Air-Fried Samosas: A Healthy, Guilt-Free Treat

Air fryers are a convenient and healthy way to cook samosas without using large amounts of oil. They are a great option for a tasty snack or appetiser, and can be served with a variety of dipping sauces.

You can use homemade pastry or ready-made wrappers to make samosas in an air fryer. The filling can be made with a variety of ingredients, including vegetables, meat, and spices.

Some tips for making samosas in an air fryer include preheating the air fryer, not overcrowding the basket, and using oil sparingly.

How to fold an air fryer samosa

Ingredients

• Samosas sheets/wrappers (homemade or ready-made)
• Filling of your choice (e.g. vegetables, meat)
• Oil (optional)
• Flour and water paste (optional)

Folding Instructions:

Start by preparing your filling and allowing it to cool. If you are using ready-made samosa wrappers, you can cut them into your desired shape and size. For example, if using spring roll wrappers, divide them into three sections.

Take a sheet of samosa pastry and lay it horizontally on a clean work surface. You can double up the layers for extra crispiness.

Now, we will fold the samosa into a triangle shape:

• Starting from the upper right corner, bring the pastry down diagonally to meet the bottom edge.
• Place your finger at the corner where the pastry meets at the bottom edge.
• Repeat the diagonal fold, this time moving the pastry in an upward direction to meet the top edge. This will create a triangular pocket for your filling.
• Use a flour and water paste to stick the inner surface of the pastry together if needed.
• Fill the pocket with your desired filling. Be careful not to overfill to avoid splitting the wrapper.
• Fold the loose edge of the pastry over the open pocket and seal with more paste if needed. Ensure you do this tightly to eliminate holes and air pockets.

Your samosa is now ready to be cooked in the air fryer! Repeat the process for the remaining samosas.

Cooking Instructions:

Brush both sides of the samosas with oil (optional). Arrange them in a single layer inside the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded.

Air fry at 180°C/350°F-375°F/190°C for 4 minutes, then turn the samosas over. Air fry for another 4-5 minutes at 200°C/400°F. For a crispier finish, some air fryers have a grill function, which can be used for 1 minute on each side.

Your air fryer samosas are now ready to be served!

How to reheat samosas in an air fryer

Reheating samosas in an air fryer is a great way to restore their crispiness. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to reheat samosas in an air fryer:

• Preheat the air fryer: Before placing the samosas in the air fryer, preheat the air fryer to 380–425°F. Preheating ensures that the samosas cook evenly, resulting in a crispy and golden finish.
• Prepare the samosas: Keep the samosas frozen until you are ready to cook them. Place the frozen samosas in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between each samosa to allow hot air to circulate. If needed, cook the samosas in multiple batches to avoid overcrowding.
• Oil the samosas (optional): You can lightly spray or brush the samosas with oil before placing them in the air fryer for extra crispness. However, this step is optional, as the air fryer will still produce crispy results without added oil.
• Cook the samosas: Place the samosas in the air fryer and cook for 6–8 minutes for leftover samosas or 10–12 minutes for frozen samosas. Flip the samosas halfway through the cooking time to ensure even cooking.
• Serve: Remove the samosas from the air fryer and serve them with your favourite dipping sauce or chutney, such as tamarind chutney, mint chutney, or yogurt-based sauces.

Note: The cooking time may vary depending on the size and model of your air fryer, so keep an eye on the samosas to avoid overcooking.

How to cook frozen samosas in an air fryer

Ingredients and Equipment:

• Frozen samosas (any kind)
• Cooking spray or olive oil/neutral cooking oil
• Air fryer

Method:

• Spray or brush both sides of the frozen samosas with oil and place them in the air fryer. Do not stack them. If you have a lot of samosas to cook, do them in batches.
• Set the air fryer to cook for 10 minutes at 375 °F.
• After 10 minutes, remove the fryer basket and shake it to ensure all the samosas cook evenly. Cook for another 10 minutes.
• Cook until the samosas are crispy and browned. If needed, add an additional 2-3 minutes.

