The Old Way vs. The New Way
Traditionally, many beloved Sawan snacks like sabudana vada, kuttu ke pakode, and aloo tikki are deep-fried. While delicious, these foods can feel heavy and oily, which sometimes contradicts the purpose of a light, sattvik fast. The air fryer changes
this dynamic completely. By using hot air circulation, it achieves a similar crispy texture with a fraction of the oil or ghee, sometimes up to 85% less. This means you can enjoy the classic flavours and crunch you love without the guilt or digestive load of deep-fried food, making the fasting experience more comfortable and energetic.
Do Fasting Rules Change?
This is the most important question for any devotee. The good news is, no. Fasting rules for Sawan and other religious periods primarily concern the ingredients you use. The focus is on avoiding regular grains like wheat and rice, lentils, non-vegetarian items, onion, garlic, and regular table salt. Instead, fasters use specific flours like kuttu (buckwheat) and singhara (water chestnut), along with ingredients like sabudana (tapioca), potatoes, and sendha namak (rock salt). The cooking method—whether you deep-fry, bake, or air-fry—does not typically violate these rules. The air fryer is simply a modern tool that helps you prepare approved ingredients in a healthier way.
Classic Sabudana Vada, Air-Fried
Sabudana vada is a fasting staple, but getting it right in an air fryer requires a few adjustments. To make them crispy, ensure your soaked sabudana is drained very well. The mixture of sabudana, boiled potatoes, crushed peanuts, green chillies, and sendha namak needs to be firm. Form the mixture into slightly flat patties and, for best results, brush them generously with ghee on both sides. Preheat your air fryer to around 180°C and cook for 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through. They come out surprisingly crispy on the outside and perfectly soft inside, proving you don't need a kadhai full of oil.
Kuttu Pakode Without the Grease
Rainy Sawan evenings often call for pakodas, and you don't have to miss out while fasting. For air-fried kuttu ke pakode, create a thick batter using kuttu ka atta, water, sendha namak, and spices like black pepper. You can dip slices of potato or paneer into the batter. Place the battered pieces in a single layer in your preheated air fryer basket, ensuring they don't stick together. A light spray or brush of oil helps them get that golden-brown colour. Air fry at about 190°C for 12-14 minutes, flipping them once. The result is a light, crunchy pakoda that satisfies cravings healthily.
More Effortless Vrat Snacks
The air fryer excels at making simple, quick snacks. For a delicious sweet potato chaat, cube sweet potatoes, toss them with a little ghee and sendha namak, and air fry at 200°C until the edges are caramelized and crisp. Another great option is roasted makhana (fox nuts). Simply toss them in the air fryer with a pinch of salt for a few minutes until they are crunchy. You can also make crispy arbi (colocasia) fries by cutting parboiled arbi into wedges, seasoning them, and air frying at 180°C for about 15 minutes. Even raw banana chips can be made by thinly slicing bananas and air frying them until crisp.
