Sweet Potato Chaat Recipe – Authentic Indian Street Food

Last Updated on 2 months by Neha Deshmukh

Sweet Potato Chaat Recipe – Authentic Indian Street Food

Hey everyone! If you’re anything like me, you absolutely love a good chaat. That perfect balance of sweet, tangy, spicy, and crunchy… it’s just pure happiness in a bowl! I’m so excited to share my take on this classic Indian street food – a Sweet Potato Chaat that’s bursting with flavor and surprisingly easy to make. I first made this when I was craving something comforting and a little different, and it quickly became a family favorite. Let’s get cooking!

Why You’ll Love This Recipe

This Sweet Potato Chaat is a fantastic way to enjoy the vibrant flavors of India without spending hours in the kitchen. It’s a delightful twist on traditional chaat recipes, swapping potatoes for sweet potatoes for a naturally sweet and colorful base. Plus, it’s easily customizable to your spice preference, making it perfect for everyone. It’s a guaranteed crowd-pleaser!

Ingredients

Here’s what you’ll need to whip up this delicious chaat:

• 4 large sweet potatoes
• 2 tablespoons oil
• ½ teaspoon chaat masala
• ½ teaspoon salt
• ⅓ cup peanuts
• 8-10 papdi
• 2 tablespoons pomegranate arils
• 2 tablespoons cilantro chutney
• 2 teaspoons sweet tamarind chutney
• 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
• 1 lime
• Sev, for garnish (as needed)

Ingredient Notes

Let’s talk ingredients! A few little tips can make all the difference.

Sweet Potatoes: Choosing the Right Variety
I prefer using the orange-fleshed sweet potatoes for this recipe, as they have a lovely sweetness and hold their shape well when roasted. But honestly, any variety will work! About 600-700g of sweet potatoes should do the trick.

Chaat Masala: The Heart of the Flavor – Regional Variations
Chaat masala is essential for that authentic chaat flavor. It’s a blend of tangy and spicy spices. You can find it at most Indian grocery stores, or online. Different regions in India have slightly different blends, so feel free to experiment!

Peanuts: Roasting for Optimal Taste
Don’t skip roasting the peanuts! It really brings out their flavor and adds a nice crunch. Just a few minutes in a dry pan is all it takes. About 50g of peanuts is perfect.

Papdi: What is Papdi and Where to Find It?
Papdi are small, crispy, fried crackers. They add a wonderful texture to the chaat. You can find them at Indian grocery stores. If you can’t find them, see the FAQ section for substitution ideas!

Chutneys: Cilantro and Tamarind – Homemade vs. Store-Bought
While homemade chutneys are amazing (and I highly recommend trying them sometime!), good quality store-bought chutneys work perfectly well for this recipe. They save a lot of time!

Step-By-Step Instructions

Alright, let’s get to the fun part!

1. Preheat your oven to 425°F (220°C).
2. Peel and dice the sweet potatoes into 1-inch cubes. Toss them with the oil, chaat masala, and salt.
3. Spread the sweet potatoes on a parchment-lined baking sheet. Roast for 15-20 minutes, or until they’re tender but still firm. You want a little bit of bite!
4. While the sweet potatoes are roasting, lightly roast the peanuts in a dry pan for 4-5 minutes. Keep an eye on them – they burn easily! Set aside to cool.
5. Crush the papdi into pieces. Not too fine, you want some texture.
6. In a large bowl, combine the roasted sweet potatoes, peanuts, crushed papdi, pomegranate arils, cilantro chutney, tamarind chutney, and a squeeze of lime juice. Mix everything well.
7. Transfer the chaat to serving bowls. Garnish generously with sev, extra pomegranate arils, chopped cilantro, and a drizzle of both chutneys.
8. Finally, sprinkle a little extra chaat masala on top just before serving. This is the chef’s secret!

Expert Tips

• Don’t overcrowd the baking sheet when roasting the sweet potatoes. This will ensure they roast evenly.
• Taste as you go! Adjust the amount of chutney and lime juice to your liking.
• For a more intense flavor, let the chaat sit for about 10-15 minutes before serving. This allows the flavors to meld together.

Variations

Vegan Adaptation
This recipe is already pretty close to vegan! Just make sure your papdi and sev are vegan-friendly (some contain ghee).

Gluten-Free Adaptation
Simply use gluten-free papdi. There are some great options available online and in health food stores.

Spice Level Adjustment
Love a kick? Add a pinch of cayenne pepper or a finely chopped green chili to the sweet potato mixture. If you prefer milder flavors, reduce the amount of chaat masala.

Festival Adaptation (Navratri/Diwali)
During Navratri, you can skip the papdi and use sabudana papdi for a fasting-friendly version. For Diwali, a generous sprinkle of sev and pomegranate arils makes it extra festive!

Serving Suggestions

Sweet Potato Chaat is fantastic on its own as a snack or light meal. It also pairs beautifully with a side of raita (yogurt dip) or a simple salad. My family loves it as part of a larger Indian spread.

Storage Instructions

This chaat is best enjoyed fresh, as the papdi will lose its crispness over time. However, you can store the roasted sweet potatoes and chutney separately in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Assemble the chaat just before serving.

FAQs

What is Chaat?
Chaat is a broad term for savory snacks that typically include a combination of sweet, sour, spicy, and crunchy elements. It’s a hugely popular street food in India!

Can I make this ahead of time?
You can roast the sweet potatoes and prepare the chutneys ahead of time. But assemble the chaat right before serving to keep the papdi crispy.

What can I substitute for Papdi?
If you can’t find papdi, you can use crushed tortilla chips or even broken-up crackers as a substitute. They won’t be exactly the same, but they’ll still add a nice crunch.

How do I adjust the sweetness/sourness of the Chaat?
Add more tamarind chutney for sweetness, and more lime juice for sourness. Taste and adjust until it’s perfect for your palate!

Where can I find Chaat Masala?
Chaat masala is available at most Indian grocery stores and online retailers like Amazon.

Is this dish healthy?
Sweet Potato Chaat is a relatively healthy snack! Sweet potatoes are packed with vitamins and fiber. While it does contain some fried elements (papdi and sev), it’s all about balance, right?