Air-Fried Aloo Gobi: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Aloo gobi is a popular Indian dish, often served as a vegan or vegetarian meal. It is a simple and flavourful stir-fry made with potatoes and cauliflower, cooked with spices, onions, and tomatoes.

This guide will show you how to make aloo gobi in an air fryer, a healthier alternative to the traditional method of stir-frying.

Choosing the right potatoes and cauliflower

Aloo gobi is a popular Indian dish that combines roasted potatoes and cauliflower. The key to a successful aloo gobi dish is to ensure even cooking and a crispy texture. Here are some tips for choosing and preparing the right potatoes and cauliflower for your air fryer aloo gobi:

Potatoes:

When selecting potatoes, you can use a variety such as Yukon Gold, russet, or red potatoes. The size of the potatoes will determine how you cut them. If you're using standard-sized potatoes, it's best to cube them into evenly sized chunks. For baby potatoes, simply cut them in half. Aim for a bite-sized piece, as this will ensure even cooking and a crispy texture.

Cauliflower:

For cauliflower, choose a medium-sized head and cut it into evenly sized florets. The florets should be similar in size to the potato pieces to ensure uniform cooking. You can also peel and chop the stalk to add to the dish if desired.

Cutting and Preparation:

It's important to cut the potato cubes slightly smaller than the cauliflower florets, as cauliflower cooks faster than potatoes. This will help both vegetables reach the desired level of doneness at the same time.

Additionally, don't overcrowd the air fryer basket. Spread the vegetables in a single layer to ensure even cooking. If needed, cook the vegetables in batches.

Cooking Tips:

Before cooking, rinse and dry the vegetables, leaving a little moisture to help them cook through without drying out. You can also pre-cook larger cauliflower florets in the microwave for a minute or two to ensure even cooking.

When cooking, shake the air fryer basket halfway through to allow for even cooking. Adjust the cooking time based on your air fryer model and the size of your vegetables.

By choosing the right potatoes and cauliflower and following these preparation and cooking tips, you'll create a delicious and crispy aloo gobi dish in your air fryer.

Preparing the vegetables

Firstly, gather your ingredients. For the vegetables, you will need cauliflower, potatoes, onions, tomatoes, and spices like ginger, garlic, and green chillies. You can also add Serrano chillies or jalapeños for an extra kick. The amount of each ingredient will depend on your personal preference and the number of servings you wish to make.

Once you have your ingredients, it's time to start chopping. Cut the cauliflower into evenly sized florets. You can make them as big or small as you like, but keep in mind that smaller florets will cook faster. Similarly, cut the potatoes into bite-sized cubes or slices. If you are using baby potatoes, simply cut them in half. Again, the size of the potato pieces will impact the cooking time, so adjust according to your desired level of doneness.

Next, slice or chop the onions, tomatoes, and green chillies. You can make the pieces as big or small as you like, but try to keep them relatively similar in size to ensure even cooking. If you're using ginger and garlic, mince or grate them, or use store-bought ginger-garlic paste for convenience.

Now that all your vegetables are prepared, it's time to add the spices. In a large mixing bowl, combine the cauliflower florets, potato cubes, onions, tomatoes, and green chillies (if using). Then, add your choice of oil – avocado oil, olive oil, or another vegetable oil. You can also use ghee for a richer flavour, but this will affect the dish's vegan status.

To this mixture, add your spices. You can use a combination of salt, turmeric powder, red chilli powder or cayenne, coriander powder, cumin powder (roasted or regular), and garam masala. Adjust the quantities of each spice to suit your taste preferences. You can also add minced or grated ginger and garlic to the mix if you haven't already.

Mix everything together until the vegetables are evenly coated with the spices. Use your hands or a spatula to ensure all the pieces are well coated.

And that's it! Your vegetables are now ready to be cooked in the air fryer according to your chosen recipe.

Adding spices and oil

Add the spices to the vegetables in a large bowl. The spices used in aloo gobi include turmeric powder, red chilli powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, and garam masala. You can adjust the amount of spices according to your taste preference. You can also add salt to taste.

Next, add oil to the mixture. You can use avocado oil, olive oil, mustard oil, or any other vegetable oil of your choice. The amount of oil can vary, but generally, you will need around 1 to 2 tablespoons.

After adding the spices and oil, mix everything together until the vegetables are well coated with the spices and oil. Make sure to mix thoroughly so that all the pieces are evenly coated. This step ensures that your aloo gobi will be flavourful and delicious.

Once the vegetables are coated, you can proceed to the next step of air frying.

Air frying

Preparation:

Before air frying, it is important to prepare the vegetables and the air fryer. Here are the steps to follow:

• Cut the cauliflower into evenly sized florets.
• Cut the potatoes into cubes or slices of a similar size to the cauliflower. The potatoes can be gold, red, or russet potatoes.
• Rinse and pat dry the vegetables. It is okay to leave a little moisture to help with cooking.
• If using baby potatoes, simply cut them in half.
• Peel and chop the garlic and ginger.
• If desired, add oil, spices, and other ingredients like onions, tomatoes, or cilantro to the vegetables and mix well.

Once the vegetables are prepared, you can start air frying. Here are the steps to follow:

• Preheat the air fryer to 380°F for 2-4 minutes.
• Place the vegetables in the air fryer basket in a single layer to ensure even cooking. Do not overcrowd the basket. Cook in batches if needed.
• Air fry at 380°F for 10-15 minutes. Shake the basket every 5-6 minutes to ensure even cooking.
• After air frying, the vegetables should be crispy and browned.
• If desired, add spices or other ingredients to the vegetables after air frying and mix well.

Tips for Air Frying:

• Cut the potatoes slightly smaller than the cauliflower as cauliflower cooks faster.
• Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if needed.
• Shake the basket halfway through to allow even cooking.
• Adjust the cooking time based on your air fryer model and the size of your vegetables.
• You can add other vegetables like bell peppers or carrots to the mix.
• Garnish with chopped cilantro for extra flavor.

Serving suggestions

Aloo gobi is a popular Indian side dish that can be served in a variety of ways. Here are some serving suggestions:

As a Side Dish

Aloo gobi can be served as a side dish with Indian flatbreads such as roti, naan, paratha, or poori, or with rice dishes like jeera rice, dal tadka, or basmati rice. It also pairs well with a chickpea salad or a simple tomato and onion salad.

As a Filling

The dish can be used as a filling for wraps, sandwiches, or stuffed bell peppers for a more substantial meal.

With Grains

You can serve aloo gobi alongside grains like quinoa, couscous, or bulgur wheat to add texture and nutritional value.

With a Curry

Aloo gobi can be served as an accompaniment to rice and a variety of Indian curries, such as vegan butter chicken or chana masala.

With a Salad

Aloo gobi can be paired with a fresh, crunchy salad to balance out the rich flavours of the dish. Try a cucumber salad or a simple tomato and onion salad.

Frequently asked questions