Cooking Indian food in the air fryer is a little bit like magic. You get all the crispy, creamy, and spicy flavours. Just without the heavy oil or hassle. With the right shortcuts (hello, Boombay sauces!), you’re halfway to homemade Indian food that’s actually doable on a weeknight.
Ready for the easiest, but healthy air fryer recipes? Let’s go!
1. Air Fryer Paneer Tikka
Paneer Tikka is one of those party classics everyone loves. Traditionally grilled in a tandoor, it’s creamy, spicy, and smoky. But here’s the secret: you don’t need a tandoor or even much oil. With an air fryer and a jar of Boombay Garlic Chilli Sauce, you’re already most of the way there—minus the mess, but all the flavor.
Ingredients:
- 200g paneer, cubed
- 2 tbsp thick yogurt
- 2 tbsp Boombay Garlic Chilli Sauce
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 onion, cut into squares
- 1 bell pepper, cut into squares
- 1 tbsp lemon juice
Prep:
- Mix yogurt, Boombay Garlic Chilli Sauce, and all the spices in a bowl.
- Add paneer, onion, and bell pepper. Toss to coat.
- Let it marinate for 20–30 minutes (or overnight for max flavor).
How to Make:
- Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (360°F).
- Thread paneer and veggies onto skewers (optional).
- Air fry for 10–12 minutes, turning halfway, until golden and a little charred.
- Squeeze on lemon and serve
- Creamy, spicy, satisfying, but healthy.
2. Crispy Aloo Tikki, but Healthy
Aloo Tikki is the OG Indian street snack—crunchy on the outside, soft on the inside. Usually, they’re deep-fried, but air frying keeps things crispy, but healthy.
Ingredients:
- 3 medium potatoes, boiled and mashed
- 2 tbsp green peas (optional)
- 1 green chilli, chopped
- 1 tsp chaat masala
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1/2 tsp red chilli powder
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp breadcrumbs (for binding)
- Oil spray
Prep:
-
Mix mashed potatoes, peas, spices, and breadcrumbs.
-
Shape into small, thick patties.
How to Make:
- Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (390°F).
- Arrange tikkis in the basket, spray lightly with oil.
- Air fry for 8–10 minutes per side, until crisp and golden.
- Serve hot with a side of Boombay Schezwan Sauce for a spicy and healthy dip.
3. Air Fried Samosa, but Healthy
Samosas are India’s favorite triangle—spicy potato filling in a crisp shell. Usually deep-fried, but air fried samosas give you all the crunch, but healthy.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup boiled potatoes, mashed
- 1/2 cup green peas
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/2 tsp garam masala
- 1/2 tsp amchur (dry mango powder)
- Salt to taste
- 1 pack samosa pastry sheets
- Oil spray
Prep:
- Heat a pan, add cumin seeds, potatoes, peas, spices, and salt. Cook for 2 minutes.
- Let cool.
- Fill each pastry with 1–2 tbsp filling, fold into triangles, seal edges.
How to Make:
- Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (360°F).
- Arrange samosas, spray lightly with oil.
- Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway, until crisp and golden.
- Serve with Boombay Garlic Chilli Sauce, the shortcut to tangy, spicy dipping, but healthy.
4. Gobi Manchurian (Air Fried)
Gobi Manchurian is Indo-Chinese comfort food: battered cauliflower tossed in a sticky, spicy sauce. Usually a deep-fried affair, but air fryer cauliflower stays just as crisp, minus the guilt.
Ingredients:
- 1 medium cauliflower, cut into florets
- 1/2 cup chickpea flour
- 2 tbsp cornflour
- 1/2 tsp chilli powder
- Salt
- 1/3 cup water
- 1/2 cup Boombay Teriyaki Sauce
- Spring onions, chopped (for garnish)
Prep:
- Mix flours, chilli powder, salt, and water into a thick batter.
- Dip each floret in batter.
How to Make:
- Air fry battered cauliflower at 200°C (390°F) for 15 minutes, shaking halfway.
- Toss hot cauliflower in warmed Boombay Teriyaki Sauce until coated.
- Sprinkle with spring onions and serve right away—crunchy, saucy, but healthy.
5. Tandoori Chicken (Air Fried!)
Tandoori Chicken is smoky, spicy, and juicy. A must for any gathering. Air frying keeps the chicken tender and charred at the edges.
Ingredients:
- 500g chicken thighs or drumsticks
- 3 tbsp thick yogurt
- 2 tbsp lemon juice
- 2 tbsp Boombay Garlic Chilli Sauce
- 1 tsp garam masala
- 1 tsp chilli powder
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- Salt
Prep:
- Score chicken, then mix with yogurt, lemon juice, Boombay Garlic Chilli Sauce, and spices.
- Marinate at least 2 hours (overnight is best).
How to Make:
- Preheat the air fryer to 190°C (375°F).
- Place chicken in basket, air fry for 20–22 minutes, turning halfway, until charred at the edges and cooked through.
- Juicy, spicy, but healthy.
6. Air Fryer Schezwan Fries
Fries are always a win. Give them a spicy Indian twist and you’ve got snack perfection. Crispy outside, fluffy inside, but healthy.
Ingredients:
- 2 large potatoes, sliced into fries
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp chaat masala
- 1/2 tsp chilli powder
- 1 tsp Boombay Schezwan Sauce (for tossing)
- Salt
Prep:
- Soak the fries in water for 20 minutes. Pat dry.
