Tried These 15 Air Fryer Recipes Vegetarian Indian Style?

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TL;DR

• Air fryers offer a healthier way to enjoy crispy Indian vegetarian food without deep frying.
• This blog features 15 easy and flavourful air fryer recipes vegetarian Indian style.
• Recipes include popular dishes like paneer tikka, samosa, aloo tikki, and gobi Manchurian.
• The list also includes creative options like masala corn, naan chips, bhindi fry, and baingan bharta bites.
• High-protein recipes such as tofu and hara bhara kabab are included for balanced meals.
• All recipes are quick, beginner-friendly, and suitable for everyday Indian cooking.
• Many of the recipes are vegan or can be easily customised for a healthier diet.
• Ideal for anyone looking to cook light, tasty, and oil-conscious Indian vegetarian meals at home.

Craving that crispy, spicy Indian food but don’t want to deep fry? Same here. The good news is, air fryers are changing the way we cook at home. If you love vegetarian Indian food but want something light and quick, then these air fryer recipes vegetarian Indian style are just perfect for you.

You can still enjoy all your favourites like samosas, tikkis, and kebabs with hardly any oil. Healthy, tasty, and quick- what more do we need? Let’s jump into these easy air fryer recipes vegetarian home cooks are loving right now.

What Are Some Easy Air Fryer Recipes For Vegetarian Indian Dishes? Check These 15!

Whether you are looking for crispy starters or tasty main dishes, these vegetarian recipes for your air fryer will change the way you cook. You will be surprised by how fast and good these meals are cooked to perfection with just a little oil.

From starters to mains, here are 15 vegetarian dishes in air fryer style. The recipes take simple veggies like cauliflower, potatoes, and spinach and turn them into new and fun meals. Let’s start with paneer tikka!

1. Air Fryer Paneer Tikka

Paneer tikka is hands down one of the best air fryer vegetarian recipes. No need for a tandoor or grill! Just marinate paneer cubes with thick curd, lemon juice, ginger-garlic paste, tandoori masala, and a little oil. Add diced onions and capsicum for extra crunch and colour.

Thread them onto skewers and air fry at 190°C (375°F) for 10 to 12 minutes, flipping halfway. The edges will be slightly charred and the flavours will be smoky and rich. Perfect for a starter or party appetiser. Serve with green chutney and a squeeze of lime.

2. Air Fryer Samosa

Craving vegetable samosas without deep frying? This version cuts down the oil but not the taste. Prepare a filling of mashed aloo, green peas, chopped green chillies, coriander, and dry masalas like jeera, garam masala, and amchur.

Use samosa sheets or make your own dough. Shape and seal into triangles, brush with oil, and air fry at 185°C (370°F) for 12 to 14 minutes. Flip once.

This is one of those healthy vegetarian air fryer recipes that still brings you all the comfort. Crispy, golden, and just as satisfying. Enjoy with meethi chutney or green chutney.

3. Air Fryer Aloo Tikki

To make aloo tikki in air fryer, mash boiled potatoes and mix with green peas, ginger, coriander leaves, green chillies, and spices like chaat masala, cumin, and salt. Shape into round tikkis.

Coat with panko or suji for extra crunch and air fry at 190°C for 10 minutes till golden. Flip halfway for even browning.

This one definitely belongs in your go-to list of recipes for air fryer vegetarian snacks. Serve hot with curd, chutney or even use in a burger bun with sliced onions and ketchup!

4. Air Fryer Gobi Manchurian

Gobi manchurian is a total crowd-pleaser and one of the more unique air fryer Indian recipes vegetarian style. Start by cutting gobi into bite-sized florets. Blanch for 2–3 minutes, then coat with a batter of besan, rice flour, garlic paste, salt, and red chilli powder. Air fry at 190°C for 10–12 minutes until crispy.

In a pan, sauté garlic, ginger, onion and green chilli. Add soya sauce, vinegar, and red chilli sauce. Toss the crispy gobi in this mix. Garnish with spring onions. Serve hot as a party snack or even with fried rice.

5. Air Fryer Masala Corn

Chop fresh corn on the cob into pieces. Mix melted butter with black salt, red chilli powder, garam masala and lime juice. Brush this masala mix over the corn.

Place in the air fryer at 190°C for 12 to 15 minutes, turning midway. The corn becomes smoky and slightly charred. Sprinkle fresh coriander before serving. Great as a teatime snack or starter. If you’re building your list of easy air fryer recipes vegetarian, this one is a must.

Looking for more corn-based snacks? Try this baby corn cutlet recipe too. It’s another fun air fryer-friendly option when you want something crunchy and satisfying.

