Air-Frying Indian Food: What You Need To Know

Indian cuisine is known for its vibrant flavours and colours, and cooking it at home is a great way to explore the country's regional variations. Air fryers are a fantastic way to cook Indian food, as they require less oil, less supervision, and produce tasty, authentic results. You can make a variety of Indian dishes in an air fryer, from appetizers and snacks to main courses and side dishes.

Air fryer Indian appetisers

Indian appetisers cooked in an air fryer are a great way to enjoy the delicious flavours of Indian cuisine while reducing the amount of oil used. Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food, making it juicy and crisp without the need for deep frying. This collection of air fryer Indian appetisers will give you plenty of choices for your next party or get-together.

One popular option is Tandoori Paneer Tikka, a traditional Indian appetiser where paneer (an Indian cottage cheese) and vegetables are marinated in yogurt and spices and then cooked in the air fryer. This dish is a great way to add a creamy, tangy, and warm flavour to your meal. You can also make a Tandoori Paneer Naan Pizza by adding marinated paneer to naan bread with vegetables and cooking it in the air fryer. For a healthier option, try grilling the paneer like halloumi and serving it as a snack or party starter.

Another appetiser that can be made in an air fryer is samosas, little pastry pockets loaded with spiced potatoes and vegetables. Traditionally, samosas are deep-fried, but the air fryer can achieve the same crispy texture with less fat. Spraying the samosas with a little cooking spray will help create lovely flakes. If you're short on time, you can use phyllo pastry for an extra crispy layer.

If you're looking for a vegetarian option, try Gobi Manchurian, a popular Indo-Chinese dish. This appetiser consists of deep-fried crispy cauliflower tossed in a spicy and tangy Manchurian sauce. By using an air fryer, you can reduce the amount of oil typically used in this dish without sacrificing taste and texture. You can also make a similar dish called Tandoori Gobi, where cauliflower florets are marinated in a spiced yogurt-based marinade and cooked in the air fryer.

For a unique twist on a classic, try making French fries with an Indian twist. Crispy Masala French Fries are an Indian-style spicy potato French fry that can be easily made at home by mixing thinly cut potatoes with corn starch and spices. The air fryer will give you delicious, crispy, and crunchy French fries that taste just like your favourite restaurant's, but with far less oil.

These are just a few examples of the many Indian appetisers that can be made in an air fryer. With its ability to reduce cooking oil and hands-free cooking, an air fryer is a great way to explore the wonderful flavours of Indian cuisine.

Indian vegetarian air fryer recipes

Indian cuisine is known for its vibrant flavours and colours, and cooking Indian food in an air fryer is a great way to prepare a variety of healthy dishes with less oil. Here are some delicious Indian vegetarian air fryer recipes to try:

Aloo Gobi

Aloo Gobi is a popular North Indian side dish that can be found in restaurants and is also a frequent choice for home cooks. This roasted dish is made by tossing cauliflower and potatoes with spices and then air-frying or roasting them. It is a quick and easy recipe that takes less than 20 minutes to prepare and cook, resulting in a perfect Indian veggie dish without any mushy cauliflower.

Crispy Onion Pakoras/Bhajis

These crunchy, crispy fritters are made with sliced onions, gram flour (besan), and spices. They are a popular Indian snack and can be perfectly cooked in an air fryer. Enjoy them as a snack or as an appetizer with a cup of masala chai.

Tandoori Paneer Tikka

This Indian appetizer is made by marinating paneer and vegetables in yogurt and spices and then cooking them in an air fryer, oven, or grill. It is a flavourful and quick recipe that can be easily prepared in an air fryer.

Hariyali Paneer Tikka

Hariyali Paneer Tikka is another delectable Indian appetizer made with soft paneer cubes, crisp bell peppers, and onions. These ingredients are marinated in a mixture of cilantro, mint, yogurt, and spices. This dish can be quickly and easily cooked in an air fryer, oven, or grill, making it a convenient option.

Baby Potatoes

A simple yet delicious recipe, baby potatoes are marinated in a combination of yogurt and spices. They can then be threaded onto skewers and cooked in the air fryer, making a wonderful vegetarian tandoori starter. Alternatively, the potatoes can be cooked without skewers, making them perfect for a vegetarian tandoori dish.

These recipes showcase the versatility of Indian vegetarian cooking in an air fryer, allowing you to create healthy and tasty dishes with minimal effort and supervision.

Air fryer Indian snacks

Air fryers are a great way to cook Indian snacks, offering a healthier, more efficient, and convenient way to enjoy the rich flavours of Indian cuisine. Here are some delicious Indian snack recipes that can be made in an air fryer:

Crispy Paneer

Paneer is a calcium-packed snack, perfect as a party starter or a snack for kids. Fresh, juicy, crunchy cubes of paneer can be marinated in delicious Indian-inspired spices and air-fried. For an appetizer, you can also try tandoori paneer tikka, where paneer and vegetables are marinated in yogurt and spices and cooked in the air fryer.

