Air-Fried Puri: A Healthy, Crunchy Twist On Tradition

Puris are a beloved part of Indian cuisine, traditionally deep-fried and often enjoyed as a snack or side dish. However, with the growing popularity of air fryers, many people are wondering if it's possible to make puris in this modern appliance. The answer is yes! You can now make puris with a fraction of the oil used in traditional recipes, resulting in a healthier treat without compromising on taste or texture. This guide will teach you how to make perfect puris in your air fryer, ensuring they are puffed, crispy, and golden brown.

Oil-free puri in an air fryer

Puris are a beloved part of Indian cuisine, known for their deep-fried, crispy texture. Traditional puri recipes are typically made with a lot of oil, but with an air fryer, you can achieve the same delicious results with minimal or no oil at all!

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour (atta)
• 1 tsp semolina (Suji)
• 1/4 tsp sugar
• 1/2 tsp salt
• Water, as needed

Instructions:

• In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, semolina, sugar, and salt.
• Gradually add water to the dry ingredients and knead the mixture until you form a smooth and elastic dough.
• Cover the dough and let it rest for about 10-15 minutes.
• After the resting period, divide the dough into small portions, roughly the size of a golf ball.
• Use a rolling pin to roll each ball into a thin, round disc.
• Prick the rolled-out puris with a fork to prevent them from puffing up too much during air frying.
• Preheat your air fryer to 400°F (200°C) for five minutes.
• Place the puris in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they do not overlap.
• Air fry the puris at 400°F (200°C) for about 4-5 minutes, or until they are golden brown. Keep an eye on them, as cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model.
• Once they are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and serve immediately while they are hot and crispy!

Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Puri:

• Always preheat your air fryer to ensure even cooking.
• Use whole wheat flour (atta) for a healthier option or all-purpose flour (maida) for traditional puris.
• Prick the puris gently with a fork to prevent excessive puffing.
• Cook the puris in a single layer to ensure even cooking and browning.
• Flip the puris halfway through for even browning on both sides.
• Enjoy puris fresh and crispy! If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container. To restore their crispiness, reheat them in the air fryer for a few minutes.

With these simple steps, you can enjoy the magic of air-fried puris without the oil!

Whole wheat puri in an air fryer

Air-fried puri is a healthier, no-oil alternative to the classic deep-fried Indian flatbread. It is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. The air fryer method is also a lot less messy than traditional puri-making, which involves deep-frying.

Ingredients:

• Whole wheat flour (atta)
• Plain yogurt
• Water (warm for kneading the dough, and extra for boiling the puris)
• Salt
• Oil/ghee (optional)

Optional flavour additions:

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

Method:

• 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 but firm dough. Knead the dough for about 3-4 minutes. The dough should not be sticky.
• Cover the dough and let it rest for at least 30 minutes.
• After resting, knead the dough again and then shape it into a log. Divide it 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.
• Add a drop of oil to the work surface or coat the dough ball in dry flour.
• Using a rolling pin, roll each ball into a circle. Each circle should be approximately 3-4 inches in diameter and evenly flat. Make sure not to roll them too thin, or they will become crispy.
• Before air-frying, boil water in a large pot.
• Once the water is boiling, gently drop a few puris into the water. Let them boil for about 2 minutes or until they puff up slightly and come to the surface. This step helps ensure they puff up in the air fryer and also gives the puris a shiny glaze similar to deep-fried puris.
• Remove the boiled puris with a slotted spoon and place them on a clean kitchen towel to absorb any excess water. Pat the puris dry and then boil the rest of the puris.
• Preheat the air fryer to 190°C (374°F). Place the boiled puris in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overlapping. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to do this in batches.
• Air-fry the puris for about 4 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. If they are not golden, you may air-fry for 1-2 more minutes or until they are cooked. The exact time may vary depending on your air fryer model, so keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
• Once the puris are puffed, remove them from the air fryer basket and air fry the rest of the puris.

