Dry Fruits and Nuts Chikki | Fruit and Nut Patties | Healthy Snack Recipe

Hi Supermoms,

Dry fruits and Nuts are packed with so much of health benefits. It is a great idea to have a handful of dry fruits and nuts a day . Though it is seems easy to follow, it does not happen regularly. 

My children are no different. It is a task to remind them to have their daily dose of nuts. Here in Delhi, during winter months, it is a common habit for mothers to soak few almonds in water overnight . The skin is peeled in the morning and you can see even small children nibbling on them when they wait in their bus stop to catch their school bus. 

Though, I try and follow this as much as I can , there is another way I try to add the dry fruits on a daily diet of my family. This is a tasty way of adding dry fruits  and it is difficult even for fussy eaters to refuse them. 

The best part of this recipe is that there is no added sugar . The sweetness of dates, raisins and apricots binds and compliments the nuts beautifully.  I have just added a teaspoon of clarified butter . If you are vegan, you can avoid the butter and use coconut oil or can completely avoid any oil. It tastes equally good. 

A straight forward recipe that has the goodness of all the dry fruits that are available here locally. You can make a big batch of this recipe and store it for upto a month . I keep the weekly portions in room temperature and freeze the remaining batch and use it as and when. 

It is also a healthy festival sweet option. I had  made a batch for Diwali and gifted to my friends. It was relished and much appreciated . Though the word 'Chikki' refers to the crunchier Indian dessert , this dry fruit chikki is more on the chewy side due to the dates . This makes it easier even for the younger children to enjoy it. 

Let us now make this Dry Fruit and Nuts Chikki.

Dry Fruits and Nuts Chikki Recipe :

Preparation time : 30 minutes

Cooking time : 15-20 minutes

1 cup = 250 ml cup

Storage : Keeps good upto a month when stored in a cool dry container 

Ingredients :

2 cups dates ( de-seeded ) ( loosely packed)

2 cups mixed nuts ( cashew nuts, almonds, pistachios , walnuts)( chopped finely ) 

5-6 dry apricots ( de-seeded and finely chopped)

1/4 cup raisins 

5-6 figs ( finely chopped)

1-2 teaspoon ghee/clarified butter 

Method :

1. Heat a heavy bottom kadai or wide pan with ghee, roast the chopped nuts separately and set it aside.

2. Pulse the dates , raisins and apricots in a mixer till they come together. 

3. Heat the kadai and add the dates mixture. 

4. Add the finely chopped figs and when they come together, add the nuts mixture little at a time.

Chef tip : You can coarsely grind 3/4 th of the nut mixture and finely chop the remaining to quicken the process. 

5. Keep mixing over low flame, till the mixture comes together.

6. Switch off.

7. Grease your hands with little ghee and when the mixture is warm to touch, pinch small portions , roll and gently flatten to make chikkis.

8. Once completely cool, store them in an odour free , air tight container .

Your healthy snack is now ready !

Happy Cooking !

With love,

Masterchefmom