Apple Curry with Chickpeas and Lentils
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This Apple Curry with chickpeas and lentils is the perfect autumn dish! It’s warm, comforting, and full of spice, and so simple to make!
This apple curry is one of the first recipes I ever cooked when I started to experiment in the kitchen!
I remember how nervous I was that it wouldn’t turn out. It also took me forever to chop the vegetables because I hadn’t gotten the hang of it yet! But when it was complete, and I served it to my husband, we were both blown away!
You might not think apples work well in a curry, but let me tell you, it’s the perfect addition. The apples and raisins enhance the flavors of the other ingredients, and add a nice texture too. The apples have a slight crunch, while the raisins plump up and add a hint of sweetness that compliments the warm spices.
I love that this meal is elegant enough that I can serve it when we have friends over. They all love it, and we hardly ever end up with leftovers. It’s a simple and tasty Indian vegetarian recipe!
Tools and Equipment You’ll Need
Recipe Ingredients & Notes
- Apples: You can use any variety of apple you like! I like firmer apples because they are going to get a bit soft when you cook them. Fuji, Gala, or Granny Smith apples would all work well in this curry.
- Raisins: Tends to enhance the flavors of the apples adds a nice sweetness to the dish. Any raisin you have on hand will work, I used golden raisins.
- Onions and Garlic: The base for every great curry!
- Curry powder, ginger and cayenne pepper: Use a curry powder blend you love and it will add all the flavor you need in this apple curry!
- Chickpeas & Lentils: Adds a dose of protein, fiber and heartiness to this curry, so much so that even meat eaters won’t miss the meat! I used canned chickpeas and pre-cooked lentils to save time.
How to Make Apple Curry – Step by Step
Step 1: Chop the apples, onion, garlic, etc. Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook the onion and garlic in the oil, stirring until translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
Step 2: Add the curry, ginger, cayenne and cook for an additional minute.
Step 3: Add the lentils and chickpeas and cook, stirring, 1 minute more.
Step 4: Stir in the soy sauce, raisins and water and cook for 15 min, stirring often, until all the water is absorbed. If you like softer chickpeas, cook it for up to 30 minutes.
Step 5: Add the apple during last 3 minutes of cooking.
Step 6: Just before serving, sprinkle with cilantro.
What Makes This Apple Curry Healthy?
- Low Calorie: You don’t have to worry about high calories when you munch on this apple curry. It’s only 276 calories per serving and will keep you feeling full.
- Vitamins and Minerals: You will get an amazing amount of potassium from the lentils, raisins, apples, and chickpeas. Potassium helps the muscles in your body work, including the muscles that help your heartbeat and breathing. Additionally, this dish is packed with vitamin C, iron, vitamin B6, magnesium, fiber, folate, and zinc.
- High in Fiber and Protein: Each serving of this apple curry has almost 10 grams of fiber and a little over 10 grams of heart-healthy plant protein. Both of these will help to keep you fuller longer!
Will Kids Enjoy This Curry Dish?
This Apple Curry dish has a nice combination of sweet and savory flavors without too much spice. Full of veggies, protein, and fruit, it’s a well rounded meal. Many kids will enjoy this dish, although pickier eaters might have a hard time with the spices. If that’s the case, reduce the spice content for your kids, portion out their serving, and then add the spices for yourself!
Recipe FAQs
Yes, absolutely! If you love to prep your meals, then add this to your meal prepping list. It’s simple to make, and you can set it out in individual servings. Then when you need a quick lunch, simply grab a container, heat it up, and enjoy it!
Allow the curry to cool completely before transferring to an airtight container. Store in the refrigerator for up to 4 days.
When you’re ready to reheat, warm it in the microwave or in a skillet until warmed all the way through.
How to Serve This Dish
Thre are many ways you can enjoy this apple curry, and I wanted to share a few of our favorite ways to serve it. Here are some ideas:
- Naan Bread: Take the naan (preferably whole wheat naan) and use it to scoop up the curry. The spongy, soft bread pairs nicely with curry.
- Brown Rice or Quinoa: Adding brown rice or quinoa is a lovely way to add some extra fiber and whole grains.
- Whole Wheat Tortillas: Add the homemade curry to the center of a whole wheat tortilla. Wrap it up like a burrito and enjoy!
- Sandwich: Turn the apple curry into a sloppy joe type of sandwich. It’s a delicious way to enjoy curry dishes and it’s very kid friendly too!
Top Tips For Making Apple Curry
- Dice the apples and onions evenly. This will allow them to cook evenly and create a balanced texture.
- If you prefer softer chickpeas, feel free to cook the dish an additional 30 minutes.
- Play with the spices! If you like more heat add some more cayenne pepper.
- Instead of the chickpeas and beluga lentils, you can use any beans/lentils you like!
- Feel free to add in some veggies: roasted squash, pumpkin, potatoes, carrots, zucchini and baby spinach would all work well in this dish.
- For extra creaminess, add coconut milk at the same time you add the apples!
Check Out These Other Healthy Indian Recipes!
- Butternut Squash and Chickpea Curry
- Vegan Thai Green Curry
- Vegan Dal Makhani
- Pav Bhaji
- Roasted Cauliflower Curry with Sweet Potatoes
- Spicy Cauliflower Soup with Curry
If you have tried this Apple Curry Recipe or any other recipe on my blog, then please rate it and let me know how it turned out in the comments below! You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more delicious, healthy, family friendly food!
