First, A Note on Vrat Rules
Sawan fasting, or vrat, follows sattvik principles, meaning food should be pure and light to keep the body and mind calm. This generally involves avoiding regular grains like wheat and rice, lentils, onions, garlic, and common table salt. Instead, the fast-friendly
pantry includes ingredients like sabudana (tapioca pearls), kuttu (buckwheat) and singhara (water chestnut) flours, potatoes, sweet potatoes, and arbi (taro root). Seasoning is done with sendha namak (rock salt), cumin, black pepper, and green chillies. Our air-fryer recipes adhere to these rules, offering a modern, healthier take on traditional snacks.
1. Air-Fried Sabudana Vada
A quintessential fasting snack, sabudana vada is typically deep-fried. The air fryer transforms it into a guilt-free indulgence, delivering a crispy exterior with a soft, chewy inside. To make them, mix soaked sabudana with boiled and mashed potatoes, coarsely crushed roasted peanuts, chopped green chillies, and sendha namak. Shape the mixture into flat, round patties. For best results, refrigerate the patties for about 20 minutes before cooking, as this helps them hold their shape. Preheat your air fryer to 180°C, brush the vadas lightly with oil or ghee, and place them in a single layer in the basket. Air fry for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crisp.
2. Kuttu ke Pakore (Buckwheat Fritters)
These savoury fritters are a Sawan staple. Traditionally oily, they become light and crisp in the air fryer. Create a thick batter by mixing kuttu ka atta (buckwheat flour) with mashed boiled potatoes, sendha namak, cumin powder, and chopped green chillies. You can also add other vrat-friendly vegetables like grated bottle gourd. Drop spoonfuls of the batter into a preheated air fryer basket (around 180°C) that has been lightly greased. Cook for about 12-15 minutes, flipping them once, until they are crisp and cooked through. These pakoras are perfect for an evening snack with a cup of tea.
3. Crispy Arbi Fry (Taro Root)
Arbi, or taro root, offers a delightful alternative to potato-based snacks. Its earthy flavour pairs beautifully with simple spices. To prepare, boil the arbi until tender but still firm, then peel and slice it into rounds or cubes. Toss the pieces with sendha namak, black pepper, and a little cumin powder. If you're not using a binding flour, ensure the arbi is pat-dried thoroughly. Arrange the seasoned arbi in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 200°C for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway, until the edges are brown and crispy. This simple preparation makes for a wonderfully satisfying and fibrous snack.
4. Shakarkandi Chaat (Sweet Potato Chaat)
Shakarkandi, or sweet potato, is both filling and nutritious, making it ideal for fasting days. The air fryer method is much quicker than traditional roasting. Peel and cut a sweet potato into bite-sized cubes. Toss them with a little ghee or oil, sendha namak, and black pepper powder. Air fry at 180°C for about 20 minutes, shaking the basket a couple of times for even cooking, until the cubes are tender and slightly charred. Once cooked, transfer the hot sweet potato cubes to a bowl. Squeeze fresh lemon juice over them and toss with roasted peanuts for a tangy, crunchy chaat experience.
5. Air-Fried Farali Pattice
This Gujarati delicacy is a flavour-packed patty with a savory-sweet filling. The outer layer is made from mashed potatoes mixed with a binding agent like arrowroot flour and sendha namak. The filling is a delightful mix of grated coconut, chopped nuts like cashews and peanuts, raisins, green chillies, and a hint of sugar and lemon juice. To assemble, flatten a portion of the potato mixture in your palm, place a small amount of the filling in the centre, and enclose it to form a ball or patty. Brush the patties with oil and air fry at 180°C for 12-15 minutes, flipping them midway, until they are golden and crisp on the outside.
6. Quick Masala Makhana (Fox Nuts)
Makhana is a light, airy, and nutrient-dense snack that takes just minutes to prepare in an air fryer. Simply place plain makhana in the air fryer basket and cook at 180°C for about 4-5 minutes, or until they are crunchy. There's no need for any oil. Once they're toasted, transfer them to a bowl while still warm. Add a pinch of sendha namak and black pepper powder, and toss well to coat. For a bit more flavour, you can add a small amount of ghee to the warm makhana before adding the spices. It’s an effortless snack to curb hunger between meals.