Pakoras

Pakoras, or onion bhajis, are a popular Indian snack. Crispy and golden, these onion fritters are made with sliced onions, gram flour, and spices. They are crunchy, flavorful, and pair perfectly with a cup of masala chai.

Aloo Gobi

Aloo gobi is a popular North Indian side dish, often ordered at restaurants and made at home. This roasted dish is made by tossing cauliflower and potatoes in spices and roasting them in the air fryer. It is a tasty and healthy veggie dish.

Masala Fries

Masala fries are a classic Indian street food snack. Quick, crispy, and piping hot, these fries have a robust Indian spice coating and a finishing sprinkle of chaat masala. They are a homemade chatpata snack that is sure to be a crowd-pleaser.

Samosa Jalapeno Poppers

Samosa jalapeno poppers are an Indian fusion twist on the classic party appetizer. They have a spicy potato and peas filling with a kick of jalapeno spice. This vegetarian and gluten-free version can be made in the air fryer for samosa lovers.

Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

This grilled corn on the cob is an easy-to-make snack, perfect for summer. It can be spiced to taste and enjoyed as an appetizer, snack, or side.

Indian cooking offers a wide range of vegetarian, vegan, and gluten-free options, and the air fryer is a fantastic way to cook these dishes with less oil and more convenience.

Indian main courses in the air fryer

Indian food is known for its vibrant flavors and textures, and an air fryer is a great way to cook these dishes with less oil and in less time. The air fryer is perfect for preparing a variety of healthy Indian dishes, helping you cut back on deep frying without compromising on taste and texture.

Tandoori Chicken

A universally loved grilled chicken dish from Indian cuisine, the air fryer cooks it faster while keeping it moist inside and browned outside.

Shahi Tukda (Indian Bread Pudding)

This is a delicious Indian bread pudding where fried bread is soaked in thick saffron-flavored reduced milk and topped with lots of nuts.

Roasted Aloo Gobi

A popular North Indian side dish, this can be made by tossing cauliflower and potatoes in spices and roasting them in the air fryer.

Kukuri Bhindi (Crispy Fried Okra)

This is a popular Indian side dish where the okra is stuffed with a spicy and tangy masala filling.

Hariyali Paneer Tikka

A delectable Indian appetizer made with cubes of soft paneer, crisp bell pepper, and onions marinated in cilantro, mint, yogurt, and spices. This can be made in an air fryer, oven, or grill.

Tandoori Paneer Naan Pizza

A delicious fusion pizza made with marinated paneer, red peppers, onions, and grape tomatoes, cooked in an air fryer.

Air fryer Indian street food

Indian food is known for its vibrant flavours and nuances of crunchy, creamy textures. The air fryer is a great way to cook Indian food with less oil, without compromising on taste and texture.

Aloo Tikki

Aloo Tikki, also known as Aloo Pattice, is a popular Indian street food. It is made with boiled potatoes and aromatic spices and herbs. Typically, these fried potato croquettes/patties or cutlets are deep-fried or shallow-fried, but the air fryer offers a healthier alternative without compromising on the crunch.

Vada Pav

Vada Pav is a popular street food from Mumbai. It is a fried potato fritter stuffed between dinner rolls with sweet and spicy sauces or chutney. The air fryer version of the vada cuts down on the oil used in traditional deep-frying, making it a healthier option that can be enjoyed at home.

Masala Fries

Masala fries are a classic Indian street food that can be made quickly in the air fryer. They are crunchy, crispy, and piping hot, making them a perfect snack to enjoy with a cup of masala chai or coffee.

Crispy Paneer

Paneer is a popular ingredient in Indian cuisine, and crispy paneer is a delicious calcium-packed snack or party starter. It can be made in the air fryer, resulting in a crispy texture without the need for deep-frying.

Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori chicken is a flavour-packed dish that is popular worldwide. Chicken is marinated in yogurt, ginger, garlic, spices, and lemon juice, then grilled in the air fryer for a crispy and healthy alternative to traditional cooking methods.

Chilli Chicken

Chilli chicken is another popular Indian street food that can be made in the air fryer. Boneless chicken is marinated in Chinese sauces and fried until crispy, then stir-fried with ginger, garlic, onions, bell peppers, and sauces.

The air fryer is a versatile appliance that can be used to cook a variety of Indian dishes, from appetizers and snacks to main courses and side dishes, with less oil and hands-on cooking time.

Frequently asked questions