Tips:

• It usually takes about 18-20 minutes to cook frozen samosas in an air fryer. The time will vary depending on the size of the samosas and how crispy you like them.
• You do not need to defrost frozen samosas before cooking them in an air fryer. It is better to cook them straight from frozen.
• We recommend adding a few sprays of olive oil before cooking, as this will help create a crispy exterior. You can make them without oil, but the exterior will be drier.
• For regular-size samosas, flipping isn't necessary, but we recommend flipping or shaking them halfway through for an even cook. If you are cooking jumbo samosas, flip them halfway through the cooking time.
• Preheat the air fryer for the best results.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket – place the samosas in a single layer and leave a little bit of space between them to allow the hot air to circulate. If needed, air fry the frozen samosas in multiple batches.
• You can store leftover samosas in an airtight container. To reheat, air fry them for 3 minutes at 350 °F.

How to make the dough for air fryer samosas

Air fryer samosas are a healthier alternative to the traditional fried version, and they are easier and less messy to make. The dough for air fryer samosas can be made with basic pantry ingredients and is simple to prepare. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make the dough for delicious air fryer samosas.

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make the dough:

• All-purpose flour (also known as "maida")
• Chilled water
• Ghee or oil (use oil for a vegan version)
• Caraway seeds (ajwain) (optional)
• Salt

Instructions

• Start by placing the flour, salt, caraway seeds (if using), and ghee or oil into a large stand mixer with a dough hook attachment. You can also use a bowl and knead the dough by hand.
• Mix the ingredients together, either with the stand mixer on low speed or by hand.
• Gradually add in the chilled water. Continue mixing or kneading until a firm, stiff dough forms. This should take about 5-8 minutes, depending on your method.
• Cover the dough with a wet cloth to prevent it from drying out, or keep it in the Instant Pot on Yogurt mode on Normal Heat for an hour.

Tips

• If you are making the dough by hand, you may need to adjust the amount of water. Add it slowly and gradually until the dough reaches the desired consistency.
• The dough is now ready to be filled and shaped into samosas. Follow your favourite samosa recipe for filling and shaping instructions.

Storage

The dough can be stored in the refrigerator, covered with a damp cloth or plastic wrap, until you are ready to use it.

How to make the filling for air fryer samosas

Samosas are a popular snack in India, the Middle East and Asian countries. They are fried pastries, usually filled with spiced potatoes and vegetables, or meat. The filling for samosas is typically vegetarian. Here is a step-by-step guide to making the filling for air-fried samosas.

Ingredients

• Spices: cumin seeds, garam masala, ground coriander, ground cumin, ajwain seeds, amchur (mango powder), asafoetida (hing), black mustard seeds, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, and salt.
• Vegetables: potatoes, peas, carrots, corn, onions, green chillies/chilli powder, and ginger.
• Other: vegetable oil, ghee (clarified butter), flour, water, lemon juice, and coriander/cilantro.

Method

• Boil the potatoes until tender, then roughly mash them, leaving some chunks for textural interest.
• Heat oil in a pan and add the whole spices (cumin seeds, black mustard seeds, coriander seeds, and ajwain seeds). Fry until fragrant.
• Add the aromatics: ginger, chilli, and onions (if using). Fry until the onions are translucent and lightly browned.
• Add the ground spices: garam masala, ground coriander, ground cumin, amchur, asafoetida, red chilli powder, and salt. Fry for a further 30 seconds to a minute.
• Add the potatoes and gently mix until they are coated in the spices.
• (Optional) Add other vegetables, such as carrots, corn, and peas. Simmer until tender.
• (Optional) Add a splash of water to help the vegetables cook through. Cover the pan and cook on a low heat until everything is tender.
• Stir in the fresh coriander/cilantro and lemon juice.
• Allow the filling to cool completely before using.

Frequently asked questions