Air-Frying Puris: A Healthy, Easy Option?

Puris are a beloved Indian dish, often enjoyed as a street food. Traditionally, they are deep-fried, but can you make them in an air fryer? The answer is yes! Air-fried puris are a healthier alternative to the classic recipe, as they require little to no oil. They are also quick and easy to make, taking less than 20 minutes to prepare and cook. In this article, we will explore the different methods for making puris in an air fryer, as well as provide step-by-step instructions for creating this delicious treat.

How to make the dough for puris in an air fryer

Making the dough for puris in an air fryer is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need whole wheat flour (also known as atta) , oil, salt, and warm water. The exact quantities may vary depending on your preference and the number of puris you wish to make. For example, one source suggests using 1 cup of atta, 1 tablespoon of oil, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ cup of warm water.

Now, it's time to start making the dough. Add the flour and salt to a large bowl and mix well. Next, add the oil and mix again, ensuring you break up any lumps by rubbing the flour between your palms. Gradually add the warm water, a little at a time, and begin to knead the mixture. Keep adding water and kneading until you have a soft, stretchy dough. If you prefer a vegan puri, you can replace the dough with a dairy-free yogurt alternative.

Once you have the desired consistency, cover the dough and let it rest. Most sources recommend resting the dough for around 10 minutes, but one source suggests resting for at least 30 minutes. This will give the gluten in the dough time to relax, making it easier to roll out later.

After resting, you can shape the dough into a log and divide it into small, equal-sized balls. The size of each ball will determine the size of your puris. Aim for a diameter of about 1 inch. If you want to make masala puris, you can add spices such as cumin seeds, carom seeds, or red chili powder to the dough at this stage.

Before you start rolling out the dough, add a drop of oil to your work surface or coat each dough ball with dry flour. This will prevent the dough from sticking. Now, using a rolling pin, roll each ball into a circle with a diameter of approximately 3-4 inches. Ensure they are evenly flat, but not too thin, or they will become crispy.

Once you have rolled out all your dough balls, you can move on to the boiling step. This step is important to ensure that your puris puff up in the air fryer. Bring a pot of water to a boil and gently drop in a few puris at a time. Let them boil for about 2 minutes or until they puff slightly and float to the surface.

Remove the boiled puris with a slotted spoon and place them on a clean kitchen towel to absorb any excess water. Pat them dry, and they are now ready for the air fryer!

You can follow the remaining steps to cook your puris in the air fryer and enjoy them with your favorite curry, chutney, or side dish.

How to shape the dough into balls and roll them out

Shaping the dough into balls and rolling them out is a crucial step in making puris in an air fryer. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:

After kneading the dough, it is important to let it rest. The resting time allows the gluten in the dough to relax, making it easier to shape and roll. Cover the dough with a damp cloth or kitchen towel and let it rest for at least 20 minutes to an hour.

Once the dough has rested, you can start shaping it into balls. Divide the dough into equal portions, depending on the size of puris you want. For small puris, aim for balls that are about 1 inch in diameter. Use your hands to gently roll and shape the dough into smooth, round balls.

Before rolling out the dough balls, it is essential to prepare your work surface. Add a drop of oil to the surface or coat each dough ball with a thin layer of dry flour. This step will prevent the dough from sticking to the surface and make rolling easier.

Now, it's time to roll out the dough balls. Use a rolling pin to flatten each ball into a circle. The circles should be thin but not too thin, as this will affect the puffing of the puris. Aim for a thickness of about 2-3 mm. The circles should be even and uniform in size, approximately 3-4 inches in diameter.

While rolling, ensure that you apply even pressure and maintain a consistent thickness throughout the circle. It is important not to roll the dough too thick or too thin, as this will impact the cooking and puffing of the puris.

If you want to make larger puris, you can roll the dough balls into larger circles. However, keep in mind that you might need to adjust the cooking time accordingly in the air fryer.

Once you have rolled out all the dough balls, you can proceed to the next step of boiling or frying the puris. Remember, the key to shaping and rolling the dough is to work quickly and gently, ensuring that the dough does not dry out.

