About this sweet potato chaat recipe
Sweet potato chaat, or shakarkandi chaat, is a tasty and healthy Indian street food made with roasted or boiled sweet potatoes. It’s mixed with tangy spices and lemon juice along with green and tamarind chutney for a perfect balance of sweet, spicy and tangy flavors. Crunchy peanuts and juicy pomegranate seeds can also be added for extra texture.
Recipe highlights –
- Delhi-style street chaat
- Perfectly balanced – sweet, spicy, tangy, and smoky
- Nutritious & wholesome, rich in fiber and vitamins
- Fasting-friendly for Navratri
- Vegan and gluten-free
Whether you’re looking for a nutritious chaat alternative or a quick-fix snack that doesn’t compromise on taste, this sweet potato chaat is sure to satisfy your cravings. With its easy preparation, high nutritional value, and delicious flavors, shakarkandi chaat is a must-try for street food lovers and health-conscious eaters alike!
Popularity across India
A comforting winter street food – If you have ever walked through the streets of Delhi during winters, you would have noticed street vendors selling steaming hot shakarkandi chaat. They prepare it fresh, roasting sweet potatoes over coal, peeling them on the spot and mixing them with spices and chutneys in a large bowl. The warmth of the roasted sweet potatoes combined with the tangy flavors of lemon and chaat masala makes it an irresistible comfort food, perfect for chilly evenings.
A fasting favorite – Apart from being a beloved winter street food, shakarkandi chaat is also a go-to snack during fasting (vrat) periods like Navratri. Since sweet potatoes are naturally filling & nutrient-rich, they provide long-lasting energy without making you feel heavy. Unlike regular chaats that contain sev or papdi, the fasting version skips deep-fried ingredients and instead includes rock salt (sendha namak), lemon juice and mild spices to keep it light and suitable for religious fasting.
Health benefits of sweet potato chaat
Shakarkandi chaat is not just tasty but also highly nutritious. Here’s why it’s a smart choice for a snack –
- Rich in fiber – Sweet potatoes are loaded with dietary fiber, which aids digestion, promotes gut health, and keeps you feeling full for longer—making this chaat a great option for weight management.
- Packed with vitamins & antioxidants – A powerhouse of vitamin A, vitamin C and beta-carotene, sweet potatoes help boost immunity, support skin health and reduce inflammation. The beta-carotene also plays a crucial role in improving vision and eye health.
- Heart-healthy – Being naturally low in fat and high in potassium, sweet potatoes help regulate blood pressure and support cardiovascular health.
- Sustained energy boost – Unlike refined carbs found in fried snacks, sweet potatoes are a good source of complex carbohydrates, providing slow-releasing energy that keeps you active and prevents sugar crashes.
How to cook sweet potatoes for chaat
The way you cook sweet potatoes impacts their flavor and texture. The ideal texture should be soft but not mushy, holding its shape while absorbing the chaat spices.
Street vendors typically roast sweet potatoes over coal, giving them a signature smoky flavor. While replicating that exact taste at home can be tricky, here are some effective cooking methods to achieve a similar result –
- Bake whole in foil & roast – Wrap whole sweet potatoes in aluminum foil and bake them at 400°F (200°C) for around 45 mins. Then peel the potatoes, cut them into cubes, and lightly roast them in ghee till slightly charred. This method yields the best results since it enhances the natural caramelization of the sugar in sweet potatoes (Maillard reaction), intensifying the smoky-sweet flavor.
- Boil & roast in ghee – If you don’t have an oven you can boil the sweet potatoes until just soft. Then peel, cube and lightly roast them in ghee for a slight crispiness.
- Cut into cubes & bake – For a quicker version, peel and cube sweet potatoes, toss with a little ghee or oil, and bake at 400°F (200°C) for 25-30 minutes, flipping halfway for an even golden texture.
- Roast over open flame – For the most authentic smoky taste, roast whole sweet potatoes directly over a gas stove flame or charcoal, turning occasionally until the skin is charred and the inside is soft. Peel and chop before seasoning.
Variations of sweet potato chaat
Shakarkandi chaat is highly customizable, allowing you to experiment with different toppings and flavors based on your preferences –
- Classic style – Boil or roasted sweet potatoes tossed with black salt, chaat masala, cumin powder, and lemon juice for a simple yet flavorful chaat.
- Enhance the taste with chutneys – Add tamarind chutney and mint-coriander chutney for a burst of sweet, tangy and spicy flavors.
- Yogurt-based (dahi shakarkandi chaat) – Drizzle fresh yogurt along with chutneys for a creamy, cooling contrast to the spices.
- Crunchy nutty chaat – Add toasted peanuts, cashews, sev, or crushed papdi for extra crunch and texture.
- Pomegranates – Top with fresh pomegranate arils for a juicy, sweet, and slightly crunchy bite.
- Fasting (Vrat) Version – Keep it simple by skipping chutneys and using rock salt (sendha namak), roasted cumin powder, and lemon juice, making it suitable for religious fasts.
Tips for the best sweet potato chaat
To achieve the perfect flavor and texture, keep these tips in mind –
- Choose the right sweet potatoes – Opt for orange or purple-skinned sweet potatoes, as they have a naturally sweeter taste and a creamy texture.
- Roasting vs. boiling – Roasting sweet potatoes enhances their natural caramelized sweetness, while boiling makes them soft and moist.
- Avoid overcooking – Sweet potatoes should be tender yet firm, holding their shape without becoming mushy.
- Use ghee for roasting – A light toss in ghee enhances the smoky, rich flavor.
- Balance the flavors – Don’t skip black salt (kala namak) and chaat masala, as they are key to achieving the authentic tangy taste.
- Add texture – Mix in pomegranate, toasted nuts, or sev for extra crunch.
- Serve immediately – Chaat is best enjoyed fresh and warm, as sweet potatoes can turn soggy if left for too long.
To make sweet potato chaat at home follow the detailed step by step recipe with pictures posted below.
Sweet Potato Chaat Recipe | Shakarkandi Chaat
Recipe Info
Ingredients For Sweet Potato Chaat Recipe | Shakarkandi Chaat
- 2 Large Sweet Potato (Shakarkandi)
Step By Step Instructions for Sweet Potato Chaat Recipe | Shakarkandi Chaat
Before You Go...
Don't forget to Pin this post to save it for later. You can also Subscribe to our mailing list or follow us on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram or Twitter to see more delicious food recipes.
We'd love to know your thoughts about this dish! Please leave a comment or share a picture on Facebook or Instagram with the hashtag #vegecravings.
