Indian Fruit Salad with Coconut (Fruit Chaat)

Sweet and spicy Indian fruit salad recipe with tropical fruit mix and a simple dressing! With this healthy fruit chaat, you don’t have to tell your kids to eat fruits, they’re going to ask for more!

About fruit chaat recipe

A HOLIDAY FRUIT SALAD made with TROPICAL FRUITS like mango, pomegranate and guava with fresh coconut flakes and a delicious 2-MINUTE HOMEMADE DRESSING. This dairy-free, low carb mango fruit salad is perfect for a crowd and is kid-friendly. It can be put together within minutes for family gatherings and parties. More importantly, it LOOKS and TASTES great, without much effort.

Guys, believe it or not, this is my go-to salad when I start craving something SWEET. In my opinion, this is the only SALAD that can replace a dessert!

How to make Indian fruit salad

(You can find the exact measurements and instructions in the recipe card at the end of this page.)

Fruit Chaat ingredients

The ruby-red POMEGRANATE ARILS (fancy word for seeds!), so pretty and delicious that you’ll forgive them for the stains in your shirt unless you’re wearing a pomegranate-colored one.

Everyone’s favorite- MANGO! Mango in salad recipes gives a kind of sweetness that makes it an unforgettable experience. Try my 3-ingredient mango smoothie and you’ll know what I’m talking about.

Then we have juicy coconut flakes and guava that balance the sweetness of mango and give a delicious CRUNCH to this healthy fruit salad.

Add mint for that refreshing herby flavor.

The palm sugar (coconut sugar) dressing is the “icing” for this mango pomegranate salad recipe.

Mango salad dressing

This homemade dressing is so full of FLAVOR that you’ll start pouring it on everything you get your hands on. 4 ingredients are all you need for this amazingly sweet and tangy salad dressing.

• Chaat masala- This is a sweet, spicy and tangy Indian seasoning mix used in street food like chaats and paneer kathi rolls. A personal favorite, I’ve created unique salad recipes like chana salad and lentil cilantro salad with chaat masala. It is made of a bunch of spices like cumin, coriander, raw mango powder, hing, pepper and black salt.
• coconut sugar (or palm sugar or jaggery)- these are slightly different but can be used interchangeably for this recipe.
• extra virgin coconut oil- brings the dressing together with its amazing flavor and texture.
• lemon juice

MIX, SHAKE and drizzle it on ANY SALAD and taste the difference!

The only thing you should take note of is the quality of the ingredients, specifically, coconut oil and palm sugar. You can also use good-quality jaggery instead of palm sugar. You can test the purity by mixing it with a little water (see recipe card below) and check if you have sediments settling at the bottom. If yes, strain the liquid carefully before adding the rest of the dressing ingredients.

Additions

1. Feel free to add other fruits like apples, oranges, pears and berries.
2. Add 1/4 teaspoon of ground cumin if you love spices.
3. If you don’t have coconut sugar or jaggery, you can use honey, but the taste will definitely not be the same.

Make-ahead option

Store the fruits and dressing in separate sealed containers. This salad stays fresh for 5 days in the refrigerator and 3 months in the freezer.

Did you know that pomegranate stays fresh in the fridge longer if the arils (seeds) are separated and stored in an airtight container rather than as a whole? Well, now you know! A whole pomegranate lasts in the fridge for about 4 to 5 days, while the arils can be stored for 2 weeks.

What do you serve mango fruit salad with?

It is not common practice to serve Indian meals with fruits, but you can get creative and wow your guests. Serve the fruit chaat with

• Tandoori chicken legs
• Baked pudina chicken
• Oven Baked Salmon Kebabs
• Easy fish cakes

You can also serve the pomegranate fruit chaat with a dessert (ice cream or cake).

Looking for more salads?

Health benefits of pomegranate

(Source)

• Categorised as berries, pomegranates are loaded with important nutrients.
• They are rich in plant compounds that have powerful medicinal properties.
• Pomegranates have impressive anti-inflammatory properties.
• Regular intake of pomegranate juice has been shown to lower blood pressure levels.
• Pomegranate has antibacterial and antiviral properties which may be useful against common gum diseases and yeast infections.
• As a rich source of nitrates, pomegranate may improve exercise performance by increasing blood flow.
• Pomegranate contains a fatty acid that can have benefits against heart disease. It improves your cholesterol profile and protects cells from oxidative damage.
• It is considered one of the “super fruits” that burns fat, boosts metabolism and suppresses your appetite. Pomegranate is one of the fruits that can and should be eaten on an empty stomach for maximum benefits.

Health benefits of coconut and coconut oil

(Source)

• Coconut, due to its strong antioxidant properties increases metabolism and fights infections.
• Coconut is anti-viral, antibacterial, anti-fungal, and anti-parasite.
• It provides a natural source of quick energy and enhances physical and athletic performance.
• Coconut improves digestion and absorption of nutrients, vitamins, and minerals.
• It stabilizes glucose levels by improving insulin secretion.
• Coconut improves good cholesterol (HDL) thus supporting heart health.
• Coconut and coconut oil supports thyroid function.
• It helps protect against kidney disease and bladder infection.
• Coconut promotes weight loss due to its high fiber content and also reduces belly fat. However, coconut oil is high in saturated fat and so, have it in moderation.
• Coconut oil helps keep hair and skin young and healthy, preventing wrinkles and sagging skin.

Health benefits of palm sugar

(Source)

• Palm sugar is an unrefined sugar that requires minimal processing.
• Known to be rich in vitamins and minerals.
• It contains phytonutrients, flavonoids, antioxidants, and dietary fiber.
• Palm sugar is gaining popularity due to its low glycemic index, (even lesser than honey) which means it is slowly absorbed by the body, preventing a spike in blood glucose levels.

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