Your whole wheat puri is now ready to be served! Enjoy it with your favourite curry, chutney, or any side dish.

Puri dough preparation

Ingredients:

• Wheat flour (atta)
• Semolina (rava/sooji) (optional)
• Water
• Salt
• Oil or ghee

Step-by-Step Process:

• Mixing the Ingredients: In a mixing bowl, combine the wheat flour, semolina, and salt. Mix these dry ingredients well. You can also add a teaspoon of sugar at this stage for a golden hue to your puris.
• Adding Water: Slowly add water to the dry mixture a little at a time. Use your fingertips to mix it with the flour. Keep adding water and kneading the mixture until a firm dough starts to form. The dough should be stiff, tight, and smooth, but not too soft or sticky.
• Adding Oil: Drizzle a small amount of oil (about 3/4 teaspoon) into the dough and knead it lightly until the dough ball becomes smooth. Do not over-knead the dough, as it will make the puris oily.
• Cover and Rest: Cover the dough and let it rest for about 5 minutes. You can keep the dough at room temperature for up to an hour, or you can refrigerate it in an airtight container for 2-3 days.

Tips for Perfect Puri Dough:

• The amount of water used to make the dough depends on the type of flour. Adjust the water quantity as needed to achieve the right consistency.
• The dough should be firmer than regular paratha or roti dough.
• Avoid over-kneading the dough, as it can make the puris soft and oily.
• If the dough feels dry and crumbly, sprinkle a little water to adjust the consistency.
• If the dough becomes sticky, add some flour to bring it back to a non-sticky texture.
• For crispy puris that hold their puffed shape longer, add some semolina to the dough.

With these steps and tips, you'll be well on your way to making delicious, puffed puris at home!

Air fryer settings for puri

Yes, you can make puri in an air fryer! Here are the settings and steps you can follow to make them:

First, you will need to prepare the puri dough. For this, you can use one of the following three types of dough:

• Whole wheat, a little oil, and salt—knead until you get a stretchy dough.
• Pure semolina dough with salt and warm water.
• Wheat flour, semolina, tapioca starch, baking soda, and salt.

For the whole wheat and semolina dough options, use 1 cup of atta or whole-wheat flour (sifted), 1 tablespoon of oil (any type), ½ teaspoon of salt (or to taste), and ¼ cup of warm water or as needed to knead the dough.

Once you have prepared the dough, follow these steps:

• Mix the flour and salt in a large bowl.
• Add oil and mix well. Break any lumps by rubbing the flour between your palms.
• Gradually add warm water and knead until you have a soft, stretchy dough.
• Cover the dough and let it rest for 10 minutes.
• Preheat your air fryer to 350°F for 7 minutes.
• Clean the air fryer basket and line it with parchment paper.
• Divide the dough into small balls and roll them into thin, disc-shaped tortillas or rotis. Use a round cookie cutter to cut out small discs.
• Place the discs in the air fryer basket.
• Cook for 3 minutes, then flip and cook for an additional 2 minutes.
• The puris will puff up and turn brown around the edges.
• Transfer the puris to a cooling rack.

Your air-fried puris are now ready to be used in your favourite chaat recipes! You can store any leftovers in an airtight container.

Storing and reheating leftover puri

Storing leftover puri:

If you have leftover puri dough, roll it out and place parchment paper between the rolled-out puris before storing them in a freezer bag in the freezer. They will last a couple of months this way.

You can also store puri dough in an airtight container in the fridge for up to a week.

Storing cooked puri:

Leftover cooked puri can be stored in an airtight container at room temperature for 1-2 days.

Reheating puri:

The best way to reheat puri is to put 2-3 of them in an air fryer and bake them for 2-3 minutes at 180 degrees Celsius. Alternatively, you can place them on a plate and microwave them for 2-3 minutes. Reheating them in hot oil will make them super oily, so it is best to avoid this method.

Frequently asked questions