Emilie Meyer
Air fryers are becoming increasingly popular for cooking Indian food. They are a great alternative to traditional ovens as they heat up quickly and are more affordable to run. Air fryers can be used to cook a diverse range of Indian dishes, including bread rolls, Shahi Tukda (Indian bread pudding), Kukuri Bhindi (crispy fried okra), and Tandoori chicken. They can also be used to make vegetarian and vegan dishes, such as samosas, paneer popcorn, and Gobi Manchurian (cauliflower florets in a spiced yogurt-based marinade). With an air fryer, you can enjoy your favourite Indian meals with less oil and guilt, making it a healthier option without compromising on taste and texture.
Explore related products
What You'll Learn
Air fryer Indian appetisers
Air fryers are a great way to cook Indian appetisers, as they can help you achieve a crispy texture with much less oil. Here are some delicious Indian appetiser recipes that you can make in an air fryer:
Samosas
Samosas are a popular Indian appetiser consisting of little pastry pockets loaded with spiced potatoes and vegetables. Instead of deep-frying, you can use an air fryer to achieve a crispy texture without the extra fat. Spraying the samosas with a little cooking spray will help create lovely flakes. Frozen samosas can also be cooked in the air fryer in under 15 minutes.
Pakoras
Pakoras, also known as onion bhajis, are another classic Indian appetiser that can be made in an air fryer. These crispy and crunchy fritters are made with sliced onions, gram flour, and spices. They make a perfect snack with a cup of masala chai.
Tandoori Paneer Tikka
Paneer is an Indian cottage cheese that can be grilled in an air fryer. Tandoori Paneer Tikka is an Indian appetiser where paneer and vegetables are marinated in a blend of yogurt and spices and then cooked in the air fryer. You can also try a variation called Hariyali Paneer Tikka, where the paneer is marinated in a mixture of cilantro, mint, yogurt, and spices.
Tandoori Chicken Tikka
For a chicken option, Tandoori Chicken Tikka is a delicious Indian appetiser that can be made in the air fryer. This dish features tender chicken pieces marinated in a blend of yogurt and spices, then air-fried to perfection. It's a healthier alternative to traditional tandoori, yet it retains all the authentic flavours.
Spicy Bombay Potatoes
Baby potatoes coated in a variety of Indian spices make for a delicious Indian appetiser. These spicy Bombay potatoes can be cooked in the air fryer until golden crisp. The key to getting them right is in the spice blend, which typically includes cumin, coriander, Kashmiri chilli powder, amchur (dry mango powder), turmeric, and chaat masala.
Kukuri Bhindi (Crispy Fried Okra)
Okra is another vegetable that can be transformed into a tasty Indian appetiser in the air fryer. Kukuri Bhindi, or crispy fried okra, involves slicing okra, coating it in spices, and frying it until crunchy. This dish is sure to be a crispy, crunchy treat.
Air Fryer Under Cabinet: Safe or Not?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Air fryer Indian vegetarian dishes
Air fryers are a great way to cook a variety of vegetarian Indian dishes, offering a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods. With an air fryer, you can cook with little to no oil, making it ideal for preparing vegetarian snacks and meals that are typically deep-fried. Here are some delicious Indian vegetarian dishes you can make in your air fryer:
Crispy Okra or Bhindi
Okra or Bhindi is a popular vegetable in Indian cuisine, and air-frying it is a great way to make it crispy and delicious. Cut fresh okra into thin slices, coat them with spices, and air fry until crispy. This dish, known as Kukuri Bhindi, is a tasty and healthy snack or side.
Tandoori Paneer Tikka
Paneer is a type of Indian cottage cheese, and when marinated in yogurt and spices, it becomes a delicious appetizer when cooked in an air fryer. You can also make Paneer Popcorn by tossing the paneer in breadcrumbs for an extra crunch.
Gobi Manchurian
Gobi Manchurian is a popular Indo-Chinese dish made with cauliflower. Cut cauliflower into small florets, coat them with a spicy and tangy sauce, and air fry until crispy. This dish can be served as a side or appetizer.
Samosas
Samosas are a classic Indian snack, and you can easily cook them from frozen in your air fryer. They come out crispy and delicious, making a perfect appetizer or tea-time snack.
Shahi Tukda (Indian Bread Pudding)
For a sweet treat, try making Shahi Tukda in your air fryer. It's an Indian bread pudding that combines the sweetness of bread pudding with the crunch of an air-fried exterior.
Crispy Plantain Chips
If you're looking for a healthy chip option, try making plantain or banana chips in your air fryer. Thinly slice raw bananas, coat them with a small amount of coconut oil, and air fry until crispy.
With an air fryer, you can explore a diverse range of easy-to-make Indian vegetarian dishes, from appetizers and snacks to main courses and desserts. So, get creative, experiment with different recipes, and enjoy the guilt-free, delicious flavours of Indian cuisine!
