Air-Fried Samosas: A Quick, Easy, And Healthy Treat!

Samosas are a delicious Indian snack, perfect as a starter, side dish, or for a party buffet.section breakAir fryers are a great way to make samosas, giving them a crispy texture without the need for deep frying in oil. You can use a basket-style air fryer, an air fryer oven, or even an electric pressure cooker with an air fryer lid.section breakTo make samosas in an air fryer, you'll need to prepare the dough, make the filling, assemble the samosas, and then cook them. The whole process is easy and will result in a delicious, healthier version of this classic dish.

How to fold the samosa pastry

Folding the perfect samosa pastry is an art, but with a few simple steps, you can master it. Here's a detailed guide on how to fold the samosa pastry:

Start with the pastry sheets: You can either make your own pastry dough or use store-bought spring roll or filo pastry sheets. If you're making your own, combine plain white flour, oil, carom seeds (ajwain), and salt. Mix until it resembles breadcrumbs, then add water gradually to form a stiff dough. Let the dough rest for a bit.

Roll the dough: Use a rolling pin to roll the dough into thin oblong shapes, about 2mm thick. You can use a stone benchtop or a marble/granite pastry board for rolling, as this helps the dough relax and prevents sticking. If you don't have a stone surface, roll the dough between sheets of parchment paper.

Cut and shape the pastry: Cut the oblong shape horizontally to get two semi-circles. Take one semi-circle and wet the top straight edge with water. Bring the two ends of the straight edge together, overlapping slightly, to form a hollow cone. Pinch and seal the edge, starting from the pointy end.

Fill the samosa: Hold the cone with the tip of your forefinger and thumb, and fill the cone with your chosen filling—be careful not to overfill. Wet the lower rim of the cone with water and pinch the ends together to seal the samosa. Place the samosa on a flat surface and pinch the corners of the wide bottom to ensure it's completely sealed.

Repeat this process for the remaining dough and filling. You can experiment with different fillings, but a traditional Punjabi samosa filling includes potatoes and peas, and spices.

Once you've filled and sealed all your samosas, they're ready for the air fryer! Brush them with oil and place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they're not overcrowded. Set the air fryer to the recommended temperature and time, and enjoy the delicious results!

How to make the samosa filling

The filling is one of the two main components of a samosa, the other being the pastry. The filling is quite versatile and can be used to stuff grilled sandwiches, wrap in tortillas, or make giant veggie burger patties. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to make the perfect samosa filling:

Ingredients

• Potatoes
• Peas
• Onions
• Corn
• Carrots
• Ginger
• Green chillies
• Cumin seeds
• Garam masala
• Mango chutney (optional)
• Other spices (e.g. coriander seeds, chilli flakes, kasoori methi)

Method

• Chop the vegetables for the filling. Reserve about a third of the chopped onions to be added later. Be sure to chop the vegetables finely to ensure even cooking and a mixture that binds together.
• Heat oil in a pan and add the cumin seeds. Allow them to sizzle before adding the aromatics: ginger, chillies, and onions. Sauté over medium heat until soft and translucent.
• Add the fresh vegetables (potatoes, carrots), turmeric, and salt. Also, add a splash of water to help the veggies cook through.
• Cover and cook the filling mixture over low heat until everything is tender. Stir occasionally to prevent burning.
• Once the fresh vegetables are soft, add the pre-cooked vegetables (peas, corn) and the remaining onions.
• Add the ground spices, including garam masala, and mango chutney (if using).
• Gently mash the mixture with a spoon to create a fluffy and cohesive filling. Be careful not to over-mash, as you still want some texture. Cook until most of the water has evaporated and the mixture dries out a bit.
• Taste and adjust seasoning if needed.

Your samosa filling is now ready to be used! Remember to let it cool down before filling the samosa pastry. Enjoy experimenting with this delicious and versatile filling!

How long to cook the samosas for

The cooking time for your samosas will depend on the size of your air fryer, the number of samosas you are cooking, and their size. For example, an air fryer that can hold 6 samosas will require you to cook in batches if you want to cook more than 6 at a time.

For non-frozen samosas, cook them at 180°C/355°F for 4 minutes, turning halfway, and then cook for another 2 minutes at 200°C/400°F, again turning halfway. If your air fryer has a grill function, you can finish them off for 1 minute on each side.

For frozen samosas, the cooking time is slightly longer. Cook them at 350°F/180°C for 6 minutes, turning halfway, and then for a further 2 minutes, again turning halfway. Again, if your air fryer has a grill function, finish them off for 1 minute on each side.

If you are cooking Trader Joe's chicken samosas, they may cook faster than vegetable ones, so keep an eye on them.

If you are cooking the samosas and they are still raw in the middle, turn them over and add another 2 minutes to the cooking time. If they are not crispy enough for your liking, increase the temperature to 400°F/200°C and cook for a further 2 minutes.

What temperature to cook the samosas at

The optimal temperature for cooking samosas in an air fryer depends on the type of samosa and the desired level of crispiness. Here is a comprehensive guide to help you achieve the perfect golden brown samosas:

For non-frozen samosas, it is recommended to cook them at 180°C/355°F until they are 80% done, and then increase the temperature to 200°C/400°F to finish cooking and achieve a perfect golden finish. This two-step temperature adjustment ensures that your samosas are cooked thoroughly while also attaining the desired crispiness.

If you are cooking frozen samosas, the temperature settings will be slightly different. Start by air frying at 380°F for 11 minutes. At the halfway mark, turn the samosas to ensure even cooking. If your frozen samosas are not crispy enough after cooking, you can increase the temperature to 400°F and air fry for an additional 2 minutes.

It is important to note that the size of your air fryer basket and the number of samosas being cooked at once will impact the cooking time and temperature. For smaller batches, you may need to adjust the timing accordingly. Additionally, different types of samosa pastry may require specific temperature settings. For example, filo pastry or spring roll samosas should be brushed with oil and cooked at the recommended temperatures to prevent drying out.

Lastly, remember not to overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow for proper air circulation, which is crucial for achieving the desired crispiness. By following these temperature guidelines and tips, you'll be able to make delicious, crispy samosas in your air fryer every time!

How to reheat samosas

Reheating samosas in an air fryer is a great way to restore their crispiness. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to reheat samosas in an air fryer:

• Preheat the air fryer: Before placing the samosas in the air fryer, make sure to preheat the appliance. This will help ensure even cooking and crispiness.
• Place the samosas in the air fryer basket: Arrange the samosas in a single layer, leaving a little space between them to allow for proper air circulation. If you have a small air fryer basket or a large number of samosas, you may need to reheat them in batches.
• Brush the samosas with oil (optional): For an extra crispy exterior, you can lightly brush the samosas with oil before placing them in the air fryer. This step is optional, as the air fryer will still produce crispy results without added oil.
• Air fry the samosas: Place the samosas in the preheated air fryer and cook for a few minutes until they are heated through and crispy. The exact cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of your samosas, as well as the temperature of your air fryer. As a general guideline, cook them at 350°F (180°C) for about 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure even cooking.
• Serve the samosas: Once the samosas are heated through and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve them with your favourite dipping sauce. Traditional Indian chutneys like mint, coriander, tamarind, or yogurt-based sauces pair well with samosas.

By following these simple steps, you can enjoy leftover samosas that taste just like they were freshly cooked!

Frequently asked questions