Air-Frying Poori: A Healthy Twist On A Classic?

Poori is a small, round, fried bread made with whole wheat flour, puffed to a lightly crisp golden-brown perfection. It is one of the most versatile fried breads that packs in incredibly simple, yet immensely pleasing flavors and textures. Puri is usually deep-fried, but it can also be made in an air fryer.

Air-fried poori is a healthier alternative to the classic deep-fried version. It is made without oil and results in a poori that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The air fryer poori is also quicker to make, taking only about 20 minutes.

To make poori in an air fryer, you first need to knead whole wheat flour, salt, plain yogurt, and warm water together into a soft but firm dough. Then, divide the dough into small balls and roll them into circles. Next, boil them in hot water for about 2 minutes, pat them dry, and place them in the air fryer basket without overlapping. Finally, air fry for about 4 minutes in a preheated air fryer at 190°C (374°F) until they are golden and puffed.

The air-fried poori will have a different taste and texture than the deep-fried version, and some people may prefer the traditional method. However, air-fried poori is a great option for those who are health-conscious or looking for a quicker and easier way to make this delicious Indian bread.

How to make poori in an air fryer

Poori is a small, round, fried bread made with whole wheat flour, puffed to a lightly crisp, golden-brown perfection. It is one of the most versatile fried breads, packing in simple yet immensely pleasing flavours and textures.

Ingredients:

• Whole wheat flour
• Salt
• Plain yogurt
• Warm water
• Oil

Method:

Make the Dough:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the whole wheat flour and salt.
• Add the plain yogurt and mix.
• Gradually add warm water as needed to form a soft yet firm dough.
• Knead the dough for about 3-5 minutes. The dough should not be sticky.

Let the Dough Rest:

Cover the dough with a damp cloth or kitchen towel and let it rest for at least 30 minutes.

Shape the Dough:

• After resting, knead the dough again briefly, then shape it into a log.
• Divide the dough into small pieces, and roll them into equal-sized balls. The size of each ball will determine the size of your puris, so aim for about 1 inch in diameter.

Roll Out the Puris:

• Add a drop of oil to your work surface or coat the dough balls in dry flour to prevent sticking.
• Using a rolling pin, roll each ball into a circle, approximately 3-4 inches in diameter, and evenly flat.
• Ensure you do not roll them too thin, or the puris will become crispy.

Boil the Puris:

• Before air-frying, bring a large pot of water to a boil.
• Gently drop a few puris into the boiling water and cook for about 2 minutes, or until they puff up slightly and float to the surface.
• This step helps ensure they puff up in the air fryer and gives them a shiny glaze similar to deep-fried puris.

Pat the Puris Dry:

• Remove the boiled puris with a slotted spoon and place them on a clean kitchen towel to absorb any excess water.
• Gently pat the puris dry.

Preheat the Air Fryer:

Preheat your air fryer to 190°C (374°F).

Place the Puris in the Air Fryer:

• Place the boiled puris in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap.
• Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.

Air Fry the Puris:

• Air fry the puris for about 4 minutes. If they are not golden and crispy, cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
• Keep an eye on them to prevent burning, as the exact cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model.

Serve:

• Once the puris are puffed and golden, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately.
• Enjoy your air-fried puris with your favourite curry, chutney, or side dish.

Tips:

• Dough consistency is crucial. Ensure the dough is neither too soft nor too hard. A soft yet firm dough will puff up beautifully in the air fryer.
• For a basic poori recipe, you can add your favourite spices, such as cumin seeds, carom seeds, or red chilli powder, to the dough.
• To make the dough without yogurt, use oil to moisturise it.
• When rolling out the puris, ensure your work surface is either oiled or dusted with dry flour to prevent sticking.
• Roll the puris to an even thickness for uniform cooking. Avoid rolling them too thick or too thin.
• Preheat your air fryer before cooking to ensure even cooking.
• The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model, so adjust as needed.
• Flipping the puris halfway through cooking is optional.
• Brushing or spraying the puris with oil before air-frying will give them a shiny glaze.

Enjoy your homemade, air-fried poori!

Air fryer poori vs deep-fried poori

Poori is a type of deep-fried bread made up of whole wheat flour. It is usually small in size and requires deep frying. However, with the advent of air fryers, people have started to wonder if they can cook poori in an air fryer. The answer is yes, you can!

How to Make Poori in an Air Fryer

To make poori in an air fryer, you need to follow these steps:

• Place butter paper over the rolled dough and grease it with oil using a brush.
• Air fry for about six minutes at 180 degrees Celsius.
• Serve the poori with pickles and aloo bhujia.

Pros of Using an Air Fryer for Poori

• Air fryers use less oil than deep fryers, resulting in healthier fried foods.
• Air fryers allow fat to drip to the bottom of the plate, reducing fat consumption by up to 70%.
• Air fryers can crisp food without the need for hot oil.
• Air fryer poori is a healthier twist on the classic deep-fried poori recipe.
• Air fryer poori is made without any oil, resulting in a crispy exterior and soft interior.
• Air fryer poori maintains the beloved puffiness and taste of traditional poori without the need for deep frying.
• Air fryer poori is quick and easy to make, perfect for busy weekdays or impromptu gatherings.
• Air fryer poori can be served with your favourite curries and gravies.
• Air fryer poori can be customised by adding spices such as cumin seeds, carom seeds, or red chilli powder.

