Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years as a healthy alternative to deep frying. Their ability to make foods crispy using little to no oil makes them very appealing, especially for Indian cooking which traditionally uses a lot of oil. But how suitable are air fryers really for Indian recipes? Here we’ll take a detailed look at the pros and cons of using an air fryer for Indian cooking.
How Air Fryers Work
Air fryers work by circulating hot air around food at high speed to recreate the crispiness of deep frying. A mechanical fan and heating element rapidly blows the air up to 400°F throughout the cooking chamber. Foods are placed in a fryer-style basket that allows air to circulate all around. The rapid air circulation cooks foods evenly and also removes moisture, resulting in a crispy exterior similar to deep frying.
Benefits of Air Fryers for Indian Cooking
There are several potential benefits that make air fryers well-suited for Indian cuisine:
Less Oil Needed
One of the biggest advantages of air fryers is that they require little to no oil for cooking. Typically only 1-2 tbsp of oil is needed for an entire recipe. This is significantly less than deep frying which can use cups of oil. For Indian cooking which uses a lot of fried foods, an air fryer can reduce the oil usage by 70-80%.
Makes Foods Crispy
Traditional Indian foods like samosas, pakoras, bhajis, etc rely on frying to make them crispy on the outside. Air fryers can replicate this crispy texture but without all the oil of deep frying. The rapid air circulation evenly browns and crisps up the exterior of foods.
Quick Cooking
The concentrated hot air in air fryers allows for very fast cooking, often cutting cooking time in half compared to oven baking. Most Indian foods are quite small in size and cook quickly in air fryers. This makes it easy to churn out batch after batch of crispy fried snacks in minutes.
Easier on Digestion
Deep fried foods soaked in oil can be hard to digest and leave you feeling overly full and lethargic. Air fried foods use less oil and are often easier to digest while still providing the same taste and crunch. This makes air fryers ideal for those looking for healthier Indian meals.
Versatile
From samosas and bhajis to tikkis and kebabs, air fryers can cook just about any Indian snack or appetizer. Their compact size makes them convenient for cooking small batch foods. Many models also have multiple rack levels allowing you to cook different foods at once.
Potential Drawbacks of Air Fryers for Indian Cooking
While air fryers provide many benefits, there are also some limitations to consider when using them for Indian recipes:
Small Capacity
Typical air fryer capacity ranges from 2-5 quarts. While suitable for smaller households, this could be limiting for batch cooking Indian party foods. You may need to cook foods in multiple shifts for larger gatherings.
Learning Curve
Air fryers can have a learning curve, especially when adapting traditional recipes. It may take some trial and error to get the temperature, flip timing and cook time right for different Indian foods. Be prepared to experiment a bit at first.
Doesn’t Brown as Well
With some recipes, air fryers may not brown or crisp the exterior as evenly as deep frying. Rotating and flipping foods midway can help. But some foods like papadum may cook unevenly and be prone to breaking.
Requires Oil/Ghee
While air fryers use less oil, you’ll still need a small amount (1-2 tbsp) for most Indian recipes. skipped entirely, this can lead to sticking and drying out. So you can’t eliminate oil/ghee completely.
Can Dry Out Some Foods
Rapid air circulation can sometimes dry out and overcook delicate Indian foods. Adjusting temperature and cook times can help. But air fryers may not suit recipes where moistness is desired, like keema samosas.
Tips for Cooking Indian Food in an Air Fryer
Here are some tips to help you get the best results when cooking Indian foods in an air fryer:
- Brush or mist foods lightly with oil – Don’t skip oil entirely. A light coating ensures proper browning and prevents sticking.
- Flip/rotate foods midway – This allows both sides to cook evenly and prevents drying out.
- Cook in batches – Avoid overcrowding which can impede air circulation and Crisping.
- Adjust temperature as needed – Some recipes may require lowering temp slightly to prevent burning.
- Re-spray basket between batches – This stops new foods from sticking to residue.
- Use foil sling for extra fragile foods – A foil sling provides extra support for delicate foods prone to breaking apart.
- Allow resting time – Let foods rest 5 minutes after cooking so insides can finish cooking without over-browning outside.
