Why Use an Air Fryer for Vrat Food?
Observing a fast shouldn't mean compromising on health or taste. Traditional Sawan snacks, while delicious, are often deep-fried in oil or ghee, making them heavy and time-consuming to prepare. An air fryer offers a fantastic alternative by circulating
hot air to cook food, achieving a crispy, browned texture with significantly less oil—up to 80% less in many cases. This method not only reduces calorie and fat intake but also cuts down on cooking time and kitchen mess. For vrat-approved dishes that are typically fried, like sabudana vadas or kuttu pakoras, the air fryer ensures they are evenly cooked, crunchy on the outside, and perfectly tender on the inside, all while being lighter on the stomach.
Air-Fried Sabudana Vada
Sabudana vada is a beloved fasting staple, but getting it perfectly crisp without it breaking or soaking up excess oil can be a challenge. The air fryer solves this beautifully. To prepare, mix soaked and drained sabudana with boiled mashed potatoes, coarsely crushed roasted peanuts, chopped green chillies, and sendha namak (rock salt). Form the mixture into flat, even-sized patties. For the best results, you can refrigerate the patties for about 20 minutes to help them hold their shape. Preheat your air fryer to 180-200°C. Lightly brush each vada with ghee or oil, place them in a single layer in the basket, and air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through. The result is a batch of golden-brown vadas that are wonderfully crunchy without the guilt of deep-frying.
Crispy Kuttu Ke Pakore
Kuttu (buckwheat flour) pakoras are another Sawan favourite. Traditionally, these fritters are deep-fried, but they adapt perfectly to the air fryer. Create a thick batter by mixing kuttu ka atta with sendha namak, cumin seeds, and chopped green chillies. You can add boiled, mashed potatoes or grated paneer to the batter for extra body. Preheat the air fryer to 180°C. Lightly grease the air fryer basket or use parchment paper. Drop spoonfuls of the batter into the basket, ensuring they don't touch. Brush the tops with a little ghee. Air fry for 10-12 minutes, flipping them once during cooking, until they are crisp and evenly browned. These pakoras come out surprisingly light and crunchy, offering a wholesome way to enjoy a classic snack.
Vrat-Friendly Aloo Tikki
Aloo tikki is a versatile snack that's easily adapted for fasting by using vrat-compliant ingredients. For the binding agent, you can use kuttu (buckwheat flour) or singhara (water chestnut) flour instead of regular flour. Mix grated boiled potatoes with your choice of vrat flour, sendha namak, chopped green chillies, and crushed peanuts for texture. Shape the mixture into flat, round tikkis. Preheat the air fryer to 180°C. Brush the tikkis with ghee on both sides and arrange them in the basket. Air fry for about 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through to ensure they cook evenly and turn a beautiful golden colour. Serve hot with a side of vrat-friendly green chutney.
Roasted Shakarkandi (Sweet Potato)
Sweet potatoes, or shakarkandi, are a nutritious and filling option during Sawan fasts. While traditionally roasted over coals or boiled, the air fryer offers a quick and easy method that results in a delicious, caramelised flavour. Simply wash and cube the sweet potatoes. You can leave the skin on for extra fibre. Toss the cubes in a small amount of ghee and a sprinkle of sendha namak. For a different flavour profile, add a dash of black pepper or cumin powder. Place the seasoned sweet potato cubes in the air fryer basket and cook at 200°C for 10-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through. The high heat of the air fryer creates a slightly crispy exterior while keeping the inside soft and sweet, making it a perfect evening snack.