- Toss with oil, salt, and spices.
How to Make:
- Air fry at 200°C (390°F) for 15–18 minutes, shaking halfway, till golden and crisp.
- Toss with Boombay Schezwan Sauce for a fresh, zesty finish, but healthy.
7. Onion Pakora (Air Fried)
Onion Pakoras are crunchy fritters that are usually deep-fried, but the air fryer makes them just as crispy.
Ingredients:
- 2 onions, thinly sliced
- 1 cup chickpea flour
- 1 green chilli, chopped
- 1/2 tsp turmeric
- 1/2 tsp chilli powder
- 1/2 tsp cumin seeds
- Salt
- Water
Prep:
- Mix onions, chickpea flour, spices, salt, and enough water to form a sticky mixture.
How to Make:
- Drop spoonfuls onto a lined air fryer basket.
- Air fry at 180°C (360°F) for 10–12 minutes, until golden and crisp, flipping halfway.
- Serve with a side of Boombay Garlic Chilli Sauce.
8. Kurkuri Bhindi
Crispy okra, or Kurkuri Bhindi, is one of those Indian snacks you just can’t stop eating. With the air fryer, it’s light, crunchy, but healthy.
Ingredients:
- 200g okra, thinly sliced
- 2 tbsp chickpea flour
- 1 tsp cumin powder
- 1/2 tsp amchur
- 1/2 tsp chilli powder
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1 tbsp oil
- 2 tbsp Boombay Roasted Sesame
Prep:
- Add 2 tbsp of roasted sesame in the batter along with the powdered flours and spices.
- Toss okra with all ingredients until coated.
- How to Make:
- Air fry at 200°C (390°F) for 12–15 minutes, shaking basket every few minutes.
9. Paneer Popcorn, but Healthy
If you love nuggets, you’ll love Paneer Popcorn—little bites of crunchy, spicy paneer. Air frying keeps them creamy inside, crisp outside, but healthy.
Ingredients:
- 200g paneer, cut into cubes
- 1/2 cup breadcrumbs
- 2 tbsp cornflour
- 1/2 tsp black pepper
- 1/2 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp paprika
- 1 tbsp Boombay Garlic Vegan Mayo (to brush)
Prep:
- Toss paneer with cornflour, salt, and pepper.
- Roll in breadcrumbs.
- How to Make:
- Air fry at 200°C (390°F) for 10–12 minutes.
10. Khatte Aloo
Bombay Potatoes are classic Indian street food—spicy, vibrant, and perfectly crisp. In the air fryer, they’re golden, fluffy, but healthy.
Ingredients:
- 300g baby potatoes, halved
- 1 tbsp oil
- 1 tsp turmeric
- 1 tsp chilli powder
- 3 tbsp Boombay Garlic Chilli Sauce
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ lime squeezed
Prep:
- Boil potatoes for 5 minutes. Drain and toss with spices and oil.
- How to Make:
- Air fry at 200°C (390°F) for 15–18 minutes, shaking halfway.
Sauces, Dips, Marinades, but Healthy & Convenient?
At Boombay, we never use refined sugars or refined oils in any of our products. Instead, we craft each jar with nuts, seeds, and globally-inspired flavors. You get sauces that don’t just taste good, but make you feel good.
Real ingredients, bold flavors, and zero compromises.
Choose from our complete range of products here →
Premium quality without the premium prep time.
Made any of these? Tag us on Instagram @boombayway with your creations! Let’s see how you make your Indian favorites, but healthy. Boombay style.
FAQ
Q. What is the best food to cook in an air fryer?
Air fryers work magic with anything that needs to be crisped or roasted—vegetables, chicken, paneer, fries, even snacks like samosas and pakoras. The hot air ensures food is crunchy outside and juicy or creamy inside, but healthy.
Q. What Indian food can be cooked in an air fryer?
You can air fry almost any Indian snack or starter: Paneer Tikka, Aloo Tikki, samosas, Gobi Manchurian, and more. Even classic dishes like Tandoori Chicken and Bombay Potatoes are perfect for air frying, but healthy.
Q. Can I fry an egg in an air fryer?
Yes, just crack an egg into a small, oven-safe dish and air fry at 180°C (360°F) for 6–8 minutes for a set white and runny yolk. Plate and serve after adding a swirl of Boombay’s 5 Chilli Oil for a flavourful finish. Super convenient and no extra oil required.
Q. What food cannot use an air fryer?
Very wet batters (like tempura) or very lightweight items (like leafy greens) can be tricky, since they might not cook evenly or could get blown around. Stick to heartier veggies, proteins, or pre-breaded foods for best results.
Q. Can we cook rice in an air fryer?
Not directly. Rice needs water to cook, so it’s better to boil or steam it first, then reheat or crisp up the rice in the air fryer for certain dishes.
Q. Can you put aluminum foil in an air fryer?
Yes, but make sure it’s weighed down and doesn’t touch the heating element. Use foil to line the basket for easy cleanup, especially for messy or sticky foods.
Q. Is it safe to fry chicken in an air fryer?
Yes! Chicken comes out juicy inside and crispy outside, but healthy. Just season and air fry; no need for deep frying in oil.
