1. The Classic Sabudana Vada
A quintessential fasting snack, the sabudana vada gets a healthy and hassle-free makeover in the air fryer. Traditionally deep-fried, these pearly tapioca and potato patties can often absorb a lot of oil. In the air fryer, they achieve a wonderfully golden
and crisp exterior while remaining soft and fluffy inside, all with just a light brushing of ghee or oil. To get the best results, ensure your soaked sabudana is well-drained and the potato-to-sabudana ratio is just right to bind the patties. Shape them, refrigerate for about 15-20 minutes to help them hold their form, and then air fry. The result is a satisfying, non-greasy snack perfect for breaking your fast.
2. Crispy Kuttu Ke Pakode
Come fasting season, and kuttu (buckwheat flour) becomes a staple. Instead of deep-frying pakodas in a kadai, you can make delightfully crunchy fritters in the air fryer. Create a thick batter by mixing kuttu flour with mashed potatoes, chopped green chillies, and sendha namak (rock salt). You can also add other vrat-friendly vegetables. Drop spoonfuls of this batter into the preheated air fryer basket, and in about 10-12 minutes, you will have light, crispy pakodas. They possess the same earthy, nutty flavour you love, but without the excess oil, making them a perfect companion for a hot cup of tea.
3. Guilt-Free Farali Pattice
This popular Gujarati snack is a treat during fasts. Farali Pattice consists of a potato casing stuffed with a sweet and savoury mixture of coconut, peanuts, and spices. Traditionally, these are deep-fried, but the air fryer offers a fantastic alternative. Prepare the potato covering and the flavourful stuffing as you normally would, shape the patties, and then air fry them until they are golden brown and crisp. The outer layer becomes perfectly crunchy, providing a delightful contrast to the soft, aromatic filling. Serve them with a side of vrat-friendly green chutney for an explosion of flavours.
4. Quick Paneer Tikki
For a protein-packed snack, paneer tikki is an excellent choice. During Sawan, when meals need to be both sattvic and sustaining, these tikkis fit the bill perfectly. Grate paneer and mix it with boiled, mashed potatoes, finely chopped coriander, green chillies, and rock salt. You can use a binding agent like singhara (water chestnut) flour. Shape the mixture into small tikkis, brush them lightly with ghee, and air fry. They cook quickly, becoming crisp on the outside while the paneer remains soft and succulent inside. It’s a simple, elegant snack that feels indulgent yet is completely vrat-compliant.
5. Spiced Arbi Fries
Move over, potato fries. Arbi (taro root) fries are a delicious and unique fasting snack. Arbi has a distinct earthy flavour and a wonderful texture when cooked properly. To make them in the air fryer, parboil the arbi, peel it, and cut it into fry-like strips. Toss these strips with a little oil or ghee, sendha namak, and spices like ajwain (carom seeds) or black pepper. Air fry them at a high temperature until they are crisp and golden on the outside. The air fryer helps draw out the moisture, making them perfectly crunchy without being oily.
6. Roasted Makhana Chaat
Makhana, or fox nuts, are a light and nutritious fasting food. While simply roasting them is common, you can elevate them into a simple chaat. Toss the makhana in your air fryer with a tiny bit of ghee until they are crisp, which usually takes just a few minutes. Once roasted, put them in a bowl and add other vrat-friendly ingredients like chopped boiled potatoes, roasted peanuts, a sprinkle of sendha namak and cumin powder, and a generous squeeze of lemon juice. This creates an instant, flavourful, and crunchy chaat that is both filling and light on the stomach.
