Air Fryer Hack: Frozen Samosas, Cooked Perfectly

You can cook frozen samosas in an air fryer, and it's super easy! There's no need to defrost them first, simply place them straight into the air fryer from the freezer. Many people recommend spraying the samosas with oil before cooking, as this helps to create a crispy exterior. The cooking time will vary depending on the size of the samosas, the brand, and the size of your air fryer, but generally, they will take around 10-20 minutes to cook at 375-400 °F. You should also turn the samosas halfway through cooking to ensure they cook evenly. Once they're golden brown, remove them from the air fryer and enjoy!

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in cooking frozen samosas. It ensures that your samosas cook evenly and helps to prevent an overcooked exterior and undercooked interior. Most air fryers have a preheat button that you can use to preheat the appliance before adding your food. The ideal temperature for preheating your air fryer for cooking frozen samosas is around 340–380 °F (170–190 °C). You should preheat your air fryer for about 5–10 minutes before adding your frozen samosas.

It is important to note that you should not thaw or defrost your frozen samosas before placing them in the air fryer. Keep them frozen until you are ready to cook them. This will help ensure that they cook evenly and achieve the desired crispiness.

When preheating your air fryer, it is also a good idea to ensure that the basket is clean. This will help to avoid any unwanted smells or flavours transferring to your samosas.

Additionally, it is important to leave some space between the samosas in the air fryer basket. Do not stack or crowd them. Place them in a single layer with a little bit of space between each one to allow the hot air to circulate properly. If you have a large number of samosas to cook, you may need to cook them in multiple batches.

Oil or no oil?

Using an air fryer to cook frozen samosas is a healthier alternative to deep frying, as it requires significantly less oil.

Some recipes suggest that you can cook frozen samosas without oil, and they will still turn out crispy and delicious. However, the exterior may be drier than those cooked with oil.

If you want to ensure your samosas are extra crispy, it is recommended to spray or brush both sides with a light coating of oil before placing them in the air fryer. Olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil are good options, and you can even use ghee if you are vegetarian.

It is important to note that the cooking time and temperature may vary depending on the air fryer model, the brand of frozen samosas, and their size. Be sure to preheat your air fryer and keep an eye on your samosas to ensure they don't burn or overcook.

So, whether you choose to use oil or not, you can still enjoy delicious, crispy samosas straight from your air fryer!

Temperature and timing

The cooking temperature and time for frozen samosas in an air fryer depend on several factors, including the size of the samosas, the type of filling, and the capacity of the air fryer. It is recommended to preheat the air fryer before adding the frozen samosas.

For Punjabi Samosas, which are larger, the oven instructions suggest cooking at 350°F (180°C) for 16-18 minutes. To air fry, keep the temperature at 350°F (180°C) and adjust the time to 8-10 minutes. For Cocktail or Mini Vegetable Samosas, with oven instructions of 350°F for 12-14 minutes, maintain the same temperature and reduce the cooking time to 5-7 minutes.

Some sources recommend cooking frozen samosas in the air fryer at 380°F (193°C) for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through. If you want a crispier samosa, you can increase the temperature to 400°F (204°C) and cook for an additional 2 minutes.

If your samosas are not cooked through and remain raw in the middle, you can turn them over and add an extra 2 minutes to the cooking time. The cooking time can also be adjusted based on your desired level of crispness and browning.

Flipping or shaking

You can use tongs to turn the samosas, or you can shake the basket to ensure they cook evenly. It is important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this will prevent proper air circulation and impact the crispiness of your samosas. Instead, cook the samosas in batches, ensuring they are in a single layer with a little space between them.

The ideal cooking time and temperature for frozen samosas in an air fryer vary depending on the size and thickness of the samosas, as well as the wattage and capacity of your air fryer. As a general guideline, cook your samosas at 375°F (190°C) for about 8-10 minutes, flipping or shaking halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy. You may need to add an additional 2-3 minutes, depending on your desired level of crispiness.

Some recipes recommend cooking frozen samosas at 380°F for 11 minutes, flipping or shaking halfway through, and then increasing the temperature to 400°F for an additional 2 minutes if they are not crisp enough.

It is also recommended to preheat your air fryer before adding the frozen samosas, and to brush or spray them with oil before cooking to create a crispy exterior.

Serving suggestions

Frozen samosas cooked in an air fryer can be served as an appetizer, snack, or finger food at parties, movie nights, and family dinners. They can also be served as a meal, either for lunch or dinner, or even breakfast.

Samosas are a great low-calorie option, and are best served warm and crispy straight out of the air fryer. They can be served with a variety of dipping sauces, such as tamarind sauce, cilantro chutney, mango chutney, ketchup, or sweet chili sauce. You can also serve them with a combination of chutney with mint and cilantro leaves, or any dip of your choice.

Samosas are traditionally Indian and are usually made with thin pastry that crisps up beautifully. The filling is typically a blend of spiced potatoes, onion, peas, and Indian seasonings, but they can also be filled with vegetables, paneer, meat, chicken, or lamb.

Frequently asked questions