Air-Fried Puri: A Healthy, Oil-Free Twist?

Puris are a beloved part of Indian cuisine, traditionally deep-fried and often enjoyed as a snack or side dish. However, with the growing popularity of air fryers, many are wondering if it's possible to make this crispy treat in a healthier way. The answer is yes! You can now make puris in an air fryer, achieving that desired puffiness and flavor with less oil. This method not only reduces the amount of oil needed but also utilizes hot air circulation to mimic the deep-fried texture, making it a healthier option. So, if you're curious about giving this a try, read on to discover the tips and tricks for making perfect puris in an air fryer.

Puri recipe ingredients

Puri is a popular Indian deep-fried, puffy bread. It is usually made with whole wheat flour, salt, oil, and water. However, some recipes also include ingredients such as yogurt, milk, butter, ghee, baking powder, and semolina.

• 1 cup whole wheat flour (also known as chapati atta)
• 1 teaspoon oil, plus more for deep frying
• 1/4 cup water, plus 2 tablespoons
• 1/8 teaspoon salt, adjust to taste

Optional ingredients:

• 1 teaspoon sugar (for a golden brown colour)
• 2 teaspoons semolina (for crispiness)

Instructions:

• Mix the flour, salt, and oil in a bowl.
• Add water gradually and knead the dough until it is smooth but semi-soft.
• Cover the dough and let it rest for 15-20 minutes.
• Knead the dough again briefly and divide it into 12 equal portions.
• Flatten each portion into a disc by pressing between your palms.
• Heat oil in a pan over medium heat.
• Roll out each disc into a circle with a rolling pin.
• Slide the puri into the hot oil and fry until it puffs up.
• Flip the puri and fry the other side until lightly golden.
• Remove the puri and place it on a paper towel to absorb excess oil.

Note: The dough should be medium-soft and not too sticky. The oil temperature should be maintained at a medium heat to prevent the puri from getting too brown or crispy.

Step-by-step instructions

Yes, it is possible to make puri in an air fryer! Here is a step-by-step guide on how to do it:

Step 1: Preparing the Dough

• Combine 1 cup of whole wheat flour (atta) and 1/2 teaspoon of salt in a large mixing bowl. You can also add 1 tablespoon of plain yogurt and a pinch of sugar if you like.
• Mix the dry ingredients well.
• Add 1 tablespoon of oil and mix again. Break up any lumps by rubbing the flour between your palms.
• Gradually add warm water (about 1/4 cup) and knead the mixture until you form a soft, stretchy, and firm dough. The dough should not be sticky.

Step 2: Resting the Dough

Cover the dough with a damp cloth or kitchen towel and let it rest. The resting time can vary from 10 minutes to 30 minutes.

Step 3: Boiling the Puris (Optional)

• Before air-frying, you can optionally boil the puris in water to ensure they puff up and get a shiny glaze.
• Bring a large pot of water to a 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.
• Remove the boiled puris with a slotted spoon and place them on a clean kitchen towel to absorb the excess water. Pat them dry.

Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer

Preheat your air fryer to a temperature between 350°F and 400°F. The ideal temperature may depend on your air fryer model, but it should be preheated well to ensure even cooking.

Step 5: Prepare the Air Fryer Basket

Clean the air fryer basket and line it with parchment paper or grease it with oil spray or brush.

Step 6: Roll and Shape the Puris

• After resting the dough, briefly knead it again and shape it into a log.
• Divide the dough into small, equal-sized balls. The size of each ball will determine the size of your puris.
• Lightly coat your work surface or the dough balls with a drop of oil or dry flour to prevent sticking.
• Using a rolling pin, roll each ball into a thin, flat circle, approximately 3-4 inches in diameter. Ensure they are rolled evenly and not too thick or too thin for uniform cooking.

Step 7: Air-Frying the Puris

• Place the rolled puris in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they do not overlap. You may need to cook them in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
• Air-fry the puris for about 3-5 minutes. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning, as the timing may vary depending on your air fryer model.
• If you want a golden hue on both sides, you can flip the puris halfway through the cooking process.
• The puris are ready when they puff up and turn golden brown and crispy around the edges.

