Air-Fried Littis: A Tasty, Healthy Treat!

Litti is a traditional dish from the Indian state of Bihar. It is a baked or chargrilled dough ball made from wheat flour and stuffed with roasted gram flour and a herb-spice mix. Litti is often served with chokha, a vegetable mash made with mustard oil. While traditionally cooked over coal, litti can be made at home in an oven or air fryer. To make litti in an air fryer, you will need to prepare the dough and stuffing, form the dough balls, and then cook in the air fryer at 170C for around 20 minutes.

Preparing the dough

To make the dough for litti, you will need the following ingredients:

• Whole wheat flour
• Caraway seeds (ajwain)
• Clarified butter (ghee)
• Boiled mashed potatoes
• Salt
• Water

Take a mixing bowl and add the wheat flour, mustard oil, a pinch of salt, ajwain seeds and ghee. Add some water and knead a semi-tight dough. You can use a stand mixer to knead the dough if you have one.

Some recipes suggest adding a tablespoon of lemon juice to the dough mixture. You can also substitute the ghee with avocado to make the dish vegan and low-fat. If you do this, you will need to add a little more water to form a stiff dough. Cover the dough and let it rest for 10 minutes.

Once the dough is ready, divide it into 8-10 small balls. You can then start on the filling.

Making the stuffing

To make the stuffing for the litti, you will need the following ingredients:

• Sattu (roasted gram flour)
• Pickle masala from any spicy pickle
• Chopped ginger and chillies
• Lemon juice
• Coriander (cilantro) leaves
• Green chillies
• Grated ginger
• Mustard oil
• Water

Some recipes also suggest adding garlic to the stuffing mixture.

To prepare the stuffing, simply mix all the ingredients together in a bowl. If the mixture is too dry, add a few tablespoons of water and mix until you have a semi-soft, crumbly texture. You can use a spoon to mix the ingredients, but using your hands is recommended.

Once the stuffing is prepared, you can start assembling the litti. Divide the dough into 12-13 equal-sized balls. Take one ball in your palm and flatten it slightly. Place 1-2 spoons of stuffing in the middle, then push the edges of the dough towards the centre and seal the ball. Roll the ball between your palms to smooth it out. Repeat this process until all the dough and stuffing have been used.

Shaping the dough

Firstly, after preparing the dough and the stuffing, it is important to divide the dough into equal-sized portions. Depending on the size of your litti, you can make 8-10 or 12-13 dough balls. Take one portion of the dough and flatten it slightly with your palm or fingers. The dough should be flattened into a circular shape, approximately 2 inches in diameter.

The next step is to add the stuffing. Place a spoonful or a small ball of the stuffing mixture in the centre of the flattened dough. Gently press the stuffing to secure it in place and ensure there is enough dough to seal it. Bring the edges of the dough towards the centre, enclosing the stuffing completely.

Now, the dough ball needs to be shaped and smoothed. Roll the dough gently between your palms to create a uniform, round ball. It is important to ensure that the dough is sealed properly around the stuffing. Any cracks or openings can cause the stuffing to leak out during cooking.

Once all the dough balls are shaped and stuffed, they should be covered with plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel to prevent them from drying out. This step is important to ensure the dough remains moist and does not crack or break during the cooking process.

Finally, the shaped litti dough balls are ready to be cooked. They can be baked in an oven or air fryer, or cooked on a stove top, depending on your preference and equipment.

Cooking the litti

Now that you have your dough and stuffing ready, it's time to assemble the litti and cook them in the air fryer. Here's a step-by-step guide:

• Shape the Litti: Divide the dough into 12-13 equal-sized balls. Flatten one dough ball in the palm of your hand. Place a spoonful of the stuffing in the centre. Carefully bring the edges of the dough together and seal the ball. Roll it between your palms to smoothen it out and shape it into a round ball. Repeat this process for the remaining dough and stuffing.
• Prepare the Air Fryer: Preheat your air fryer to 170°C or 350°F for about 10 minutes. You can line the air fryer basket or tray with parchment paper to prevent sticking.
• Cook the Litti: Place the litti balls in the air fryer in a single layer, leaving some space between them for even cooking. Brush the litti with a little oil to help them crisp up and give them a nice brown colour. Cook the litti for 18-20 minutes at 170°C or 350°F. Remember to turn them halfway through the cooking process and brush with oil again. The litti are done when they are light brown and slightly cracked open.
• Optional Grilling: For an authentic touch, you can further grill the litti on a gas stove or grill to get the charred effect and enhance the flavour. This step is optional but adds a beautiful smoky flavour to the litti.
• Dip in Ghee: Finally, for the classic litti experience, dip the cooked litti into melted hot ghee. This step is optional but gives the litti a soft, crumbly texture and adds richness.
• Serve: Your litti are now ready to be served! Enjoy them with chokha, a traditional vegetable mash made with eggplant, potatoes, or tomatoes. You can also serve them with chutney, salad, or yoghurt for a complete meal.

Making the chokha

Chokha is a mashed relish made from roasted vegetables, typically eggplant (baingan), potatoes (aloo), and tomatoes (tamatar). You can make it with any one of these vegetables or a combination of them. Here is a step-by-step guide to making chokha:

Prepare the vegetables:

Wash and dry the eggplants and tomatoes. Make a slit in each eggplant, ensuring it doesn't break into two parts. Prick the tomatoes with a fork or toothpick. Brush the skin of the eggplants and tomatoes with oil.

Roast the vegetables:

You can roast the vegetables on an open flame, in an oven, or an air fryer. If using an oven or air fryer, set the temperature to 375°F (190°C). Place the vegetables on a baking tray and roast them for about 20 minutes (eggplants) or 30 minutes (potatoes and tomatoes). You can also boil the potatoes instead of roasting them.

Peel and mash the vegetables:

After roasting, cover the vegetables with foil for 5-10 minutes to help with the peeling process. Remove the skin and mash the vegetables with a potato masher.

Prepare the tempering:

Heat some mustard oil in a pan. Add ginger, garlic, chillies, and cumin seeds to the oil. You can also add asafoetida (hing) and turmeric powder for additional flavour.

Mix the vegetables and tempering:

Add the mashed vegetables to the tempering in the pan. Mix well to combine the flavours. Adjust the seasoning as needed.

Garnish and serve:

Garnish the chokha with chopped coriander leaves. Serve it hot with sliced onions, lemons, and green chillies on the side. You can also add boiled peas to the chokha for a different texture.

Chokha is best served with litti, a baked or chargrilled dough ball stuffed with roasted gram flour and spices. Enjoy this delicious and nutritious dish from the Indian state of Bihar!

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