1. Air-Fried Sabudana Vada
A classic fasting snack, Sabudana Vada is traditionally deep-fried. The air fryer transforms it into a lighter treat without losing its iconic crispy exterior and soft, chewy interior. To make these, you need to properly soak the sabudana (tapioca pearls)
until they are soft and drain them well. Mix the soaked pearls with boiled and mashed potatoes, coarsely crushed roasted peanuts, finely chopped green chillies, and sendha namak (rock salt). Some recipes suggest adding a little lemon juice and cumin seeds for extra flavour. Shape the mixture into small, flattened patties. For best results in an air fryer, many chefs recommend refrigerating or even freezing the patties for at least 20-30 minutes, which helps them hold their shape. Preheat your air fryer to around 180-200°C. Brush the vadas lightly with oil or ghee and place them in the basket in a single layer. Air fry for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crisp.
2. Crispy Kuttu Ke Pakode
Kuttu ka atta (buckwheat flour) is a staple during Hindu fasts. While pakodas made from it are delicious, they soak up a lot of oil. The air fryer offers a fantastic alternative. To prepare these, mix kuttu flour with boiled, mashed potatoes or other vrat-approved vegetables like grated lauki (bottle gourd). Add sendha namak, black pepper powder, chopped green chillies, and fresh coriander (if you consume it during fasts). Add a little water to form a thick, dropping consistency batter. You can shape this mixture into small balls or drop spoonfuls directly into the preheated air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overcrowd it. A light spray of oil will help them crisp up. Air fry at 180°C for about 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket or flipping the pakodas midway to ensure even cooking. They should be crisp and cooked through. Serve hot with a simple vrat-friendly chutney.
3. Farali Pattice (Stuffed Potato Patties)
This Gujarati delicacy is a flavour-packed patty with a spicy-sweet filling. The outer layer is made from boiled, mashed potatoes mixed with a binding agent like arrowroot flour (ararot) or rajgira atta (amaranth flour) and sendha namak. The star of the dish is the filling, which typically includes a mix of grated fresh coconut, crushed peanuts, cashews, raisins, ginger, green chillies, a pinch of sugar, and lemon juice. To assemble, take a portion of the potato dough, flatten it, place a small amount of the filling in the centre, and seal it to form a ball. Gently flatten the balls into pattice. Arrange them in a preheated air fryer (around 180°C or 350°F), spray with a little oil, and cook for 15-20 minutes, flipping once, until they are golden and crisp on the outside.
4. Air-Fried Shakarkandi Chaat
Shakarkandi (sweet potato) is a nutritious and filling option for fasting. Instead of simply boiling it, give it a chaat-style makeover in the air fryer. Peel and cut sweet potatoes into bite-sized cubes. Toss them in a bowl with a little ghee or oil, sendha namak, roasted cumin powder, and black pepper powder. Ensure each piece is lightly coated. Preheat the air fryer to 180°C and cook the sweet potato cubes for about 20 minutes, shaking the basket a couple of times to ensure they cook evenly and become crispy. Once done, transfer the hot, crispy sweet potatoes to a bowl. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over them, and toss with roasted peanuts and chopped fresh coriander for a quick, tangy, and satisfying chaat.
5. No-Oil Raw Banana Chips
Packaged chips are often off-limits during fasting, but you can make your own healthy version with raw bananas. The key is to slice the bananas as thinly and uniformly as possible. After slicing, it's a good idea to soak the slices in a bowl of chilled water with a little lemon juice for a few minutes to remove excess starch, then pat them completely dry. This step is crucial for achieving maximum crispiness. Toss the dry slices with sendha namak and a pinch of black pepper powder. Arrange them in a single layer in a preheated air fryer basket. Cook at about 160°C for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. Keep a close eye on them as thin slices can brown quickly. Let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container.
6. Roasted Makhana (Fox Nuts)
Makhana, or fox nuts, are a light and healthy snack that becomes even more delightful when roasted. While traditionally pan-roasted, the air fryer makes the process quicker and more hands-off. Simply place your makhana in the air fryer basket. If you like, you can toss them with a very small amount of ghee and your preferred vrat-friendly seasonings like sendha namak and black pepper. Air fry at 180°C for about 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket once or twice during the process. They are done when they become light, airy, and super crunchy. Be sure to let them cool for a minute before testing for crispness, as they will continue to crisp up as they cool down. You can enjoy them plain or add them to a vrat-friendly trail mix with roasted peanuts and almonds.
