Olivia Carter
Samosa is a popular Indian snack that is traditionally deep-fried, resulting in a crispy and delicious outer crust. However, if you’re looking for a healthier alternative or simply want to try something new, baking samosas in an air fryer is a great option. Air frying allows you to achieve that same crispy texture without the excessive use of oil, making it a guilt-free and convenient way to enjoy this flavorful treat.
Using an air fryer to bake samosas gives you the freedom to experiment with different fillings and flavors while reducing the amount of oil needed. Whether you prefer vegetarian samosas filled with potatoes, peas, and spices, or meat-filled samosas with minced chicken or lamb, the air fryer method will ensure a perfectly cooked samosa every time.
The process of baking samosas in an air fryer is simple and straightforward. Start by preparing the dough for the samosa pockets, which typically consists of all-purpose flour, ghee (clarified butter), and water. Knead the dough until it becomes smooth and pliable, then let it rest for about 30 minutes. Meanwhile, prepare the filling, sautéing the ingredients in a pan until they are cooked and well-combined.
After the dough has rested, divide it into small portions and roll each portion into a thin, circular disc. Add a spoonful of the filling onto one half of the disc, then fold the other half over to create a triangular pocket. Seal the edges of the pocket using water or a flour-water paste, ensuring that it is tightly closed. Repeat this process until all the samosas are made.
Now, it’s time to use your air fryer. Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (356°F), or as directed by your specific model. Brush the samosas with a little oil and place them in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each piece. Cook the samosas for about 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning. Once they are golden brown and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and let them cool for a few minutes before serving.
Baking samosas in an air fryer is a healthier alternative that still delivers on flavor and texture. So, go ahead and try this method for yourself to enjoy delicious and guilt-free samosas in no time!
What is an air fryer?
An air fryer is a kitchen appliance that uses hot air circulation and a minimal amount of oil to cook food, giving it a crispy and golden texture. It is a healthier alternative to deep frying, as it can reduce the amount of oil used by up to 80%. Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food at high speeds, creating a “fried” effect without the need for excessive oil.
Most air fryers have a cooking chamber that is coated with a non-stick material, which helps to evenly distribute the heat. They usually come with a temperature control and timer, allowing you to set the desired cooking time and temperature for different types of food.
Using an air fryer is simple and convenient. You just need to preheat the appliance, place the food in the cooking chamber, and set the temperature and cooking time. The hot air will then circulate around the food, cooking it evenly and creating a crispy exterior.
Air fryers are versatile and can be used to cook a wide range of foods, including vegetables, meats, seafood, and even desserts. They can be particularly useful for making crispy, homemade snacks like samosas, as they can give them a delightful crunch without the need for deep frying.
In summary, an air fryer is a kitchen appliance that uses hot air circulation and a minimal amount of oil to cook food. It offers a healthier alternative to deep frying and can be used to cook a variety of foods. With an air fryer, you can enjoy the crispy texture of fried food without the guilt!
Why use an air fryer to bake samosa?
There are several reasons why using an air fryer to bake samosa is beneficial:
- Healthier option: By using an air fryer, you can significantly reduce the amount of oil needed to cook samosas. Traditional deep-frying methods require a large quantity of oil, which adds calories and unhealthy fats to the dish. In contrast, air frying uses hot air circulation to create a crispy texture with minimal oil, resulting in a healthier and lighter samosa.
- Faster cooking time: Air fryers typically cook food faster than conventional ovens or stovetop methods. The hot air circulation in an air fryer ensures that samosas are cooked evenly and quickly, resulting in a shorter cooking time. This can be especially convenient when you are short on time or want to prepare a large batch of samosas.
- Easy cleanup: Air fryers are designed to be easy to clean, with non-stick coating and removable parts that can be washed. Compared to traditional deep-frying methods, which require cleaning up a large pot of hot oil, using an air fryer makes the cleanup process much simpler.
- Versatile cooking: Air fryers are not just limited to baking samosas. They can be used to cook a variety of other dishes, such as fries, chicken wings, vegetables, and even desserts. Investing in an air fryer allows you to explore different recipes and experiment with healthier alternatives for your favorite foods.
- Consistent results: With an air fryer, you can achieve consistent results every time you bake samosas. The hot air circulation ensures that the samosas are evenly cooked and crispy on the outside while remaining moist and flavorful on the inside. This consistency can be difficult to achieve with traditional cooking methods.
By using an air fryer to bake samosa, you can enjoy a healthier and more convenient cooking experience without compromising on taste and texture.
Ingredients
To make delicious samosas in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 cup vegetable oil
- 3/4 cup water
- 1 cup boiled, mashed potatoes
- 1/4 cup frozen peas
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onions
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 teaspoon minced garlic
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon coriander seeds
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander leaves
- Salt to taste
- Oil for brushing
Make sure to gather all these ingredients before starting to make samosas in the air fryer.
List of ingredients
For the filling:
- 2 cups boiled and mashed potatoes
- 1/2 cup green peas
- 1/4 cup finely chopped onions
- 2 green chillies, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons oil
For the dough:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 1/4 cup oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- Water as needed
Note: You can adjust the spice levels according to your taste.
Where to buy ingredients
If you are planning to bake samosa in air fryer, you will need to gather all the necessary ingredients. Here are some suggestions for where you can buy them:
Local grocery store
Your local grocery store is likely to have all the ingredients you need to make samosa. You can find the basic ingredients such as flour, potatoes, onions, and spices like cumin, coriander, and turmeric.
