Air Fryer Veg Recipes: 20 Oil-Free Indian Dishes

Snacks (5 Recipes)

1. Air Fryer Samosa

This collection of air fryer recipe veg dishes covers 20 oil-free Indian favourites you can cook any day of the week.

Temp: 180 degrees C | Time: 12 min | Serves: 4

Ingredients: 8 frozen or fresh samosas, 1 tsp oil

Steps:

1. Preheat air fryer at 180 degrees C for 3 minutes.
2. Brush samosas lightly with oil on all sides.
3. Place standing upright in the basket with gaps between each.
4. Cook for 12 minutes, flipping at 6 minutes.

Tip: Frozen samosas from brands like Haldiram or McCain work beautifully. No need to thaw. They hold their shape better than fresh ones in the air fryer.

2. Air Fryer Pakora (Onion Bhaji)

Temp: 190 degrees C | Time: 12 min | Serves: 4

Ingredients: 1 cup besan, 2 onions (sliced thin), 1 green chilli (chopped), salt, red chilli powder, ajwain, 2-3 tbsp water, 1 tsp oil

Steps:

1. Mix besan, onions, chilli, salt, spices, and ajwain. Add water slowly to make a thick paste.
2. Shape into flat patties (5-6 cm wide, 1 cm thick) — do not make loose fritters.
3. Place on parchment paper in the basket. Spray oil on top.
4. Cook at 190 degrees C for 12 minutes, flipping at 6 minutes.

Tip: The batter must be very thick — paste consistency. If it is runny, it drips through the grate. Add more besan if needed.

3. Air Fryer Aloo Tikki

Temp: 180 degrees C | Time: 15 min | Serves: 4

Ingredients: 3 boiled potatoes (mashed), 2 tbsp breadcrumbs, 1 green chilli (chopped), coriander leaves, salt, chaat masala, 1 tsp oil

Steps:

1. Mix mashed potatoes, breadcrumbs, chilli, coriander, salt, and chaat masala.
2. Shape into 6-8 flat round patties (1.5 cm thick).
3. Brush both sides with oil.
4. Cook at 180 degrees C for 15 minutes, flipping at 8 minutes.

Tip: Breadcrumbs are the secret to crispy aloo tikkis. Without them, the potato stays soft. Use fine breadcrumbs mixed into the dough, not just coated on the outside.

4. Air Fryer Veg Cutlet

Temp: 180 degrees C | Time: 14 min | Serves: 4

Ingredients: 1 cup mixed vegetables (carrots, beans, peas — boiled and mashed), 1 boiled potato, breadcrumbs, corn flour, salt, pepper, 1 tsp oil

Steps:

1. Mix mashed vegetables and potato with salt and pepper.
2. Shape into oval patties.
3. Dip in corn flour slurry (1 tbsp corn flour + 2 tbsp water), then coat in breadcrumbs.
4. Refrigerate for 20 minutes to set the coating.
5. Spray oil on both sides. Cook at 180 degrees C for 14 minutes, flipping at 7 minutes.

Tip: The refrigeration step is important. It prevents the cutlet from crumbling when you flip it in the air fryer.

5. Air Fryer Bread Pakora

Temp: 180 degrees C | Time: 10 min | Serves: 4

Ingredients: 4 bread slices, mashed potato filling (spiced), thick besan batter, 1 tsp oil

Steps:

1. Cut bread slices in half. Spread potato filling between two halves to make a sandwich.
2. Dip quickly in thick besan batter — do not soak.
3. Place in basket. Spray oil on top.
4. Cook at 180 degrees C for 10 minutes, flipping at 5 minutes.

Tip: Stale bread (1-2 days old) works better because it absorbs less batter and stays firmer during cooking.

Main Dishes (4 Recipes)

6. Air Fryer Paneer Tikka

Temp: 200 degrees C | Time: 12 min | Serves: 4

Ingredients: 200g paneer (cubed), 3 tbsp yoghurt, 1 tsp tikka masala, 1/2 tsp turmeric, salt, capsicum and onion (chunks), 1 tsp oil

Steps:

1. Marinate paneer cubes in yoghurt, tikka masala, turmeric, and salt for 30 minutes.
2. Thread paneer, capsicum, and onion alternately on wooden skewers (soak skewers in water first).
3. Place skewers in basket. Brush with oil.
4. Cook at 200 degrees C for 12 minutes, turning at 6 minutes.

