Steaming Samosas: Frozen To Fabulous In Minutes

Samosas are a delicious treat, but can you cook frozen samosas by steaming them? Well, it is not recommended. The best way to cook frozen samosas is to deep fry them. This gives the best results, with a crispy, golden exterior and soft, tasty filling. However, frying is not the healthiest option and requires a lot of oil. Alternatively, you can bake them in the oven or cook them in an air fryer, which are healthier options that still yield crispy results. Microwaving frozen samosas is also possible but is not recommended due to poor results. So, while steaming is not advised, there are several other methods to choose from when cooking frozen samosas.

Deep frying frozen samosas

Deep frying is the best way to cook frozen samosas, giving them a crispy, golden exterior while ensuring the filling is cooked through. Here is a step-by-step guide to deep-frying frozen samosas:

Preparing the Oil:

• Use a deep fryer, a deep frying pan, or a wok for deep frying. Ensure your vessel is large enough to fully submerge the samosas in oil.
• For the oil, vegetable oil is recommended due to its high smoke point, but you can also use canola or sunflower oil.
• Heat the oil to around 325°F (162°C) to 375°F (175-190°C). This temperature range will ensure the samosas cook evenly and become crispy without burning.

Frying the Samosas:

• Do not defrost or thaw the frozen samosas before frying. They should go straight from the freezer into the hot oil.
• Carefully place the frozen samosas into the hot oil, one at a time. Avoid overcrowding the vessel, as this will lower the oil temperature and affect the cooking process.
• Fry the samosas for about 7-10 minutes, turning them occasionally to ensure even cooking and a consistent golden colour.
• Once they are deep golden brown and crispy, remove the samosas from the oil using a slotted spoon. This allows any excess oil to drain.
• Place the fried samosas on a plate lined with paper towels to absorb any remaining excess oil.

Tips and Tricks:

• Be cautious when frying frozen food to avoid oil spills and splatters. Oil overflow can occur when adding very cold items to hot oil. Cook in small batches to mitigate this risk.
• If you are concerned about the filling not heating through, you can try microwaving the frozen samosas on low-medium power for a minute or two before frying to jumpstart the heating process.
• Ensure your samosas are sealed properly to prevent the filling from spilling out during frying.
• Adjust the frying temperature as needed to achieve the desired crispiness and colour without burning.

Baking frozen samosas in the oven

While frying is the most popular way to cook samosas, baking them in the oven is a healthier alternative. This method can be used for both uncooked and pre-cooked frozen samosas.

Baking Uncooked Frozen Samosas

To bake uncooked frozen samosas in the oven, first preheat your oven to 200°C or 400°F. Line a baking tray with foil or baking paper. Place your samosas on the tray and brush both sides of each samosa with your choice of cooking oil—you can use melted ghee, vegetable oil, sunflower oil, or olive oil. Place the tray in the middle rack of the preheated oven and bake for 10 to 15 minutes, or until the corners start to brown. Remove the tray from the oven, flip the samosas, and bake for another 10 to 15 minutes. If the surface looks dry, you can brush the samosas with some more oil. Remove the samosas from the oven and let them cool for 2 to 3 minutes before serving.

Baking Pre-Cooked Frozen Samosas

The process for baking pre-cooked frozen samosas is similar. Preheat your oven to 325°F. Brush the frozen samosas with oil and place them on a baking tray. Bake for 8 minutes, then turn the samosas over and bake for another 5 to 7 minutes, until they are heated through. Remove from the oven and let them sit for up to 3 minutes before serving.

Tips

• You can bake a large batch of samosas at one time, making this method handy for catering to a large group.
• Be careful not to leave the samosas in the oven for too long, as this could cause the outside to burn or the filling to dry up.
• Brushing the samosas generously with oil will prevent the wraps from becoming crumbly.

Cooking frozen samosas in an air fryer

Air-frying is an excellent way to cook frozen samosas. It's quick, easy, and delivers a crispy texture without the mess and grease of deep frying. Here's a step-by-step guide to help you achieve perfect results:

Step 1: Preheat the Air Fryer

Start by preheating your air fryer to ensure even cooking. Set the temperature to around 380-400 degrees Fahrenheit. This step should only take a few minutes.

