Roasted Mango or Banana Lassi Recipe
Introduction
This Roasted Mango or Banana Lassi is a delightful twist on a classic Indian yogurt drink. The roasting brings out the natural sweetness and adds a rich, caramelized flavor that makes this lassi truly special and refreshing.

Ingredients
- 2 ripe medium mangoes or bananas, peeled and cut into large chunks
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and seeds scraped
- 1 green cardamom pod, lightly crushed
- 2 cups plain whole milk yogurt
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup ice
Instructions
- Step 1: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit (175 degrees Celsius).
- Step 2: Place the fruit in a small ovenproof skillet or baking dish. Sprinkle the brown sugar over the fruit, then add the scraped vanilla bean seeds and pod along with the lightly crushed cardamom pod. Stir gently to coat the fruit evenly with sugar.
- Step 3: Roast the fruit until it becomes soft, stirring every 5 minutes. Continue until most of the liquid from the fruit has evaporated and the mixture begins to bubble and thicken. This will take about 25 to 30 minutes for bananas, or around 40 minutes for mangoes. Be careful not to overcook to avoid the sugar sticking to the pan.
- Step 4: Remove the vanilla bean and cardamom pod, then let the fruit cool completely. Refrigerate until chilled. You can do this step several hours ahead of time or the day before.
- Step 5: Measure out 3/4 cup of the chilled roasted fruit. In a blender, combine this fruit with the yogurt, whole milk, and ice. Blend just until smooth, scraping down the sides once or twice for an even texture.
- Step 6: Serve the lassi immediately for the best flavor and freshness.
Tips & Variations
- Use ripe, fragrant mangoes or bananas for the sweetest lassi. You can substitute Greek yogurt for a thicker consistency.
- If you prefer a vegan option, try using coconut yogurt and almond milk instead of dairy products.
- For an extra hint of spice, add a pinch of ground cinnamon or nutmeg when blending.
- To make this drink more indulgent, swirl in a bit of honey or maple syrup before serving.
Storage
Store any leftover roasted fruit and lassi separately in airtight containers in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Blend again before serving if the mixture separates. The lassi is best enjoyed chilled and freshly blended for optimal flavor and texture.
How to Serve

Serve this delicious recipe with your favorite sides.
FAQs
Can I use frozen fruit instead of fresh?
Fresh fruit works best because it roasts and caramelizes properly, but you can use frozen fruit if fresh isn’t available. Just thaw it completely and drain any excess liquid before roasting.
Is it necessary to roast the fruit?
Roasting deepens the flavor by caramelizing the sugars and adding warmth, but you can skip this step for a fresher, fruit-forward lassi. Keep in mind the taste and texture will be different.
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Roasted Mango or Banana Lassi Recipe
- Total Time: 50 minutes to 1 hour (including chilling time)
- Yield: 4 servings 1x
Description
This Roasted Mango or Banana Lassi is a delightful twist on the traditional Indian yogurt-based drink. By roasting the fruit with brown sugar, vanilla, and cardamom, the flavors deepen and intensify, creating a rich, creamy, and refreshing beverage perfect for warm days or as a unique dessert drink.
Ingredients
Fruits and Flavorings
- 2 ripe medium mangoes or bananas, peeled and cut into large chunks
- 1/2 cup brown sugar
- 1/2 vanilla bean, split lengthwise and seeds scraped
- 1 green cardamom pod, lightly crushed
Dairy and Other
- 2 cups plain whole milk yogurt
- 1/2 cup whole milk
- 1/2 cup ice
Instructions
- Preheat Oven: Preheat your oven to 350 degrees Fahrenheit to prepare for roasting the fruit.
- Prepare Fruit: Place the peeled and chunked mangoes or bananas into a small ovenproof skillet or baking dish. Sprinkle them evenly with brown sugar. Add the scraped vanilla bean seeds along with the split vanilla pod and lightly crushed cardamom pod. Stir gently to coat the fruit thoroughly with the sugar and spices.
- Roast the Fruit: Place the dish in the oven and roast the fruit until it becomes soft. Stir the fruit every 5 minutes to ensure even cooking. For bananas, this will take approximately 25 to 30 minutes, while mangoes require about 40 minutes. Roast until most of the liquid released by the fruit has evaporated and the mixture begins to bubble and thicken. Be careful not to overcook to avoid sugar sticking to the pan. Once done, discard the vanilla bean pod and the cardamom pod. Allow the roasted fruit to cool completely, then refrigerate until chilled. This can be done several hours ahead or even a day before.
- Blend the Lassi: Measure out 3/4 cup of the chilled roasted fruit mixture. Place it in a blender along with 2 cups of plain whole milk yogurt, 1/2 cup of whole milk, and 1/2 cup of ice. Blend the mixture just until smooth, scraping down the sides of the blender pitcher once or twice for an even consistency.
- Serve: Pour the freshly blended lassi into glasses and serve immediately for a refreshing and flavorful drink.
Notes
- You can choose either ripe mangoes or bananas based on your preference; the roasting times differ slightly.
- Roasting the fruit intensifies the natural sweetness and adds depth to the lassi.
- Make sure not to roast the fruit too long to prevent the sugar from caramelizing and sticking.
- The roasted fruit mixture can be prepared in advance and refrigerated to save time.
- Adjust sweetness by tweaking the amount of brown sugar according to taste.
- For a thinner lassi, increase the milk quantity slightly.
- Prep Time: 10 minutes
- Cook Time: 30 to 40 minutes (depending on fruit choice)
- Category: Drink
- Method: Roasting
- Cuisine: Indian
Keywords: Roasted mango lassi, banana lassi, Indian drink, yogurt smoothie, roasted fruit drink, cardamom lassi, vanilla lassi

