Indian cuisine is one of the most popular cuisines that is enjoyed by millions of people all over the world, and it’s no real surprise!
From beautiful combinations of spices to beautifully marinated sauces, there is so much flavor in all Indian dishes that just demands to be tasted.
But have you ever thought about taking some Indian recipes and making them with your air fryer?
Well, if you haven’t, you’re in luck. We’ve put together a list of 10 Indian recipes that are the best for making with your air fryer.
So let’s take a look!
1. Paneer Tikka
Kicking off the list, we have this beautiful Paneer Tikka recipe. It works best as an appetizer or party snack rather than the main course, and it’s absolutely delicious.
Along with paneer, bell peppers, and onion, this recipe also calls for these ingredients to be marinated with yogurt and spices and then you put them on to skewers and let them air fry.
Though they are traditionally roasted in a clay oven called a Tandoor, this air fryer recipe is just as good, and definitely worth trying for yourself.
You can find the full recipe for this Paneer Tikka here
2. Plantain Chips
Here’s another fantastic recipe that you can use as an appetizer or side dish.
Also known as Kerala banana chips, they are traditionally made from raw bananas or plantains and coconut oil.
They are super easy to make and they taste absolutely amazing. They are super crunchy and the bananas/plantains pair perfectly with the coconut oil.
If you make them with your air fryer, they become the perfect snack that can be ready in absolutely no time at all.
You only need four ingredients to make these plantain chips, and your homemade chips will always taste way better than any store-bought variation.
You can find the full recipe for these Plantain Chips here.
3. Aloo Gobi (Indian Roasted Potatoes & Cauliflower)
If you’re after a recipe that is a bit more filling, this Aloo Gobi is the perfect recipe for you.
Not only is it absolutely delicious, but it’s also completely vegetarian, so if you plan on making it for anyone who doesn’t eat meat, you won’t have to worry about any meat sneaking onto their plate.
It’s super easy to make as well. All you really need to do is throw the cauliflower and roasted potatoes into the air fryer with the right spices.
About 20 minutes later, your Aloo Gobi will be ready to enjoy!
The roasted cauliflower retains the flavor and doesn’t get mushy too.
Lots of people find cauliflower to be quite boring in taste, but once you try this dish, you’ll have a newfound appreciation for it.
If you’re inspired to try out more cauliflower dishes, check out our 10 best microwave cauliflower recipes to try today!
You can find the full recipe for this Aloo Gobi here
4. Onion Pakodas
Another great appetizer or evening snack, these Onion Pakodas are a great dish to make with your air fryer.
These Onion Pakodas are basically fried fritters that are made with a thick batter of gram flour, sliced onions, and various spices.
They are best served hot, so once they have been air fried, they will be ready to serve.
If you’re worried these Onion Pakodas are going to be super unhealthy, then don’t!
Though they are made in the air fryer, this isn’t actually a fried dish.
You’ll only be using a really tiny amount of oil in this recipe, so you can enjoy these Onion Pakdoas to your heart’s content.
You can find the full recipe for these Onion Pakodas here
5. Tandoori Salmon
If you’re in the mood for some fish, this Tandoori Salmon is a great dish for you to try.
Made from Indian tandoori masala (that’s homemade!), yogurt, fresh ginger-garlic paste, and Indian spices, this Tandoori Salmon is absolutely filled with flavor and is sure to become a new favourite in your household.
When you get this recipe really right, the salmon becomes nice and tender and will quite literally melt in your mouth with every bite. It’s hard not to enjoy this dish in that case!
On top of tasting absolutely beautiful, this whole recipe is gluten-free, so if you’re after a recipe that is a bit healthier but also delicious in taste, then this is the perfect dish for you.
If you have leftovers, you can reheat salmon in the air fryer to enjoy the next day!
You can find the full recipe for this Tandoori Salmon here
6. Punjabi Samosa
Samosas are so darn good because they are super easy to make and you can fill them with pretty much whatever you want.
These Punjabi samosas are super delicious. They are made with a spicy potato filling that will only take you about 15 minutes to make altogether.
When you’ve air fried the dough it will be super crunchy, which pairs beautifully with the soft interior.
You don’t need a great deal of oil for these samosas either, so you can enjoy them completely guilt-free.
