1. Air-Fried Sabudana Vada
A quintessential fasting snack, Sabudana Vada, becomes delightfully guilt-free in an air fryer. You get a perfectly crisp exterior and a soft, chewy inside without deep-frying. To make them, start by soaking sabudana (tapioca pearls) until they are soft and easily
pressed. Mix the drained sabudana with boiled and mashed potatoes, coarsely crushed roasted peanuts, finely chopped green chillies, and cumin seeds. Season with sendha namak (rock salt). Shape the mixture into flat, round patties. For the best results, refrigerate the patties for about 15-20 minutes before cooking. Preheat your air fryer to 180°C, lightly brush the vadas with ghee or oil, and place them in the basket. Air fry for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through, until they are golden brown and crispy. Serve hot with a side of yogurt or vrat-friendly green chutney.
2. Crispy Kuttu ke Pakode
Rainy Sawan evenings call for pakode, and this air-fried version made with kuttu ka atta (buckwheat flour) is a healthy indulgence. Kuttu pakoras crisp up beautifully in the air fryer. To prepare, mix buckwheat flour with sendha namak, black pepper, and other permitted spices like cumin. Add water gradually to form a thick batter. You can fold in boiled and mashed potatoes or grated paneer for more substance. Drop spoonfuls of the batter into the preheated air fryer basket, ensuring they don't overlap too much. Brush or spray with a little ghee and air fry at 190°C for about 12-15 minutes, turning them over at the halfway point until they are crisp and cooked through.
3. Spiced Arbi Fry
Arbi, or taro root, is a starchy vegetable that’s a great alternative to potatoes during fasts. While traditionally deep-fried, it becomes wonderfully crisp with minimal oil in an air fryer. First, boil the arbi until it's just cooked but still firm. Peel and cut it into thick roundels or wedges. In a bowl, toss the arbi pieces with a light coating of ghee or oil, sendha namak, black pepper, and ajwain (carom seeds). Arrange the seasoned arbi in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook at 180°C for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket occasionally, until the edges are golden brown and slightly charred. A squeeze of lemon juice before serving can elevate the flavour.
4. Falahari Aloo Tikki
Aloo tikki is a comforting snack that can be easily adapted for fasting. To make a falahari version, mix boiled and mashed potatoes with singhara ka atta (water chestnut flour) or rajgira atta (amaranth flour) for binding. Add finely chopped green chillies, ginger, and sendha namak. Shape the mixture into flat, round tikkis. Brush both sides with ghee and place them in an air fryer preheated to 190°C. Cook for about 18-20 minutes, flipping once, until they are golden and have a crunchy crust. These tikkis are much lighter than their pan-fried counterparts and pair perfectly with cool curd.
5. Air-Fried Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potatoes, or shakarkandi, are a naturally sweet and filling option for fasts. Turning them into fries in the air fryer is incredibly simple. Wash and peel the sweet potatoes, then cut them into even-sized wedges or fries. Toss them with a tiny amount of oil, a sprinkle of sendha namak, and roasted cumin powder. Arrange the fries in a single layer in the air fryer basket to ensure they cook evenly. Air fry at 180°C for 15-20 minutes, flipping them halfway through. They are done when they are tender on the inside and perfectly crisp on the outside. This makes for a satisfying and fibre-rich snack.
6. Roasted Makhana
Makhana (fox nuts) are a light and nutritious snack that's perfect for munching on between meals during a fast. While often roasted in a pan with ghee, the air fryer does an excellent job of making them uniformly crunchy with less fat. Simply place the plain makhana in the air fryer basket. You don't necessarily need any oil. Roast at 160°C for about 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket once or twice, until they become crisp. Once they've cooled slightly, you can toss them with a little ghee (optional) and season with sendha namak and black pepper powder. Store them in an airtight container for a ready-to-eat snack.
