The Modern Way to Fast
Vrat (fasting) is a spiritual practice in Hinduism that involves dietary discipline. During periods like Navratri, devotees often abstain from grains like wheat and rice, lentils, onions, garlic, and regular table salt. The focus shifts to ingredients
like sabudana (tapioca pearls), kuttu (buckwheat flour), potatoes, sweet potatoes, paneer, and makhana (fox nuts). Traditionally, many vrat snacks are deep-fried, which can feel heavy. An air fryer offers a fantastic alternative, delivering that satisfying crunch with a fraction of the oil, making your fasting meals lighter and easier to digest.
1. Air-Fried Sabudana Vada
Sabudana vada is a beloved fasting snack, traditionally deep-fried to achieve a crispy exterior and soft, chewy interior. The air fryer replicates this texture beautifully. For the best results, ensure your soaked sabudana is completely drained of excess water to help the vadas hold their shape. Mix the sabudana with boiled and mashed potatoes, coarsely crushed roasted peanuts, green chillies, and sendha namak (rock salt). Shape them into flat patties, brush with a little ghee or oil, and air fry at 180°C for about 15-20 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp. Some recipes suggest refrigerating the patties for 15-20 minutes before air frying for an even crunchier texture.
2. Crispy Sweet Potato Fries (Shakarkandi)
Sweet potatoes are a powerhouse of nutrients and naturally sweet, making them a perfect vrat ingredient. Instead of deep-frying, air-fried sweet potato fries are a healthier and equally delicious option. Simply slice sweet potatoes into sticks or wedges. Toss them with a teaspoon of ghee, sendha namak, and a sprinkle of black pepper or roasted cumin powder. Arrange them in a single layer in your air fryer basket and cook at around 180-200°C for 15-20 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through to ensure they cook evenly until the edges are caramelized and crisp.
3. Roasted Makhana (Fox Nuts)
Makhana is a light, low-calorie, and protein-rich snack that's perfect for fasting. Roasting them in an air fryer takes just a few minutes and makes them incredibly crunchy. Toss the makhana in a bowl with a little ghee, sendha namak, and black pepper. To prevent the light makhana from flying around and hitting the heating element, don't overcrowd the basket and consider using a wire mesh on top. Air fry at 160-180°C for about 5-8 minutes, shaking the basket once or twice. They will get crunchier as they cool down.
4. Kuttu Ke Pakode (Buckwheat Fritters)
Kuttu ke pakode are a classic Navratri snack. Buckwheat flour (kuttu ka atta) has a distinct nutty flavour and is naturally gluten-free. To make a lighter version, create a thick batter with kuttu flour, water, sendha namak, and spices like green chilli and cumin. You can add grated potato or paneer to the batter for extra texture and flavour. Drop spoonfuls of the batter into the air fryer basket (lined with parchment paper for easier cleanup), brush with ghee, and air fry at 190°C for 12-14 minutes, flipping them once, until they are crispy and cooked through.
5. Spiced Arbi Fry (Taro Root)
Arbi, or taro root, is another starchy vegetable that's popular during fasts. It's known for absorbing a lot of oil when fried, but the air fryer makes it wonderfully crisp with minimal fat. First, parboil the arbi until it's just tender, then peel and cut it into wedges or thick roundels. Toss the pieces with a little ghee or oil, sendha namak, ajwain (carom seeds), and red chilli powder. Air fry at 180°C for about 15 minutes until the edges are golden brown and slightly charred.
6. Farali Pattice
Farali Pattice, a Gujarati specialty, is a delightful potato patty with a sweet and savory filling. The outer layer is made from mashed potatoes and a binding agent like singhara atta (water chestnut flour) or arrowroot flour. The filling is typically a mix of grated coconut, roasted peanuts, cashews, raisins, and spices like green chilli and ginger. Shape the potato mixture around a small ball of the filling, form it into a patty, brush with oil, and air fry at 180°C (350°F) for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden and crisp.