Step 8: Assembling and Serving (for Pani Puri)

• If you are making Pani Puri, create a small hole in the centre of each puri using your thumb or a spoon.
• Fill the puri with a spoonful of potato-chickpea mixture.
• Drizzle tamarind chutney and mint-coriander chutney over the stuffing.
• Dip the puri into spicy water (pani) and place it on a serving plate.
• Repeat this process for the remaining puris.
• Garnish with sev (thin crispy noodles), chopped onions, coriander leaves, and chaat masala.

Your air-fried puris are now ready to be served and enjoyed!

Tips for best results

• Preheat your air fryer to the correct temperature. Most recipes recommend 350°F–374°F (180°C–190°C).
• Preheating is especially important when using an air fryer and should be done for at least 5 minutes.
• Reheat the air fryer after every 2 batches of puris.
• If you want to make puris from scratch, try using whole wheat flour, a little oil, and salt. Knead the mixture into a stretchy dough and let it rest for 10–30 minutes.
• If you want to experiment with the dough, try adding semolina, tapioca starch, or baking soda.
• If you're short on time, you can use store-bought, ready-to-cook puris.
• If you want to apply oil to the puris, take a few drops of oil onto your hand, take a few puris, and gently rub them between your palms.
• Place the puris in the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring they are not overlapping. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to do this in batches.
• Air fry the puris for 3–5 minutes. Flip them halfway through, and cook until they are golden brown and crispy.
• Transfer the puris to a cooling rack.
• Enjoy your puris with your favourite curry, chutney, or side dish.

Storing and serving puri

Puri, also known as poori, is a type of deep-fried bread that originated in the Indian subcontinent. It is typically made from unleavened whole-wheat flour and served as breakfast or snacks. Puri can be stored and served in various ways, depending on whether it is freshly made or stored for later use.

Freshly made puri:

When puri is freshly made, it is best served hot and straight from the fryer. This ensures the puri is crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. It can be paired with various dishes such as potato curry, Amritsari chole, or a variety of curries and gravies. Puri can also be enjoyed with sweet accompaniments such as jam or marmalade for a sweet treat.

Storing puri for later:

If you plan to store puri for later consumption, it is recommended to place them in an airtight container to maintain freshness. Room temperature storage: Puri can be stored at room temperature for up to one day. Refrigerator storage: For extended storage, puri can be kept in the refrigerator for up to two days. Reheating: When serving puri after storage, it is best to bring it back to room temperature or reheat it briefly (about 20 seconds) in the microwave to regain its freshness and taste.

Puri for ceremonial functions:

In addition to being a popular breakfast and snack item, puri is also served during special or ceremonial functions in Hindu culture. It is often included as part of the vegetarian food offered in prayers as prasadam. When hosting guests, some households may serve puri instead of roti as a gesture of formality.

Puri as street food:

Puri, particularly the variety known as pani puri, is a beloved street food in India. It is typically served with a tangy and spicy filling of potatoes, chickpeas, and pani (spicy water). The use of an air fryer to prepare puri for street food reduces the amount of oil required, making it a healthier option without compromising taste and texture.

Alternative puri recipes

Air Fryer Poori

This recipe is a healthier, no-oil alternative to the traditional deep-fried poori. It is made with just three ingredients: whole wheat flour, yogurt, and salt. The puri is boiled in water before being air-fried, which gives it a shiny glaze. The boiling step is important to ensure the puris puff up. The air fryer temperature should be set to 374°F (190°C) for 4-5 minutes.

Air Fryer Pani Puri

This recipe is a healthier, no-fry version of the traditional street food from India. It uses store-bought ready-to-cook pani puri, which is air-fried for 2 minutes at 360 degrees Fahrenheit. The puris can be brushed with oil for a shiny glaze, but this is optional.

Air Fryer Methi Puri

To make this variation, add freshly chopped methi (fenugreek leaves) or crushed kasuri methi to the dough. The rest of the recipe remains the same.

Air Fryer Palak Puri

For this variation, replace the water in the dough with spinach puree. This will give the puris a lush green colour and add fibre to the dish.

Baked Puri

Although not an air fryer recipe, it is possible to bake puri in an oven as a healthier alternative to deep-frying. The temperature and time settings may vary, so some experimentation is needed.

Frequently asked questions