Quickly Air-Fry Samosas: How Long Does It Take?

Samosas are a popular Indian snack, consisting of a crispy pastry stuffed with spiced vegetables or meat. They can be cooked in an air fryer in under 15 minutes, making them a quick and easy snack or appetiser. The air fryer method is also healthier than deep-frying, as it uses less oil.

How to reheat samosas in an air fryer

Samosas are a delicious snack, but what's the best way to reheat them? Using an air fryer, of course! Here's a step-by-step guide to ensure your samosas are crispy and tasty.

Step 1: Prepare the Air Fryer

Firstly, preheat your air fryer to 350-400°F (175-200°C). This step is crucial to ensure even cooking and that crispy texture we all love.

Step 2: Arrange the Samosas

Place the samosas in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overcrowded. Leave some space between them for optimal air circulation. If you have a large batch, you may need to reheat them in multiple batches.

Step 3: Reheat!

Now, it's time to reheat those samosas! Place the air fryer basket into the preheated air fryer and reheat for 3-5 minutes at 350°F (175°C). If you prefer them extra crispy, you can add a minute or two to the reheating time.

Step 4: Check for Doneness

Keep a close eye on your samosas during the reheating process. You don't want them to overcook or burn. Use a meat thermometer to check the internal temperature, especially if your samosas contain meat or poultry. The safe internal temperature for these is 165°F (74°C).

Step 5: Serve and Enjoy!

Once your samosas are heated through and crispy, it's time to serve them! Samosas are fantastic on their own, but if you want to elevate your experience, serve them with a delicious dipping sauce. Some popular options include tamarind sauce, cilantro chutney, mango chutney, ketchup, or sweet chili sauce.

And there you have it! A simple and quick way to reheat samosas in an air fryer. Now you can enjoy that crispy, golden-brown delight without having to deep fry or microwave. Enjoy your tasty treat!

How to make the perfect baked samosas

Ingredients

You will need the following ingredients to make the perfect baked samosas:

• Potatoes
• All-purpose flour
• Turmeric
• Red chilli powder
• Salt
• Frozen peas
• Cilantro
• Water for the dough
• Vegetable oil for coating the samosas

Method

Step 1: Make the Potato Filling

You can use leftover mashed potatoes or make them from scratch. Add the potatoes to a pan with turmeric, red chilli powder, and salt. Finish with some frozen peas and cilantro.

Step 2: Prepare the Dough

Add flour, salt, and oil to a mixing bowl and mix with a fork. Next, slowly add water and knead the mixture into a ball. You can also use a stand mixer and dump all the ingredients into the mixing bowl, using the paddle attachment to get the right consistency.

Step 3: Prepare the Samosa Filling

Once the potatoes are boiled, drain the water, remove the peels, and mash the potatoes. Add the mashed potatoes to a pan with salt, pepper, turmeric, and red chilli powder. Stir the spices to evenly coat the potatoes and cook for 2-3 minutes. Then, add the peas and cook for another 2-3 minutes.

Step 4: Stuff and Seal the Samosas

Take the kneaded dough and roll it out into a long cylinder. Using a knife, portion the cylinder into 8-9 smaller pieces. Take one piece and roll it into a smooth ball. Dust this ball with flour and, using a rolling pin, roll it into a circular shape. Slice the dough diagonally so you get two semi-circular pieces.

Take one of these pieces and lay it on your left hand so the straight edge lines up against your hand, forming a 'D' shape. Wet the straight edge with water and form a cone, with the top open for you to stuff the filling. Add around 2 teaspoons of filling per samosa and push it in so it fills the cone, but only until about 3/4 of the way up. Dot the edge of the cone with water and fold over to seal.

Step 5: Bake or Air Fry the Samosas

You can either bake or air-fry the samosas. To bake, coat the samosas with oil and place them on a sheet pan lined with a silicone liner or parchment paper. Bake at 400°F for 20 minutes, then flip to the other side and bake for another 10-15 minutes.