Specialty Indian grocery store
If you want to find more authentic and specific ingredients for samosa, you can visit a specialty Indian grocery store. They usually have a wider variety of spices and other ingredients like chickpea flour (besan).
Keep in mind that some Indian grocery stores carry frozen ready-made samosas, so you might want to check if they offer them as well.
Also, you can check if they have pre-made samosa pastry sheets. These can save you some time and effort in preparing the dough from scratch.
Online stores
If you prefer the convenience of online shopping, you can explore various online stores that offer grocery delivery. Websites like Amazon, Walmart, and various ethnic grocery stores have a wide range of ingredients available for online purchase.
Make sure to read the reviews and check the expiration dates before making a purchase.
Regardless of where you choose to buy your ingredients, it’s always a good idea to plan ahead and make a shopping list to ensure you don’t forget anything.
Recipe
To make samosa in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:
- 2 cups all-purpose flour
- 3 tablespoons vegetable oil
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/2 teaspoon ajwain (carom seeds)
- 1/2 cup water
- 2 medium potatoes, boiled and mashed
- 1/2 cup green peas, boiled
- 1 small onion, finely chopped
- 2 green chilies, finely chopped
- 1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
- 1 teaspoon cumin powder
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon garam masala powder
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 2 tablespoons chopped coriander leaves
Follow these steps to prepare the samosa:
- Start by making the dough. In a mixing bowl, combine the all-purpose flour, salt, ajwain, and vegetable oil. Mix well.
- Add water gradually and knead to form a soft dough. Cover the dough and let it rest for 20 minutes.
- In a pan, heat oil and add chopped onions, green chilies, and ginger-garlic paste. Saute until the onions are translucent.
- Add the boiled and mashed potatoes, boiled green peas, cumin powder, coriander powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder, garam masala powder, and salt. Mix well and cook for 2-3 minutes. Remove from heat.
- Divide the dough into equal-sized balls and roll each ball into a thin circle.
- Cut the circle in half and shape each half into a cone by bringing the straight edges of the half-circle together and sealing the edges with water.
- Fill each cone with the potato mixture and seal the top end of the cone with water.
- Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F).
- Place the samosas in the air fryer basket, leaving some space between each samosa.
- Cook the samosas in the air fryer for 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time.
- Once cooked, remove the samosas from the air fryer and let them cool slightly.
- Serve the samosas hot with mint chutney or tamarind chutney.
Enjoy your crispy and delicious samosas!
Step-by-step instructions
Follow these simple steps to bake samosas in an air fryer:
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C).
- In a pan, heat oil over medium heat and add cumin seeds. Fry until they start to sizzle.
- Add finely chopped onions and sauté until they turn translucent.
- Add ginger-garlic paste and cook for a minute.
- Now, add chopped vegetables of your choice (such as potatoes, peas, and carrots) along with spices like turmeric, coriander powder, garam masala, and salt. Mix well and cook until the vegetables are tender.
- Remove the pan from heat and let the mixture cool down.
- Once cooled, take the samosa wrappers and cut them into half-moons.
- Take one half-moon wrapper and fold it into a cone shape, sealing the edges with water.
- Add a spoonful of the cooled vegetable mixture into the cone and seal the top using water.
- Repeat the process for the remaining wrappers and filling.
- Place the samosas in the preheated air fryer and cook for about 10-12 minutes or until they turn golden brown and crispy, flipping them halfway through the cooking process.
- Once done, remove them from the air fryer and serve hot with chutney or ketchup.
Enjoy your homemade crispy and healthy samosas!
Tips for making the perfect samosa
When it comes to making the perfect samosa, attention to detail is key. Here are some tips to help you achieve crispy and flavorsome samosas every time:
1. Prepare the filling:
Make sure the filling for your samosas is well-seasoned and packed with flavor. Common samosa fillings include potatoes, peas, and spices. Consider adding diced vegetables or minced meat to elevate the taste.
2. Get the dough consistency right:
The dough for samosas should be firm yet pliable. Too soft and it will be difficult to work with, while too hard will result in dry samosas. Aim for a dough that is easy to roll out and fold without cracking.
3. Roll the dough thin:
Roll out the dough for samosas as thin as possible without it tearing. Thin dough will result in a crispier texture once fried.
4. Seal the edges properly:
Ensure that the edges of the samosa are sealed well to prevent filling from leaking out during frying. Use water or a paste made with flour and water to secure the edges and create a tight seal.
5. Rest the samosas before frying:
Allow the assembled samosas to rest for at least 15-20 minutes before frying. This helps to dry out the surface slightly and promotes a crispier texture.
6. Preheat the air fryer:
Before placing the samosas in the air fryer, make sure to preheat it according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This will ensure even and efficient cooking.
7. Brush the samosas with oil:
Lightly brush the samosas with oil before placing them in the air fryer. This will help them achieve a golden-brown color and crispy texture.
8. Don’t overcrowd the air fryer basket:
Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to ensure that the samosas cook evenly. Leave enough space between each samosa for proper air circulation.
9. Flip halfway through cooking:
Flip the samosas halfway through cooking to ensure both sides are crispy. This may vary depending on the size and thickness of the samosas, so keep an eye on them and adjust cooking time as needed.
By following these tips, you’ll be able to make delicious and perfectly crispy samosas in your air fryer!
Questions and Answers
What is a samosa?
A samosa is a popular Indian snack that is usually deep-fried and filled with a mixture of potatoes, peas, and spices.
Can I bake samosas in an air fryer?
Yes, you can bake samosas in an air fryer. It is a healthier alternative to deep-frying as it requires less oil.
