Air-Fried Samosas: A Healthy Twist On A Classic

Samosas are a delicious fried snack, commonly found in Indian cuisine. They are usually deep-fried, but can also be cooked in an air fryer, which is a healthier alternative. The air fryer requires very little oil, and can cook samosas to a golden, crispy finish. You can use homemade pastry or ready-made wrappers, and fill them with a variety of ingredients, from potatoes and peas to corn, carrots, onions, and different types of spices.

What ingredients do I need to make samosas in an air fryer?

Making samosas in an air fryer is a great way to enjoy this classic Indian snack in a healthier way. Here's a list of ingredients you'll need to make delicious air-fried samosas:

For the Samosa Dough or Pastry:

• All-purpose flour (also known as plain white flour or maida)
• Water (chilled or at room temperature)
• Oil or ghee (some recipes suggest olive oil, sunflower seed oil, peanut oil, or avocado oil)
• Salt
• Baking soda (optional, but adds crispiness)

For the Samosa Filling:

• Potatoes (boiled and mashed)
• Vegetables: onions, carrots, peas, corn, or green chillies/chilli powder
• Spices: cumin seeds, garam masala, ginger, garlic, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, coriander seeds, caraway seeds (ajwain), amchur powder (dried mango powder), and black pepper
• Fresh herbs: cilantro or coriander leaves

Other Ingredients and Tools:

• Oil spray or brush for coating the samosas before air frying
• Samosa wrappers or filo pastry sheets (optional, if not making the dough from scratch)
• Mixing bowl, rolling pin, and a sharp knife for shaping the samosas

How do I make the dough for samosas in an air fryer?

Samosas are delicious fried pockets, usually stuffed with spices, potatoes, and other vegetables. They are traditionally fried in oil, but you can also make them in an air fryer for a healthier alternative. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make the dough for samosas in an air fryer:

Ingredients:

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need:

• All-purpose flour (also known as "maida")
• Chilled water
• Ghee or oil (use oil for a vegan version)
• Salt
• Caraway seeds (ajwain) – these are optional, but they add flavour

Method:

• Place the flour, salt, caraway seeds (if using), and ghee or oil into a large stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. You can also use a bowl and mix by hand. Give the ingredients a short mix.
• Gradually add in the chilled water. If using a stand mixer, mix on slow speed until a firm, stiff dough develops. This should take about 5 to 6 minutes. If kneading by hand, it will take about 7 to 8 minutes until the dough becomes smooth.
• Cover the dough with a wet cloth to prevent it from drying out or forming a skin. You can also keep it in the Instant Pot on Yogurt mode on Normal Heat for an hour.

Tips:

• If you want your samosas to be extra crispy, you can add a pinch of baking soda to the dough.
• You can use any type of potato for the filling, but thin-skinned varieties like Yukon Gold are easier to work with as you don't need to peel them.
• When shaping the samosas, make sure to seal the edges of the dough well to prevent the filling from leaking out during cooking.
• Don't overcrowd the air fryer basket when cooking the samosas, as this will affect the crispiness of the results.

How do I make the filling for samosas in an air fryer?

Ingredients:

• Potatoes
• Peas
• Oil
• Spices (cumin seeds, ginger, garam masala, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, garam masala, amchur powder, coriander seeds, asafoetida, etc.)
• Vegetables of your choice (carrots, onions, corn, etc.)

Method:

First, boil or steam the potatoes until they are soft. You can also mash them to create a light and fluffy filling. Next, heat some oil in a pan and add your choice of whole spices such as cumin seeds, ginger, garlic, and green chillies. Sauté until fragrant, then add in the potatoes and any other vegetables you wish to include. Continue to cook until the vegetables are tender, and then add your choice of ground spices. Mix well and cook for a further 2-3 minutes. Finally, add the peas and cook for an additional 30-45 seconds before removing from the heat and allowing the mixture to cool.

You can also experiment with different types of fillings, such as paneer, corn, green peas, and various vegetables.

How do I fold samosas for an air fryer?

To fold samosas for an air fryer, you can use homemade pastry or ready-made wrappers. If using spring roll papers, divide them into three. First, fold the top left corner to see the triangle shape of your samosa. Then, fold it over to the right to create a pocket for the filling. Don't overfill the pocket to avoid splitting the wrapper. Next, fold the remaining pastry and seal it with a paste made from equal amounts of flour and water.

If using a sheet of spring roll or samosa pastry, spread a thin layer of "glue" (a mixture of plain flour and cold water) on top and place another sheet directly on top. For folding, start from the upper right corner, and bring the pastry down diagonally to meet the bottom edge. Place your finger at the corner where the pastry meets at the bottom edge and repeat the diagonal fold, but this time move the pastry in an upward direction to meet the top edge. This will create a triangular pocket. Use the flour paste to stick the inner surface of the pastry together.

Fill the samosa with around two teaspoons of cooled filling. Do not overfill. Fold the loose edge of the pastry over the open pocket and stick with more of the flour paste to seal. Ensure you do this tightly to eliminate holes and air pockets.

You can also make tortilla-wrapped samosas in an air fryer, but be sure to brush the outside with a generous amount of oil as they can be prone to burning.

How long do I cook samosas in an air fryer?

The cooking time for samosas in an air fryer depends on the size and thickness of the samosas, as well as the temperature of the air fryer. As a general rule, cook samosas at 375°F (190°C) for about 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy.

For frozen samosas, it is recommended to cook them for 15-20 minutes at the same temperature, again flipping them halfway through.

If you are making your own samosas, the cooking time will depend on the type of pastry you use. For Punjabi Samosas with homemade pastry, cook at 180°C/355°F for 4 minutes, turning them at the 2-minute mark, and then cook at 200°C/400°F for 2 minutes, turning at the 1-minute mark. If your air fryer has a grill function, you can grill for 1 minute on each side.

For filo pastry samosas or spring roll pastry samosas, brush the outside of the samosas with oil and cook in the air fryer at 180°C/355°F for 4 minutes, turning at the 2-minute mark. Brush with more oil if they look dry. Then, cook at 200°C/400°F for 2 minutes, turning at the 1-minute mark. If your air fryer has a grill function, you can grill for 1 minute on each side.

If you are using tortilla-wrapped samosas, brush them with a generous amount of oil before cooking.

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