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April 24, 2020

Pakistani Fruit Chaat (With Easy Chaat Masala Recipe)

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Say goodbye to mediocre fruit chaat! This mouthwatering Pakistani fruit chaat recipe is intense and full of flavor yet light and healthy! It includes an easy, 5-ingredient chaat masala recipe and tips for making the best fruit chaat. Let’s liven up that fruit!

Fruit Chaat on a white plate with a silver spoon and chai and chaat masala on the side

What is Fruit Chaat?

Fruit chaat is a spicy, tangy, fruit salad popular in Pakistan and India. Various fruits are mixed with a spice blend called chaat masala. In Pakistani culture, it’s typically eaten for Iftar during the Month of Ramadan.

Fruit Chaat for Iftar

Growing up, I don’t remember breaking a fast during Ramadan without fruit chaat. To this day, it’s is the one thing I most frequently have at the table for Iftar.

Not only is fruit chaat the perfect way to get variety of fruits in your limited sundown time, but it also helps balance out all the savory and heavy foods that are oft consumed for Iftar.

Plates of fruit chaat and a side of chaat masala

What is Chaat Masala?

Chaat Masala is a spice mix made with traditional Pakistani & Indian spices. The formulas for Chaat Masala vary, but the similarities in almost every chaat masala recipe are:

  • roasted cumin seeds
  • dry mango powder (amchur)
  • black salt (kala namak)
  • pomegranate seed powder (anardana)
  • red chili

Chaat Masala isn’t just used for fruit chaat, but all kinds of street food or anytime where you’d like a bit of sour, tangy, kick. For example, I often use it when I’m making Chana Masala.

Fruit Chaat on a white plate with a spoon and chai on the side

How to make Chaat Masala:

Chaat Masala has a very distinct taste that’s hard to replicate. In fact, I almost gave up after I tried 4 different versions without success.

But then, I followed my instincts and let go of what ‘should’ be the right quantities and came up with a simple, 5-ingredient recipe that rivals store-bought chaat masala. Of course you can use store-bought chaat masala (I usually do), but I find making my own adds a bit more freshness.

To make chaat masala, first dry roast the cumin seeds and allow them to cool. Then add them to a spice grinder along with the rest of the spices and blend. You can also use a mortar and pestle to crush the cumin seeds, then mix in the rest of the spices.

Chaat Masala Brands I’ve used:

I get that not everyone has spices like pomegranate powder and black salt in their pantry, so here are a few store-bought spice blends I’ve used:

  • Spicewalla Chaat Masala
  • Shan Chaat Masala
  • National Chaat Masala (my husband likes this one)
Fruit chaat on a white plate with chaat masala and chai next to it

How to make Fruit Chaat

Fruit chaat is as simple to make as any fruit salad:

  1. Chop up your fruit and toss it in a bowl.
  2. Add the rest of the ingredients and stir to combine.

Though mint is not a traditional ingredient and not at all required, I love to sprinkle it on top for a refreshing taste.

What Fruit to Use

There are no rules when it comes fruit chaat, and the best fruit is the fruit you have on hand.

The most commonly used fruits are bananas, apples, pears, grapes, mango, and pomegranate (my favorite addition!). I wouldn’t say any fruit is off limits, but some fruits such as figs or avocados aren’t traditionally used. I also tend to avoid fruit with high water quantity such as watermelon and cantaloupe.

Though chickpeas are an optional ingredient, they’re often used in traditional recipes. Chickpeas help balance the sweet and savory notes and also add a bit of protein.

The Secret to Great Chaat

I’ve tasted many versions of fruit chaats. (Just one month of dawats will make you an expert on what it tastes like.)

While a good chaat masala is vital, I’ve found the best fruit chaats have one thing in common, the secret sauce if you will – and that is orange juice! Freshly squeezed is ideal, but you can use whatever you have on hand. Mango juice is another great option.

Fruit Chaat on a white plate with mint on the side of the plate

Tea For Turmeric Tips:

  • I love to chop the fruit in small pieces, so no fruit is overpowering and each bite is diverse. It’s also easier to eat that way.
  • When making the chaat masala, adjust each spice according to what you like. Cumin for earthiness, red chili for spice, dry mango powder and anardana for sourness, and black salt for punchy flavor.
  • If you feel like switching it up, some of the variations worth trying are adding tamarind paste (imli), cinnamon powder, and jaggery powder (gud).

How to serve Fruit Chaat

Fruit Chaat can be prepared several hours before serving. I usually make it earlier during the day and refrigerate to serve later.

Here’s a tip that’s especially useful if you’re making it for company: If you’re adding bananas, add them right before serving to prevent them from getting mushy.

