Making Bati In An Air Fryer: Is It Possible?

Bati is a famous Rajasthani dish that is traditionally cooked in a charcoal oven or on hot coals, giving it a rustic, smoky flavour. However, it can also be made in an air fryer with perfect texture and taste. This vegetarian dish is made with whole wheat flour, semolina, and ghee (clarified butter) and is served with spicy dal (lentils). The air fryer method is a simplified version of the traditional recipe, making it easier to prepare and enjoy with loved ones.

Ingredients for making bati in an air fryer

Bati is a famous Indian dish from the state of Rajasthan. It is traditionally cooked on hot coals, giving it a rustic, smoky flavour. However, it can also be cooked in an air fryer with perfect texture and taste.

• Whole wheat flour (atta) – 1 & 1/2 cups
• Sooji (semolina) – 1/4 cup
• Besan (chickpea flour) – 2 tbsp
• Baking powder – 1/8 tsp
• Ghee (clarified butter) – 2-3 tbsp
• Warm water – 3/4 cup (approx.)
• Salt to taste
• Yogurt – 1 tbsp
• Turmeric powder – 1 tsp
• Carom seeds (ajwain) – 1/2 tsp
• Baking soda – 1/2 tsp (optional)

Some recipes also call for the addition of curd, milk, and sugar to enhance the flavour and texture of the bati.

Now that you have gathered all the necessary ingredients, you are ready to start making bati in your air fryer!

Step-by-step process to make bati in an air fryer

Bati is a famous Rajasthani dish that can be cooked in many ways – traditionally in a wooden fire or cow dung fire, or with modified versions of the gas tandoor, microwave, or oven. The latest way to make it is by using an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step process to make bati in an air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the dough

Take a mixing bowl and add the following ingredients:

• 1 & 1/2 cups of whole wheat flour (ata)
• 1/4 cup of semolina (sooji)
• 2 tbsp of chickpea flour (besan)
• 1/8 tsp of baking powder
• 2 tbsp of ghee (clarified butter)

Mix all the ingredients except water and rub them between your palms. This will ensure that the ghee is evenly mixed with the other ingredients. This step is called "Moain lagana" in Hindi. Take a small quantity of this ghee-mixed flour on your palms and close your fist. It should loosely form a lump.

Step 2: Knead the dough

Gradually add warm water to the mixing bowl and start kneading. The quantity of water may vary depending on the quality of wheat flour. You want to knead a stiff dough. Cover it and let it rest for 30 minutes. If you are using a cloth, make sure it is moist, not wet.

Step 3: Preheat the air fryer

Set the air fryer for preheating at 200°C. This will take around 10 minutes. By the time the air fryer is preheating, you can proceed to the next step.

Step 4: Make the bati balls

Knead the dough once again for 2-3 minutes. Divide the dough into 9-10 equal-size parts. Take one part, roll it into a ball, and then flatten it slightly between your palms. Apply a dash of ghee in the center and gather the sides to make a closed ball again. Roll it gently once more. Repeat this process for the other parts to make balls.

Step 5: Cook the bati in the air fryer

Place the bati balls in the preheated air fryer and cook them for 15-20 minutes at 200°C. After half the time, turn them so that they are cooked from all sides. Air fry them until they turn golden brown or start to crack.

Step 6: Serve the bati

Take the cooked bati and dip it into ghee, and then serve. Repeat this for the other batis. Enjoy hot batis with panchmel dal.

Traditional ways of cooking bati

Bati is a traditional Rajasthani bread made using whole wheat flour. It is typically served with dal, churma, and ghee. While bati can be cooked in an air fryer or oven, the traditional way of cooking it is on an open fire, using wood and cow dung as fuel. This gives the bati a rustic, smoky flavour.

To make bati in the traditional way, start by kneading flour to form a tight dough. The dough is then divided into small, rough balls, with indentations made in the centre of each ball with your thumb. The bati are then cooked over an open flame until they are golden brown and cooked through. Finally, the bati are dipped in ghee and served hot.

In addition to the traditional method of cooking bati over an open fire, it can also be cooked in a stovetop tandoor. This method involves placing the bati on a wire rack over a medium-high flame and cooking them until they are golden brown and cooked through.

The amount of ghee used is important, as it gives the bati its distinctive flavour. While some recipes call for the bati to be dipped in ghee before serving, others suggest soaking the bati in ghee for a softer texture.

Other dishes that can be made in an air fryer

Bati, a popular Indian dish, can be cooked in an air fryer. The dish consists of whole wheat flour balls cooked in a charcoal oven, dunked in ghee (clarified butter), and served with spicy lentils.

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep-frying, as they use super-hot air to cook food, giving it a crispy, fried texture and golden-brown colour. Here are some other dishes that can be made in an air fryer:

Breakfast

• Hard-boiled eggs
• Crispy bacon
• French toast
• Egg cups

Appetizers and Snacks

• Chicken wings
• Mozzarella sticks
• Jalapeño poppers
• Onion rings
• Tater tots
• Blooming onion
• Mini calzones
• Tortilla chips
• Potato chips
• Sweet potato chips
• Buffalo cauliflower
• Pumpkin seeds
• Chickpeas

Side Dishes

• Roasted potatoes
• Broccoli
• Corn on the cob
• Carrots
• Green beans
• Cauliflower
• Sweet potato
• French fries
• Brussels sprouts
• Butternut squash
• Asparagus
• Potato wedges
• Zucchini chips
• Mushrooms
• Beets
• Eggplant fries

Main Dishes

• Fried chicken
• Chicken Parmesan
• Chicken breast
• Pork chops
• Tilapia
• Hamburgers
• Salmon
• Tofu nuggets with broccoli
• Grilled cheese
• Cornish hen
• Steak
• Chicken drumsticks
• Fish and chips
• Spaghetti squash parm
• Turkey breast
• Nashville hot chicken
• Taquitos
• Breaded shrimp
• Coconut shrimp
• Meatballs
• Fish tacos
• Chickpea fritters

Desserts

• Chocolate chip cookies
• Cinnamon rolls
• Donuts
• Churro bites with chocolate dipping sauce
• Apple cider donuts
• Fried Oreos
• Apple chips
• Beignets

History of bati

Bati is a popular Indian dish that originated in the state of Rajasthan, India. It is made by cooking whole wheat flour balls in a charcoal oven and dunking them in ghee (clarified butter). The dish is then served with spicy dal (lentils). The traditional method of cooking bati involved using hot coals, which imparted a rustic smoky flavour to the dish. However, modern cooking methods often involve baking in ovens or gas tandoors at home. Bati can also be successfully cooked in an air fryer, which produces evenly cooked bati with a perfect texture and colour.

The name "bati" also carries cultural significance in other contexts. As a surname, it has multiple potential origins, including geographic associations with southern provinces in Italy, where it may reflect the Italian word "battaglia," meaning "battle," and suggesting a connection to military history or valour. Within other cultures, particularly in South Asia, "bati" may pertain to ethnic or caste origins, relating to specific trades or professions historically tied to artisans or craftsmanship.

In Ethiopia, there is a town called Bati located in the north-central part of the country, in the Oromia Zone of the Amhara Region, east of Dessie. Bati is known for its market, which is situated between the Ethiopian highlands and the Great Rift Valley. The market in Bati has served as a cultural crossroads for the Amhara, Oromo, and semi-nomadic, desert-dwelling Afar people. It has also hosted Ethiopia's largest cattle and camel market, attracting a large number of people every Monday.

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