Air Fryer Frozen Samosa: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Samosas are a delicious Indian snack, but frying them can be time-consuming and unhealthy. Fortunately, air fryers provide a convenient and healthy alternative to frying, and can cook samosas straight from frozen in just a few minutes! In this article, we'll teach you how to make delicious, crispy samosas in an air fryer.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in the process of making frozen samosas. It ensures that your samosas cook evenly and efficiently. Here is a detailed guide on preheating your air fryer for the best results:

Firstly, it is important to ensure that your air fryer is clean and dry before preheating. Most air fryers have a preheat function or button, so you can easily set the desired temperature. For samosas, it is recommended to preheat your air fryer between 360-380 degrees Fahrenheit. You can also preheat at 180 degrees Celsius, which is equivalent to 356 degrees Fahrenheit. This temperature is ideal for cooking frozen samosas as it ensures they cook through without burning the exterior.

Depending on your air fryer model, preheating can take anywhere from 2 to 5 minutes. It is important to refer to your air fryer's user manual to understand the specific preheating requirements and functions of your model. Once the air fryer has reached the desired temperature, you can open the basket and proceed to the next step of arranging the frozen samosas.

When preheating, it is advisable to have your samosas nearby and ready to be placed in the air fryer. This ensures that you can quickly move on to the cooking process once the preheating is complete. It is also important to note that you should not stack the samosas in the air fryer. If you have a large number of samosas, cook them in batches to ensure even cooking.

Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step to achieving the perfect crispy texture on your frozen samosas. By following the recommended temperature and timing guidelines, you can ensure your samosas turn out golden brown and delicious every time.

Use a single layer of samosas

To make frozen samosas in an air fryer, it is important to place them in a single layer, ensuring they are not stacked or crowded. This allows the hot air to circulate effectively, resulting in evenly cooked samosas. Here is a detailed guide on using a single layer of samosas for the best results:

First, ensure that you have the right equipment. You will need an air fryer, frozen samosas of your choice, and optionally, some cooking spray or olive oil. It is recommended to use a spray bottle filled with extra virgin olive oil, as other sprays may damage the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer, following the instructions for your specific model. Some sources recommend preheating to 380 degrees Fahrenheit, while others suggest 375 degrees Fahrenheit.

Next, take your frozen samosas out of the packaging and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Make sure they are not overlapping and that there is a little space between them. If you have a large number of samosas, you may need to cook them in batches. You can lightly spray or brush the samosas with oil before cooking. This step is optional but can help achieve a golden brown crust.

Now, it's time to cook the samosas. Depending on the size of the samosas and your air fryer, the cooking time may vary. For smaller samosas, 6-7 minutes at 360-380 degrees Fahrenheit should be sufficient. For larger samosas, you may need to cook them for up to 10-11 minutes. It is important to check on the samosas halfway through the cooking time and flip or shake them to ensure even cooking. If you are cooking meat-filled samosas, ensure that the internal temperature of the filling reaches 165 degrees Fahrenheit.

Finally, once the samosas are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and place them on a serving plate. You can serve them with a variety of dipping sauces or chutneys, such as tamarind sauce, cilantro chutney, mango chutney, ketchup, or sweet chili sauce. Enjoy your delicious, crispy samosas!

Oil the samosas

Oiling the samosas is an optional step in the cooking process, but it does help to give the snacks a nice golden brown crust. If you want to oil the samosas, you can use olive oil, avocado oil, or vegetable oil. You can also use egg wash as an alternative to oil.

To oil the samosas, you can either drizzle or spray the oil over the frozen samosas, or brush the oil onto them. Make sure that you coat the samosas fully so that they have a nice, even colour when cooked.

If you are cooking the samosas in an air fryer, you may want to oil the air fryer basket to prevent sticking. However, this is not necessary, and you may find that the samosas cook just fine without oiling the basket.

Cook at 380-400°F

To cook frozen samosas in an air fryer, you should preheat your air fryer to 380°F. Place the frozen samosas in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they have space around them for the hot air to circulate. You can spray or brush the samosas with a little oil, which will help them turn a nice golden brown colour, but this step is optional.

Cook the samosas for 7-10 minutes at 380°F. Halfway through the cooking time, flip them over. If the samosas contain meat, check that they are cooked through in the centre – the internal temperature of any chicken filling should be 165°F.

If you are cooking a large batch of samosas, you may need to cook them in multiple batches to avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket.

Flip halfway through

Flipping your samosas halfway through the cooking process is an important step to ensure they cook evenly. Depending on the size of your samosas, you may need to flip them—regular-sized samosas don't always require flipping, but it's still recommended to ensure an even cook. However, if you're cooking jumbo-sized samosas, you should definitely flip them.

If you're cooking a batch of samosas, it's best to flip them individually with tongs. This will help you avoid breaking the pastry or burning yourself.

Some air fryers have a "shake" function that rotates the food inside, eliminating the need to flip the samosas manually. If your air fryer has this feature, you can simply press the button at the halfway point, and it will shake the basket for you.

Flipping your samosas will help them achieve that perfect golden-brown colour and crispy texture.

Frequently asked questions