Apple chutney (Indian style)

When I was a kid, my father who had a transferable job once got posted in a beautiful Indian city-Shimla. We lived there for around 3.5 years. This city is the highest producer of apples in one of India's apple-growing belts.

I remember I had started hating apples after spending 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 was sweet, tangy, and a little spicy.

If you are looking for ideas to use your extra apples, try this spicy apple chutney. It's vegan and gluten-free too.

What goes in Indian-style apple chutney?

To make this apple chutney, you will need the ingredients shown below:

Ingredient notes and substitute suggestions

1. Apple: You can make it with any variety of apples. Generally, the tangy ones are the best for chutney as they balance the sweetness of sugar and raisins. However, you can use whatever is available to you.
2. Ginger: Ginger gives a nice kick and warm flavor to the chutney. 
3. Vinegar: Use white or apple cider vinegar
4. Golden raisins: Adding raisins is optional, you can skip it. Black raisins can also be added. I also make it both ways with and without raisins.
5. Powdered spices: Cinnamon, garam masala, black pepper, red chili 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.
6. Dark brown sugar: White granulated sugar, light brown sugar, or jaggery can be used too. 
7. Black mustard seeds: You can also add fennel seeds, fenugreek seeds, or a blend of all three seeds.
8. Vegetable oil: Canola oil or any neutral-flavored oil can be used too.

How to make (step-by-step process)?

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 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. Switch off the stove and allow the chutney to reach room temperature.

Your delicious apple chutney is ready to be enjoyed!

Serving tips

1. Serve this sweet and tangy apple chutney as a side dish in any meal. 
2. You can make it a part of your cheese boards.
3. Spread it on your crispy toast, paratha, or crackers.
4. Mix some apple chutney with thick yogurt or cream cheese and a delicious dip is ready that can be served with any snack of your choice.

How to store?

To store, allow the apple chutney allow it to reach room temperature then transfer to clean and dry airtight jars. Refrigerate for around 15 days.

Recipe tips & tricks

1. Try using a tangy variety of apples in this recipe.
2. Adjust the amount of sugar depending upon how sweet the apples are and also how sweet you want the chutney to be.
3. 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.
4. To make the chutney smooth either grate the apples or chop them into very small pieces. It will fasten the process of cooking apples.
5. You can make similar chutney with other fruits too like pear, raw mango(green mango), banana, plums, etc.

Frequently asked questions

More easy Indian chutney recipes

Any major Indian meal is incomplete with a delicious chutney. If you love chutney and looking for more ideas, don't miss to check the following easy chutney recipes on my blog:

1. Mint chutney
2. Bengali style tomato chutney
3. Green mango chutney
4. Sweet mango chutney
5. Momos chutney
6. Peanut chutney
7. Apricot chutney