1. Air-Fried Sabudana Vada
A quintessential fasting snack, these tapioca pearl patties are known for their crispy exterior and soft, chewy inside. Traditionally deep-fried, they adapt beautifully to the air fryer. Soak one cup of sabudana for 4-5 hours, then drain completely. In
a bowl, mix the sabudana with two boiled and mashed potatoes, a half-cup of coarsely crushed roasted peanuts, finely chopped green chillies, one teaspoon of cumin seeds, and sendha namak (rock salt) to taste. Form the mixture into small, flat discs. For best results, let them chill in the refrigerator for 20-30 minutes. Preheat your air fryer to 180°C. Brush the vadas lightly with ghee or oil and place them in the basket in a single layer. Air fry for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until golden and crisp.
2. Crispy Kuttu ke Pakode (Buckwheat Fritters)
Buckwheat flour, or kuttu ka atta, is a staple during Sawan fasting. These fritters are a perfect evening snack. To make them, combine one cup of kuttu flour with one large boiled and mashed potato, grated bottle gourd (lauki), chopped coriander, green chillies, and sendha namak. Add a little water to form a thick, spoonable batter. Preheat the air fryer to 180°C. Drop small spoonfuls of the batter into the air fryer basket, ensuring they don’t touch. Brush or spray with a little oil and air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping them over once, until they are brown and crunchy.
3. Spiced Arbi Fry (Taro Root Wedges)
Arbi, or taro root, has an earthy flavour that becomes wonderfully crisp in the air fryer without absorbing excess oil. First, boil about 250 grams of arbi until just tender, then peel and cut them into wedges or thick roundels. In a bowl, toss the arbi with a light coating of ghee or peanut oil, sendha namak, black pepper powder, and roasted cumin powder. Spices like turmeric and red chilli powder are often avoided during Sawan fasts. Arrange the seasoned arbi in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 180°C for about 15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway, until the edges are nicely browned and crispy.
4. Air-Fried Sweet Potato Fries (Shakarkandi)
A naturally sweet and satisfying option, sweet potato fries are both healthy and incredibly easy to make. Simply wash and peel two medium sweet potatoes and cut them into even-sized sticks. Toss the sticks with a teaspoon of oil, sendha namak, and a pinch of black pepper or roasted cumin powder. Preheat the air fryer to 200°C. Place the sweet potato sticks in the basket, making sure not to overcrowd it. Air fry for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket once or twice during cooking, until they are crisp on the outside and tender on the inside with slightly caramelised edges.
5. Stuffed Farali Pattice
This popular Gujarati snack features a potato casing with a flavourful sweet and savoury filling. For the outer layer, mash four boiled potatoes with two tablespoons of arrowroot flour and sendha namak. For the filling, combine a quarter cup of grated paneer, two tablespoons of desiccated coconut, chopped cashews and raisins, finely chopped ginger and green chillies, and sendha namak. Take a portion of the potato mixture, flatten it, place a small amount of filling in the centre, and seal it to form a ball. Lightly flatten the balls into patties. Preheat the air fryer to 180°C. Brush the pattice with oil and air fry for 15-20 minutes, flipping them carefully halfway through, until golden brown and crisp.
6. Roasted Makhana (Fox Nuts)
For a light, crunchy, and almost instant snack, roasted makhana is an unbeatable choice. While not a 'recipe' in the traditional sense, the air fryer makes preparing them effortless. Take two cups of plain makhana and toss them in a bowl with a teaspoon of melted ghee, sendha namak, and black pepper powder. Transfer them to the air fryer basket and cook at 160°C for 5-7 minutes. Shake the basket once or twice to ensure they toast evenly. They will become perfectly crisp as they cool down. It’s a simple, guilt-free snack to curb hunger pangs during the day.
