Air-Fried Puris: A Tasty, Healthy Twist On A Classic

Puris are a type of Indian flatbread that traditionally requires deep-frying. However, with the growing popularity of air fryers, many people are wondering if it is possible to make puris in an air fryer. The answer is yes! Air-fried puris are a healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried version, as they are cooked without the use of oil. This article will introduce you to the world of air-fried puris, providing a basic recipe and tips for achieving the perfect puffy texture that puris are known for.

Puri ingredients

Puris are a type of Indian flatbread that traditionally requires deep-frying. However, you can make them in an air fryer with just a few simple ingredients. Here is a list of the ingredients you will need to make puris in an air fryer:

• Whole wheat flour (atta) or a combination of whole wheat flour and all-purpose flour (maida)
• Semolina (sooji)
• Salt
• Oil (any type)
• Water
• Plain yogurt (optional)
• Sugar (optional)

The quantities of each ingredient may vary depending on the recipe you follow. For example, one recipe calls for 1 cup of whole wheat flour, 1 tablespoon of oil, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ cup of warm water. Another recipe suggests 2 cups of whole wheat flour, ½ cup of all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons of semolina, 1½ teaspoons of salt, 1 teaspoon of sugar, and 1½ cups of water.

You can also add various spices and seasonings to the dough to create different flavours of puris, such as masala puris, palak puris, or methi puris. For masala puris, add spices like cumin seeds, carom seeds, crushed fennel seeds, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, and garam masala powder. For palak puris, replace the water in the dough with spinach puree. And for methi puris, add fresh fenugreek leaves or crushed kasuri methi to the dough.

Additionally, if you are making pani puris, you will need additional ingredients for the filling and garnishes, such as potatoes, chickpeas, tamarind chutney, mint-coriander chutney, and spicy water (pani).

Making the dough

• Whole wheat flour or atta
• All-purpose flour or maida
• Semolina or sooji
• Salt
• Caster sugar
• Water
• Oil or melted ghee

The quantities of each ingredient can vary depending on the recipe, but as an example, you could use 2 cups of whole wheat flour, 1/2 cup of all-purpose flour, 2 tablespoons of semolina, 1-1.5 teaspoons of salt, 1 teaspoon of sugar, 1.5 cups of water, and some oil or ghee.

To make the dough, start by adding the dry ingredients to a bowl and mixing them together. This includes the whole wheat flour, all-purpose flour, semolina, salt, and sugar. Mix these ingredients well until they are combined.

Next, gradually add water to the dry mixture and knead it to form a dough. You may not need to use all of the water, so add it slowly until the dough reaches the desired consistency. The dough should be soft, yet stretchy and not too sticky. Cover the dough and let it rest for at least 10 minutes, or up to 20-30 minutes if you have time.

Once the dough has rested, you can roll it out and cut it into small balls, which will then be rolled out into thin circles before placing them in the air fryer.

Shaping the puris

Next, use a rolling pin to roll each ball into a circle. The circles should be approximately 3-4 inches in diameter and evenly flat. It is important not to roll them too thin, as this will cause them to become crispy and prevent them from puffing up in the air fryer. If you prefer thicker puris, be mindful not to roll them too thick, as this will result in doughy puris that may not cook evenly.

Once you have rolled out your puris, it is time to boil them before air-frying. Bring a pot of water to a boil and gently place a few puris at a time into the water. Allow them to boil for about 2 minutes, or until they puff up slightly and float to the surface. This step is essential to ensure that your puris puff up in the air fryer and gives them a shiny glaze similar to deep-fried puris.

After boiling, remove the puris with a slotted spoon and place them on a clean kitchen towel to absorb any excess water. Gently pat them dry before placing them in the air fryer. This step will ensure that your puris are not soggy and will help them achieve the desired crispiness.

Cooking the puris

Ingredients

• Wheat Flour: 2 Cups
• Suji/ Rava: 1 Tsp
• Sugar: 1 Tsp
• Salt to taste
• Oil: 2 Tsp for dough and for frying
• Water: For kneading a soft dough (around ¼ Cup)

Method

First, make a big wheat dough by adding all the ingredients. Then, make multiple smaller dough balls for the Puris. Grease the rolling surface with oil. Roll out a small rounded Puri.

If you are using the traditional method, heat the oil to a medium temperature and put the rolled Puri in to fry.

If you are using an air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 400°F for 5 minutes. Oil the air fryer basket with an oil spray or brush. Put 2-3 Puris in the basket at a time, spraying the surface of the Puris too. Put the air fryer lid on and set to 400°F for 5 minutes.

Alternative Methods

Some recipes suggest boiling the Puris in hot water for about 2 minutes before air frying. This helps them to puff up and gives them a shiny glaze.

Another recipe suggests making the dough with whole wheat flour, plain yoghurt, warm water, and salt. After letting the dough rest for 30 minutes, divide it into small balls and roll them out into circles. Place the Puris in the air fryer basket and cook at 374°F for about 4 minutes.

Tips

• The traditional method of deep-frying Puris is not considered healthy, but air-fried Puris are.
• If you want an oily glaze, brush or spray the Puris with oil before cooking.
• The air-fried Puris are best served hot straight from the air fryer.
• You can store air-fried Puris in an airtight container for up to one day at room temperature or up to 2 days in the refrigerator.

Serving suggestions

Puris are a type of Indian flatbread that can be served in a variety of ways. They are often stuffed with a variety of fillings and served as a snack or appetiser. Here are some serving suggestions for puris made in an air fryer:

Pani Puri

Pani puri, also known as Gol Gappa, is a popular street food in India. It consists of crispy hollow puris filled with a tangy and spicy pani (water) and a mixture of potatoes and chickpeas. To make pani puri in an air fryer, follow these steps:

• Prepare the stuffing by boiling potatoes until soft, then mashing them and mixing them with boiled chickpeas.
• Make the crispy puris by mixing semolina and all-purpose flour, adding water to form a dough, and then rolling it into thin circles. Place the rolled puris in the air fryer basket and cook at 350°F (180°C) for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
• Assemble the pani puri by making a small hole in the centre of each puri, adding a spoonful of the potato-chickpea mixture, drizzling with tamarind and mint-coriander chutney, and then dipping into spicy water (pani).
• Garnish with sev (thin crispy noodles), chopped onions, coriander leaves, and chaat masala.

Chaats

Chaats are a type of Indian street food that typically consists of a base, such as a puri, topped with various ingredients such as potatoes, chickpeas, onions, and chutneys. To make chaats with air-fried puris, follow a similar recipe to the one above for pani puri, but instead of filling the puri with the potato-chickpea mixture, use it as a base and top with your desired ingredients.

With Curries or Gravies

Air-fried puris can be served as a side dish with your favourite curry or gravy. They can be a healthier alternative to traditional fried puris or flatbreads.

Sweet Indulgence

For a sweet treat, smear some peach jam or marmalade on the puris and enjoy them as a dessert or tea-time snack.

Frequently asked questions