Fruit Chaat (Indian Fruit Salad)

Fruit Chaat is a very popular Indian-style fruit salad that is seasoned with chaat masala (a spice blend), salt, and lemon juice. Fruit chaat is tangy, spicy, juicy, sweet, and refreshing. It is so easy to put together, very versatile, and a great way to enjoy seasonal fruits. It is one of the quick and easy snack recipes that is perfect as a light snack, a party starter, or as part of a festival menu. All you need is a mixed variety of fruits and spices to make this refreshing Indian fruit salad.

If you love Indian recipes using fruits, you might also enjoy my Pineapple Kesari, Mambazha Pulissery, Orange Sooji Halwa, Mango Raita, Pineapple Raita, and Mango Kesari.

Mixed Fruits - I used pomegranate, seedless black grapes, apple, banana, strawberry, pear, and orange. You can use any seasonal fruits or whatever you have on hand. You can also use mango, papaya, kiwi, or pineapple in this recipe, they taste wonderful. Make sure you are using a mix of sweet, tangy, and juicy fruits for the perfect balance.

Chat Masala - It is the star ingredient that gives fruit chaat its signature flavor. You can get it from any Indian grocery store or online. If you don't have it, replace it with a mix of roasted cumin powder. Sprinkle a little bit of black pepper powder or red chili powder if you are using cumin powder.

Lemon Juice - Do not skip adding lemon juice. Freshly squeezed lemon juice brightens up the flavors and keeps the fruits fresh while preventing them from discoloring.

Salt - You can use any of your favorite salts. If you are making this fruit chaat for Navratri fasting, use black salt/kala namak or sendha namak instead.

Wash all the fruits thoroughly. Peel the orange, separate it into segments, and cut them in half. Peel and core the apple and pear, then chop them into bite-sized pieces. Discard the green part of the strawberries and chop them into pieces. Peel and slice the banana. Remove the pomegranate arils (seeds).

Add all the chopped fruits, pomegranate arils, and black grapes to a large mixing bowl. Sprinkle required salt and chaat masala over the fruits, then squeeze lemon juice on top.

Boiled Potatoes - To make the North Indian version of fruit chaat, add boiled and cubed potatoes or sweet potatoes to the fruit mixture. It will make the chaat more filling and delicious.

Chickpeas - If you want to make this fruit chaat as a simple meal, add cooked chickpeas for extra protein and texture.

Mint Leaves - If you love the combination of fruits and herbs, add a few chopped mint leaves to the salad for a refreshing twist.

Sev - If you want to make it fancy, sprinkle some sev on top just before serving. You can also add roasted and crushed peanuts to add the crunch and flavor.

Fruit Chat tastes best when served fresh. If you want to prep ahead, chop firm fruits like apples, pears, pomegranates, and grapes in advance and keep them refrigerated in an airtight container. Add delicate fruits like bananas and strawberries just before tossing them with spices to avoid them turning mushy. Add the spices, salt, and lemon juice just before serving.

Any leftovers can be stored in the refrigerator for a few hours, but the freshness and texture won't be the same.