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My Protein-Packed Fig Chai Indian Lassi celebrates fig season with the perfect blend of chai spice while honoring the traditional Indian lassi. This beloved yogurt smoothie gets my made-over touch for a healthy and nourishing twist!

PROTEIN-PACKED FIG CHAI INDIAN LASSI

Creating and making over recipes from my Indian culture is something I truly love, and this fig chai lassi is a delicious example of that.

An Indian lassi is basically… a yogurt smoothie. And if you’ve never had a traditional Indian lassi, then let’s go ahead and fix that little problem right now, shall we? People often rave about Indian food, and lassi has become just as popular. The classic version usually combines yogurt, sugar, water, and ice. Sometimes you’ll see recipes with milk added, but my mommy never makes hers that way, so guess what? I’m not going to either.

The reason people love this drink so much is because the sugar and the natural tang from the yogurt create a wonderfully creamy, refreshing sip that’s so addictive. Mango lassi has become the best-known version. But today I had to take things up a notch. It’s fig season, and honestly, I just love taking things up a notch!

So, allow me to introduce my Protein-Packed Fig Chai Indian Lassi. It’s sweet, figgy, creamy, and powered with protein from the yogurt. The pistachio crunch on top takes it… well, over the top! This drink works perfectly after a workout when you need protein to repair muscle tissue or an extra boost. It’s cool and so satisfying; it can even double as a breakfast or dessert. And since it wouldn’t be Mita’s Made-Over Meals without a makeover, I’ve given this lassi a healthy refresh.

Now let’s get to it!

HOW I MADE-OVER THIS LASSI:

The way I make over this lassi is simple. Traditional lassi uses whole milk yogurt, and you can absolutely use that if you like. But personally, I prefer low-fat yogurt for a lighter option that still keeps it creamy. And instead of white sugar, I sweeten mine with honey.

There are so many reasons to make this lassi! Figs offer natural sweetness along with fiber, vitamins, and minerals that support digestion and overall health. Yogurt delivers protein and probiotics, which are great for gut health and make the drink extra nourishing. Honey adds more than sweetness. It provides antioxidants and supports the immune system. Chai spices like cinnamon, cardamom, and ginger infuse warmth while supplying anti-inflammatory benefits. Pistachios contribute crunch along with heart-healthy fats and important minerals.

Who would have ever thought there are so many benefits in just one drink?

This recipe is gluten-free, refined-sugar-free, egg-free, soy-free, grain-free, and vegetarian.

HERE’S WHAT YOU’LL NEED:

(Use organic ingredients when possible)

Low-fat yogurt, or yogurt of choice
Figs
Honey
Chai spice
Rose water
Water
Ice
Pistachios
Salt

THIS IS HOW YOU’LL MAKE IT:

Making this lassi is simple. It does take a few steps, but they’re all easy ones!

Let’s start with making the pistachio crunch so it has time to cool. Preheat your oven to 325°F, then toss pistachios with a little honey and a sprinkle of salt. Spread them on a parchment-lined baking sheet and roast for about 10 to 12 minutes, stirring halfway through. Watch them closely… nuts can go from golden to burnt fast! Once done, let them cool completely. Then chop into small pieces. They might be a little sticky, so use the back of a measuring cup, the end of a glass, or simply chop them up with a knife.

While the pistachios are roasting, wash, dry, and dice your figs. Tip: always taste your figs before blending. If they aren’t fully ripe, they might not be very sweet, especially if they’ve been stored in the fridge at the grocery store. Figs should ripen on the counter first before storing in the fridge. Since fig sweetness can vary, how much honey you add depends on the fruit. You can always add more honey as you blend, but you can’t take it away, so start light and adjust as needed. Speaking of honey, I use it instead of maple syrup or coconut palm sugar because honey enhances the natural fruitiness of figs in a way the others don’t. Depending on the type, honey contains floral and fruity notes that complement figs more directly, while maple syrup can overpower their delicate flavor. I use whatever honey I have on hand. Sometimes Manuka, sometimes clover or wildflower honey. The one I used in this recipe came from Amazon, so you can grab it there too with my link!

For the yogurt, traditional lassis use whole milk dahi, which is the Hindi word for yogurt, but I make mine with low-fat or Greek yogurt. I’ve also made this delicious drink using grass-fed organic yogurt, and honestly, lassi works with whatever you already have in the fridge. If you want to make it vegan, swap the yogurt with a dairy-free option like coconut or almond yogurt, and use maple syrup or agave instead of honey. Share how it turns out in the comments!

For the chai, I like making my own blend with Ceylon cinnamon, ginger, cardamom, cloves, nutmeg, and black pepper. But if you want to keep things simple, you can grab this premade chai blend I’ve bought from Amazon, and it works beautifully.

Rose water is another traditional Indian flavor I absolutely love, and it pairs beautifully with figs and chai. Please do not skip it!

Finally, it’s time to put everything together! In a blender, add the yogurt, water, ice, figs, honey, and chai spice. Blend until smooth and creamy, then taste and adjust if necessary. This Indian smoothie tastes best when it’s extra cold, so pop your glasses in the fridge for 10 minutes before serving. Then pour into the frosty glasses, top with the crushed pistachios and a couple of fresh fig slices, and you’re ready to sip!

Bottoms up, enjoy, and I hope you love it!

SERVING SUGGESTIONS:

This lassi fits into almost any part of your day. Enjoy it first thing in the morning as a naturally sweet, protein-packed breakfast that feels more like a treat.

Pour it into a chilled glass after a workout for a refreshing recovery drink that helps rebuild muscles.

Serve it in smaller glasses at brunch alongside fresh fruit, or make a unique dessert by topping it with extra figs and pistachios.

You can even pair it with a spicy Indian meal to cool down the heat, since lassi balances bold flavors so well!

MITA’S MUST-KNOW TIP:

When perfecting any recipe, the right amount of salt, spices, and sweeteners depends on the size and flavor of the produce you use, and that might be different from what I used when I developed this recipe. Your zucchini might be tiny compared to mine, your strawberries could be on the verge of being jam, and your tomatoes might be less tomato-y than expected, so taste as you go! If you add more veggies or swap anything in, a little seasoning tweak might be needed. You can totally make this dish your own, and if you go a little overboard, you can probably fix it. But tasting often means you won’t need a backup plan… or a backup meal!

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS:

STORAGE AND LEFTOVERS:

Lassis taste best fresh, but you can store it in the fridge for up to 24 hours. Keep it in a sealed jar or airtight container so it stays cold and creamy. If it separates a little while sitting, just give it a quick re-blend before drinking.

The pistachio crunch can be made ahead and kept in an airtight container at room temperature for about a week. If it softens, pop it back in the oven for a few minutes.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

If you like your lassi thicker, use Greek yogurt. For a lighter, more sippable texture, go with low-fat or regular yogurt.

You can also make this vegan by swapping the yogurt with a dairy-free option like coconut or almond yogurt and using maple syrup or agave instead of honey.

You can use whatever variety of fresh figs you find in the grocery store, but I love using black figs.

NUTRITIONAL VALUES:

I don’t include nutritional values in my recipes because I believe in intuitive eating and balanced nutrition. Since ingredient brands can vary, the numbers aren’t always consistent. If you’d like a more accurate breakdown, I recommend entering this recipe into MyFitnessPal or a similar tracker.

For more great SMOOTHIE ideas, check these out!

Superfood Banana Chocolate Cinnamon Walnut Protein Smoothie

If you make this recipe, I’d love it if you left a comment and star rating below! And don’t forget to tag me on Instagram so I can see your creation. Feel free to reach out with any questions, and I’ll do my best to help!

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