Apples in India: Varieties, Uses, and How They Fit Into Indian Cooking

When you think of apples in India, a fruit grown widely in the Himalayan foothills and used in both sweet and savory dishes across the country. Also known as seb, it’s not just a Western import—it’s been part of Indian kitchens for generations, especially in the north and northeast. You won’t find Fuji or Gala dominating the markets like in the U.S., but local varieties like Kashmiri apples, crisp, tart, and grown in Jammu & Kashmir and Himachali apples, grown in Himachal Pradesh with a balanced sweetness are the real stars. These apples are smaller, denser, and hold up better in cooking—perfect for stews, pies, and even spiced chutneys.

Apples in India aren’t just eaten raw. They’re simmered into Indian apple chutney, a tangy-sweet condiment made with cinnamon, ginger, and jaggery, often served with kebabs or grilled paneer. In Punjab and Uttar Pradesh, apples show up in kheer, a creamy rice pudding where diced apples replace dried fruits for a fresh twist. Even in street food, you’ll find sliced apples tossed with chaat spices—tamarind, chili powder, and a squeeze of lemon—for a crunchy, sweet-sour bite. Unlike in the West, where apples are mostly snacks, in India they’re ingredients—used to balance heat, add texture, and bring natural sweetness without refined sugar.

What makes apples work so well here? Their acidity cuts through rich curries, their fiber pairs with lentils, and their natural sugars blend with jaggery and cardamom like they were made for each other. You won’t find apple pie on every menu, but you’ll find apple in dal, in halwa, even in breakfast porridge. The real secret? Indian cooks don’t treat apples like a dessert fruit—they treat them like a spice. And that’s why they’ve stuck around for so long.

Below, you’ll find real recipes, smart tips, and surprising uses for apples in Indian kitchens—from how to pick the best ones at the market to why some families never peel them. Whether you’re making a sweet treat or a savory side, there’s a way apples belong here.