Don't Have Chaat Masala? These Spice Blends Will Amp Up Your Dishes Just The Same

If you ask me what’s that one thing I never come home without eating in the market, it will be chaat. Be it aloo, kachori or tikki, any kind of chaat is enough to turn my day around. Am I to be blamed anyway? With the vast array of delicious chaats that Indian cuisine has in store for us, it’s hard for one to resist oneself from digging in. The spicy, tangy and savoury notes can make anyone drool.

However, with the onset of the pandemic, my market visits and my chaat adventures came to a halt. I resolved to homemade chaat with whatever was available in the pantry. From potatoes to chickpeas and even chicken, there was nothing I didn’t make a delicious plate of chaat with. My chaat cravings escalated to a different level one day and to my ill-luck, the basic ingredient for making chaat wasn’t available in the pantry. However, my mom suggested some alternatives to chaat masala and I am not going to  lie, they worked wonders. So, here are some substitutes for chaat masala that will save you a trip to the market.

1. Aamchoor Powder

With similar tangy notes, aamchoor powder is one of the best substitutes for chaat masala. Made with dried and unripe mangoes, aamchoor powder is used in some of the most-loved Indian dishes for added flavour.

2. Harissa Powder

Made with hot chili peppers, garlic and coriander seeds, harissa powder is a great spice blend to revamp your dishes. However, make sure you use just a pinch of it according to your spice tolerance.

3. Anardana Powder

Anardana powder is one of the most widely used spice blends in Indian cuisine. The tangy and savoury notes of the spice prove it to be an ideal substitute for chaat masala in various Indian dishes. However, it is advised to use fresh pomegranate seeds for making the spice blend instead of store-bought packets for best results.

We hope you won’t have to cancel your plans of indulging in a flavourful plate of chaat just because of the unavailability of chaat masala now. Do try these spice blends in place of chaat masala and let us know how your dishes turn out.