Frying Puri In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Puri is a popular Indian deep-fried bread that is traditionally served with a side dish or curry. However, the excessive use of oil in deep frying can be unhealthy, so many people are turning to air fryers as a healthier alternative. Air fryers use hot air to fry food instead of oil, resulting in a similar crispy texture without the added calories.

Yes, you can fry puri in an air fryer, and it is a healthier and quicker option than the traditional method. The air-fried puri is not greasy, retains its flavour, and has 70%-80% less fat than deep-fried puris.

How to make the puri dough

Making the puri dough is a simple process, but it requires precision to get the right consistency. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make the perfect puri dough:

Ingredients:

• Wheat flour (atta)
• Semolina (optional, but adds crispness)
• Salt
• Oil or ghee (optional)
• Water

Instructions:

• In a mixing bowl, combine the flour, salt, and optional oil or ghee. You can also add semolina at this stage for extra crispness.
• Gradually add water and knead the mixture to form a dough. The amount of water needed will vary, but the dough should be stiff, tight, and not crumbly. You may need to adjust the amount of water depending on the type of flour used.
• Knead the dough until it is smooth and uniform. Do not over-knead, as this will make the dough too soft and sticky. The dough should feel tight and stiff when pressed.
• Cover the dough and let it rest for a short time (around 3-5 minutes). Do not let it rest for too long, as this can make the puris greasy.
• Divide the dough into small or medium-sized balls. You should be able to make 8-10 balls from the dough.
• Lightly roll each ball between your palms to smoothen them, but do not knead them again.
• Flatten each ball with your palm and apply a small amount of oil to the surface. This helps the puri fry evenly and rise properly.
• Use a rolling pin to roll out each puri into a circle. The thickness should be moderate (around 1/4 inch) to allow the puri to puff up during frying.
• Place the rolled puris on a plate and cover them with a clean kitchen towel to prevent drying.

Now your puri dough is ready for frying! Remember to fry the puris at the right temperature, as this is crucial for getting them to puff up properly. Enjoy your freshly made puris!

Preparing the air fryer

To prepare the air fryer for making puri, start by preheating the appliance. Set the temperature to between 350°F and 400°F, and heat the air fryer for around 5-7 minutes. It is important to preheat the air fryer to ensure even cooking and to achieve the desired crispy texture.

Once preheated, it is recommended to grease the air fryer basket with an oil spray or brush. This will prevent the puri from sticking to the surface and help to create a crispy exterior. You can use any type of oil for this step, such as canola, vegetable, or olive oil.

Place 2-3 puris at a time into the preheated air fryer basket. Make sure they are in a single layer and not overlapping, as this will ensure even cooking. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the puris in batches.

If desired, you can also spray or brush the top surface of the puris with a small amount of oil. This step is optional but will give the puri an oily shine and a crispier texture.

Now, you are ready to start cooking the puris! Place the lid on the air fryer and set the temperature to 400°F. Cook the puris for around 4-5 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. If they are not done to your liking, you can cook them for an additional minute or two.

That's it! You have successfully prepared the air fryer for making delicious, crispy puris. Enjoy your healthy and guilt-free treat!

Cooking the puri

The process of cooking puri in an air fryer is straightforward. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Preparing the Dough

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need whole wheat flour, semolina or suji, salt, and warm water. Combine the dry ingredients in a bowl, gradually adding the water, and knead the mixture for about 5-7 minutes until it becomes a soft, smooth, and elastic dough.

Resting the Dough

Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest. The resting time can vary from 10 minutes to 30 minutes or even an hour. This step is important as it allows the dough to relax, making it easier to roll out and helping the puri puff up during cooking.

Rolling and Cutting the Puri

After resting, divide the dough into small, equal-sized balls. Using a rolling pin, roll out each ball into thin, round circles, aiming for a diameter of about 3-4 inches. Ensure the circles are evenly flat, not too thick or too thin, as this will affect how they puff up. You can use a cookie cutter to get a uniform size and shape.

Boiling the Puri (Optional)

Before air-frying, some recipes suggest boiling the puri in water for about 2 minutes. This step helps ensure they puff up in the air fryer and gives them a shiny glaze similar to deep-fried puris. Boil them in batches, removing them with a slotted spoon when they puff up slightly and float to the surface.

Preheating the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer. Most recipes recommend a temperature of around 374°F to 400°F (190°C to 200°C) for 3-7 minutes.