Tip: Use fresh paneer, not frozen. Fresh paneer stays juicy inside while the yoghurt marinade creates a crispy char on the outside.

7. Air Fryer Stuffed Capsicum

Temp: 180 degrees C | Time: 15 min | Serves: 3

Ingredients: 3 capsicums (tops cut, seeds removed), filling: crumbled paneer + onion + coriander + green chilli + chaat masala, 1 tsp oil

Steps:

1. Mix the filling ingredients thoroughly.
2. Stuff each capsicum tightly with the filling.
3. Brush outside with oil.
4. Place upright in basket. Cook at 180 degrees C for 15 minutes.

Tip: Choose capsicums that can stand upright. If they wobble, slice a thin piece from the bottom to create a flat base.

8. Air Fryer Mushroom Masala

Temp: 190 degrees C | Time: 10 min | Serves: 3

Ingredients: 200g button mushrooms (halved), 1 tsp olive oil, salt, pepper, 1/2 tsp garam masala, 1/2 tsp chilli powder

Steps:

1. Wipe mushrooms with a damp cloth — do not wash.
2. Toss with oil, salt, pepper, garam masala, and chilli powder.
3. Spread in single layer in basket.
4. Cook at 190 degrees C for 10 minutes, shaking at 5 minutes.

Tip: Do not wash mushrooms. They absorb water like sponges and will steam instead of roasting. Just wipe them clean.

9. Air Fryer Veg Kebab

Temp: 190 degrees C | Time: 14 min | Serves: 4

Ingredients: 2 boiled potatoes (mashed), 1/2 cup mixed vegetables (finely chopped), breadcrumbs, garam masala, green chilli, coriander, 1 tsp oil

Steps:

1. Mix mashed potato, vegetables, breadcrumbs, spices, and coriander.
2. Shape into cylindrical kebabs or flat patties.
3. Brush with oil on all sides.
4. Cook at 190 degrees C for 14 minutes, turning at 7 minutes.

Tip: Add 2 tablespoons of corn flour to the mixture. It binds the kebabs and prevents crumbling during cooking.

Sides (5 Recipes)

10. Air Fryer Corn on the Cob

Temp: 200 degrees C | Time: 12 min | Serves: 2

Ingredients: 2 corn cobs, 1 tbsp butter, salt, chilli powder, lemon juice

Steps:

1. Brush corn with melted butter.
2. Sprinkle salt and chilli powder.
3. Place in basket. Cook at 200 degrees C for 12 minutes, turning at 6 minutes.
4. Squeeze lemon on top before serving.

Tip: For street-style bhutta flavour, add a pinch of chaat masala and amchur (dry mango powder) after cooking.

11. Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries

Temp: 190 degrees C | Time: 18 min | Serves: 3

Ingredients: 2 sweet potatoes, 1 tsp oil, salt, pepper, paprika

Steps:

1. Peel and cut into thin sticks (6-8mm thick).
2. Soak in cold water for 20 minutes, then dry completely with a towel.
3. Toss with oil, salt, pepper, and paprika.
4. Spread in single layer. Cook at 190 degrees C for 18 minutes, shaking at 9 minutes.

Tip: Soaking removes starch, which is the key to crispiness. Skip this step and your fries will be soft.

12. Air Fryer Roasted Peanuts

Temp: 160 degrees C | Time: 12 min | Serves: 4

Ingredients: 1 cup raw peanuts, salt, 1 tsp oil (optional)

Steps:

1. Spread peanuts in a single layer in the basket.
2. Cook at 160 degrees C for 12 minutes, shaking every 4 minutes.
3. Remove when light golden — they darken further as they cool.
4. Sprinkle salt while hot.

Tip: Low temperature is key. Peanuts burn easily at high heat. Remove them when they look slightly undercooked — residual heat finishes the job.

13. Air Fryer Papad

Temp: 200 degrees C | Time: 2 min | Serves: 4

Ingredients: 4-6 papads (any variety)

Steps:

1. Place 2-3 papads flat in the basket.
2. Cook at 200 degrees C for 2 minutes.
3. Watch carefully — they go from perfect to burnt in seconds.

Tip: Zero oil needed. The result is identical to flame-roasted papad. Place a small weight on top if the papad curls and lifts off the grate.

