21 Classic Indian Recipes You Probably Didn't Know You Can Cook in the Air Fryer
Cauliflower Manchurian
Indian recipes are beloved for their vibrant flavors and the nuances they offer in crunchy, creamy textures. Just think about your favorite Indian dishes: fried samosas, fried Jalebis, paneer cheese sautéed in Manchurian sauce, chicken tikka masala kissed with ghee and heavy cream.
Recognized for its ability to create crispy textures without the need for too much oil, the air-fryer lends itself perfectly to the vibrant and aromatic dishes that define Indian cooking. So if you're looking to enjoy more Indian delicacies this year, this collection of the 21 best air fryer Indian recipes can serve as the perfect gateway.
Related: 25 Amazing South-Indian Dosa Recipes
Bust out that air fryer and get ready to cook up a diverse range of easy-to-make meals. You wouldn't believe how many Indian recipes can be made quicker (and with a little less oil) in the air fryer. From bread rolls and Shahi Tukda (Indian bread pudding), to Kukuri Bhindi (crispy fried okra) and Paneer Popcorn—all of your favorites are here, just in air fryer form. Now's your queue to cancel the take-out order.
Related: 34 Best Healthier Air Fryer Snack Recipes
Easy Air Fryer Indian Recipes
A Mom's Cookbook
This Gobi (Cauliflower) Manchurian in a tangy and sweet soy sauce brings out the umami flavors, making it a perfect snack or a side.
Get the recipe here: Gobi Manchurian
Binny's Easy Recipes
Juicy, delicious, melt-in-your-mouth kebabs made within minutes in an air fryer.
Get the recipe here: Seekh Kabab
Related: Best Air Fryer Fish Recipes
Piping Pot Curry
Kukuri Bhindi is sliced okra coated in spices and fried until crunchy. This crispy fried okra is so good, you won't be able to resist it!
Get the recipe here: Kurkuri Bhindi
Related: Best Air Fryer Pumpkin Recipes
Chaitras Creations
Crispy, air-fried paneer tossed in a spicy, Indo-Chinese sauce!
Get the recipe here: Paneer Manchurian
Cookpad
Crispy air-fried jalebi made with soy flour and puffed rice.
Get the recipe here: Air-Fried Jalebi
Masala Chilli
Deliciously crunchy and addictive Sabudana Vada or Sago Fritters made with tapioca pearls.
Get the recipe here: Sabudana Vada
Ministry of Curry
Masala Fries always hit the spot. Quick, crispy and piping hot, this classic food cart fare gets a modern makeover in the air fryer.
Get the recipe here: Masala Fries
My Ginger Garlic Kitchen
They make a crunchy and crispy tea-time Indian snack when paired with hot masala chai or coffee.
Get the recipe here: Cheese Garlic Masala Mathri
My Ginger Garlic Kitchen
These crunchy and spicy coated peanuts are one of the most popular Indian snacks made using spicy gram flour coating and raw peanuts.
Get the recipe here: Masala Peanuts
My Tasty Curry
A delicious Indian bread pudding in which fried bread is soaked thick saffron flavoured reduced milk and topped with lots of nuts.
Get the recipe here: Shahi Tukda
Piping Pot Curry
Tandoori Paneer Naan Pizza is made with marinated paneer, red peppers, onions and grape tomatoes in an air fryer.
Get the recipe here: Tandoori Paneer Naan Pizza
Related: 17 Indian Street Food Recipes
Simply Vegetarian
A common snack-time recipe, this deep-fried treat gets a healthy makeover with the air fryer.
Get the recipe here: Indian-Style Bread Rolls
Something is Cooking
Aloo Tikki is a popular Indian street food made with boiled potatoes, aromatic spices and herbs. These fried potato croquettes/patties or cutlets are usually deep fried or shallow fried in lots of oil, making it crispy and crunchy but the air fryer lightens them up.
Get the recipe here: Aloo Tikki
Subbu Cooks
Gram (or besan/chickpea) flour battered onion fritters made healthy!
Get the recipe here: Air-Fryer Onion Pakoda
The Belly Rules The Mind
The ever-so-popular samosa—minus all the fat.
Get the recipe here: Air Fryer Punjabi Samosa
Rachna Cooks
Tandoori chicken is a universally loved grilled chicken dish from Indian cuisine. Making it in air fryer cooks it faster yet keeping it moist inside and browned outside.
Get the recipe here: Tandoori Chicken
The Chutney Life
Fresh, juicy, crunchy cubes of Paneer marinated in delicious Indian-inspired spices and air fried.
Get the recipe here: Paneer Tikka
Spice Cravings
Baby potatoes coated with a potpourri of Indian spices, and cooked till they are golden crisp, these Spicy Bombay Potatoes make for a finger-licking good appetizer, and are a perfect sidekick to any curry or roasted entree.
Get the recipe here: Spicy Bombay Potatoes
Related: 25 Vegetarian South Indian Dishes You Need to Try Once
Enhance Your Palate
Crispy, crunchy and flavorsome Baked Namak Para recipe that is much healthier alternative compare to traditionally deep-fried version of this Indian snack.
Get the recipe here: Namak Para
Indian Veggie Delight
Paneer Popcorn, also known as paneer nuggets is a quick, easy, healthy air fryer snack recipe made with fresh paneer (Indian cottage cheese), mixed with spices and herbs, and tossed with breadcrumbs to give that extra punch to taste.
Get the recipe here: Paneer Popcorn
These Spicy Roasted Cashew Nuts aka Masala Kaju are a quick and straightforward snack to throw together. Raw cashews are mixed with some powdered spices such as black pepper and chili and roasted to crunchy perfection.
Get the recipe here: Masala Cashews
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