Place the puris in the air fryer basket, ensuring they do not overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches. Air-fry for about 4-5 minutes, keeping an eye on them to prevent burning. They are ready when they are golden brown and crispy, puffing up beautifully.

Serving the Puri

Serve your air-fried puris hot with your choice of curry, chutney, or any side dish. They go well with potato curry, or you can use them for pani puri or other chaats.

Tips for Perfect Puris

• Dough Consistency: Ensure the dough is not too soft or too hard. A soft yet firm dough will puff up nicely.
• Rolling: Roll the puris evenly for uniform cooking.
• Air Fryer Temperature: Preheat the air fryer to ensure even cooking.
• Cooking Time: Start with a shorter cooking time and increase in small increments to prevent burning.
• Brushing with Oil: For a glossy finish, brush or spray the puris with oil before air-frying.
• Spices and Add-ons: This is a basic puri recipe that can be customised. Try adding spices like cumin seeds, carom seeds, or red chilli powder, or vegetable puree for extra fibre.

Enjoy your homemade, air-fried puris!

Serving suggestions

Puri is a popular Indian deep-fried bread that is usually served with a side dish or curry. It is traditionally made by deep-frying the dough in hot oil, resulting in a crispy, golden-brown texture. However, the traditional method of frying puris can be unhealthy due to the excessive use of oil, and it can also be a messy process.

Air-frying puris is a healthier and quicker alternative to traditional frying, as it uses little to no oil. Air-fried puris have a similar taste and texture to deep-fried ones, with a crispy exterior and a soft interior. They are also less greasy and retain all the flavour. Here are some serving suggestions for air-fried puris:

Chaat Puri

Chaat Puri is a delicious Indian street food made with crispy, puffed puris filled with a tangy and spicy mixture. The puris can be easily made in an air fryer, providing a healthier twist to this classic dish. The filling typically includes boiled potatoes, chickpeas, tamarind chutney, mint-coriander chutney, and spicy water (pani). The dish is then garnished with sev (thin crispy noodles), chopped onions, coriander leaves, and chaat masala.

Poori with Amritsari Chole

Amritsari Chole is a popular Indian dish made with spiced chickpeas and a tangy gravy. It is often served with puffed-up puris, making it a delicious and hearty meal. Air-fried puris are a perfect accompaniment to this dish, providing a crispy and fluffy texture without the use of oil.

Poori with Potato Curry

Potato curry is a flavourful and comforting dish made with boiled potatoes, spices, and a creamy gravy. It is a perfect match for air-fried puris, as the crispiness of the puris complements the softness of the potato curry. This combination is a tasty and satisfying meal.

Pani Puri

Pani Puri, also known as Gol Gappa, is another beloved Indian street food. It consists of crispy hollow puris filled with a tangy and spicy pani (water) and a mixture of potatoes and chickpeas. Air-frying the puris gives a delicious and healthy twist to this classic snack, reducing the amount of oil required.

Sweet Puri

For a sweet treat, puris can be enjoyed with peach jam or marmalade. The sweetness of the jam or marmalade pairs well with the crispy and fluffy texture of the air-fried puris. This combination is perfect for those with a sweet tooth.

Health benefits

Yes, you can fry puri in an air fryer. This method of cooking puri is healthier than deep frying, as it requires little to no oil.

Weight Loss

Deep-fried foods are high in fat and calories, which can lead to obesity and other health issues. Air fryers promote weight loss by reducing the amount of oil used in the cooking process. This leads to a lower intake of calories and less risk of weight gain.

Safety

Deep-frying involves heating a large container of scalding oil, which can be dangerous. Air fryers eliminate this risk as they do not use large amounts of hot oil.

Reduced Toxic Compounds

Frying foods in oil can lead to the formation of toxic compounds such as acrylamide, which is linked to an increased risk of certain cancers. Air fryers reduce the risk of these toxic compounds forming by using less oil and cooking at lower temperatures.

Lower Disease Risk

Consuming deep-fried foods regularly has been linked to various adverse health conditions. Replacing deep frying with air frying can reduce the risk of these complications.

Heart Health

Lowering oil intake can be beneficial for heart health. Vegetable oils, in particular, have been linked to an increased risk of heart disease. By using less oil, air fryers may help reduce this risk.

Frequently asked questions