Crispy samosas. A spoon of oil. Zero guilt.
Your air fryer can do far more than French fries. Here are tested starting temperatures and times for 18 Indian favourites — bookmark this page and keep it next to the kitchen.
The chart
Frozen samosa
Brush lightly with oil. Flip at 7 minutes.
Homemade samosa
Brush the pastry with oil all over for a golden finish.
Paneer tikka
Thick, well-coated marinade. Skewer with capsicum and onion.
Aloo tikki
Chill the patties for 20 minutes first so they hold their shape.
Potato wedges / fries
Soak cut potatoes in water for 30 minutes, then dry well.
Gobi 65
Use a thick masala coating, not a runny batter.
Onion pakoda
Make the batter very thick and place on parchment. Spray oil on top.
Masala corn
Toss boiled corn in oil and spices; shake twice.
Chicken 65 / tikka
Boneless pieces. Cook until the centre reaches 74°C (165°F).
Tandoori drumsticks
Score the meat, marinate overnight, flip halfway.
Fish fry (slices)
Coat with masala and a little rice flour for crunch.
Prawn fry
Prawns cook fast — stop as soon as they turn pink and curl.
Egg bonda (boiled egg)
Use a thick besan coating and spray oil generously.
Samosa, vada, bajji
Brings back the crunch that a microwave takes away.
Parotta / chapati
Sprinkle a few drops of water first so it doesn't dry out.
Papad
Watch closely. Place a rack on top so it doesn't fly up.
Cashews & peanuts
Toss with a pinch of salt, pepper and a drop of oil.
Brinjal / veg for bharta
Prick the brinjal and roast whole until soft, then mash.
Times are starting points for a preheated 4-litre basket. Air fryers vary — check at the halfway mark and adjust. Always make sure meat and fish are fully cooked.
✗ Don't air fry these
- Wet batters — bajji, medu vada, jalebi and thin pakoda batter drip through the basket.
- Loose leafy greens — the fan blows them around.
- Too much at once — an overfilled basket steams instead of crisps.
- Cheese without a coating — it melts and drips.
Which size air fryer?
Air fryers we stock
Still deciding? Read air fryer vs deep frying or browse all air fryers.
Frequently asked questions
Can I make samosa in an air fryer?
Yes. Brush homemade or frozen samosas lightly with oil and air fry at 180°C for 12–18 minutes, flipping halfway.
Can I make medu vada or bajji in an air fryer?
Not well. Wet batters drip through the basket. Air fryers work best with coated, dry-surfaced foods.
Do I need to preheat my air fryer?
Preheating for 3–5 minutes gives crispier results for most foods. Check your model's manual.
Is air-fried food healthier than deep-fried?
Air frying uses far less oil than deep frying, so the food usually has less fat and fewer calories.
