Air Fryer Samosas: Cooking Time And Temperature Guide

Samosas are a delicious snack, and cooking them in an air fryer is a convenient way to enjoy them without the mess of deep frying. Air fryers are also a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods, as they require little to no oil. You can cook frozen samosas in an air fryer, or you can make them from scratch. The cooking time will depend on the type of samosa and your desired level of crispiness.

Recommended temperature and time settings

The temperature and timing settings for cooking samosas in an air fryer will depend on whether you are cooking them from frozen, reheating pre-cooked samosas, or cooking them from fresh.

If you are cooking frozen samosas in an air fryer, you do not need to defrost them first. Simply place them in the air fryer and cook for 15-20 minutes at 190°C/375°F, flipping them halfway through. You can also cook them for 8-10 minutes at 375°F (190°C) if you prefer them less crispy. For a more golden-brown finish, you can increase the temperature to 400°F (200°C) for the final two minutes of cooking time.

If you are reheating pre-cooked samosas, you can place them directly in the air fryer and cook for a few minutes at 350°F (180°C) until heated through. You can also reheat them at 350°F (180°C) for three minutes.

If you are cooking fresh samosas, it is recommended to preheat your air fryer to 190°C/375°F and cook for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through. You can also cook them for 20 minutes at 350°F (180°C), flipping them after 10 minutes.

It is important to note that cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of your samosas, as well as the model of your air fryer. It is recommended to monitor your samosas during the cooking process and adjust the timing and temperature settings as needed.

How to prepare the samosas before frying

To prepare samosas before frying, you can make the dough and filling from scratch or use ready-made wrappers and fillings.

If you want to make the dough yourself, you will need all-purpose flour, water, and oil. Mix these ingredients together in a bowl until you have a dough-like consistency. You can also add salt to taste. Roll the dough into an oval shape, about 10 inches long and 6 inches wide. Cut the oval in half, and shape each half into a cone by applying water to the edges and slightly overlapping them.

For the filling, you can use almost anything, but a traditional Indian masala filling includes potatoes, peas, turmeric, salt, and chili powder. First, boil your potatoes until they are soft, then mash them and add the spices and peas. You can also add onions and chillies to the mixture if you like.

Once you have your dough cones and filling, it's time to assemble the samosas. Gently fill each cone with the potato mixture, being careful not to overstuff. Apply water to the open edges of the cone and seal them by pinching them together. Press the bottom of the samosa gently on your palm to give it a firm seat, which will make the samosa stand.

Finally, before frying, brush or coat the samosas with oil to help them achieve a crispy exterior. You can also experiment with different fillings and try out various dipping sauces to enjoy with your samosas.

How to cook frozen samosas

Cooking frozen samosas in an air fryer is a quick, easy, and healthy way to make a delicious snack or appetizer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to cook frozen samosas in an air fryer:

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer and Samosas

Firstly, preheat your air fryer. Most air fryers have a preheat button that you can use before adding your food. Preheat to around 180°C/350°F to 380°F, depending on your air fryer and the samosa type. Keep the samosas frozen until you are ready to cook them.

Step 2: Arrange the Samosas in the Air Fryer Basket

Place the frozen samosas in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Leave a little space between them to allow hot air to circulate, which will help achieve an even crispness. If necessary, cook the samosas in multiple batches.

Step 3: Cook the Samosas

Close the air fryer and cook the samosas for around 5-15 minutes for mini samosas, and 8-15 minutes for larger Punjabi samosas. The cooking time will depend on the size and type of samosa, and the capacity of your air fryer. Halfway through the cooking time, open the air fryer and turn the samosas over using tongs or by shaking the basket. Close the lid and continue cooking.

Step 4: Serve the Samosas

Once the samosas are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and place them on a kitchen towel to absorb any excess oil. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce or chutney, such as tamarind sauce, coriander mint chutney, mango chutney, or yogurt mint sauce.

Tips:

• For extra crispiness, brush the samosas with oil before cooking or add an additional 1-2 minutes to the cooking time.
• The first time you make samosas in the air fryer, check on them 2 minutes before the cooking time ends to ensure they don't overcook.
• You can find frozen samosas at Indian grocery stores, local supermarkets, or online.

Enjoy your crispy and delicious air-fried samosas!

How to reheat leftover samosas

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

Step 1: Prepare the samosas

Take the leftover samosas out of the refrigerator and let them sit at room temperature for about 15 minutes before reheating them. This helps ensure that they reheat evenly. You can skip this step if you're in a hurry, but allowing the samosas to come to room temperature will yield better results.

Step 2: Preheat the air fryer

Set your air fryer to 350°F (180°C) and preheat it for 3 to 5 minutes. Different air fryers may have slightly different preheat settings, so refer to your air fryer's instructions if you're unsure.

Step 3: Place the samosas in the air fryer

Place the samosas directly into the air fryer basket in a single layer, leaving some space between them. This ensures that hot air can circulate properly and crisps the samosas evenly. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to reheat the samosas in batches.

Step 4: Reheat the samosas

Reheat the samosas for about 15 minutes at 350°F (180°C). For best results, check on the samosas halfway through the cooking time and flip them over. This helps ensure even heating and browning. If your samosas are frozen, increase the cooking time to 18-20 minutes, and still remember to flip them halfway through.

Step 5: Serve the samosas

Once the samosas are heated through and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a minute or two. Serve them with your favourite chutneys or dipping sauces, such as mint, coriander, tamarind, or yogurt-based sauces. Enjoy!

Note that cooking times may vary depending on the size and thickness of your samosas, as well as the specific model of your air fryer. Always keep an eye on your samosas while reheating to prevent overcooking or burning.

What to serve with air-fried samosas

Air-fried samosas are a delicious, crispy treat, and there are plenty of options for what to serve with them. The type of samosa you choose will determine the best accompaniments.

If you're serving vegetarian samosas, a traditional Indian chutney like mint, coriander, tamarind, or mango chutney is a great option. You could also serve yogurt-based sauces, like a raita or a mint dressing. If you want to keep it simple, ketchup or chili sauce will also do the trick.

For non-vegetarians, samosas with minced meat or paneer inside are a great option. These can be served with a variety of dips, like a nice aioli or even a simple ketchup.

If you have leftover samosas, you can break them up and make samosa chaat, an Indian street snack. Layer yogurt, mint dressing, and chickpeas on top of broken samosas for a delicious treat.

Samosas are often served as an appetizer or side dish, so you might want to consider serving them with a main course. Indian dishes like biryani or chicken tikka masala would pair well with the spices in the samosas. Alternatively, you could serve them with a cooling salad or raita to balance out the flavors.

Finally, don't forget to seal the edges of your samosas before cooking to prevent them from opening, and don't overcrowd your air fryer basket—leave a little space between each samosa to ensure they cook evenly and get nice and crispy!

Frequently asked questions