Step 2: Arrange the Samosas

Place the frozen samosas in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are in a single layer with some space between them. Avoid overcrowding, as this can lead to uneven cooking and less crispiness. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook the samosas in multiple batches.

Step 3: Lightly Spray with Oil (Optional)

For an extra crispy texture and a golden color, you can lightly spray or brush the samosas with oil. This step is optional, but it can enhance the final result. Avocado oil or olive oil are good choices for this.

Step 4: Air Fry the Samosas

Close the air fryer and cook the samosas for about 7-15 minutes. Keep in mind that the cooking time may vary depending on the size of the samosas and your air fryer. Halfway through the cooking process, open the air fryer and flip the samosas for even cooking.

Step 5: Check for Doneness

Once the cooking time is up, open the air fryer and check if the samosas are cooked to your liking. If they need a little more time, you can increase the temperature to 400 degrees Fahrenheit and air fry for an additional 2 minutes.

Step 6: Serve and Enjoy

When the samosas are golden brown and crispy, it's time to serve them! Pair them with your favorite dipping sauce or chutney. Some popular options include tamarind chutney, mint chutney, mango chutney, yogurt, or ketchup. Enjoy your delicious and crispy treat!

Tips for Best Results:

• Always preheat your air fryer before adding the samosas.
• Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• Flip the samosas halfway through the cooking time for even browning.
• Adjust the cooking time based on the size of the samosas. Smaller ones may need less time, while larger ones may need a bit more.
• Serve the samosas immediately while they are still warm and crispy.

Microwaving frozen samosas

While it is possible to microwave frozen samosas, the results may not be as desirable as with other cooking methods. Microwaving frozen samosas can cause them to become soggy, with the pastry losing its crispness. However, if you're short on time or don't have access to other cooking appliances, microwaving can be a quick and convenient option to simply warm up and cook your samosas.

To microwave frozen samosas, place them on a microwave-safe dish and cook them on medium heat for a few minutes. The exact cooking time will depend on the number and size of the samosas, but it typically ranges from a few minutes to around seven minutes. It's important to note that microwaving frozen samosas may result in uneven heating, with some parts of the filling remaining cold while others become very hot.

If you're looking for a crispier samosa, there are alternative cooking methods you can consider. Deep frying is the most popular and effective way to achieve a golden, crispy exterior. Frying frozen samosas in hot oil at around 350 degrees Fahrenheit for a total of 5 minutes, turning them occasionally, will yield the best results. However, frying requires more oil and can be messier than other methods.

Baking frozen samosas in the oven is another option, offering a healthier alternative to frying. Preheat your oven to around 400 degrees Fahrenheit for uncooked samosas or 325 degrees Fahrenheit for pre-cooked ones. Brush the samosas with vegetable oil and place them on a baking tray. Bake for 10-15 minutes on each side for uncooked samosas, and 8 minutes on the first side and 5-7 minutes on the second side for pre-cooked ones. Baking allows you to prepare a large batch at once and eliminates the need for excessive oil. However, it may take longer due to the oven's preheating time, and there is a risk of burning or drying out the samosas if left unattended.

Air frying is the healthiest option, as it requires no oil and produces similar results to deep frying. Preheat your air fryer to 375-390 degrees Fahrenheit and place the frozen samosas inside, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Cook for 5 minutes, turn them carefully, and then cook for an additional 3-4 minutes. This method provides a quick, crispy, and healthy way to prepare frozen samosas.

How to thaw frozen samosas

There are a few ways to thaw frozen samosas. If you are not in a rush, you can leave them in the fridge for a few hours or overnight. This will ensure they are defrosted at a safe temperature. If you need to defrost your samosas quickly, you can use the defrost function on your microwave.

Once your samosas are thawed, you can cook them in an oven, air fryer, or toaster oven. Some people also suggest frying them in a pan with a bit of oil or using an instant pot.

Frequently asked questions