Air-Fried Poori: A Step-By-Step Guide To Perfection

Poori is a type of Indian bread that is traditionally fried and is typically served at festivals and on long train journeys. It is possible to make poori in an air fryer, which is a healthier alternative to deep-frying. The ingredients for making poori include wheat flour, suji/rava, sugar, salt, oil, and water. The process involves making a dough, creating small balls, and then frying them in an air fryer at 400 degrees Fahrenheit for about 5 minutes.

Characteristics of making Poori in an Air Fryer

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is a crucial step in the process of making pooris, or puffed Indian bread. It ensures that your pooris cook evenly and efficiently. Here is a detailed guide on preheating your air fryer:

Firstly, set the temperature of your air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 350 degrees Fahrenheit, depending on your model. This temperature setting is important as it ensures the pooris cook through without burning. Once you have set the temperature, allow the air fryer to preheat for 5 minutes or 3 minutes, respectively. During this time, the air fryer's cooking chamber will heat up to the set temperature, creating the optimal environment for cooking pooris.

While the air fryer is preheating, you can prepare your pooris. Roll out the dough into small, rounded puris and grease them with oil. This step ensures that the pooris do not stick to the air fryer basket and helps achieve the desired crispness. You can also use this time to prepare any side dishes or chutneys that you plan to serve with your pooris.

Once the air fryer has preheated, it is ready to cook your pooris. Open the air fryer and lightly grease the air fryer basket with oil. You can use an oil spray or brush to ensure an even coating. This step is crucial as it prevents sticking and promotes even cooking. Place 2-3 pooris at a time in the preheated air fryer basket, being careful not to overcrowd them.

After placing the pooris in the air fryer, close the lid and set the timer. Depending on your air fryer model and the desired crispness of your pooris, set the timer for 5-6 minutes. During this time, hot air will circulate around the pooris, cooking them evenly and creating the characteristic puffed-up shape.

While the pooris are cooking, you may need to spray or brush the top surface with oil to ensure even cooking and browning. Once the timer goes off, carefully open the air fryer and check if the pooris are done to your liking. They should be golden and puffed up. If not, you can always put them back in the air fryer for an additional minute or two.

In conclusion, preheating your air fryer is a simple yet essential step in the process of making perfect pooris. It ensures that your air fryer reaches the optimal temperature for cooking pooris, resulting in even cooking and the desired crispness. By following the above instructions, you can easily master the art of making delicious, puffed-up pooris in your air fryer.

Oil the air fryer basket

To oil the air fryer basket, you have a few options. You can use a cooking spray to spritz the basket with oil, or you can brush the basket with oil using a pastry brush. Either way, make sure the basket is well-coated to prevent sticking.

If you are making wheat puris, you will also need to oil the rolled dough. To do this, place a sheet of butter paper in the air fryer basket, then place the rolled dough on top. Use a brush to grease the dough with oil.

Once you have oiled the basket and the dough, you are ready to air fry your puris! Place 2-3 puris in the basket at a time, being careful not to overcrowd it. Set the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit or 180 degrees Celsius and air fry for 5-6 minutes. Your puris will be hot and ready to serve!

Roll the dough into balls

Once your dough is ready, take a small piece of it (around 50g) and roll it into a ball. Repeat this process until you have used up all of the dough. You should end up with multiple small dough balls, which will be used to make the Puris.

When shaping the dough, try to make the balls as round as possible. This will ensure that your Puris have a nice, even shape when they are rolled out. It is important to be gentle and not handle the dough too roughly, as this can affect the texture of your Puris.

The size of the balls will determine the size of your Puris, so try to keep them consistent. You can weigh each piece of dough to ensure they are all 50g, or you can simply use your judgement and aim for a uniform size by eye.

Once all the dough has been rolled into balls, you can move on to the next step of rolling them out with a rolling pin.

Arrange the dough balls in the fryer

When arranging the dough balls in the air fryer, there are a few key steps to follow. First, preheat your air fryer to a temperature of around 350-400 degrees Fahrenheit (depending on your recipe). Next, prepare your air fryer basket by greasing it with oil—you can do this by spraying the basket with oil or brushing it on.

Now it's time to arrange the dough balls. Place 2-3 dough balls in the basket at a time, making sure they are not overcrowded. Spray or brush the tops of the dough balls with oil as well. Close the basket and set the temperature and time according to your recipe—most recipes recommend frying for around 5-6 minutes at the chosen temperature.

Once the time is up, carefully open the basket and enjoy your freshly cooked poori! You can serve them with aloo bhujia, pickle, or any other accompaniments of your choice.

Serve with aloo bhujia and pickle

To serve poori with aloo bhujia and pickle, you can follow these steps:

Firstly, prepare the dough by combining wheat flour, all-purpose flour, semolina, salt, caster sugar, and melted ghee in a bowl. Mix well until the mixture crumbles, then gradually add water and knead to form a dough. Cover and let it rest for 15-20 minutes. After resting, knead the dough again until it becomes smooth and soft.

Next, take a small portion of the dough (around 50g) and roll it into a ball. Use a rolling pin to roll it out into a flat disc. If you're serving it with aloo bhujia and pickle, you can use the air-frying method. Place a butter paper and the rolled dough in the air fryer basket, and grease it with oil using a brush.

Set the air fryer to 180 degrees Celsius and air fry the poori for about 6 minutes. Once done, carefully remove the poori from the air fryer. Serve the poori with aloo bhujia and your favourite pickle on the side. You can also serve it with other side dishes or curries of your choice.

Aloo bhujia is a popular Indian snack made with potatoes, spices, and various other ingredients. It is crunchy, spicy, and often paired with poori. You can either make aloo bhujia at home or buy it from a store.

Pickles are a great way to add a tangy and spicy kick to your meal. You can choose from a variety of pickles, such as mango, lime, or chilli pickles, depending on your preference. You can make your own pickle or buy it ready-made.

Frequently asked questions