6. Air Fryer Moong Dal Dhokla

For making air-fried moong dal dhokla, soak yellow moong dal for 2–3 hours, then grind into a smooth batter with curd, haldi, ginger-chilli paste, and salt. Let it rest for an hour.

Just before air frying, add Eno or baking soda. Pour into a greased tin and air fry at 175°C for 12–15 minutes. Check with a toothpick. Top with tadka: mustard seeds, sesame seeds, curry leaves, and green chillies.

Serve warm with green chutney- soft, fluffy, and full of protein. It’s one of the most underrated healthy vegetarian air fryer recipes you’ll love.

7. Air Fryer Tofu

Looking for vegetarian dishes in air fryer that are protein-packed? This one is perfect, and it’s also one the best vegan air fryer recipes.

Start with cutting cubes of tofu and marinating them in a mix of soya sauce, garlic paste, pepper, and nutritional yeast (optional but adds great umami). Coat with breadcrumbs.

Air fry at 190°C for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway. The outside will get crunchy while the inside remains soft. Serve with spicy peanut dip or toss in stir-fried noodles or rice.

Want a more desi version? Check out this tofu tikka recipe which is packed with Indian spices and works perfectly in the air fryer too.

8. Air Fryer Bhindi Fry

Looking for a crunchy sabzi that’s not deep-fried? Try this air-fried bhindi fry, all the texture, none of the oil overload.

Cut bhindi lengthwise and toss in a mix of besan, red chilli powder, turmeric, amchur, salt, and a little oil. Make sure each piece is coated well.

One of those air fryer recipes vegetarian Indian kitchens should always have on hand. Air fry at 190°C for 12 to 14 minutes till crispy. Shake the basket once or twice for even cooking. Pair with dal-chawal or serve as a crispy snack with chai.

9. Air Fryer Stuffed Capsicum

This classic stuffed capsicum turns even better in the air fryer- slightly charred on the outside, soft and flavourful inside.

Cut the tops off bell peppers and hollow them out. Make a stuffing with mashed aloo, peas, turmeric, garam masala, amchur, and a pinch of chilli powder.

Fill the capsicum generously. Brush the tops with oil and air fry at 185°C for 12 to 15 minutes till the skin softens and chars slightly. Serve with roti or jeera rice. A proper wholesome meal!

Add this to your favourite air fryer Indian recipes vegetarian list for weeknight meals.

10. Air Fryer Cheese Corn Balls

Cheese corn balls are one of the best snacks. In a bowl, mix boiled corn, grated processed cheese, maida, pepper and chilli flakes. Shape into small balls. Coat with breadcrumbs for crunch.

Air fry at 190°C for 10 minutes till golden brown. Serve with tomato ketchup or spicy mayo. A total crowd-pleaser and one of the best air fryer vegetarian recipes for kids and adults alike.

11. Air Fryer Hara Bhara Kabab

Full of greens and flavour, hara bhara kababs are as nutritious as they are tasty. And in the air fryer, they come out perfectly crisp with zero fuss.

Start with making a paste with boiled peas, spinach, green chillies, coriander, and some grated paneer. Mix with breadcrumbs and shape into round kababs. Air fry at 190°C for 10–12 minutes, turning halfway.

They should be crisp and light brown on the outside. Serve with mint chutney or stuff into wraps with salad for a quick meal.

A great addition to your healthy vegetarian air fryer recipes meal prep! Serve with mint chutney or stuff into wraps for a wholesome lunch.

12. Air Fryer Naan Chips

Turn leftover naan into tasty chips. Cut the naan into triangle shapes, then brush each piece with a little oil. Sprinkle some spices like paprika and garlic powder on top for great flavour. Air fry at 180°C for 8 minutes until crisp. Cool completely before storing. It’s great for munching or dipping in hummus, salsa or even leftover dal!

These crispy bites prove how easy air fryer recipes vegetarian style, can be made with minimal effort. Want more chip-style snacks? Try these homemade jackfruit chips too. They’re crispy, flavourful, and totally addictive!

13. Air Fryer Garlic Mushrooms

Toss button mushrooms with olive oil, chopped garlic, salt and paprika. Air fry at 190°C for 10 minutes. The mushrooms will shrink and get beautifully caramelised. Perfect as part of your collection of vegetarian dishes in air fryer rotation for weeknight dinners or sides

Sprinkle some lemon juice and fresh coriander before serving. Acts as a perfect side dish with pulao or as a healthy appetiser. And if you love that Indo-Chinese touch, try these garlic soy mushrooms for a saucier version.

