This apple chutney is an Indian-style sweet and tangy chutney with a gentle kick of warm spices. Serve it as a side dish or just spread it on your crispy toast, paratha (Indian flatbread), or crackers, it tastes delicious. It's a vegan and gluten-free recipe.
When I was a kid, my father who had a transferable job once got posted in a beautiful Indian city-Shimla. This city is the highest producer of apples in one of India's apple-growing belts.
I remember I had started hating apples just after living a year in that city because our house was always filled with apples. At that time I used to feel that our house smelled like apples all the time. Now I miss those years and have realized how beautiful everything was and how lucky we were. And, I have also started loving apples again.
I tasted this apple chutney for the first time in Shimla. Though I didn't like apples during those days, I loved this apple chutney. It's sweet, tangy, and a little spicy. Now I regularly make it in my kitchen.
If you are looking for ideas to use your extra apples, try this spicy apple chutney recipe. It's vegan and gluten-free too.
What goes in Indian apple chutney?
To make this classic apple chutney recipe, you will need the ingredients shown below:
Ingredient notes and substitute suggestions
- Apple: Though you can make this chutney with any variety of apples generally, tart apples are the best for it. They balance the sweetness of sugar and raisins. I have used tart granny smith apples, you can use whichever variety is available to you. The tart flavor of apples deliciously compliments the sweetness of sugar and raisins.
- Ginger: Fresh ginger gives a nice kick and warm flavor to the chutney. If you don't have fresh ginger, use ginger powder. However, fresh ginger will give a better and stronger flavor.
- Vinegar: I have used white vinegar. You can also use balsamic vinegar or apple cider vinegar. Lemon juice can be used too.
- Golden raisins: Adding raisins is optional, you can skip it if you want. Black raisins can also be used. I also make it both ways i.e. with and without raisins.
- Powdered spices: Cinnamon, garam masala, black pepper, red pepper flakes/ red chili powder- these are the spices that go really well in this chutney. You can also use other powdered warm spices of your choice like cloves, nutmeg, etc. Garam masala is a very flavorful blend of Indian spices which can easily be found in any Indian grocery store and online too.
- Sweetener: I have used dark brown sugar. White sugar, light brown sugar, palm sugar, or jaggery can be used too.
- Black mustard seeds: You can also add fennel seeds, fenugreek seeds, or a blend of all these three seeds. Panch phoran (Indian five-spice blend) can be used too.
- Cooking oil: Vegetable oil, canola oil, or any neutral-flavored oil can be used in this recipe. Though not the best choice for this dish, you can use olive oil too.
Other ingredient details and nutritional information are given in the recipe card ahead.
How to make (step-by-step process)?
To make this homemade chutney, just follow the simple step-by-step instructions given below:
Step 1: Peel, core, and chop the apples.
Step 2: Heat oil in a cooking pot. Add mustard seeds. When the seeds start spluttering, add raisins and grated ginger. Saute for a few seconds.
Step 3: Add chopped apples.
Step 4: Add chili flakes, cinnamon powder, ground black pepper, garam masala, vinegar, and salt.
Step 5: Mix, and cover the pan.
Step 6: Cook covered on medium heat for around 15 minutes or until the apples turn mushy. Check 2-3 times in between and stir to make sure that the apples don't stick to the bottom of the pot.
Step 7: Add sugar.
Step 8: Cook for 2 minutes or until the sugar dissolves. Turn off the heat and allow the chutney to reach room temperature.
Your delicious apple chutney is ready to be enjoyed!
How to serve?
- Serve this sweet and spicy apple chutney as a side dish with any meal. It goes well with not just Indian food but a lot of other dishes from different cuisines.
- You can make it a part of your cheese boards.
- It tastes amazing with grilled cheese too.
- Spread it on your crispy toast, paratha, or crackers.
- You can also enjoy it with vegetable sticks or fruits.
- Mix some apple chutney with thick yogurt or cream cheese to make a delicious dipping sauce that can be served with any snack of choice.
How to store apple chutney?
To store, allow the apple chutney to reach room temperature then transfer to clean and dry airtight jars. Refrigerate for around 15 days.
Recipe tips, tricks, and variation suggestions
- Try using a tart variety of apples in this recipe.
- Adjust the amount of sugar depending on how sweet the apples are and also how sweet you want the chutney to be.
