What is fruit chaat?

Chaat refers to the spicy, tangy, and flavorful Indian street foods, and this fruit and vegetable chaat is my take on the Delhi fame kulle chaat. Simply put, fruit chaat is nothing but Indian-style fruit salad, and my version also has peanuts, carrots, and cucumber.  For the kulle chaat, we first make cups with veggies and fruits like tomatoes, cucumbers, potatoes, and oranges by scooping out the flesh inside. Then we fill it with spicy chickpeas mixture. But this fruit chaat version of mine is simplified: I add fruits, peanuts, and crunchy vegetables and toss them together with simple chaat spices.  It’s easy to put together and customizable too, and perfect for parties and potlucks. 

Ingredients required

There is no set measure or set ingredients for this fruit salad. You can choose the fruits of your choice. You can add berries and oranges to make it more colorful. I kept it simple, and this is what I used.  Vegetables – I went with an approx equal measure of carrots and cucumber. Fruits – I used apples, pomegranate arils, and green grapes.  Peanuts: For that added crunchy, I used some unsalted roasted peanuts. Skip for a nut-free version. We also need chaat masala, lemon/lime juice, and black salt. 

How to make fruit chaat

Add the chopped apples, carrots, cucumbers, grapes, pomegranate arils, and peanuts to a bowl.Then add the chaat masala, black salt, and freshly squeezed lemon/lime juice.Mix well and serve immediately.

Serving fruit chaat

For a chilled version – Mix the chopped fruit and vegetables and add the lemon/lime juice; refrigerate them for 20 to 30 minutes. Before serving, add the spices and peanuts. Mix well and enjoy.I highly recommend making this fruit chaat before serving, as it becomes soggy if we make it ahead. You chop carrots and other fruits that don’t oxidize fast.  You can serve this fruit chaat in baked phyllo cups, like bite-sized appetizers/snacks for parties. If there are any leftovers, try to use them within a day. 

Recipe notes & VVK tips

If you can’t source black salt, use regular salt. Adjust the spices to taste. You can easily find chaat masala in Indian groceries or online. You can also use ¼ tsp of ground black pepper or amchur/dry mango powder for an added kick.I recommend unsalted roasted peanuts for this recipe. Along with fruits and vegetables, you can also use boiled chickpeas or other beans for that added protein.Always use fresh fruits and vegetables for this chaat. The quality of the chaat depends upon the freshness of the fruits and vegetables.Canned, frozen, or chopped and packed fruits have added preservatives that ruin the taste. So opt for fresh ones.Use a mix of sweet and tangy fruits. Cucumbers and carrots help to balance the flavor.I typically don’t add avocados and bananas to my fruit chaat. (Personal preference :-) ) You can also use fresh mint leaves to garnish.

Dietary specifications

This fruit chaat is a vegan and gluten-free recipe. Skip the peanuts for a nut-free version. 

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