Air fryers are a game changer for achieving perfectly crisp and tender results with minimal oil.
I’ve discovered a treasure trove of Indian recipes that shine in this countertop appliance. Get ready to transform your kitchen with these 20 incredible Indian air fryer dishes!
1. Gobi Manchurian
This gobi manchurian is an unbelievably good cauliflower dish, blending tandoori gobi with the sticky, sweet, and sour notes of Chinese cuisine.
I begin by pre cooking the cauliflower for tenderness, then coat it in a traditional gram flour batter. After air frying to achieve a lovely crisp, I finish them in a pan with the irresistible sticky sweet Manchurian sauce.
2. Air Fryer Pakoras
Pakoras are delightful, often seen as a carby relative to the onion bhaji. I make them with a spiced gram flour batter, filling them with cauliflower and potatoes instead of onions.
For ideal texture, I suggest par boiling the potatoes slightly or cutting them quite small. I’ve even experimented with a bhaji pakora hybrid, adding thin onion slices, and it was absolutely delicious!
3. Crispy Aloo Tikki Recipe
This crispy aloo tikki is another beloved street food that I’m sure your family will adore. These versatile potato cakes are perfect for any meal and are excellent for repurposing leftover mashed potatoes.
I often enjoy them for breakfast with a perfectly runny egg on top. For lunch or dinner, I pair them with paneer tikka or a flavorful chickpea curry.
4. Ivy Gourd Fry
Ivy gourds, a tropical fruit from the pumpkin family, resemble small zucchinis but carry a distinct bitter melon flavor.
I must admit, I have never encountered these in my local supermarkets, despite diligent searching. When I made this dish, I successfully substituted zucchini, and the results were absolutely delicious.
5. Paneer Tikka
This paneer tikka is a fantastic option for a meatless meal, substituting chicken with Indian cheese. Paneer, an unsalted Indian cottage cheese, holds its shape when grilled, similar to halloumi.
I love how the yogurt and spice marinade infuses it with creamy, tangy, and warming flavors. This dish is truly a delight.
6. Air Fryer Samosa
Samosas are delicious pastry pockets brimming with spiced potatoes and vegetables. Traditionally deep fried for their signature crisp, I use the air fryer to achieve that perfect texture with less oil.
A light mist of cooking spray on the pastry helps create beautiful flakes. If time is short, I sometimes use phyllo dough for an even crispier exterior.
7. 2-Ingredient Air Fryer Naan Bread
I truly love naan bread for its soft yet firm texture, buttery flavor, and how quickly it transforms into an impromptu pizza base. When I unexpectedly run out of store bought naan, this recipe is a true lifesaver for me.
Just like 2 ingredient bagels, which I highly recommend trying, this recipe relies on Greek yogurt and self raising flour. The dough is simply flattened into naan, yielding an incredibly tender bread without the need for proofing or boiling.
8. Air Fryer Puri
Pani puri is a hugely popular Indian street food, featuring small pastry discs that puff into hollow shells when cooked.
Once these little discs are soft and airy, I know vendors will poke a hole and fill them with various ingredients, including potatoes, onions, and peas. After mastering these delightful puffy shells, I highly recommend trying a recipe for pani puri stuffing to complete the experience.
9. Spicy Bombay Potatoes
For outstanding Bombay potatoes, the right spice blend is essential. I par boil them, then coat them in a vibrant mix of cumin, coriander, chili powder, amchur, turmeric, and chaat masala.
The air fryer delivers a delightful crunch on the exterior, while the inside remains wonderfully fluffy. I know you will adore this side dish.
10. Samosa Chaat Phyllo Cups
Samosa chaat, a classic street food, typically features samosas with spicy chickpea curry. My shortcut rendition offers a fantastic appetizer, packing those familiar flavors into small, convenient bites.
I love using phyllo cups for an incredible crunch, and they are readily available in the freezer aisle. The filling I use includes ginger, salt, coriander, garam masala, red chili powder, amchur, mashed potatoes, and peas.
11. Air Fryer Tandoori Gobi
Even if a carb or gluten free side isn’t your primary goal, I insist you try these incredibly delicious tandoori gobi cauliflower bites.
Many Indian recipes share common spices, so purchasing a small bag of garam masala will be quite useful. Alternatively, I sometimes opt for an Indian spice mix to simplify the seasoning process.
12. Tandoori Aloo
These tandoori aloo potatoes are wonderfully crispy and similar to aloo gobi, but they’re marinated in a tangy yogurt and spice blend.
A crucial tip I follow is omitting salt from the marinade, as it can prevent the potatoes from achieving a golden, crunchy crust. I also ensure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket, allowing for even cooking and optimal crispiness.
13. Air Fryer Tandoori Chicken
Tandoori refers to a cooking method, not a specific flavor profile, typically involving a clay oven for a smoky char. While traditional tandoors are not always accessible, I find I can still create delicious tandoori chicken at home.
The key is a yogurt and spice marinade with garlic, ginger, turmeric, red chili powder, garam masala, and salt. For maximum flavor, I marinate the chicken overnight.
My air fryer excels at making chicken wings and drumsticks perfectly juicy with crispy skin.
14. Air Fryer Onion Bhajis
These onion bhajis are a wonderfully flavorful appetizer, featuring thinly sliced onions in a spiced batter. The batter specifically uses gram flour, or chickpea flour, which imparts a unique depth of taste.
While all purpose flour works, I find gram flour truly elevates the flavor. The air fryer crisps them to perfection.
15. Tandoori Paneer Naan Pizza
To me, garlic naan makes an ideal pizza base, offering pre existing flavor and perfect thickness for toppings. This particular recipe features marinated paneer, though I sometimes use chicken for variety.
I appreciate the cheese’s texture and taste, but I understand paneer isn’t always on hand. Halloumi works as a wonderful alternative, I find.
16. Air Fryer Aloo Gobi
I find this aloo gobi an absolutely fantastic side dish that brightens up any meal.
It features a wonderful combination of potatoes and cauliflower, offering diverse flavors and textures. To ensure even cooking, I recommend cutting the potatoes into smaller cubes or par boiling them until fork tender.
17. Air Fryer Kurkuri Bhindi
Okra, in my opinion, isn’t always the most appealing vegetable, and its slimy texture often deters many.
While I usually suggest Cracker Barrel fried okra, I’ve found the air fryer achieves similar delicious results. For optimal crispiness, I make sure to slice any thicker okra very thinly if tender long varieties are unavailable.
18. Idli Fry
Idli are savory steamed rice and lentil cakes, traditionally served for breakfast. I use this recipe to make them at home, then choose a delightful accompaniment from this list.
To utilize any leftovers after a couple of days, I turn to my air fryer. I cut the cakes into small, bite sized pieces, being careful not to make them too tiny, and air fry them.
They emerge wonderfully crunchy on the outside and still fluffy inside, making a fantastic lower carb option in place of fries or wedges.
19. Hara Bhara Kabab
Hara bhara kebabs, meaning green filled patties, are vibrant and flavorful potato cakes featuring spinach and peas.
I find they pair excellently with a fresh yogurt dip or are perfect for soaking up dhal makhani. Since I cook these in an air fryer, I highly suggest coating the patties in breadcrumbs to achieve an incredibly crunchy texture.
20. Air Fryer Amchoor Potatoes
Amchoor, or dried mango powder, is a unique spice derived from unripe green mangoes, offering a delightful fruity and sour note perfect for Indian dishes.
I typically find amchoor online or at local Indian grocery stores. I believe this spice stands beautifully on its own, yet its blend with cayenne and cumin creates an unbeatable warmth.