Apple Curry with Chickpeas and Lentils
Ingredients
- 1½ cups cooked beluga/black lentils or French green lentils
- 1 15oz can chickpeas rised and drained
- 1 red onion diced
- 5 cloves garlic minced
- 1½ Tbsp minced ginger
- 1 Tbsp extra virgin olive oil
- 2 Tbsp curry powder
- ¼ tsp cayenne pepper
- 4 tsp soy sauce
- ¼ cup golden raisins
- 1 cup water
- 1 Fuji apple chopped
- 2 Tbsp chopped cilantro
- Brown rice or Naan for serving
Instructions
- Chop the apples, onion, garlic, etc. Heat a large saucepan over medium-high heat. Cook the onion and garlic in the oil, stirring until translucent, about 3-5 minutes.
- Add the curry, ginger, cayenne and cook 1 minute. Add the lentils and chickpeas and cook, stirring, 1 minute more.
- Stir in the soy sauce, raisins and water and cook 15 min, stirring often, until all the water is absorbed. If you like softer chickpeas, cook it for up to 30 minutes. Add the apple during last 3 minutes of cooking.
- Just before serving, sprinkle with cilantro.
Notes
- Dice the apples and onions evenly. This will allow them to cook evenly and create a balanced texture.
- If you prefer softer chickpeas, feel free to cook the dish an additional 30 minutes.
- Play with the spices! If you like more heat add some more cayenne pepper.
- Instead of the chickpeas and beluga lentils, you can use any beans/lentils you like!
- Feel free to add in some veggies: roasted squash, pumpkin, potatoes, carrots, zucchini and baby spinach would all work well in this dish.
- For extra creaminess, add coconut milk at the same time you add the apples!
So delicious! This is a great vegetarian recipe! I added zucchini and 4tbs of apple cider vinegar to add some acidity. Will definitely make it again!
Yay! So glad you liked this recipe Melissa! 🙂 Love your additions too!
You had me at curry! My mom and I were literally talking yesterday about her putting apple in her curry for some sweet – it’s such a great idea. Glad I stumbled across this recipe.
Awesome!! I can’t wait to hear how it turns out for you!
Wow, I never would have thought to put apple in a curry. This looks amazing.
Thanks so much Dannii! Enjoy!
Such a tasty and hearty recipe – cannot wait to try this – love the apple addition!
Thanks Shashi! You will love this recipe! 🙂
I love anything with chickpeas and lentils in, especially curries. Your step by step images make this recipe very easy to follow – thanks for this recipe.
Yay! I’m so glad you liked this recipe Jane!
I just made this and it tasted amazing. I didn’t have black lentils so just used brown ones. It is so yummmyyyyy. Both me and my husband loved it. I was just telling him that I’m so happy that I’ve discovered your website. We’ve never been healthy eaters but your website is so inspiring because they are yummy at the same time!!
Thanks a lot.
I’ve tried your baked falafels +avocado chocolate mouse+ this recipe. They were all soooooo goood.
I’m so thankful 🙂
Hope you add more and more recipes, specially for deserts 🙂
Bless you
Woohooo!! So happy to hear that Zara! And yes I will be continuing to add more and more recipes – I recently made some delicious brownies that I can’t wait to share! Thanks again for letting me know how these recipes are turning out for you!
I tried this out two days ago and it was super yummy. Love the twist that apple brought to the dish. Personally I have never really mixed fruits in my curries but this was a revelation. Thanks
Hi Saina! I’m so glad you liked this recipe! The apples are one of my favorite parts of this dish — I agree they just add something special!
I made this tonight and both my husband and I enjoyed it. I didn’t realize I had run out of cilantro so I skipped it, but will be sure to add it next time. I served it with toasted oatbran pita wedges and a dollop of fat free greek yogurt (to cut the spice). Thanks for sharing this recipe!
Awesome!! I’m so glad you liked it – and serving it with pita + fat free greek yogurt sounds absolutely perfect! 🙂
Made this the same day it was posted. Delicious! Great use of the TJ’s lentils.
Yay!! So glad you liked it! 🙂
Perfect timing — just bought some lentils without knowing what I was going to do with them. This looks like the perfect recipe to use them in! Thanks!
Awesome!! 🙂 I’m sure you will love this recipe!
First time here and it is nice to meet you. This looks very tasty and a lovely combination of flavors with lentils, garbanzos and apples. I really enjoyed your photos too.
Thank you so much Suzi!! It’s so nice to meet you too! 🙂
Very tempting recipe. I wanted to try apple curry for a very long time.
Thanks! Let me know how you like it! 🙂
Love the combo you have going here! Apples, curry, and lentils…delicious!
Thanks Parita!! I love the sweet and spicy flavors in this dish too! 🙂
Mmm looks very yummy!
Hmm… well personally, I don’t have any recipes like that because I’m vegetarian 🙂 But – I did do a quick search on one of my favorite websites and it came up with a few options: http://search.myrecipes.com/search.html?Ntt=lentil%20and%20sausage
Check it out – let me know if that’s helpful / close to what you were looking for!
I’m looking for a lentil soup that I had at a restaurant near me. It did not have tomato in any form in the soup but it did have meat, some sort of small chunk sausage. I’ve looked everywhere for this but can’t find anything like it. Any ideas?
Martha