14. Air Fryer Banana Chips

Temp: 180 degrees C | Time: 15 min | Serves: 4

Ingredients: 2 raw bananas (plantains), 1 tsp coconut oil, salt, turmeric

Steps:

1. Slice plantains very thin (1-2mm) using a mandoline slicer.
2. Toss with coconut oil, salt, and a pinch of turmeric.
3. Spread in single layer (do 2-3 batches).
4. Cook at 180 degrees C for 15 minutes, shaking every 5 minutes.

Tip: Honest note: air fryer banana chips are good but not as perfectly thin and crispy as deep-fried Kerala-style chips. They taste more like roasted chips.

Breads (3 Recipes)

15. Air Fryer Puri

Temp: 200 degrees C | Time: 8 min | Serves: 4

Ingredients: Wheat flour dough (same as regular puri), 1 tsp oil

Steps:

1. Roll out small puris (slightly thicker than normal).
2. Brush both sides with oil.
3. Place in basket with space between each.
4. Cook at 200 degrees C for 8 minutes, flipping at 4 minutes.

Tip: Honest note: air fryer puris do not puff up like deep-fried puris. They come out like crispy flatbread — tasty but different. If you want traditional puffed puri, you need deep frying.

16. Air Fryer Garlic Bread

Temp: 180 degrees C | Time: 5 min | Serves: 2

Ingredients: Bread slices or baguette, butter, garlic (minced), parsley or coriander, salt

Steps:

1. Mix softened butter with minced garlic and herbs.
2. Spread generously on bread slices.
3. Place butter-side up in basket.
4. Cook at 180 degrees C for 5 minutes.

Tip: Watch after 3 minutes. Garlic bread goes from perfect to burnt quickly. The butter should be bubbling and golden, not brown.

17. Air Fryer Cheese Toast

Temp: 180 degrees C | Time: 5 min | Serves: 2

Ingredients: 2 bread slices, grated cheese, butter, oregano, chilli flakes

Steps:

1. Butter one side of each bread slice.
2. Top with grated cheese, oregano, and chilli flakes.
3. Place in basket, cheese-side up.
4. Cook at 180 degrees C for 5 minutes until cheese melts and bubbles.

Tip: Use a mix of mozzarella (for stretch) and cheddar (for flavour). Processed cheese slices also work well and melt evenly.

Sweets (3 Recipes)

18. Air Fryer Cake (Mug Cake Style)

Temp: 160 degrees C | Time: 15 min | Serves: 2

Ingredients: 1/2 cup flour, 1/4 cup sugar, 1/4 cup milk, 2 tbsp oil, 1 tsp baking powder, 1 tbsp cocoa powder, pinch of salt

Steps:

1. Mix all dry ingredients, then add milk and oil. Stir until smooth.
2. Pour into a greased ramekin or small oven-safe cup.
3. Place in basket. Cook at 160 degrees C for 15 minutes.
4. Check with toothpick — it should come out clean.

Tip: Use 160 degrees C, not higher. The intense top heat of the air fryer browns the surface quickly. Lower temperature gives more even baking.

19. Air Fryer Churros

Temp: 190 degrees C | Time: 10 min | Serves: 4

Ingredients: 1/2 cup flour, 1/2 cup water, 2 tbsp butter, 1 tbsp sugar, pinch of salt, cinnamon sugar for coating

Steps:

1. Boil water with butter. Add flour and stir vigorously to form a dough.
2. Pipe dough into 3-4 inch strips using a star-tip nozzle onto parchment paper.
3. Spray with oil. Cook at 190 degrees C for 10 minutes, flipping at 5 minutes.
4. Roll in cinnamon sugar while warm.

Tip: Pipe directly onto pre-cut parchment paper strips. Transfer the paper with churros into the basket. The paper peels off easily after 3-4 minutes of cooking.

20. Air Fryer Apple Chips

Temp: 160 degrees C | Time: 15 min | Serves: 2

Ingredients: 1 apple, cinnamon, sugar (optional)

Steps:

1. Slice apple very thin (2mm) using a mandoline.
2. Sprinkle with cinnamon and a pinch of sugar.
3. Spread in single layer in basket.
4. Cook at 160 degrees C for 15 minutes, checking at 10 minutes.

Tip: Remove core and seeds before slicing. The chips crisp up more as they cool, so do not overcook. They should be slightly pliable when you take them out.

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