Recipes

Walnut Chutney, How to make Akhrot Chutney, No Coconut chutney

I created this creamy, nuttu-style walnut chutney for my family during summer, when our regular peanut chutney felt too heavy and heat-inducing. While we all love that bold, nutty peanut flavor, it just didn’t suit the hot weather. So I turned to walnuts—naturally cooling, mild, and just as delicious—for a summer chutney recipe that’s both healthy and comforting.
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This South Indian-style chutney is smooth, rich, and full of flavor. The walnuts bring a buttery texture, while dry red chilies add gentle heat. Yellow onion and garlic round out the flavor, making it neither too spicy nor too nutty. It’s perfect with idli, dosa, or even millets—a truly wholesome chutney recipe. And that final tempering of mustard seeds and curry leaves? It adds a crunchy, aromatic finish that makes all the difference.

🌿 Why walnuts? They’re rich in omega-3 fatty acids, antioxidants, and good fats—great for the heart and mind. Unlike peanuts, walnuts are cooling for the body, making this a perfect chutney for summer. Sneaking walnuts into everyday dishes like this is an easy way to add nutrition without coconut —especially for those looking for nutrient-dense chutney recipes or healthy Indian side dishes.

Though walnuts (Akhrot) are more commonly used in baking or sweets today, they’ve been prized in ancient cuisines for centuries. Originating from Central Asia and the Himalayas, walnuts have been part of royal diets and Ayurvedic healing traditions for ages. In Indian kitchens, especially in Kashmiri and North Indian cooking, walnuts were often ground into gravies or added to rich kormas for depth and nutrition.

Using them in South Indian-style chutneys is a modern twist—one that blends age-old ingredients with everyday comfort food. This chutney bridges those culinary worlds, making something both rooted and refreshing.

Jump to Recipe
IngredientRole in Chutney
Walnuts Adds creamy, buttery texture and nutty flavor; cooling and nutritious
OnionBalances nuttiness with mild sweetness and body
Dry Red Chilies Gives a gentle smoky heat
Garlic Enhances savory depth with light pungency
SaltBrings out all flavors and balances the taste
WaterHelps blend everything to a smooth chutney
OilUsed for sautéing and tempering; carries flavor
Mustard SeedsAdds classic South Indian crunch and aroma in the tempering
Curry LeavesAdds fresh, earthy aroma and flavor when sizzled in tempering oil

Walnut Chutney recipe, How to make Akhrot Chutney, No Coconut chutney

Recipe by Sandhya Riyaz
Recipe rating: 5.0 from 2 votes
Course: Side Dish / ChutneyCuisine: South Indian, FusionDifficulty: Easy
Servings

3

servings
Prep time

10

minutes
Cooking time

10

minutes

A creamy, cooling South Indian–style walnut chutney made without coconut —perfect for idli, dosa, and millets, offering rich flavor and wholesome nutrition in every spoonful.

Ingredients for Walnut Chutney

  • 1/4 cup, 1/4 Walnuts (broken pieces)

  • 1 nos. 1 Yellow onion (small sized, cubed)

  • 2 nos. 2 Dry red chilies

  • 1 nos. 1 Garlic clove

  • Salt, to taste

  • Water, as needed

  • To temper:
  • 1/2 teaspoon, 1/2 Mustard seeds

  • 1 teaspoon, 1 Urad Dal (optional)

  • Few curry leaves

  • 1 teaspoon, 1 Oil

  • Hing, a pinch

Directions to make Walnut Chutney

  • Dry Roast Walnuts:
    In a pan, dry roast the walnut pieces until aromatic and lightly golden. Remove and set aside.
  • Sauté Base:
    In the same pan, heat 1 tsp oil. Add dry red chilies, cubed onion, and garlic. Sauté until the onions turn translucent and the raw smell goes.
  • Grind:
    Add the roasted walnuts to a mixie jar along with the sautéed onion mixture. Add salt and enough water. Grind to a smooth chutney.
  • Temper:
    Heat 1 tsp oil in a tadka pan. Add mustard seeds, let them splutter, add urad dal , hing then add curry leaves. Pour this tempering over the chutney.

Notes

  • 1 cup = 250 ml

Directions to make Akhrot chutney with step by step images

  • Dry Roast Walnuts:
    In a pan, dry roast the walnut pieces until aromatic and lightly golden. Remove and set aside.
  • Sauté Base:
    In the same pan, heat 1 tsp oil. Add dry red chilies, cubed onion, and garlic. Sauté until the onions turn translucent and the raw smell goes.
  • Grind:
    Add the roasted walnuts to a mixie jar along with the sautéed onion mixture. Add salt and enough water. Grind to a smooth chutney.
  • Temper:
    Heat 1 tsp oil in a tadka pan. Add mustard seeds, let them splutter, add urad dal, hing then add curry leaves. Pour this tempering over the chutney.
South Indian style Walnut/ Akhrot Chutney created by Sandhya Riyaz
  • Dry roast walnuts first to remove rawness and bring out their natural oils and aroma.
  • Don’t over-roast the onion or garlic—just sauté until translucent to keep the chutney light and balanced.
  • Adjust water gradually while grinding. Start with 2 tbsp and add as needed for a smooth, spoonable consistency.
  • Use yellow onion for a sweet, mellow flavor that won’t overpower the chutney.
  • Always temper just before serving for best texture and aroma.
  • Serve warm with idli, dosa, paniyaram, or even chapati.
  • Tastes great with cooked millets or curd rice as a side.
  • Pair it with appam or adai for a wholesome breakfast or light dinner.
Q: Can I replace peanuts with walnuts for chutney in summer?

A: Yes! Walnuts are naturally cooling, making them perfect for summer-friendly chutneys as a substitute for heat-inducing peanuts.

Q: How to make chutney with walnuts and onion without coconut?

A: Simply sauté yellow onion, garlic, red chilies, and blend with roasted walnuts, salt, and water. Temper with mustard seeds and curry leaves.

Q: Is walnut/ akhrot chutney good for health?

A: Definitely! Walnuts are rich in omega-3s, antioxidants, and healthy fats. This chutney is a nutritious way to enjoy them, especially without coconut.

Q: Can I use walnut/ akhrot chutney as a dip or spread?

A: Absolutely! It works wonderfully as a dip for crackers or as a spread for toast and wraps.

Sandhya Riyaz

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Sandhya Riyaz

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