Air-Fried Naan Chips: A Quick, Crispy Treat

Naan chips are a delicious alternative to traditional potato chips. They are made from naan bread and can be prepared in an air fryer to achieve a crispy texture without using too much oil. The preparation process is simple and can be done in a few easy steps. First, you need to gather the ingredients, which include naan bread, olive oil or cooking oil of your choice, and seasonings such as salt, pepper, garlic powder, paprika, or chili flakes. You can either buy pre-made naan bread or make it from scratch. Once you have your ingredients, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C). While it's heating up, cut the naan bread into your desired chip size and shape. After that, drizzle oil over the naan pieces and toss them until they are well coated. Then, sprinkle your chosen seasonings and toss again to distribute the seasonings evenly. Place the coated naan chips into the air fryer basket in a single layer and cook for 6-8 minutes. Keep an eye on them to avoid burning and flip them halfway through for even crisping. Once they're done, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes to achieve an even crispier texture. Finally, enjoy your naan chips with your favourite dips!

Choosing the right ingredients

Naan chips are a delightful snack, perfect for dipping into sauces and spreads. To make them in an air fryer, you'll need a few key ingredients. Let's take a closer look at choosing the right ingredients for this tasty treat.

The star of this recipe is, of course, naan bread. You can opt for pre-made naan bread from your local grocery store, or you can make it from scratch if you're feeling adventurous. If you decide to make your own, you'll need all-purpose flour, also known as maida, which is traditionally used in South Asian cuisine. You'll also need some form of leavening agent, such as yeast, to give the naan its characteristic soft and fluffy texture. Other dry ingredients include salt and, optionally, sugar and milk powder.

For liquids, you'll need water, ideally lukewarm or warm, to activate the yeast and form a dough. Additionally, milk and yogurt are often used to keep the bread soft and tender. If you're making garlic naan, you'll also need to add garlic to your ingredient list. For a buttery flavour, you can include butter or ghee, and for a cheesy twist, some grated Parmesan or nutritional yeast.

When it comes to seasonings, you have a wide range of options. A classic combination of salt and pepper is always a good choice, but you can also experiment with garlic powder, paprika, chili flakes, dried herbs like rosemary or thyme, or a spicy kick of cayenne pepper or curry powder. Don't be afraid to mix and match to find your favourite flavour combinations.

Lastly, you'll need some cooking oil, such as olive oil or any other oil of your choice. The oil is essential for achieving that crispy texture in the air fryer.

Now that you know the ingredients, you can start preparing your naan chips! Remember to preheat your air fryer, cut the naan into desired chip sizes, coat them with oil and seasonings, and then air-fry to perfection. Enjoy experimenting with this versatile recipe!

Preparing the naan bread

To begin, gather your ingredients. For the naan bread, you will need all-purpose flour, also known as maida, which is traditionally used in South Asian or Indian naan. You can also use wheat flour if you prefer. Additionally, you will need a leavening agent such as yeast, which can be active dry yeast or instant yeast. If you choose to use instant yeast, you can add it directly to the flour without activating it first. Other ingredients include a liquid such as water, milk, or a combination of both, along with salt, sugar, and oil or butter. You may also add milk powder and yogurt to enhance the softness of the dough.

Once you have your ingredients, it's time to prepare the dough. Combine the dry ingredients, including the flour, yeast, salt, sugar, and milk powder, in a mixing bowl. Mix them together briefly at a low speed. Then, add the liquid ingredients, such as water, milk, and yogurt, and mix until a dough starts to form. If you are using a stand mixer, you can use the dough hook attachment for this step.

At this point, you can add a tablespoon of oil to the dough and continue kneading. If the dough appears dry, you can add a little extra liquid. Knead the dough for about 5 to 7 minutes, or until it achieves a soft and pliable consistency. If you are kneading by hand, it may take a bit more effort, but it is definitely doable.

After kneading, it's time to let the dough proof or rise. Grease a bowl with oil and place the dough inside. Cover the bowl with a lid or plastic wrap, or a tea towel if you're proofing on the countertop. Place the bowl in a warm spot in your kitchen and let the dough rise for about 1 to 2 hours. If you are using an Instant Pot, you can proof the dough in it by greasing the inside, adding the dough, closing the lid, and selecting the yogurt setting for about 1 hour.

Once the dough has doubled in size, it's time to punch it down to release the air. Knead it again briefly, just for a minute or so. Then, divide the dough into equal portions. The number of portions will depend on how many naans you want to make and how large you want them. A typical recipe may yield around 4 to 6 naans.

Now, it's time to roll out the dough. Take a portion of the dough and roll it into a ball. Place it on a floured surface and use a rolling pin to roll it out into an oval or circular shape, aiming for a thickness of about 1/4 inch. If you want to get creative, you can use cookie cutters to make fun shapes like stars or hearts. Just keep in mind that the shape should be suitable for dipping.

