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

Making puris in an air fryer is a healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried method. This method uses little to no oil, resulting in a crispy exterior and soft interior without the excess grease. The process is simple and quick, taking around 20 minutes, and the ingredients are easy to source. This innovative approach to a classic Indian dish is perfect for health-conscious individuals who don't want to compromise on taste.

Preheat the air fryer

Preheating your air fryer is an important step in making puris, as it ensures even cooking and helps the puris puff up nicely. Here is a detailed guide on preheating your air fryer for making puris:

• Temperature Setting: Set your air fryer temperature to 350°F to 374°F (180°C to 190°C). This temperature range is ideal for cooking puris, as it will make them crispy on the outside and soft on the inside.
• Preheat Time: Preheat your air fryer for about 5 to 7 minutes. The preheat time can vary depending on your air fryer model, so it is recommended to refer to your air fryer's user manual for specific instructions.
• Preparing the Air Fryer Basket: While the air fryer is preheating, prepare the air fryer basket by greasing it with a light coating of oil or cooking spray. This step ensures that the puris do not stick to the basket and helps achieve an even golden colour. You can use a brush or oil spray to apply a thin layer of oil.
• Placing Puris in the Air Fryer: After preheating, carefully place the rolled-out puris into the air fryer basket. Make sure they are placed in a single layer and do not overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.
• Adjusting Timing: The cooking time may vary depending on your air fryer model. As a guide, start with 3 to 4 minutes for the first batch and then adjust the timing as needed. Keep a close eye on the puris to prevent burning.
• Flipping Puris: Depending on your preference, you can choose to flip the puris halfway through the cooking process. Flipping is not necessary, but it can help achieve an even golden colour on both sides of the puris.
• Checking for Doneness: Keep an eye on the puris during the cooking process. They are done when they are golden brown and crispy. If they are not golden after the initial cooking time, you can air fry them for an additional 1 to 2 minutes until they reach the desired colour and texture.

Remember, preheating your air fryer is crucial for achieving the best results when making puris. It ensures even cooking and helps the puris puff up and become crispy. By following these steps, you'll be on your way to making delicious, airy puris in your air fryer!

Prepare the dough

Preparing the dough for puris in an air fryer is a simple process. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, gather your ingredients. The basic ingredients required are whole wheat flour, salt, and water. You can also add additional ingredients like yogurt, sugar, semolina, or oil for added flavour and texture. For instance, a little bit of yogurt helps to moisturize the dough and gives it a tangy taste.

Once you have your ingredients, it's time to mix and knead the dough. Combine the flour and salt in a large mixing bowl. If using yogurt, add it now and mix well. Gradually add the water, a little at a time, and knead the mixture until you form a soft yet firm dough. You can also add oil at this stage and mix it into the dough. The dough should be kneaded for about 3-4 minutes and should not be sticky.

After kneading, cover the dough and let it rest. Cover the dough with a damp kitchen towel or cloth and set it aside to rest for at least 30 minutes. This resting period allows the gluten in the flour to relax, making the dough easier to work with and helping the puris puff up during cooking.

Once the dough has rested, briefly knead it again. Then, shape the dough into a log and divide it into small, equal-sized pieces or balls. The size of each piece will determine the size of your puris, so aim for about 1 inch in diameter.

Finally, roll out the dough pieces. Lightly flour or oil your work surface to prevent sticking. Use a rolling pin to roll each piece of dough into a circle, approximately 3-4 inches in diameter and evenly flat. Ensure that you don't roll them too thin, as this will make the puris crispy.

Now your dough is ready to be boiled and air-fried!

Roll out the puris

Rolling out the puris is a crucial step in the process of making puris in an air fryer. Here is a detailed guide on how to do it:

Firstly, it is important to ensure that your dough is the correct consistency. The dough should be soft yet firm, and not too sticky. This will ensure that your puris puff up nicely in the air fryer. After you have kneaded the dough, cover it with a damp cloth and let it rest for at least 10 minutes to relax the gluten.

Once the dough has rested, you can start rolling out the puris. Divide the dough into small, equal-sized balls. The size of each ball will determine the size of your puris, so for small puris, aim for about 1 inch in diameter. Lightly flour your work surface or use a drop of oil to prevent the dough from sticking. Using a rolling pin, roll each ball of dough into a circle that is approximately 3-4 inches in diameter and evenly flat. It is important to roll the puris to an even thickness to ensure uniform cooking. They should not be rolled too thick or too thin; if they are too thin, they will not puff up, and if they are too thick, they will be doughy inside.

If you are making pani puris, you can use a round cookie cutter to cut small discs out of the rolled-out dough. If you are making larger puris, you may need to roll the dough out a bit thinner to ensure they puff up properly.

Once you have rolled out all your puris, it is time to boil them before air frying. This step helps to ensure that they puff up nicely in the air fryer and gives them a shiny glaze similar to deep-fried puris. Place a few puris at a time into the pot of boiling water and boil for about 2 minutes, or until they puff up slightly and rise to the surface. Remove the boiled puris with a slotted spoon and place them on a clean kitchen towel to absorb any excess water. Pat them dry before placing them in the air fryer.

