These air fryer Diwali recipes help you make samosa, gujiya and mathri with a brush of oil. Diwali usually means trays of fried food, and the kitchen stays hot and smoky for days. An air fryer cuts that work down. You get crisp snacks, less mess and fewer oil splashes. Here are three simple recipes, plus tips for first-time users.
Why use an air fryer for Diwali snacks
Deep frying needs a big kadhai, plenty of oil and constant watching. An air fryer circulates hot air around the food instead. As a result, you use a light coating of oil, not a pan full. The snacks come out lighter, though they taste slightly different from deep-fried ones. The crust is crisp, not bubbly.
Cleanup is quicker too. You wash one basket, not a greasy kadhai. Moreover, you can cook in batches while guests are at the door.
Air fryer basics before you start
Preheat the air fryer for about three minutes. Brush each snack lightly with oil. Do not crowd the basket, because air must move around every piece. Cook in batches and flip halfway. Timings vary by model, so check early the first time.
A 4 L air fryer handles small batches well. Larger families may prefer a bigger basket. Good air fryer Diwali recipes depend on batch size as much as on temperature.
Air fryer samosa
Makes about 12 small samosas.
For the dough, mix 2 cups maida, 4 tablespoons oil, half a teaspoon ajwain and salt. For the filling, use 3 boiled potatoes, half a cup of boiled peas, 1 teaspoon cumin, 1 teaspoon coriander powder, half a teaspoon garam masala and a little amchur.
- Knead a stiff dough with a little water. Rest it for 30 minutes.
- Heat 1 tablespoon oil. Add the spices, then the mashed potatoes and peas. Cool the filling fully.
- Roll small balls into ovals and cut each in half. Shape each half into a cone, fill it and seal the edge with water.
- Brush the samosas with oil.
- Air fry at 180°C for about 16 minutes. Flip them halfway until golden.
A stiff dough with enough oil gives a crisp shell. A soft dough turns chewy.
Air fryer gujiya
Makes about 10 gujiyas.
For the dough, mix 2 cups maida, 3 tablespoons ghee and enough water for a firm dough. For the filling, roast 1 cup khoya on low heat until it turns light. Cool it, then add half a cup of powdered sugar, 2 tablespoons chopped almonds and cashews, and a quarter teaspoon cardamom.
- Rest the dough for 20 minutes.
- Roll small rounds, add a spoonful of filling and wet the edge.
- Fold and press the edge hard. Crimp it with a fork or a gujiya mould.
- Brush with ghee.
- Air fry at 160°C for 10 to 12 minutes. Flip once.
Seal the edges well. Otherwise the filling leaks and burns. If the gujiyas stick, use perforated parchment paper in the basket. Let them cool before you taste them.
Air fryer mathri
Makes about 25 pieces.
Mix 2 cups maida, half a cup of semolina, a quarter cup of oil or ghee, 1 teaspoon ajwain, half a teaspoon crushed pepper and salt. Add water slowly for a stiff dough.
- Rest the dough for 20 minutes.
- Roll it about 4 mm thick. Cut rounds with a cutter.
- Prick each round with a fork so it stays flat.
- Brush lightly with oil.
- Air fry at 160°C for 12 to 15 minutes. Flip halfway.
Cool the mathri completely before you store it. Warm mathri turns soft in the box. In an airtight container, it stays crisp for about a week.
Tips for crisp results
Do not stack the snacks. Shake or flip them midway. Clean the basket between batches, since leftover crumbs smoke. Also keep the air fryer a hand’s width away from the wall so the vents stay clear.
Picking an air fryer for festive cooking
Choose capacity by family size. A 4 L model suits a small family. Larger gatherings need a bigger basket or more batches. Look for a temperature range up to 200°C, a timer and an easy-clean basket.
Browse our air fryer collection to compare sizes and brands. Our kitchen appliances collection has other tools for festive prep. You can also visit our stores in Sector 18, Sector 9 or Greater Noida. Use the store locator to find the nearest one.
Try these air fryer Diwali recipes this week, before the festive rush. Practice batches now make the real day calmer.