Cons of Using an Air Fryer for Poori

• Air fryer poori will taste different from traditional poori cooked in oil.
• The air frying process is time-consuming as you can cook no more than two pooris at a time.
• Due to the time-consuming nature of air frying poori, it will use more energy and may not be economical.
• The texture of air-fried poori is crispier than deep-fried poori.
• Air fryer poori may not have the same characteristic oiliness as traditional poori, as air fryers use barely a few drops of oil.

Air fryer poori recipe

Air Fryer Poori is a healthier alternative to the classic deep-fried Indian flatbread, Poori. This recipe uses an air fryer to cook the Poori instead of deep-frying it in oil, resulting in a crispy exterior and soft interior.

Ingredients:

• Whole wheat flour (or all-purpose flour)
• Plain yogurt (dairy or non-dairy)
• Water (for dough and boiling)
• Salt
• Oil (optional)

Optional Spices:

• Cumin seeds
• Carom seeds
• Crushed fennel seeds
• Red chilli powder
• Turmeric powder
• Garam masala powder

Optional Variations:

• Spinach puree (for Palak Poori)
• Freshly chopped methi/fenugreek leaves or crushed kasuri methi (for Methi Poori)

Steps:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the flour and salt.
• Add the plain yogurt and mix.
• Gradually add warm water to form a soft but firm dough. Knead for 3-4 minutes.
• Cover the dough and let it rest for at least 30 minutes.
• After resting, briefly knead the dough again and shape it into a log.
• Divide the dough into small pieces and roll them into equal-sized balls (about 1 inch in diameter).
• Grease your work surface with a drop of oil or coat the dough balls in dry flour.
• Using a rolling pin, roll each ball into a circle, approximately 3-4 inches in diameter and evenly flat. Ensure they are not rolled too thin.
• Boil water in a large pot and gently drop the puris into the boiling water.
• Let them boil for about 2 minutes or until they puff up slightly and float to the surface.
• Remove the boiled puris with a slotted spoon and place them on a clean kitchen towel to absorb excess water. Pat them dry.
• Preheat the air fryer to 190°C (374°F).
• Place the boiled puris in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap. You may need to do this in batches.
• Air-fry the puris for about 4 minutes. If they are not golden and crispy, air-fry for an additional 1-2 minutes. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
• Once the puris are puffed and golden, remove them from the air fryer and serve hot with your choice of curry, chutney, or any side dish.

Tips:

• The boiling step before air-frying is crucial for the puris to puff up.
• For a shiny glaze, brush or spray the puris with oil before air-frying.
• Ensure the dough is soft yet firm for the puris to puff up properly.
• You can add spices and vegetable puree to the dough for added flavour and nutrition.

Air fryer poori temperature

Air fryer poori is a healthier alternative to the classic deep-fried version of this Indian flatbread. The air fryer method uses little to no oil, resulting in a poori that is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.

To make poori in an air fryer, you will need to first knead whole wheat flour, salt, plain yogurt, and warm water into a soft but firm dough. Let the dough rest, then divide it into small balls and roll them into circles with a diameter of 3-4 inches. Next, boil the dough circles in hot water for about 2 minutes, pat them dry, and place them in the air fryer basket without overlapping.

Now, for the air-frying temperature and timing. Preheat your air fryer to 190°C (374°F). Air-fry the puris for about 4 minutes. If they are not golden and crispy, you can give them another minute or two. Watch as they puff up and turn perfectly crispy.

Your air fryer pooris are now ready to be served. Enjoy them hot with your favourite curry, chutney, or side dish.

Please note that the air-frying time may vary depending on your air fryer model, so it is recommended to start with 3 minutes and then increase the timing by 1-2 minutes to prevent burning. Additionally, ensure that you preheat the air fryer before air-frying to ensure even cooking.

Air fryer poori taste and texture

Air Fryer Poori: Taste and Texture

Air fryer poori is a healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried Indian flatbread, requiring no oil and made with simple ingredients like whole wheat flour, yogurt, and salt. The air fryer poori has a similar taste to the classic deep-fried version, retaining its soul-satisfying flavor, but with a lighter and fluffier texture.

The air-fried poori is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, maintaining the beloved puffiness of its deep-fried counterpart. The absence of oil in the air fryer method results in a drier texture, which some may prefer to balance with condiments like mayonnaise or ketchup. The air fryer poori is also slightly less crispy than the deep-fried version, but this can be remedied by brushing or spraying the poori with oil before air-frying.

The taste and texture of the air fryer poori can be customized by adding different spices to the dough, such as cumin seeds, carom seeds, red chili powder, or turmeric powder. The addition of a tablespoon or two of oil will also enhance the crispiness and browning of the exterior.

The air fryer poori is a versatile dish that can be served with curries, chutneys, or as a base for various toppings. It is a quick and easy recipe, perfect for busy weekdays or impromptu gatherings. The innovative use of an air fryer to create a healthier poori without compromising on taste makes it a surefire hit for any meal.

Frequently asked questions