Air-Fryer Chicken Cowboy Grillers: Cooking Time Perfection
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Air fryer Indian chicken dishes
Air fryers are a great way to cook Indian food, especially snacks and starters. They are also perfect for cooking chicken dishes, including the universally loved Tandoori chicken. Here are some Indian chicken dishes that can be made in an air fryer:
Tandoori Chicken
Tandoori chicken is a traditional Indian dish that is usually cooked in a clay oven. However, you can easily replicate this recipe in an air fryer. The chicken is marinated in a mixture of warming spices and creamy yogurt, and then cooked until juicy and browned on the outside. It is perfect for family dinners or as the main dish at parties. The best part is that it cooks in only 15 minutes in the air fryer, which is less than half the time it takes in a conventional oven.
Indian Spiced Chicken Bites
This is a simple and quick recipe that is perfect as a snack or as a filling for tacos, quesadillas, and even pizza toppings. All you need to do is clean, cut, and marinate the chicken in a basic Indian spice mix. The ideal marination time is 2-4 hours in the refrigerator, but an hour will suffice if you're in a hurry. Before air frying, let the chicken thaw at room temperature for at least 30 minutes, and add a tablespoon of oil to the marinated chicken. Air fry the chicken cubes for 20 minutes at 390 F, flipping them once at the 10-minute mark.
Chilli Chicken
Another quick and healthy option is chilli chicken, which is a healthier alternative to the traditional deep-fried recipe.
In addition to these chicken dishes, there are many other Indian recipes that can be made in an air fryer, including bread rolls, Shahi Tukda (Indian bread pudding), Kukuri Bhindi (crispy fried okra), and Paneer Popcorn.
Roasting Butternut Squash: Air Fryer Magic
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Air fryer Indian flatbreads
Indian Fry Bread is a traditional American Indian flatbread. It is often used as a base for Navajo Tacos, which are topped with ground beef, beans, lettuce, tomato, cheese, and other favourite toppings. Making Indian Fry Bread in an air fryer is healthier and less greasy than frying it in oil, shortening, or lard.
To make the dough, combine all the dry ingredients in a mixing bowl. Using a bread hook, mix in the water. Knead on medium-slow for 5-10 minutes until the dough forms a ball and no longer sticks to the bowl. Place the dough ball in an oiled bowl, cover with a damp cloth, and let the dough rest for 2 hours. Cut the dough and form golf ball-sized balls. Compress the dough balls with your hands to form a small flatbread 1/4” thick.
Brush a small amount of oil onto both sides of the flatbread. Place the flatbread into the air fryer basket. Air fry for 8 minutes, flipping it halfway through. You can also cook the flatbread at 375 degrees for 10 minutes. If you do not have an air fryer, you can fry the flatbread in a pan or bake it in an oven at 350 degrees for about 10 minutes.
Indian Fry Bread can be made sweet by adding maple syrup, powdered sugar, or your favourite berries. It can also be made savoury, such as by topping it with cinnamon or using it for a taco.
Air Fryer Rice: Is It Possible?
You may want to see also
Explore related products
Air fryer Indian curries
Air fryers are a great way to cook Indian curries and side dishes. They are perfect for cooking popular Indian recipes, including curries, and are economical and very efficient little ovens that heat up quickly. They are a great substitute for a tandoor oven, which takes much longer to heat up and is more expensive to run.
To cook an Indian curry in an air fryer, you will need a small metal pan that fits into your cooking basket. Metal cake tins are popular air fryer accessories and work perfectly for this purpose.
There are a variety of Indian vegetarian curries that can be made in an air fryer, including rice, beans, and lentils. You can cook fresh or frozen food, and the air fryer's heating element and fan help to circulate hot air around the food, allowing the use of little oil and making the food crispier and healthier.
Some easy air fryer Indian recipes include:
- Tandoori chicken
- Tandoori broccoli tikka
- Tandoori aloo tikka
- Tandoori gobi
- Crispy air fryer roasted cauliflower
- Spicy Bombay potatoes
- Kukuri bhindi (crispy fried okra)
- Gobi Manchurian (cauliflower Manchurian)
- Paneer popcorn
- Shahi tukda (Indian bread pudding)
Air Fryer Magic: Oven Chips Perfection
You may want to see also
Frequently asked questions
Some easy Indian recipes that can be made in an air fryer include bread rolls, Shahi Tukda (Indian bread pudding), Kukuri Bhindi (crispy fried okra), samosas, and tandoori chicken.
Some Indian vegetarian dishes that can be made in an air fryer are Gobi Manchurian (cauliflower florets in a spicy tangy sauce), paneer popcorn, tandoori broccoli tikka, and crispy air fryer roasted cauliflower.
Some Indian vegan dishes that can be made in an air fryer are samosas, onion pakoras, Sabudana Vada (crispy and crunchy Sago Fritters), and Malai Broccoli (broccoli florets coated in a creamy marinade).
Some Indian desserts that can be made in an air fryer are Gulab Jamun (fried dough balls), Gujiya (Indian sweet pastry), and cookies.
Air fryers are good for Indian cooking because they cook food quickly and efficiently, using less oil than traditional frying methods, resulting in healthier and crispier food.
