Air Fryer Samosas: How Long To Fry?

Samosas are a delicious Indian snack, but frying them can be messy and unhealthy. That's where the air fryer comes in! Air fryers can cook samosas in less than 15 minutes, with minimal prep and no oil required. The result? Crispy, golden-brown triangles with a flavourful filling. This guide will answer all your questions about cooking samosas in an air fryer, from cooking times and temperatures to filling ideas and brands.

How long to cook frozen samosas in an air fryer

Frozen samosas are a great snack to have on hand, and cooking them in an air fryer is a quick and easy way to get that crispy texture without having to deep fry them. Here's a guide to help you get perfectly cooked samosas every time.

Preparation

Before you start cooking your frozen samosas, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it's best to use a good brand of frozen samosas. Look for brands that specifically sell frozen samosas, as these will be designed to cook well straight from frozen. Some recommended brands include Trader Joe's, Swad, Haldiram, and Iceland.

When you're ready to cook, take the samosas out of the freezer and remove them from their packaging. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they're not overcrowded. You may need to cook them in multiple batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Cooking Time and Temperature

The cooking time for frozen samosas in an air fryer can vary depending on the size and brand of the samosas, as well as the model of your air fryer. As a general guideline, cook the samosas at a temperature between 355°F and 380°F (180°C to 200°C) for 6 to 11 minutes. For example, one source recommends cooking samosas at 380°F for 11 minutes. However, another source suggests a cooking time of 6 minutes at 360°F/180°C for Iceland brand samosas.

It's important to keep an eye on your samosas while they're cooking, as you may need to adjust the time and temperature depending on your specific air fryer and the type of samosas you're using. Check on them regularly, especially towards the end of the cooking time, to ensure they don't overcook or burn.

Tips for the Best Results

• No need to thaw: Cook the samosas straight from frozen. There's no need to thaw or defrost them beforehand.
• Don't overcrowd: Make sure there's enough space between the samosas in the air fryer basket to allow for even cooking.
• Spice level: Check the spice level of the frozen samosas before purchasing, especially if you have a preference for mild or spicy food.
• Oil: Most frozen samosas don't require spraying with oil, but if your brand recommends it, use a light spray or brush a small amount of oil on the samosas before cooking.
• Reheating: If you have any leftover samosas, the best way to reheat them is in the air fryer. Set the temperature to 340°F/160°C and reheat for about 3 minutes or until they're hot and crispy again.

Serving Suggestions

Samosas are best enjoyed hot and crispy, so serve them immediately after cooking. They make a great appetizer, snack, or finger food for parties, movie nights, or family dinners. You can serve them with a variety of dipping sauces, such as chutney (mango, cilantro, or mint), sweet chili sauce, yogurt dip, or any other dip of your choice. Enjoy!

Air fryer temperature for frozen samosas

Frozen samosas are a great snack or appetiser and can be cooked in an air fryer in less than 15 minutes. The air fryer is particularly good at heating up frozen food and can be used to cook samosas without the need for deep frying.

Air Fryer Temperature

The ideal temperature for cooking frozen samosas in an air fryer is around 380°F (193°C). However, some recipes recommend cooking at a lower temperature of 360°F (180°C) and then increasing to 400°F (200°C) to finish. This is to ensure the exterior doesn't overcook and the interior is cooked through.

Air Fryer Preparation

To prepare frozen samosas in an air fryer, first preheat the air fryer. Then, place the frozen samosas in the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving a little space between them to allow hot air to circulate. Spraying the samosas with a light coating of oil can help them to crisp up, but this is optional. Close the air fryer and cook for 11-12 minutes at 380°F (193°C). Halfway through the cooking time, open the air fryer and turn the samosas.

Checking for Doneness

When the cooking time is up, open the air fryer and check that the samosas are cooked to your liking. If they are not crispy enough, increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) and cook for an additional 2 minutes.

Dipping Sauces

Frozen samosas can be served with a variety of dipping sauces, such as tamarind sauce, cilantro chutney, mango chutney, ketchup, or sweet chilli sauce.

Reheating samosas in an air fryer

To reheat samosas in an air fryer, first, let the samosas cool down, then wrap them in a paper towel and place them in a Ziploc bag or airtight container. They can be stored in the fridge for up to three days or in the freezer for up to three months.

When you're ready to reheat, set the air fryer to 340°F/160°C-350°F/180°C and reheat for 2-3 minutes or until hot and crispy. You don't need to preheat the air fryer, and there's no need to spray the samosas with oil unless the brand you're using requires it.

How to prevent samosas from sticking to the air fryer basket

To prevent samosas from sticking to the air fryer basket, you can try the following:

• Use a light spray of oil: A quick spritz of oil spray can help achieve an extra crispy texture and golden colour. Use olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil.
• Line the basket with parchment paper: If the samosas are sticking, you can line the basket with parchment paper or aluminium foil with a few holes poked in to allow air to circulate.
• Don't overcrowd the basket: Arrange the samosas in a single layer with some space between them. Overcrowding can lead to uneven cooking and less crispiness.
• Flip halfway through: For even crispiness, flip the samosas halfway through the cooking time.
• Preheat the air fryer: Always preheat your air fryer for a few minutes before adding the samosas so they start cooking immediately and get a golden exterior.

How to make the perfect air-fried samosa

Ingredients

Depending on the type of samosa you want to make, you will need the following ingredients:

• Frozen samosas (vegetable, chicken, meat, etc.)
• Oil (extra virgin olive oil, avocado oil, vegetable oil, sunflower oil, or any other cooking oil)
• Dipping sauce (chutney, hot sauce, yoghurt dip, sweet chilli sauce, etc.)

Steps to Make Air-Fried Samosas

Note: These steps are for frozen samosas. For non-frozen samosas, please refer to other sources.

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket

• Remove the frozen samosas from their packaging.
• Place them in a single layer inside the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overcrowded and have some space between them for even cooking.

Step 2: Air Fry the Samosas

• Set the air fryer temperature to between 355°F and 360°F (about 180°C).
• Air fry the samosas for about 6-10 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy.
• If your air fryer has a grill function, you can grill them for an additional 1-2 minutes for a perfect golden finish.
• Halfway through the cooking time, open the air fryer and turn the samosas.

Step 3: Serve the Samosas

• Remove the samosas from the air fryer basket and place them on a serving platter.
• Serve them hot with your favourite dipping sauce.

Tips for Making Perfect Air-Fried Samosas

• Preheat the air fryer for best results.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook the samosas in multiple batches if needed.
• Check the spice level of the frozen samosas before buying and choose according to your preference.
• There is no need to spray the samosas with oil unless the brand you use requires it.
• Avoid reheating the samosas in the microwave, as they may become soggy. Instead, use the air fryer or oven for reheating.

Frequently asked questions