More Healthy Iftar recipes:

Shami Kabab (instant pot and stovetop)
Plain Sweet Lassi (the best!)
Baked Seekh Kabab
Healthy Pan-fried Pakora
5-Minute Chocolate Energy bars

I hope you get a chance to try this recipe! If you do, let me know in the comments below! If you’re on Instagram, please tag me so I can see your creations. I love hearing from you!

7 Feel Good Iftar Recipes E-book!

It’s the month of Ramadan!

My gift to you – A free 7 Healthy Iftar (Post-Fast) Snack Recipes E-book!

It’s filled with cleaner, healthier versions of traditional South Asian Iftar recipes. Whether you’re fasting or not, don’t miss these sweet and savory treats. These recipes are gluten-free, easy-to-make, and so delicious!

Thank you!

Please check your email for your free E-book!

.

Pakistani Fruit Chaat (With Easy Chaat Masala Recipe)

Izzah Cheema
This authentic Pakistani fruit chaat recipe is intense and full of flavor yet light and healthy! It includes an easy, 5-ingredient chaat masala recipe and tips for making the best fruit chaat.
5 from 4 votes
Print Pin
Prep Time 20 mins
Total Time 20 mins
Course Appetizer, Salad, Side Dish, Snack
Cuisine Indian, Pakistani
Servings 4

Equipment

  • Optional – spice grinder OR mortar and pestle

Ingredients
  

Fresh Fruit (Options Below) – Yields 5 1/2 – 6 cups chopped fruit

  • 1 small apple cored and diced
  • 1 small mandarin peeled and cut in half
  • 1 small mango peeled and cubed
  • 1/3 cup blueberries (or sub berries of choice)
  • 1/3 cup grapes cut lengthwise if large
  • 2 tbsp pomegranate seeds
  • 1 banana cut lengthwise and sliced

Fruit Chaat

  • 3-4 tsp chaat masala (may need less for store-bought) (see recipe below)
  • 2-3 tbsp freshly squeezed orange juice (or sub juice of choice)
  • 1 tsp maple syrup or honey or more to taste
  • 1/3 cup cooked chickpeas (drain and rinse if using canned) optional
  • mint for garnish (optional)

Chaat Masala – Yields ~4 tsp

  • 1 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
  • 1 tsp pomegranate powder (anardana)
  • 3/4 tsp dry mango powder (amchoor powder)
  • 1/4 tsp black salt (or sub pink salt)
  • 1/8 tsp red chili pepper
  • 2 black peppercorns optional

Instructions
 

To make the Chaat Masala

  • Heat a small pan over low-medium heat. Add the cumin seeds and dry-roast for 2-3 minutes, or until they turn fragrant and begin to deepen in color. Remove from heat and allow to cool.
  • Transfer the cumin seeds to a spice grinder and add the rest of the spices. Grind into a fine powder. Set aside.

To make the Fruit Chaat

  • Combine the fruit and fruit chaat ingredients (except mint) in a serving bowl and mix well to combine.
  • Garnish with mint, if desired. Serve fresh or cover and refrigerate until ready to serve.* Best consumed within 1 day.

Notes

*If using bananas, add them right before serving. See post for more tips.

Nutrition

Calories: 149kcalCarbohydrates: 35gProtein: 3gFat: 1gSaturated Fat: 1gSodium: 150mgPotassium: 386mgFiber: 5gSugar: 24gVitamin A: 745IUVitamin C: 35mgCalcium: 27mgIron: 1mg
Keyword chaat masala, fruit chaat
Did you try this recipe?Please let me know in the comments below. If you’re on Instagram, I’d love for you to tag me so I can see your creations.

*photography inspired by Joanna Yee from “Mountain Berries & Dessert Spice”

Reader Interactions

Comments

  1. Farhana Abdul says

    May 15, 2020 at 12:47 am

    5 stars
    اَلسَّلامُ عَلَيْكُمْ وَرَحْمَةُالله وَبَرَكاتُهُ
    Sister Izzah
    Quick question where so you get your spices from. My daughter is diagnosed with Celiac , dairy and egg allergy too. But any pakistani masalah ii grab. It say it is process in a facility of wheat, dairy, nut n etc.

    Reply
    • teaforturmeric says

      May 17, 2020 at 3:31 pm

      W.S. Farhana! That’s a good question. Honestly we’ve been fine with using regular spices manufactured in these facilities. I would google “Certified Gluten-Free Spices” and go from there.

      Reply
    • Farhana Abdul says

      July 26, 2020 at 2:57 pm

      5 stars
      I just found rani brand spices are gluten free.

      Reply
      • teaforturmeric says

        July 26, 2020 at 7:12 pm

        Thank you so much for sharing that!

        Reply

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Hi! I’m Izzah, and I look forward to brightening your day with good food and good vibes. Here you'll find tested & perfected South Asian recipes that are easy-to-follow yet authentic in taste!

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