adding the seasonings, gently toss the fruits with lemon or lime juice. This will stop them from browning.
If you plan to make the fruit salad ahead of time, avoid adding bananas, as they can get mushy if stored for a long time. Make and assemble the fruit chaat and add chopped bananas just before serving.
Pair this Indian fruit salad with lemon cheesecake for an indulgent dessert.
Recipe FAQs
Fruit chaat is a great way to use up leftover fruits. You can use any of your favorite fruits that you like, but some commonly used fruits include apples, pears, grapes, pomegranates, oranges, and bananas.
The best way to cut the fruits is into bite-sized pieces. This will make it easier to eat and will also help the fruits to absorb the flavors of the spices.
Absolutely. You can add toppings like chopped nuts, shredded coconut, or yogurt to this Indian fruit chaat recipe. You can also top it with custard or vanilla ice cream and serve it as a delicious dessert.
Fruit chat can be refrigerated for up to 3 days in an airtight container. When ready to eat, allow it to reach room temperature for 30 minutes to maintain fruit moisture and spice flavor. Avoid adding bananas if storing them; add them just before serving to prevent texture issues. Ensure a proper seal on the container to prevent sogginess from moisture. Don't keep fruit chaat for more than 3 days.
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Recipe card
Fruit Chaat (Indian Fruit Salad)
Ingredients
- 1 apple
- 1 banana
- 1 orange
- ½ cup grapes (cut into half)
- ½ cup pomegranate seeds
- 2 teaspoon lemon juice
- 3-4 mint leaves chopped
Spices:
- ½ teaspoon chaat masala
- ¼ teaspoon black salt (kala namak)
- ¼ teaspoon crushed pepper
- ¼ teaspoon roasted cumin powder
Instructions
- Cut all the fruits into bite-sized pieces and place them in a large mixing bowl. Also, chop the mint leaves and add them.
- Squeeze lemon juice on the fruits. Mix them well making sure the fruits are coated with lemon juice.
- Add the chaat masala, black salt, ground pepper, and roasted cumin powder.
- Mix well making sure the spices coat the fruits. Serve immediately or chilled.
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