- Different people prefer different consistency of apple chutney. You can completely mash the apples if you prefer a smooth chutney. However, you can also leave apple chunks if you prefer it that way.
- To make the chutney smooth either grate the apples or chop them into very fine pieces. It will fasten the process of cooking apples.
- You can make similar chutney with other fruits too like pear, raw mango(green mango), apricot, banana, plums, etc.
Frequently asked questions
No, it's not very spicy as the heat of spices gets balanced by the sweetness of apples, raisins, and sugar. But it has a little kick that comes from Indian spices.
Yes, this apple chutney can be frozen for around 6 months. Before serving, thaw it and allow it to reach room temperature.
More easy Indian chutney recipes
Any major Indian meal is incomplete without a delicious chutney on the side. If you love chutney and looking for more ideas, don't miss to check out the following easy chutney recipes on my blog:
- Mint chutney
- Bengali style tomato chutney
- Green mango chutney
- Sweet mango chutney
- Momos chutney
- Peanut chutney
- Apricot chutney
- Plum chutney
If you liked this recipe, please leave a star rating ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ in the recipe card below. You can also follow me on Instagram, Youtube, and Pinterest.
Recipe
Apple chutney-Indian style
Equipment
- Cooking pot
Ingredients
- 4 medium-sized apples
- 1 tablespoon vinegar
- 1 teaspoon vegetable oil
- 2 tablespoons golden raisins optional
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- ½ teaspoon mustard seeds
- 1 teaspoon red chili flakes
- 3 tablespoons brown sugar adjust to taste
- ½ teaspoon cinnamon powder
- ¼ teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon ground black pepper adjust to taste
- Salt to taste
Instructions
- Peel and cut the apples into small pieces.
- Heat oil in a cooking pot and add mustard seeds. When the seeds start spluttering, add ginger and raisins. Saute for a few seconds and then add the apples.
- Add chili flakes, cinnamon powder, ground black pepper, garam masala, vinegar, and salt. Mix, and cover the pan.
- Cook covered for around 15 minutes or until the apples turn soft and mushy. Check 2-3 times in between and stir to make sure that the apples don't stick to the bottom.
- When the apples turn mushy, remove the lid and add brown sugar. Mix and cook for another 2 minutes or until the sugar gets dissolved. Turn off the heat.
- Allow the chutney to reach room temperature. Store in an airtight container or glass jar, it will be fine for around 2 weeks in the fridge.
Video
Notes
- Try using a tart variety of apples in this recipe.
- Adjust the amount of sugar depending on how sweet the apples are and also how sweet you want the chutney to be.
- Different people prefer different consistency of apple chutney. You can completely mash the apples if you prefer a smooth chutney. However, you can also leave apple chunks if you prefer it that way.
- To make the chutney smooth either grate the apples or chop them into very small pieces. It will fasten the process of cooking apples.
- You can make similar chutney with other fruits too like pear, raw mango(green mango), banana, plums, etc.
- More recipe tips and tricks are shared in the post above, please follow them to make this recipe.
Awesome recipe with outstanding flavours, left mine more chunky out of choice but all in all brilliant 👏.
Thank you Michael.
Io al chutney aggiungo sempre un po' di cipolla dolce che faccio caramellare con le spezie, prima di aggiungere le mele, secondo una ricetta che mi ha dato una mia amica di Mumbai che vive a Londra. Ti risulta corretta la ricetta?
I enjoy Indian dishes and often cook them , and have enjoyed making this delicious chutney ! 😋
Thank you Cecile 🙂
I love this recipe! I’m making some to be ready for Christmas gifts. I went ahead and water bath canned and was able to enjoy for months.
Thank you for sharing your recipe!
Thank you so much for your lovely comment 🙂
This apple Chutney is fantastic!!
Easy to make, the spices are perfect.
Cant wait to serve it this evening.
Thanks, Nancy. I am so happy to know that you liked it 🙂
Can you preserve this in jars and store
If so how long looks a good chutney
Thank you
Hi Sharon, this chutney can be stored in an airtight jar for around 15 days only.
Never before tasted this type of chutney.
Different taste with nutrients. DURING THE TIMESOF Apple season e can try nd store it for a long period.
Instead of vinegar we can use tamarind nd instead of sugar we can prefer jaggery.
Delicious
Thank you 🙂
Thanks, managed, very tasty!
Thank you 🙂