Eat Healthier With These Air Fryer Hacks For Indian Snacks
Image Credit: Glen Digital Air Fryer 3047 BL

Air fryers have become increasingly popular in recent years, and for a good reason. Indian cooking has traditionally relied on the use of oil or ghee for frying, but air fryers offer a new way to cook while still preserving the delicious taste. They make frying so much simpler and you can skip the hassle of washing up. Air fryers like the Glen Electric Rapid Air Fryer also vent out excess steam to ensure your food is perfectly crispy every time.  

Healthier cooking:  

Air fryers use hot air to cook food, which can reduce the amount of oil needed compared to traditional frying methods. This means that you can enjoy your favourite fried foods with fewer calories and less fat. 

Quick and convenient:  

Air fryers cook food quickly and evenly, making them a convenient option for busy weeknights. They are also easy to use and clean, which saves time and reduces the hassle of cooking. 

Versatile cooking: 

Air fryers can be used to cook a wide range of foods, from french fries and chicken wings to vegetables and fish. You can even use them to bake cakes and other desserts. The Glen Digital Electric Fryer has 8 preset modes so you can cook anything your heart desires at the touch of a button.  

Space-saving:  

Air fryers are compact and don't take up much counter or cabinet space. They're also lightweight, making them easy to store and transport. The Glen Electric Rapid Air Fryer is the perfect size for your kitchen counter while also having a capacity of 2.8L. 

Cost-effective:  

Air fryers are often less expensive than other kitchen appliances, such as deep fryers or convection ovens. They also consume less energy than traditional ovens, which can help you save money on your energy bill. 

Air fryers offer a healthier, more convenient, and cost-effective way to cook your favourite snacks. Whether you're looking for a quick and easy meal solution or a healthier alternative to traditional frying methods, an air fryer is definitely worth considering. 

Onion Pakodas 

Ingredients 

  • 2 cups chopped onions 
  • 1 ¼ cups chickpea flour (besan) 
  • ¾ cup water 
  • 1 tablespoon salt 
  • 1 clove garlic, minced 
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala 
  • 1 teaspoon coriander 
  • ½ teaspoon ground cayenne pepper, or more to taste 
  • ½ teaspoon cumin 

Method 

  • Combine the onion, salt, garlic, curry powder, coriander, cayenne, and cumin in a large bowl. Set aside to rest for 10 minutes. 
  • Preheat the Glen air fryer to 175 degrees C. 
  • Grease the air fryer tray with a teaspoon of oil. 
  • Add a tablespoon of onion mix into the basket and flatten.  
  • Cook for 8 minutes. Flip and cook for 8 additional minutes.  
  • Transfer to a paper towel-lined plate. Serve hot.

 

Tandoori Surmai Nuggets 

Ingredients 

  • 2 Surmai Fillets - medium size 
  • 1 Tsp Ginger Garlic Paste 
  • ½ cup hung curd 
  • 2 Tsp Olive Oil - or any light oil 
  • ½  Lemon Juice 

Spices for Tandoori Masala 

  • ⅛ Tsp Turmeric Powder 
  • 1 Tsp Red Kashmiri Mirch Powder 
  • 1 Tsp Coriander Powder 
  • 1 Tsp Cumin Powder 
  • 1 Tsp Garam Masala 
  • 1 Tsp kasuri methi 
  • 2 tbsp cornflour 
  • Salt - as per taste 

Method 

  • In a large bowl, mix yoghurt, ginger garlic paste, lemon juice, cornflour and all spices together. 
  • Add Surmai and keep aside for at least 10 minutes. 
  • Preheat the Air Fryer for 3 minutes 
  • Grease the Air Fryer basket and place 1 marinated Surmai fillet in it. 
  • Air Fry at 190 C for 10 minutes. 
  • Flip the fish to the other side and air-fry for another 5 minutes. 
  • Serve with a choice of salad and green chutney. 

Bread Rolls 

Ingredients 

  • 4 medium-sized potatoes peeled and chopped 
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • 1 tbsp olive oil 
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds 
  • 2 green chillies 
  • 1 teaspoon coriander powder 
  • 1 teaspoon cumin powder 
  • ½ teaspoon turmeric powder 
  • 1 teaspoon garam masala 
  • 1 tablespoon lime juice 
  • ¼ cup chopped coriander 
  • 12 slices white bread 
  • Salt to taste 

Method 

  • Peel and chop the potatoes and boil them until fork tender in a pot of salted water.  
  • Heat some oil and sizzle the cumin seeds.  
  • Add the green chillies, cumin and coriander powder along with salt, turmeric powder and garam masala. 
  • Mix well and then add the potatoes along with lime juice and coriander. 
  • Mash using either the back of your spatula or a potato masher until smooth. 
  • Flatten the bread slices (one at a time) using a rolling pin. 
  • Take a spoonful of potato stuffing and spread it evenly over a flattened bread slice. 
  • Roll the bread slices tightly into a long cylinder. Dab the edges of the bread with water to seal them. 
  • Repeat the process with the rest of the bread slices. 
  • Preheat the air fryer to 190°C then place the rolls inside the basket and cook for about 10 minutes. 
  • Serve hot with green chutney or ketchup. 

As you can see, air fryers can do it all with much less oil and energy needed for crispy delicious snacks. Glen Air Fryers come equipped with all the modern conveniences, preset modes, adjustable time and temperature controls and lots more to make cooking your favourite Indian snacks so much easier.