How to boil the puris before air frying

Boiling the puris before air frying is an important step to ensure they puff up and get a shiny glaze similar to deep-fried puris. Here is a detailed guide on how to boil the puris before air frying:

• Before you begin boiling, make the puri dough by combining whole wheat flour, salt, plain yogurt, and warm water. Knead the mixture into a soft yet firm dough. You can also add spices like cumin seeds, carom seeds, or red chilli powder to the dough for extra flavour.
• Once the dough is ready, divide it into small-sized balls. Use a rolling pin to roll each ball into circles with a diameter of approximately 3-4 inches. Keep the thickness even to ensure uniform cooking.
• Next, boil a pot of water. The water should be at a rolling boil before you add the puris.
• Gently drop a few puris into the boiling water. Boil them for about 2 minutes or until they puff up slightly and float to the surface.
• Remove the boiled puris with a slotted spoon and place them on a clean kitchen towel. This will help absorb any excess water.
• Pat the puris dry. Repeat the process until all the puris are boiled.

After boiling, your puris are almost ready for air frying! Simply preheat your air fryer and follow the remaining steps to enjoy your golden, puffed-up air fryer puris.

How to cook the puris in the air fryer

How to Cook Puris in an Air Fryer

Ingredients

• Wheat flour
• Salt
• Oil
• Water
• Yogurt (optional)
• Semolina (optional)
• All-purpose flour (optional)
• Sugar (optional)

Method

First, add the flour, salt, and oil to a large bowl and mix well. If you're using yogurt in your recipe, add it in now and mix it through. Next, gradually add warm water and knead the mixture into a soft but firm dough. Cover the dough and let it rest for 10-30 minutes.

Once the dough has rested, divide it into small balls and roll them into thin, evenly flat circles, roughly 3-4 inches in diameter. You can use a cookie cutter to get the perfect shape. Before air-frying, boil the puris in water for 2 minutes, or until they puff up slightly. Remove them from the water and pat them dry with a kitchen towel.

Preheat your air fryer to 350-374°F. Lightly grease the air fryer basket with oil spray or brush. Place the puris inside, ensuring they don't overlap, and air-fry for 3-4 minutes. Flip them halfway through for an even cook. The puris are done when they are golden brown and crispy.

Your air-fried puris are now ready to be served with your favorite curry, chutney, or side dish. Enjoy!

How to make masala poori in an air fryer

Ingredients:

• 1 cup whole wheat flour (atta)
• 3 tablespoons plain yogurt
• Warm water (for dough)
• Dry flour or a few drops of oil for rolling
• Extra water for boiling puris
• Spices such as cumin seeds, carom seeds, crushed fennel seeds, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, hing, kasuri methi, and garam masala powder

Method:

• In a large mixing bowl, combine the whole wheat flour and salt. You can also add a teaspoon of sugar to get a golden hue on your puris.
• Add the plain yogurt and start mixing.
• Gradually add warm water as needed to form a soft but firm dough. Knead the dough for about 3-4 minutes. The dough should not be sticky.
• Cover the dough and let it rest for at least 30 minutes.
• After resting, knead the dough again and shape it into a log. Divide it into small pieces and roll them into equal-sized balls.
• Add a drop of oil to your work surface or coat the dough balls in dry flour.
• Using a rolling pin, roll each ball into a circle of approximately 3-4 inches in diameter and evenly flat. Make sure they are not rolled too thin, or they will become crispy.
• Before air-frying, boil water in a large pot.
• Once the water is boiling, gently drop a few puris into the water and let them boil for about 2 minutes or until they puff up slightly and come to the surface. This step helps to ensure they puff up in the air fryer and gives them a shiny glaze.
• Remove the boiled puris with a slotted spoon and place them on a clean kitchen towel to absorb any excess water. Pat them dry.
• Preheat your air fryer to 190°C (374°F).
• Place the boiled puris in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap. You may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Air-fry the puris for about 4 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. If they are not golden, you can air-fry for another minute or two. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
• Once the puris are puffed, remove them from the air fryer and they are ready to serve!

Tips:

• The boiling step before air-frying is important for getting the puris to puff up, so do not skip it.
• If the puris are not puffing up, they might be rolled too thick or too thin.
• For an oily glaze, you can lightly brush or spray the puris with oil before air-frying.
• The dough should be kneaded well and not be sticky. It needs to be thicker and less moist than chapati dough.
• Preheat your air fryer before placing the puris inside.

Frequently asked questions