Air-Fried Manchurian: Quick, Easy, And Delicious

Air fryers are a great way to make delicious, crispy and healthy Indo-Chinese food. Gobi Manchurian is a popular dish that can be made in an air fryer – it's a fantastic, healthier alternative to deep-fried cauliflower florets tossed in a spicy, tangy, and sweet sauce. You can also make Paneer Manchurian in an air fryer, which involves coating paneer cubes in a thick batter with basic spices, air-frying them, and then dousing them in Manchurian sauce.

How to make the batter for Manchurian in an air fryer

Making the batter for Manchurian in an air fryer is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Ingredients

First, gather your ingredients. You will need:

• Cauliflower
• Cornflour/corn starch/corn flour
• Red lentil flour (or plain/all-purpose flour)
• Ginger-garlic paste
• Salt and pepper
• Water
• Oil

Preparation

Start by cutting the cauliflower into small florets. You can blanch or parboil the florets in water with a little vinegar or salt to clean and partially cook them. Drain the excess water and set the florets aside.

In a separate bowl, prepare the batter by mixing the flour, cornflour, ginger-garlic paste, salt, pepper, and a little chilli powder (if desired). Gradually add water and whisk the ingredients until you achieve a smooth, thick batter. The batter should be thick enough to coat the florets well; adjust the consistency as needed.

Coating

Dip the cauliflower florets into the batter, ensuring they are well coated. Shake off any excess batter and place the coated florets on a parchment-lined surface or wire rack. You can also use a sieve to remove any excess batter.

Air Frying

Preheat your air fryer to around 185-200°C (370°F). Lightly spray or brush the air fryer basket with oil. Arrange the battered florets in a single layer, making sure they don't touch each other. You may need to cook the cauliflower in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.

Lightly brush or spray oil on the florets. Air fry for about 10-14 minutes at the same temperature, flipping the florets halfway through to ensure even cooking. The cauliflower should be golden brown and crispy when done.

Tips

• If you prefer a drier batter, simply sprinkle the flour and cornstarch mixture over the cauliflower florets instead of making a smooth batter.
• Ensure the cauliflower florets are dry before placing them in the air fryer to prevent steaming.
• For a gluten-free option, use rice flour or gluten-free flour instead of plain/all-purpose flour.

How to make the sauce for Manchurian in an air fryer

Ingredients

• Oil (sesame oil, avocado oil, olive oil, or oil of your choice)
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Green chillies
• Onion
• Spring onions
• Green pepper/capsicum
• Soy sauce
• Tomato ketchup
• Red chilli sauce/hot sauce
• Vinegar
• Cornstarch
• Salt and pepper
• Sugar (optional)

Method

• Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
• Add ginger, garlic, and green chillies. Sauté for 30 seconds to a minute.
• Add onions and sauté until translucent.
• Add the white part of the spring onions and sauté for a minute.
• Add green pepper and cook covered for a few minutes.
• Add soy sauce, tomato ketchup, red chilli sauce, and vinegar. Mix well and let it simmer.
• Prepare a cornstarch slurry by mixing cornstarch with water. Add this to the sauce and mix well.
• If you want a gravy, add more water at this stage.
• Add salt and pepper to taste. You can also add a pinch of sugar for a slightly sweeter sauce.
• Once the sauce starts to bubble, turn off the heat.
• Add the air-fried Manchurian (cauliflower or paneer) to the sauce and mix well.
• Garnish with the green part of the spring onions and serve hot.

How to cook the Manchurian in an air fryer

How to Cook Manchurian in an Air Fryer

Ingredients

For the air-fried paneer or cauliflower:

• Paneer or cauliflower florets
• Corn starch
• Corn flour or rice flour
• All-purpose flour
• Oil (for brushing or spraying)
• Salt and pepper

For the Manchurian sauce:

• Sesame oil
• Onion
• Ginger
• Garlic
• Green chilli
• Spring onion
• Green pepper (capsicum)
• Soy sauce
• Tomato ketchup
• Red chilli sauce
• Corn starch
• Red chilli powder
• Cumin powder
• Pepper powder
• Salt

Method

First, prepare the air fryer paneer or cauliflower. If using paneer, cut it into medium-sized cubes. If using cauliflower, cut the head into medium-sized florets. Blanch the cauliflower in water with a little vinegar for 3 minutes, then drain.

Next, make the batter. In a bowl, mix corn starch, corn flour or rice flour, all-purpose flour, ginger-garlic paste, salt, pepper, and a little chilli powder. Add water to create a thick slurry.

Dip the paneer or cauliflower pieces in the batter, shaking off any excess. Place the coated pieces in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Brush or spray with oil.

Air fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through to ensure even cooking.

While the paneer or cauliflower is cooking, prepare the Manchurian sauce. Heat sesame oil in a pan over medium heat. Add onion, ginger, garlic, and green chilli, and sauté for 1 minute. Then add the white parts of the spring onion and green pepper, and sauté for another minute.

Add the spice powders and sauces (soy sauce, tomato ketchup, red chilli sauce) to the pan and mix well. Season with salt and pepper.

To thicken the sauce, make a corn starch slurry by mixing corn starch with a little water. Add this to the pan and stir quickly. If you want a gravy, add more water.

Finally, add the air-fried paneer or cauliflower to the sauce and toss to coat. Garnish with the green parts of the spring onion and serve.

How to store and reheat Manchurian

Manchurian is best enjoyed fresh, but if you have leftovers, you can store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days. It's important to note that the texture of the Manchurian may change slightly, and it might become less crispy.

To store, let the Manchurian cool down to room temperature, then transfer it to an airtight container and seal tightly. Place it in the refrigerator, where it will last for 3 to 4 days.

When you're ready to enjoy your stored Manchurian, you can reheat it in a pan on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through. You can also reheat it in an air fryer or oven to restore some crispness to the dish.

• Stovetop: Place a frying pan over moderate heat and add a drizzle of oil. Toss in the leftover Manchurian and add a dash of soy sauce or other fresh ingredients. This method typically takes 5 to 8 minutes for vegetables and fried rice.
• Microwave: If you're in a hurry, the microwave is a good option. Cover the food with a damp paper towel to create steam and prevent dryness. You can also place a cup of water in the microwave to keep the rice moist.
• Oven: Preheat the oven to 325°F (or 425°F for flash reheating). Cover the dish with aluminum foil, folding the edges for an airtight seal. Heat for about 5 to 10 minutes until thoroughly warmed.
• Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer to 375°F. Place the Manchurian in the air fryer basket, adding a drizzle of water for fried rice or a light coating of oil for crispy items like chicken or spring rolls. Reheat for 4 to 8 minutes, flipping or stirring halfway through.

Enjoy your delicious, crispy, and flavorful Manchurian!

What to serve with Manchurian

Manchurian is a versatile dish that can be served in many ways. It can be served as an appetiser, main course, or side dish.

If you are making a dry Manchurian, it is best served as an appetiser. It can be accompanied by white rice, fried rice, or Hakka noodles.

If you are making a saucier version, it can be served with rice or noodles. Spicy lemongrass noodles are a great pairing, as the spices in the noodles complement the Manchurian. Steamed rice is also a good option, although not as good as noodles!

You can also serve Manchurian with naan, but only if the dish is on the saucier side.

Frequently asked questions