Just add a very small amount to the outer layer of the dough before you put them in the air fryer and you will be good to go.
This recipe is a whole lot healthier than if you were to deep fry.
Deep-fried samosas are about 800 calories each, but this air fryer recipe cuts the calories right down to about 150 per samosa. What’s not to love?
You can find the full recipe for these Punjabi Samosas here
7. Tandoori Tofu
This Tandoori Tofu is great for anyone who wants to enjoy a dish that is rich in protein.
The tofu is cut into cubes and marinated in a spicy yogurt mixture, before being traditionally roasted in a Tandoor (a clay oven).
This recipe follows those instructions, but instead of being roasted in a Tandoor, you’ll be cooking them in your air fryer.
If you want to get even more flavor out of this Tandoori Tofu, you can make a beautiful chutney that is made out of coriander and mint.
Make sure you always have some on hand by drying mint in the air fryer as well!
This chutney really compliments the overall taste and texture of the tofu and helps in making it the perfect side dish or appetizer.
This dish is perfect for get-togethers, BBQs, dinner parties, and any gathering of this kind.
If you want to switch up your menu a bit and offer your guests a delicious dish that doesn’t take too long to make, then this is the perfect recipe for you.
You can find the full recipe for this Tandoori Tofu here
8. Paneer Popcorn
If you’ve never tried paneer popcorn before, this is a sign that you definitely need to!
Made with mixed spices and herbs, breadcrumbs, and of course, the star ingredient paneer (Indian cottage cheese), this recipe is perfect for anyone who wants a healthy snack that tastes absolutely amazing.
Also known as “paneer nuggets”, they are incredibly simple to whip up and because you’ll be using your air fryer, most of the work will be done for you.
This recipe is great for people of all ages, so if you’re looking for a recipe the kids will enjoy too, this is the one for you!
Paneer Popcorn pairs perfectly with ketchup as a dipping sauce, so don’t forget to add some to the side when they are ready to serve.
You can find the full recipe for this Paneer Popcorn here
9. Tandoori Chicken
If you’re after a recipe that is completely meat-based and filled with flavor, then look no further than this beautiful Tandoori Chicken recipe.
The chicken is roasted and filled with spices that really bring out the flavor in all its glory.
You’ll be marinating the chicken in yogurt and spices before you put them in the air fryer and wait for it to get juicy and crisp on the outside.
This is the perfect dish to make if you’re looking for a succulent main course, but you don’t have all day to cook one.
Though it doesn’t take as long as it would in the oven, that doesn’t mean that this dish is any less tasty!
If you’re asking yourself why is my air fryer smoking when you make this recipe, the culprit may be the drumsticks. Luckily, there are ways to mitigate this, or you could always make it with breasts instead. They’re equally delicious!
If your chicken breast is frozen, just defrost chicken breast in the microwave to get things back on track.
You can find the full recipe for this Tandoori Chicken here
10. Methi Muthia
And finally, we have Methi Muthia. Usually made as a tea-time snack, this recipe is great if you’re after something light and delicious.
The recipe is made from Gujarat and this recipe is actually 100% vegan, so it makes the whole recipe a bit more universal, regardless of your dietary needs.
The dough that is used in this recipe is both sweet and tangy, which adds a whole extra layer of flavor to this delicious snack.
You can find the full recipe for Methi Muthia here
Conclusion
These Indian recipes are some of the best that work with your air fryer. Once you’ve tried them for the first time, you’ll find yourself making them again and again.
If you’re after a dish that is tasty but you don’t have much time to make it, these air fryer recipes are honestly perfect for you.
You won’t lose any of the flavor and you and your family will enjoy every single bite!
I enjoy trying new recipes, creating my own, and dabbling with new techniques all the time. My husband loves to protest when I make him my guinea pig, but it’s all for the love of food!
My cooking philosophy is that great tasting food doesn't have to be complicated or time consuming to make. I'm a home cook with over 20 years of experience feeding myself and others. I've learned from a variety of different people, things I've learned online, and some trial and error as well.
I enjoy cooking a variety of foods, from convenience to comfort foods, as well as international cuisine. You can rest assured that all of my recipes have been actually made, thoroughly tested, and most importantly: tasted! I want you to enjoy my food as much as I do!
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