Best Indian Foods to Make in an Air Fryer
Here are some of the most popular Indian foods that turn out great when air fried:
| Food | Cook Time | Temperature |
|---|---|---|
| Samosas | 10-12 minutes | 400°F |
| Pakoras | 8-10 minutes | 380°F |
| Kebabs | 8-12 minutes | 400°F |
| Bhajis | 10-15 minutes | 380°F |
| Aloo Tikki | 15-18 minutes | 400°F |
Other great options include onion bhajis, fish pakoras, paneer tikka, chicken 65, stuffed peppers, and more!
Samosas
Samosas with their crispy fried exterior and spiced potato filling are a quintessential Indian snack. Air fryers do an excellent job at crisping up samosas without all the oil of deep frying. Use your favorite samosa recipe and shape into triangles. Brush both sides lightly with oil and air fry at 400°F for 10-12 minutes, flipping midway. Let rest 2 minutes before serving.
Pakoras
Pakoras are a flavorful Indian fritter made from chopped veggies dipped in spiced chickpea flour batter. Common versions include onion, spinach, paneer, and mixed vegetable pakoras. Coat bite-sized pieces in batter and air fry at 380°F for 8-10 minutes until crispy and browned, turning over once. Air frying helps make these crispy without being greasy.
Kebabs
Indian kebabs feature bold spiced meats or veggies on skewers. Chicken tikka and paneer tikka are especially popular varieties. Load kebabs onto skewers and lightly brush with oil before air frying. Cook at 400°F for 8-12 minutes until cooked through and nicely charred. Flip kebabs over midway to evenly brown.
Bhajis
Bhajis like onion and eggplant are sliced vegetables dipped in spiced chickpea flour batter and fried. When air frying, coat the veggies fully in the batter for added crispness. Cook bhajis at 380°F for 10-15 minutes, flipping over halfway. This gives a nice crunch while using minimal oil.
Aloo Tikki
Aloo tikki are crispy potato patties flavored with spices like cumin, coriander and chili. Shape the patties and lightly brush both sides with oil before air frying at 400°F for 15-18 minutes total, flipping over in the middle. Let rest 5 minutes before serving for perfectly crisped aloo tikkis.
Tandoori Chicken
Tandoori chicken is a popular Indian dish of chicken marinated in yogurt and spices and roasted in a super-hot tandoor clay oven. To replicate the high heat of a tandoor oven, air fryers work great. Marinate bone-in chicken pieces in tandoori paste overnight. Lightly brush with oil and cook at 400°F for 15-20 minutes flipping halfway. The chicken comes out juicy inside with that nice tandoori charring.
Butter Chicken
Butter chicken is an iconic creamy tomato-based curry. Traditionally the chicken is grilled in the tandoor oven but air frying gives a similar effect. Marinate boneless chicken thighs or breasts in yogurt, spices, and a touch of oil. Air fry for 10-12 minutes at 380°F then add to your simmering butter chicken sauce. The charred flavor perfectly complements the rich sauce.
Naan Bread
Naan is a popular Indian flatbread traditionally baked in a tandoor. For homemade naan with a nice blistered crust, an air fryer works great. After shaping the dough into oval discs, place two naan at a time in the air fryer basket. Mist with water and cook at 400°F for 4-5 minutes per batch. Brush with ghee or butter right after cooking.
Paneer Tikka Masala
Paneer tikka masala features paneer (Indian cottage cheese) marinated and grilled in a tandoor then simmered in an aromatic tomato-cream sauce. To replicate the smoky grilled flavor, first air fry marinated paneer cubes at 400°F for 8 minutes, turning occasionally. Then add the paneer to your prepared sauce. The air fried paneer cubes add authentic charred flavor.
Conclusion
Overall, air fryers work very well for many Indian dishes. Their ability to create that fried crispiness using little to no oil makes them perfectly suited for traditional Indian snacks and appetizers. Air frying also mimics tandoor oven results for chicken, paneer and breads. While they can’t completely replicate deep frying and may have a learning curve, air fryers are a healthy, convenient option for Indian cooking. With some adaptation of temperature and cook times, you can enjoy all your fried favorites but with less guilt!