While traditional cooking methods for curries involve stove-top simmering or slow cooking, adapting these recipes for the air fryer can streamline the process and may even cut down on your cooking time. Most curry recipes require basic ingredients such as onions, garlic, ginger, spices, vegetables, and protein. Prep work typically involves chopping vegetables and marinating meats or tofu, which can be easily done in advance to save time.
Air fryers cook food quickly and evenly, thanks to their circulating hot air technology. Once you've prepped your ingredients, simply add them to the air fryer basket or tray, set the temperature and cooking time according to your recipe, and let the air fryer do the work. There's no need for constant stirring or monitoring, as the air fryer ensures consistent heat distribution. Here are six dishes you can make in an air fryer.
Smoky baingan bharta
It’s easy to cook Baingan Bharta is an air fryer because it doesn’t need gravy and its flavour comes from roasting an eggplant cooked in a flavorful onion and tomato sauce. To make Baingan Bharta in an air fryer, roast whole eggplants until charred and tender. Once cooled, scoop out the flesh and chop it finely. Prepare the curry sauce using onions, tomatoes, garlic, ginger, and spices. Combine the chopped eggplant with the curry sauce and simmer until heated through.
Methi Matar Malai
This creamy North Indian curry is made with fresh fenugreek leaves, green peas, and cream. To make Methi Matar Malai in an air fryer, roast fenugreek leaves until crispy and aromatic. Prepare the creamy sauce using onions, tomatoes, cashews, cream, and a blend of aromatic spices. Combine the roasted fenugreek leaves and green peas with the creamy sauce and simmer until heated through. Serve hot with rice or some naan.
Rajma Masala
This comforting and hearty North Indian curry is made with tender rajma cooked in a flavorful tomato-based sauce. To make Rajma Masala in an air fryer, roast soaked kidney beans until slightly crispy. Prepare the masala sauce using tomatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, and a blend of aromatic spices. Combine the roasted kidney beans with the masala sauce and simmer until heated through. Serve hot with rice or jeera rice.
Vegetable Korma
It’s easy to make a korma in an air fryer since it needs thorough cooking. This curry featured mixed vegetables simmered in a rich coconut-based sauce. To make vegetable korma in an air fryer, roast vegetables such as carrots, potatoes, cauliflower, and green beans until tender and slightly charred. Prepare the korma sauce using coconut milk, onions, garlic, ginger, and a blend of spices. Combine the roasted vegetables with the korma sauce and simmer until heated through.
Chole Masale
To make Chole in an air fryer, roast soaked chickpeas until golden brown and crispy. Prepare the curry sauce using tomatoes, onions, garlic, ginger, and a blend of spices. Combine the roasted chickpeas with the curry sauce and simmer until heated through. Garnish with chopped cilantro and serve hot with rice or naan bread.
Anda keema masala
To make Keema Anda Curry in an air fryer, marinate minced meat (keema) with spices and air fry until browned. Meanwhile, hard-boil eggs and set aside. In a pan, sauté onions, tomatoes, ginger, and garlic with spices until fragrant. Add the air-fried keema and cook until tender. Slice the boiled eggs and add them to the curry, allowing them to simmer until flavours meld. Serve hot, garnished with cilantro, alongside rice or naan. The air fryer adds a crispiness to the keema while keeping it healthier, making this a flavorful and satisfying dish.