If you love Indian snacks but want to make them a bit healthier, the air fryer is a game-changer. It allows you to recreate the crispiness and flavour of deep-fried snacks with significantly less oil, making them a healthier alternative for regular indulgence. From savoury tikkis to spicy pakoras these air fryer snacks prove that you can enjoy the taste of India without the added calories. Whether you’re looking for a quick snack or preparing for a family gathering, these healthy Indian finger foods are sure to be a hit.
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Traditional deep-frying can add a lot of extra calories, but air fryers use significantly less oil. Some air fryers even require just a teaspoon or a light spritz of oil to get that crispy texture. This means that air-fried snacks can be made with much lower fat content. The air fryer circulates hot air around the food, allowing it to cook evenly. This helps maintain the crispiness of fried foods while giving them a deliciously crunchy outer layer.
Air fryers cook faster than traditional ovens and require less monitoring, making them perfect for preparing snacks quickly, especially when you’re hosting guests or looking for a fast bite to eat. Since air fryers use less oil, many essential nutrients from the ingredients are preserved, giving you healthier versions of your favourite foods. If you have Usha’s Air Fryer, you can make healthier versions of these six fried finger foods.
Samosas
Samosas are perhaps the most iconic Indian snack, traditionally made by filling pastry pockets with a spicy potato or meat mixture and deep-frying them until golden brown. While delicious, the deep-frying process can add a lot of calories and fat. With the air fryer, you can achieve the same crisp, flaky texture with minimal oil. Simply prepare the samosa filling using boiled potatoes, peas, spices, and herbs. You can use store-bought phyllo dough or make your own pastry. Brush a little oil over the samosas and air fry them until golden and crispy. They will be lighter but just as satisfying.
Paneer Tikka
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Paneer tikka is a popular vegetarian starter made by marinating paneer (Indian cottage cheese) cubes in a blend of yoghurt, spices, and herbs. Traditionally, paneer tikka is cooked in a tandoor or grilled, but the air fryer works wonders for creating a crispy, charred crust. The beauty of the air fryer is that you only need a light spray of oil, yet it still creates that delightful smoky flavour. Marinate the paneer cubes for at least an hour, skewer them, and air fry at 180°C for about 10-12 minutes. You’ll get a crunchy, charred exterior and a tender interior that’s perfect for dipping in mint chutney.
Aloo Tikki
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Aloo tikki, or potato cutlets, are a beloved street food in India. They are typically made by mashing boiled potatoes, adding peas, and spices, and then deep-frying the mixture into crispy patties. In the air fryer, these tikkis are just as crispy with far less oil. To make the air fryer version, mash boiled potatoes and mix in peas, corn, onions, and a variety of spices. Form the mixture into small patties, lightly coat them with oil, and air fry them at 180°C for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Serve with tamarind chutney or yogurt for an indulgent yet guilt-free snack.
Kachori
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Kachori is a popular Indian snack made of deep-fried dough filled with a spicy mixture of lentils, peas, or potatoes. While the deep-frying process creates a crispy, flaky outer layer, it also makes kachoris very high in calories and fat. The air fryer, however, offers a healthier alternative by using just a fraction of the oil, while still retaining the signature crunch. To make an air fryer kachori, prepare the dough with whole wheat flour or refined flour and create a flavourful filling of spiced lentils or potatoes. Shape the kachoris and lightly brush them with oil before air frying them at 170°C for about 15 minutes. You’ll be left with perfectly crispy kachoris, without the excess oil and calories.
Vegetable Seekh Kebabs
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Seekh kebabs are a popular snack that’s typically made with spiced meat, shaped into long, cylindrical forms, and grilled or fried. However, vegetable seekh kebabs, made with mashed vegetables like potatoes, carrots, peas, and spices, can be just as delicious. The air fryer brings out the crunchiness and flavour without all the added calories from deep-frying. To make the air fryer vegetable seekh kebabs, combine boiled mashed vegetables with breadcrumbs, spices, and herbs, and form the mixture into cylindrical shapes. Lightly brush with oil and air fry at 180°C for 10-12 minutes, turning them halfway through. The result is a crunchy, golden-brown exterior with a soft, flavourful interior, perfect as a healthy snack or appetiser.
Vegetable Pakoras
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Pakoras, also known as bhajis, are a favourite monsoon and winter snack in India. Typically made by dipping vegetables like cauliflower, spinach, onions, or potatoes in a spiced gram flour batter and deep-frying them until golden brown, pakoras are tasty but heavy. The air fryer transforms these into a much lighter version. Mix your choice of vegetables with a besan (gram flour) batter, seasoned with spices like turmeric, cumin, and garam masala. Shape them into small fritters, lightly spray them with oil, and air fry at 180°C for 8-10 minutes, flipping them halfway. The result is a crispy, crunchy exterior with soft, well-cooked vegetables inside, without the excess oil.