14. Air Fryer Masala Potato Wedges

A go-to when searching for recipes for air fryer vegetarian meals that satisfy all age groups- potato wedges with Indian spices taste so good. To start, take sweet potatoes or regular ones. Cover them well with paprika, cumin, and garam masala.

Next, put the wedges in an air fryer at 375°F. Fry them for about 10 minutes. This will give them crispy sides that are full of flavour from the spices. Serve these wedges with your favourite tangy dip.

Want to try something along the same lines but with a softer centre and spiced crust? These Potato Cutlets are another easy and comforting treat worth making.

15. Air Fryer Baingan Bharta Bites

Another star in your list of air fryer recipes vegetarian Indian families will love. Here’s a fun fusion twist – baingan bharta turned into little snackable bites! Roast large chunks of baingan in the air fryer at 190°C for 12 minutes till soft. Peel and mash the roasted eggplant.

Mix with onions, green chillies, tomatoes, and masalas like garam masala and jeera powder. Shape into small tikki-like bites and air fry again for 6–7 minutes till crisp outside. Serve hot with coconut chutney or curd dip. A fun twist on classic baingan bharta.

Hungry Yet? Why Not Start Air Frying Today?

Air fryers really make Indian vegetarian cooking quicker, healthier, and still full of flavour. Whether you’re craving something spicy, crispy, or comforting for a quick weeknight dinner, these recipes have you sorted.

Try them one by one, or mix and match to create a full meal. You’ll love how easy it is to get that crunchy texture without using much oil. And the best part? Cleaning up is a breeze.

Want more air fryer ideas? Keep experimenting with your favourite Indian ingredients. Trust us, once you start, there’s no going back!

Frequently Asked Questions

Is air fryer good for Indian cooking vegetarian?

Yes, the air fryer is great for making Indian vegetarian recipes. You can get crispy food with only a little bit of oil. You can use it to fry things like samosas, pakoras, and bhindi fry. It is easy to use and needs less oil than normal frying. This helps keep the real taste of the food but makes it healthier with less fat.

What Indian dishes can be cooked in an air fryer?

You can use the air fryer to make many types of Indian food. Try making snacks like air fryer jalapeno poppers, vegetable pakoras, and samosas. You can also cook side dishes, like masala corn. Even main meals like stuffed capsicum turn out well in the air fryer. It needs less oil, so the food is lighter and good for snacks, meals, and desserts!

What Indian food can be made in an air fryer?

Vegetables such as potatoes, cauliflower, and okra work well in the air fryer. You can make meals like aloo tikki or paneer tikka, and even crispy tacos too. The air fryer helps you get crispy food that is full of spices and uses less oil for a healthier and great way to cook.

Is an air fryer good for high-protein vegetarian meals?

High-protein vegetarian foods like tofu, paneer, and chickpeas cook very well in the air fryer. You can make them into crispy snacks or tasty dishes. This is a good way to get protein in your meals and snacks. Using an air fryer to prepare crispy tofu nuggets or chickpeas will help you make quick and easy food that is both good and full of taste.

What are the best air fryers for an Indian recipe?

Top air fryers like Ninja Foodi and COSORI are known for how fast they heat up and for having big baskets. They be great for roasting, grilling, and frying many Indian recipes. These air fryers make weeknight dinners or snacks much easier to make. If you want to get one, look for affiliate links online!

What are some of the best and easy air fryer healthy recipes?

Healthy recipes like roasted Brussels sprouts, sweet potato fries, and air fryer broccoli are great choices. These meals are vegan. They have lots of flavour and are quick to make. You can eat them with dips or a salad. This makes a tasty and good meal that everyone will enjoy. The air fryer works well for sweet potato fries and air fryer falafel, giving you new ways to cook brussels sprouts and more.

How can I adapt traditional Indian recipes for the air fryer?

To make old recipes work in a new way, coat the food with just a little bit of oil and the right seasonings. You can use breadcrumbs or batter if you want it to be crispy. Change the cooking heat and time based on what feel you want the food to have. This way, you can turn classic dishes into air-fried snacks with that taste you love.

How can I achieve crispy textures in my air-fried Indian dishes?

To get a crispy texture, use breadcrumbs and batter when you make your veggies. You should dry the veggies well before you put them in to air frying. Make sure to flip them halfway through. This helps the hot air move around all the veggies. It gives you that crispy outside you want!

What are some easy and vegan Indian recipes?

Vegan-friendly recipes use foods like dhokla made from chickpeas, buffalo cauliflower wings, and sweet potato fries. You can use an air fryer with minimal oil to make these tasty dishes. The air fryer turns basic vegetables, like sweet potato and cauliflower, into crispy and flavourful bites. These snacks are good for appetisers or meals.