Before cooking the naan, you can add toppings or seasonings. For plain naan, you can sprinkle nigella seeds or kalonji on top and gently press them into the dough. For butter naan, brush the surface with melted butter, and you can even add coriander leaves for extra flavour. If you're feeling adventurous, try making garlic naan by brushing the dough with garlic butter—a mixture of softened butter, crushed garlic, and coriander leaves.

With your naan bread prepared and seasoned, you are now ready to cook it in the air fryer. Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, typically around 180°C or 350°F. Place the rolled-out dough into the air fryer basket, making sure it fits comfortably without overlapping. You may need to cook the naans in batches, depending on the size of your air fryer.

Cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model, but on average, naan bread cooks in an air fryer for about 5 to 10 minutes. Keep an eye on the naan to ensure it doesn't burn. You may need to flip it halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning on both sides.

Once the naan bread is cooked to your desired level of doneness, remove it from the air fryer and let it cool slightly. If desired, brush the top of the naan with additional butter for a softer crust and a glossy finish. Your homemade naan bread is now ready to be cut into chips and enjoyed with your favourite dips!

Coating and seasoning

Once you have cut the naan into chip-sized pieces, it's time to add some flavour. In a large bowl, drizzle olive oil or your chosen cooking oil over the pieces. Toss the naan pieces in the bowl until they are well coated. The oil will help the chips become nice and crispy in the air fryer.

Next, season them. Sprinkle your chosen seasonings over the naan chips and toss them again to ensure the seasonings are evenly distributed. You can go for a classic combination of salt and pepper, or spice things up with garlic powder, paprika, or even some chilli flakes. If you're making garlic naan, you can add garlic to the recipe at the end of the cooking process. You can fry some garlic and prepare a garlic butter for the top. Or place some chopped garlic and butter on the naan at the end of cooking—be careful not to burn the garlic.

You can also experiment with other toppings and flavours. Don't be afraid to get creative! You can brush the naan with garlic butter, sprinkle with herbs like coriander or parsley, or even add fillings.

Cooking in the air fryer

Now that you have your ingredients, it's time to cook your naan chips in the air fryer. Start by preheating your air fryer to around 350°F (175-180°C). While it's heating up, cut your naan bread into chip-sized pieces—you can go for classic chip shapes like triangles or rectangles, or get creative with stars or hearts.

Once your air fryer is preheated, it's time to cook the chips. Place the coated and seasoned naan pieces into the air fryer basket in a single layer, cooking in batches if needed. Set the timer for 6-8 minutes, but keep an eye on them, as cooking times may vary depending on your air fryer model.

After the initial cooking time, use tongs or a spatula to flip the chips carefully, ensuring even crisping on both sides. This step is crucial for achieving that perfect golden-brown colour and crunch. Continue cooking for an additional 4-6 minutes, or until they reach your desired level of crispiness.

Once your naan chips are nicely crisped, carefully remove them from the air fryer and transfer them to a wire rack or a plate lined with paper towels. Allowing them to cool for a few minutes will enhance their crispiness. As they cool, the texture will firm up, resulting in a delightful crunch with every bite.

Now that you've mastered the basic technique, feel free to experiment with different flavours and seasonings. You can also serve your naan chips with various dips, spreads, and toppings, such as salsa, guacamole, tzatziki, hummus, or spinach and artichoke dip.

If you have any leftovers, store your naan chips in an airtight container or resealable bag. They will stay fresh for a few days at room temperature. To restore their crispness, simply pop them back into the air fryer for a quick reheat.

Storing and reheating

Storing:

If you have any leftover naan chips, which is unlikely given how delicious they are, you can store them in an airtight container or a resealable bag. This will keep them fresh and crispy. Storing them at room temperature is ideal if you plan to consume them within a few days. However, if you want to extend their shelf life, it's best to refrigerate or even freeze them.

Refrigerating:

If you wish to keep your naan chips for longer than a few days, it's best to refrigerate them. Place the airtight container or resealable bag of naan chips in the refrigerator. They will stay fresh and crispy for about a week.

Freezing:

For extended storage, freezing is an excellent option. Place the cooled naan chips in an airtight freezer bag or container, removing as much air as possible to prevent freezer burn. Your naan chips can be frozen for up to 2-3 months.

Reheating:

When you're ready to enjoy your stored naan chips, you can simply pop them back into the air fryer for a quick reheating session. Place the desired amount of naan chips in the air fryer basket and heat them for a few minutes until they regain their original crispy texture. You can also use other appliances like a toaster, oven, or stovetop skillet to reheat them.

Remember, while refrigeration and freezing help extend the shelf life of your naan chips, they may lose a bit of their freshness and crispiness. However, proper storage and reheating techniques will still provide a tasty and convenient way to enjoy your leftover naan chips.

Frequently asked questions