1. Air-Fried Sabudana Vada
A quintessential fasting snack, the Sabudana Vada gets a healthy makeover in the air fryer. To make these, start by soaking sabudana until soft and then drain the excess water completely. In a bowl, mix the sabudana with boiled and mashed potatoes, roasted
and coarsely crushed peanuts, finely chopped green chillies, fresh coriander, and sendha namak (rock salt). Combine everything into a firm mixture and shape them into small, flattened patties. For the best results, refrigerate the patties for about 20-30 minutes; this helps them hold their shape. Preheat your air fryer to 180°C. Lightly brush the vadas with oil or ghee and place them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Air fry for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through and brushing with a little more oil until they are golden brown and crispy on the outside.
2. Crispy Kuttu Ki Tikki
Buckwheat flour, or kuttu ka atta, is a staple during Sawan fasts. These tikkis are incredibly easy and satisfying. To begin, combine kuttu flour with boiled, peeled, and grated potatoes in a bowl. Add grated ginger, chopped green chillies, sendha namak, and a pinch of black pepper powder. Mix all the ingredients to form a firm dough. Divide the dough into small, bite-sized balls and flatten them slightly to form tikkis. Preheat the air fryer to 180°C. Grease the tikkis lightly with oil and arrange them on the air fryer's tray. Cook for about 15-18 minutes, flipping them midway, until they are crisp and evenly browned. Serve these flavourful bites with a side of vrat-friendly green chutney or yogurt.
3. Farali Pattice (Stuffed Potato Patties)
Farali Pattice is a delightful Gujarati snack where a spicy-sweet filling is encased in a potato covering. For the outer layer, use boiled, mashed potatoes mixed with a binding agent like arrowroot flour and sendha namak. For the filling, combine fresh grated coconut, chopped cashews and raisins, roasted peanuts, ginger-chilli paste, a pinch of sugar, and lemon juice. Take a portion of the potato mixture, flatten it in your palm, place a small amount of the coconut filling in the centre, and seal it to form a ball. Lightly flatten the balls into patties. Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F). Brush the pattice with a little ghee or oil and air fry for 12-15 minutes, turning them over halfway through the cooking time until they achieve a perfect golden crust.
4. Quick Shakarkandi Chaat
Sweet potatoes, or shakarkandi, offer a perfect balance of sweet and savoury in this simple chaat. First, wash and peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into bite-sized cubes. In a bowl, toss the cubes with a little ghee, sendha namak, roasted cumin powder, and black pepper powder. Preheat your air fryer to 180°C. Spread the seasoned sweet potato cubes in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally, until the cubes are tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. Once done, transfer the hot sweet potato cubes to a bowl. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over them, and garnish with roasted peanuts and fresh coriander for a tangy and crunchy snack.
5. Roasted Makhana (Fox Nuts)
Makhana is a light, nutritious, and incredibly versatile snack, perfect for guilt-free munching during fasts. Making them in an air fryer is a matter of minutes. Simply preheat your air fryer to 200°C (390°F) for about three minutes. In a bowl, toss two cups of makhana with a teaspoon of ghee or oil, sendha namak, and a sprinkle of black pepper. Place the seasoned makhana in the air fryer basket. To prevent these light seeds from flying around and hitting the heating element, you can either fill the basket to less than half its volume or place a wire mesh on top. Air fry for just 3-5 minutes. Keep a close watch as they can burn quickly. They are ready when they feel light and crunchy.
6. Air-Fried Raw Banana Chips
A healthier alternative to packaged chips, these homemade banana chips are crispy and delicious. Start with firm, raw bananas. Peel them and slice them into thin, even rounds. For extra crispiness, soak the slices in cold water for a few minutes to remove excess starch, then pat them completely dry with a kitchen towel. Toss the dry slices with sendha namak and a pinch of black pepper powder. Preheat your air fryer to 160°C. Arrange the banana slices in a single layer in the basket, ensuring they don’t overlap. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are light, crispy, and golden. Let them cool completely before storing them in an airtight container.
