Easy Samosa Chaat Recipe with Chole | Street-Style Indian Snack

What Is Samosa Chaat

Samosa Chaat with Chole is one of the most irresistible Indian street food snacks you'll ever try. It starts with crispy golden samosas (a deep-fried pastry usually stuffed with spiced potatoes or vegetables), which are then crushed and layered with a flavorful chickpea curry, also known as chole. What makes this dish truly special are the toppings-cool whisked yogurt, spicy green cilantro chutney, sweet tamarind chutney, fresh onions, and crunchy sev-all coming together to create a symphony of flavors and textures.

Unlike eating a plain samosa, samosa chana chaat is hearty, tangy, spicy, and sweet all at once, making it far more filling and satisfying. This chole chaat recipe is especially popular in Delhi and across North India, where it's served at roadside stalls and food carts, loved by anyone who craves authentic, bold, and vibrant street-style food.

What Is Chaat

Chaat is one of the most beloved Indian street food snacks, known for its explosion of flavors-crispy, tangy, spicy, and sweet-all coming together in every single bite. Traditionally served at roadside stalls and food carts, chaat has a casual, fun appeal and can be enjoyed much like tapas: as party appetizers, bar food, a quick evening snack, or even as a light meal.

Among the many varieties of chaat, Indian samosa chaat stands out as a true crowd favorite. This comforting yet exciting dish brings together heat, crunch, zest, and sweetness-making samosa chana chaat one of the most irresistible chole chaat recipes. With its vibrant flavors and contrasting textures, this street-style snack is easily one of the most addictive and satisfying Indian chaat recipes you'll ever make at home.

What Does Indian Samosa Chaat Taste Like

Chaat Samosa with Chole is an explosion of flavors in every bite. It's a little bit of everything-spicy, sweet, tangy, salty, and sour-all perfectly balanced. The chole (spiced chickpea curry) is soft and hearty, while the crispy samosa shell and crunchy toppings add texture and contrast. Tangy tamarind chutney, spicy green cilantro chutney, and cooling yogurt bring harmony to the dish, rounding out the bold flavors.

Each bite is a perfect mix of colors, crunch, spice, and zest, making this Delhi street-style chaat irresistibly addictive. The layering of samosas, chickpeas, chutneys, yogurt, and sev doesn't just taste amazing-it also makes this samosa chana chaat visually stunning. Truly, this is Indian street food at its finest, a snack so satisfying that once you try it, you'll want to keep coming back for more.

To Prep The Samosas

1. Transfer the frozen samosas to a baking tray and bake according to the packet directions until the samosas are golden and extra-crispy. For an oven method, preheat to the temperature on the packet (typically 375-400°F) and bake until crisp. Alternatively, you can also air-fry the frozen samosas for a quicker, crunchier finish.
2. Once cooked, let the samosas rest for 3-5 minutes so they stay crisp when topped with warm chole and chutneys.

To Make The Chole For Samosa Chaat

1. Drain the canned chickpeas, rinse, and set aside. Chef tip - If the aquafaba (chickpea liquid) has good flavor, preserve it - you can use it as a natural stock instead of plain water for a richer taste.
2. Heat oil in a pan. Once hot, add cumin seeds and a pinch of gluten-free asafoetida (hing) to temper. Sauté for a few seconds until aromatic.
3. Next, add minced green chilies, garlic, cilantro stems, and ginger paste. Sauté until the garlic turns light golden and fragrant.
4. Now mix in the ground spices - garam masala, red chilly powder, coriander powder, and turmeric (optional). Add 2 tablespoons of the reserved stock (or water) to prevent the spices from burning and cook for a minute.

5. Stir in the drained chickpeas.
6. Then add a cup of the reserved liquid, veg stock, or water. Season with salt and cook on medium heat for 8-10 minutes.
7. While simmering, gently mash some of the chickpeas with the back of a spoon - this helps thicken the gravy and give it texture. Add more stock/water as needed (I added about ½ cup extra) to get a slightly thick yet pourable consistency, perfect for layering over samosa chaat. The chickpea curry should not be very thin or very thick.
8. Finish by garnishing with freshly chopped cilantro and crushed kasoori methi for authentic street-style flavor. Remove from heat and set aside until ready to assemble the samosa chaat. Let it cool down a bit.

To Assemble The Samosa Chaat With Chole

You can either assemble the Samosa Chole Chaat in one big casserole or make individual servings.

1. To assemble your street-style dahi samosa chaat, start by adding a generous spoonful of flavorful chole (spiced chickpea curry) to a small serving bowl or plate.
2. Break one (or two) crispy, golden samosa into bite-sized pieces and place them over the chole. You can also smash it instead. Sprinkle a little chaat masala for that authentic tang. Chef tip - Add more that two samosas if they are the mini variety.
3. Next, ladle some more chole on top of the samosa pieces.
4. Drizzle with meetha (tamarind date) chutney on top. Add more if you like your veggie samosa chaat sweeter.

5. Then drizzle spicy green chutney for a perfect balance of sweet, tangy, and spicy flavors.
6. Whisk yogurt until smooth and drizzle it generously over the dish.
7. Garnish with thinly sliced red onions
8. Followed by freshly chopped cilantro (coriander leaves), and a squeeze of fresh lemon juice. Sprinkle chaat masala and serve.

For extra crunch and that true Indian street food vibe, top your samosa chaat with a handful of crunchy sev (crispy gram flour noodles) or even fresh pomegranate arils for a burst of sweetness. Always serve this chana chaat right away so the samosas stay crisp and the flavors remain vibrant-no one enjoys soggy chaat! Serve this tasty Samosa Chaat hot or cold.

This Punjabi samosa chaat with chole works beautifully as an appetizer, snack, or even a light meal. Pair it with hot or cold beverages like Masala Chai, Filter Coffee, Dalgona Coffee, or a Mocha Latte. To round out the experience, you can finish with cooling drinks or desserts like Masala Chaas Popsicles, Rose Lemonade, Brownie Milkshake, Chikoo Milkshake, or Mango Rose Lassi -perfect for aiding digestion after this flavorful treat.

It's a fantastic recipe for potlucks, tea parties, Diwali celebrations, Thanksgiving, special occasions, or weekend brunches. Include it in your holiday menu to wow your guests! And if you're making it for Holi, serve it alongside a festive glass of Thandai for a complete celebration.

If you're using aquafaba or vegetable stock (both of which may already contain salt), adjust the seasoning only after tasting, to avoid oversalting. Add a tablespoon of tamarind pulp while cooking the chole - it infuses a delicious tangy note that perfectly balances the richness of the samosas. For extra freshness and zing, top your samosa chaat with chopped tomatoes along with onions. If you're following a Jain diet, you can easily adapt this samosa chaat with chole recipe by making the curry without onion, garlic, or ginger - it's just as flavorful with the right blend of spices and chutneys.