Now your puris are ready for the air fryer! Preheat your air fryer to the recommended temperature, usually between 350-400°F. Place the boiled puris in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overlapping. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches. Brush or spray the puris with oil before air frying if you want an oily glaze. Air fry the puris for 3-5 minutes, or until they are golden brown and crispy. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning, as the exact time may vary depending on your air fryer model.

And that's it! You now have a batch of freshly air-fried puris ready to be enjoyed. Serve them hot with your favourite curry, chutney, or any side dish.

Boil the puris

To make puris in an air fryer, you'll need to boil the puris before air-frying them. Here is a step-by-step guide:

• Prepare the dough: In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of whole wheat flour (atta) and 1/2 teaspoon of salt. You can also add 1 tablespoon of oil and 1/4 cup of plain yogurt to the mixture. Gradually add warm water as needed to form a soft yet firm dough. Knead the dough for about 3-4 minutes until it is well combined and no longer sticky.
• Let the dough rest: Cover the dough with a damp kitchen towel or cloth and let it rest for at least 30 minutes. This allows the gluten in the flour to relax, making the dough easier to work with and helping the puris puff up during cooking.
• Shape the dough: After resting, briefly knead the dough again, then shape it into a log. Divide the log into small, equal-sized pieces, aiming for a diameter of about 1 inch. This will determine the size of your puris.
• Prepare the rolling surface: Add a drop of oil to your work surface or coat each dough ball with dry flour. This step prevents the dough from sticking to the surface and makes rolling easier.
• Roll out the puris: Using a rolling pin, roll each dough ball into a circle with a diameter of approximately 3-4 inches. Ensure that the circles are evenly flat and not rolled too thin, as this will cause the puris to become crispy instead of puffing up.
• Boil the puris: Before air-frying, bring a large pot of water to a rolling boil. Gently drop a few puris into the boiling water and let them cook for about 2 minutes or until they puff up slightly and float to the surface. This step helps ensure they puff up in the air fryer and gives them a shiny glaze similar to deep-fried puris.
• Drain and dry the puris: Remove the boiled puris with a slotted spoon and place them on a clean kitchen towel to absorb any excess water. Gently pat them dry before boiling the remaining puris.

Air-Fry the Puris:

• Preheat the air fryer: Set your air fryer to 350°F to 374°F (180°C to 190°C) and preheat for about 7-10 minutes.
• Prepare the air fryer basket: Place the boiled puris in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they do not overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches.
• Air-fry the puris: Air-fry the puris for about 4 minutes. If they are not golden brown and crispy, continue air-frying for an additional 1-2 minutes or until they reach the desired doneness. Keep a close eye on them to prevent burning.
• Flip the puris: Optionally, you can flip the puris halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning on both sides.
• Remove and serve: Once the puris are puffed and golden, remove them from the air fryer basket and repeat the process with the remaining puris. Serve the air-fried puris hot with your choice of curry, chutney, or any desired side dish.

Enjoy your homemade, air-fried puris!

Air-fry the puris

Air-frying the puris is a quick and easy way to make this delicious snack healthier. Here is a step-by-step guide to help you achieve the perfect puris:

Preheat the Air Fryer:

Start by preheating your air fryer. For consistent results, it is important to ensure your air fryer is at the right temperature before adding the puris. Set the temperature to 350°F (180°C) and preheat for a few minutes.

Prepare the Puris:

While the air fryer is preheating, prepare the puris. Roll out the dough into small balls, and then use a rolling pin to flatten them into circles of approximately 3-4 inches in diameter. Make sure they are evenly flat, not too thick or too thin, for uniform cooking.

Boil the Puris:

Before air-frying, boil the puris in hot water for about 2 minutes. This step is crucial to ensure they puff up nicely in the air fryer and gives them a shiny glaze similar to deep-fried puris. Remove them from the water when they float to the surface, and place them on a clean kitchen towel to absorb the excess water. Pat them dry before placing them in the air fryer.

Place Puris in the Air Fryer:

Place the boiled puris in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they do not overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook them in batches. Lightly brush or spray the puris with oil before air-frying if you want an oily shine.

Serve the Puris:

Once the puris are puffed and golden, remove them from the air fryer and serve them hot. Enjoy them with your favourite curry, chutney, or any side dish of your choice.

Tips for Perfect Puris:

• Dough Consistency: Ensure the dough is neither too soft nor too hard. A soft yet firm dough will puff up beautifully in the air fryer.
• Oil/Dry Flour: When rolling the puris, use either oil or dry flour to prevent the dough from sticking to the surface, making it easier to roll.
• Air Fryer Temperature: Preheat the air fryer to the correct temperature to ensure even cooking.
• Cooking Time: Adjust the cooking time as needed, starting with a shorter duration and increasing in small increments to prevent burning.
• Flipping: You may choose to flip the puris halfway through the cooking process to achieve an even golden colour on both sides.

Enjoy your homemade, air-fried puris!

Frequently asked questions