To air-fry, place the samosas carefully in the air fryer and cook for 10-12 minutes. Then, flip the sides and cook for another 5-7 minutes. The samosas should be crisp on the outside and a nice golden brown colour on both sides.

How to fold the samosa

To fold a samosa, you can follow these steps:

Firstly, roll out the dough into a long cylinder, roughly the length of your two hands side by side. Then, using a knife, cut the cylinder into 8 or 9 smaller pieces. Take one piece and roll it into a smooth ball. Dust this with flour and, using a rolling pin, roll it into a circular shape, roughly 6-7 inches in diameter. The rolled-out dough should be slightly larger than the size of your hand.

Next, slice the dough diagonally so that you get two semi-circular pieces. Pick up one of these pieces and lay it on your left hand so that the straight edge lines up against your hand and forms a 'D' shape. Wet the straight edge with water and form a cone with the dough, making sure the top is wider and open so you can add the filling.

Now, gently fill the cone with your chosen filling. Be careful not to overfill it. Apply water to the open edges of the cone and seal it shut by pinching the edges closed. Finally, press the bottom of the samosa gently into your palm to give it a firm seat, allowing it to stand up on its own. Repeat this process for the remaining dough balls.

Once you have stuffed all your samosa shells, you are ready to cook them using your preferred method. You can fry, bake, or air fry your samosas.

How to make the samosa dough

To make the samosa dough, you will need all-purpose flour, chilled water, and ghee or oil. You can also add caraway seeds and salt to taste.

If you are using a stand mixer with a dough hook attachment, place the flour, salt, caraway seeds, and ghee or oil into the mixer and give it a short mix. Next, gradually add in the chilled water and mix on slow speed until a firm, stiff dough is formed. This should take about 5 to 6 minutes.

If you are kneading the dough by hand, start by mixing the flour, salt, caraway seeds, and ghee or oil in a bowl. Gradually add the chilled water and knead until the dough is formed. This will take about 7 to 8 minutes.

Once the dough is formed, cover it with a wet cloth to prevent it from drying out or forming a skin. You can also keep it in the Instant Pot on Yogurt mode on Normal Heat for an hour.

Now that you have your samosa dough ready, you can start preparing the filling. A traditional Indian samosa filling includes potatoes, peas, and various spices. You can also get creative and experiment with different fillings, such as cheese or chicken. Once your filling is ready, you can start assembling and shaping your samosas.

How to make the samosa stuffing

To make the perfect samosa stuffing, you'll need to prepare a few ingredients and spices. Here is a detailed guide on how to make the samosa stuffing:

Firstly, prepare the ingredients. For the stuffing, you will need boiled and mashed potatoes, green peas, ginger, cumin seeds, salt, and garam masala. Additionally, you can include crushed coriander seeds, fennel seeds, and fenugreek seeds, crushed or lightly crushed, for added flavour. Other optional ingredients include crushed coriander seeds, dry mango powder, and caraway seeds.

Next, heat some oil in a pan and add the ginger, cumin seeds, salt, and garam masala. Fry these spices until they become fragrant, which should take around 2 to 3 minutes. You can also add crushed coriander seeds, fennel seeds, and fenugreek seeds at this stage if you wish.

Once the spices are fragrant, add the boiled and chopped potatoes to the pan. Use a spoon or potato masher to semi-mash the potatoes and cook them until they start sticking to the pan. This will help the stuffing mixture hold together.

Then, add the green peas to the pan and cook for another 2 to 3 minutes before removing the pan from the heat. Allow the stuffing mixture to cool down so that it is safe to handle. You can also add dry mango powder and caraway seeds at this stage if you wish.

Now your samosa stuffing is ready to be used! Remember to let the mixture cool down sufficiently before handling, as you don't want to burn yourself. Enjoy making your samosas!

Frequently asked questions