Air-Fried Pani Puri: A Tasty, Healthy Twist

Pani puri is a beloved Indian street food. It is a dish that features crispy hollow puris filled with a tangy and spicy pani (water) and a mixture of potatoes and chickpeas. Traditionally, pani puris are deep-fried, but they can also be made in an air fryer for a healthier alternative. This method significantly reduces the amount of oil required for cooking, resulting in a delicious and healthy twist on the classic street food.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in making pani puris, as it ensures that your puris will puff up and become crispy. Here's a detailed guide on how to do it:

Firstly, set the temperature of your air fryer to 350°F to 360°F (180°C). This temperature range is ideal for cooking pani puris, as it will give them a golden brown colour and a crispy texture without burning them. Preheat your air fryer for about 5 minutes at this temperature. If you are using a CrispLid, preheat it for 7 minutes.

Note that the preheating time may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model, so refer to your product manual for the most accurate instructions. It is also important to remember to preheat the air fryer after every 2 batches of air frying. This will help maintain the optimal temperature and ensure consistent results with each batch of pani puris.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare the puri dough and roll them into thin circles or discs. You can also use store-bought ready-to-cook pani puri and arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket.

Once the air fryer has preheated, it's time to place the rolled puris into the air fryer basket. Make sure they are in a single layer and not overlapping, as this will affect the cooking process. If you are using ready-made pani puri, you can optionally spray or brush them with a small amount of oil before placing them in the air fryer. This will give them a nice shine and a slightly darker colour.

After placing the puris in the air fryer, you can proceed with the next step of air frying them for 2 to 3 minutes, depending on the recipe you are following. Flip them halfway through the cooking process to ensure even cooking on both sides.

By preheating your air fryer and following these steps, you will be able to achieve the perfect crispy and puffed-up pani puris, ready to be filled with your favourite spicy, tangy fillings!

Prepare the stuffing

To prepare the stuffing for pani puri, start by boiling two medium-sized potatoes until they are soft. Once boiled, peel and mash them in a bowl. Add one cup of boiled chickpeas to the mashed potatoes and mix well. This mixture will be used as the filling for the pani puri.

You can experiment with the stuffing by adding different ingredients such as boiled moong beans, grated carrots, or sprouts. If you prefer a sweeter taste, you can also add a pinch of sugar to the tamarind chutney.

The process of preparing the stuffing is straightforward and only requires a few simple ingredients. By boiling, mashing, and mixing the potatoes and chickpeas, you create a delicious and flavourful filling that complements the crispy and tangy pani puri.

Additionally, the stuffing can be made ahead of time and stored in an airtight container until you are ready to assemble and serve your pani puri. This can be a time-saving step, especially if you are preparing a large batch.

Make the crispy puris

Making the crispy puris for pani puri in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to deep-frying them. It is also quicker and easier.

If you are making the puris from scratch, you will need the following ingredients:

• 1 cup of semolina (sooji)
• 1/4 cup of all-purpose flour (maida)
• Water

First, take a cup of semolina and add the all-purpose flour. Slowly add water and knead the mixture into a smooth dough. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for about 20-30 minutes.

After resting, divide the dough into small portions and roll them into thin circles. You can use a cookie cutter to get the perfect shape.

Now, preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C) for a few minutes. Place the rolled puris in the air fryer basket, making sure they are in a single layer and not overlapping. You can spray or brush some oil on the puris for a nice shine, but this is optional.

Air fry the puris for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they turn golden brown and crispy. You will know the puris are ready when they have puffed up and look brown around the edges.

Once done, remove the puris from the air fryer and let them cool on a wire rack. You can store them in an airtight container and enjoy them later, or use them immediately to assemble your pani puri!

Assemble the pani puri

To assemble the pani puri, start by taking a puri and poking a hole in the centre with your thumb or a spoon. Then, fill the puri with a spoonful of the potato-chickpea mixture. Next, drizzle some tamarind chutney and mint-coriander chutney over the stuffing. Finally, dip the puri into the spicy water (pani) and place it on a serving plate. Repeat this process for the remaining puris.

You can also add some extra ingredients to enhance the flavour of your pani puri. For example, you could add some boiled moong beans, grated carrots, or sprouts to the stuffing. If you prefer sweeter flavours, you can add a pinch of sugar to the tamarind chutney. You could even experiment with different types of puris, such as spinach or beetroot puris.

Once you have assembled all your pani puris, it's time to garnish and serve them. Sprinkle some sev (thin crispy noodles), chopped onions, and fresh coriander leaves on top. You can also add some pomegranate seeds or nylon sev for extra texture. Finally, sprinkle some chaat masala on top for that extra zing.

Garnish and serve

Now for the fun part: garnishing and serving! To add an extra crunch and flavour, garnish your pani puris with sev (thin crispy noodles), chopped onions, and fresh coriander leaves. Sprinkle some chaat masala on top for that extra zing. You can also get creative with your garnishes and try pomegranate seeds or nylon sev for added texture.

If you're serving kids or adults who don't like their food too spicy, you can adjust the spice level by adding more or less green chillies in the pani (spicy water). You can also experiment with the stuffing by adding different ingredients such as boiled moong beans, grated carrots, or sprouts. If you're craving something a little sweeter, add a pinch of sugar to the tamarind chutney. For a unique twist, try using flavoured puris like spinach or beetroot puris.

Pani puri is best served fresh and can be a fun activity to do with your kids. Let them make their own puris according to their taste, adding as much or as little filling and pani as they like. It's a great way to get the whole family involved and create some memorable moments.

Frequently asked questions