Why the Air-Fryer Is a Fasting Game-Changer
During Sawan, many devotees abstain from grains, onion, garlic, regular salt, and deep-fried foods to maintain a light, sattvic diet. Traditionally, this meant a lot of effort to make snacks that were both compliant and satisfying. The air fryer has become
popular because it achieves a crispy, crunchy texture akin to deep-frying but with a fraction of the oil or ghee. This method not only reduces fat and calories but also cuts down on cooking time and mess, allowing for more time for prayer and reflection. It’s the perfect blend of modern convenience and traditional observance.
1. Crispy Sabudana Vada
The quintessential vrat snack, sabudana vada, is now guilt-free. These sago and potato patties are traditionally deep-fried, but an air fryer makes them incredibly crispy with minimal oil. To make them, mix two cups of soaked sabudana with two boiled and mashed potatoes, coarsely ground peanuts, green chillies, and sendha namak (rock salt). Form the mixture into flat patties. For the best results, refrigerate the patties for about 20 minutes to help them firm up. Preheat your air fryer to 180°C, brush the vadas lightly with ghee or oil, and air fry for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through until they are golden brown and crisp.
2. Kuttu ke Pakore (Buckwheat Fritters)
Buckwheat flour (kuttu atta) fritters are a Sawan staple. To avoid the oiliness of deep-frying, mix kuttu flour with boiled, mashed potatoes, chopped green chillies, and sendha namak. Add a little water to form a thick batter. You can also add other vrat-friendly vegetables like grated bottle gourd. Drop spoonfuls of the batter into a preheated air fryer, brushing them with a bit of ghee. Air fry at 190°C for about 12-14 minutes, flipping them once, until they are crunchy and cooked through.
3. Spiced Arbi Fry (Taro Root)
Arbi, or taro root, has an earthy flavour and a satisfying texture. While it tends to absorb a lot of oil when fried, the air fryer keeps it light. First, parboil the arbi, then peel and cut it into wedges or roundels. Toss the pieces with a teaspoon of ghee, sendha namak, black pepper, and ajwain (carom seeds). Arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 180°C for about 15 minutes, shaking the basket midway, until the edges are slightly charred and the outside is crisp.
4. Tangy Shakarkandi Chaat (Sweet Potato Chaat)
Sweet potatoes are a fantastic source of energy during fasts. Roasting them in an air fryer brings out their natural sweetness without needing to boil or deep-fry them. Peel and cut sweet potatoes into bite-sized cubes. Toss them with a little ghee, sendha namak, and black pepper powder. Air fry at 180°C for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket a couple of times for even cooking, until they are tender on the inside and crispy on the outside. Once done, transfer the hot sweet potato cubes to a bowl and toss with lemon juice, roasted peanuts, and fresh coriander for a delicious chaat.
5. Roasted Makhana (Fox Nuts)
Fox nuts (makhana) are a light, nutritious, and incredibly versatile fasting food. Instead of slowly pan-roasting them, the air fryer makes them perfectly crunchy in minutes. Simply place the makhana in the air fryer basket. To prevent them from flying around and hitting the heating element, you can either fill the basket only halfway or place a wire mesh on top. Air fry at 180°C for 7-10 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. Once roasted, you can toss them in a little ghee with sendha namak and black pepper.
6. Air-Fried Vratwale Aloo
A simple yet immensely satisfying dish, jeera aloo gets a healthy makeover. Cube boiled potatoes and toss them with sendha namak, cumin seeds, and finely chopped green chillies. You can add a little ghee to help with the crisping. Air fry at 200°C for 10-12 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally, until the potatoes are golden brown and have crispy edges. The air fryer gives them a wonderful texture that is hard to achieve in a pan without using a lot of oil. Serve hot, garnished with fresh coriander.
