Air Fryer Indian Recipes for Beginners

If you have just bought an air fryer or are planning to get one, you are not alone. Air fryers have become one of the most popular kitchen gadgets in Indian homes because they make cooking faster, easier, and healthier. Many beginners think that air fryers are only useful for snacks like fries or nuggets, but the truth is that you can make delicious Indian recipes too. From tikkas to parathas and even simple sabzis, the options are endless.

In this beginner-friendly guide, you will learn easy Air Fryer Indian recipes, step-by-step instructions, mistakes to avoid, and helpful cooking tips. As this article is written for MyFirstRecipe readers, you can also explore more simple Indian recipes on our website to improve your cooking confidence.

Let’s begin with the basics and move to tasty recipes you can try today.

What Makes Air Fryer Indian Recipes Perfect for Beginners

Air fryers use hot air instead of deep oil to cook food. This makes them beginner-friendly because the cooking process is simple and requires less monitoring. You do not have to worry about burning food in a kadai or deep frying in hot oil. Everything stays clean and safe.

Many Indian dishes like pakoras, tikkis, tikkas, parathas, and roasted snacks turn out very well in an air fryer. The texture becomes crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, without using too much oil.

For beginners, the biggest advantage is that you can experiment with small portions and learn slowly. Even if you make mistakes, the clean-up is easy, and the cooking time is short, so you can try again quickly.

Tips for Making Indian Recipes in an Air Fryer

Before trying the recipes, keep these simple tips in mind. They will help you get the perfect results even if you are a complete beginner.

Preheat the air fryer

Just like an oven, preheating helps in even cooking. Most air fryers need 3 to 5 minutes of preheating.

Use minimal oil

You only need a light spray or one teaspoon of oil. Too much oil may make the food soggy.

Do not overcrowd the basket

If you fill the basket with too many pieces, the food will not cook evenly. Make space between each piece.

Shake or flip midway

Halfway through the cooking time, shake the basket or flip the pieces. This gives even browning.

Adjust temperature as needed

Some ingredients cook faster. Start with the recommended temperature and adjust based on your air fryer model.

Now let’s explore some easy recipes.

Easy Air Fryer Indian Recipes for Beginners

All the recipes below use simple ingredients commonly found in every Indian kitchen. They require only a few steps and are perfect for first-time air fryer users.

Air Fryer Aloo Tikki

Aloo tikki is one of the easiest snacks to make in an air fryer. It becomes crispy without needing deep frying.

Ingredients

Boiled potatoes, bread crumbs, salt, red chilli powder, chaat masala, coriander leaves, and a little oil.

How to make it

Mash the boiled potatoes and mix in all spices. Form small tikkis. Preheat the air fryer, brush the tikkis with a little oil, and cook at 180°C for 10 to 12 minutes. Flip midway. Serve hot with green chutney.

Air Fryer Paneer Tikka

Paneer tikka is a popular Indian starter that turns out amazing in an air fryer. The paneer stays soft while the edges become slightly crisp.

Ingredients

Paneer cubes, curd, turmeric, red chilli powder, garam masala, ginger-garlic paste, salt, and oil.

How to make it

Mix curd and spices to make a marinade. Coat the paneer and veggies. Preheat the air fryer and cook at 180°C for 8 to 10 minutes. Brush lightly with oil halfway for a golden finish.

Air Fryer Masala Corn

Masala corn is a quick snack for kids and adults. It needs only a few minutes in the air fryer.

Ingredients

Boiled corn, salt, pepper, butter, lemon juice, and chaat masala.

How to make it

Place the corn in a bowl, add melted butter, spices, and mix well. Air fry at 160°C for 5 to 7 minutes. Squeeze lemon and serve warm.

Air Fryer Sabudana Vada

Traditional sabudana vada requires deep frying, but with an air fryer, you can make a healthier version at home.

Ingredients

Soaked sabudana, boiled potatoes, roasted peanuts, salt, green chillies, and cumin.

How to make it

Mix all ingredients and shape the vadas. Preheat the air fryer and cook at 180°C for 12 to 15 minutes. Flip once for even crispiness.

Air Fryer Roasted Vegetables

If you want a light and healthy meal, roasted veggies are perfect. You can eat them with rotis, parathas, or rice.

Ingredients

Carrots, beans, capsicum, baby potatoes, salt, pepper, and olive oil.

How to make it

Cut the veggies into equal pieces. Add oil and spices. Air fry at 180°C for 12 to 15 minutes until soft and slightly crispy.

Air Fryer Bread Pizza

This is a perfect 10-minute recipe for kids or beginners who want a quick meal.

Ingredients

Bread slices, pizza sauce, onions, capsicum, cheese, and mixed herbs.

How to make it

Spread pizza sauce on bread, add veggies and cheese. Air fry at 160°C for 5 to 6 minutes until the cheese melts.

Air Fryer Samosa (Beginner-Friendly Version)

You do not need to deep fry samosas. Using an air fryer, you can make simple samosas at home in much less oil.

Ingredients

Readymade samosa sheets or small dough, boiled potato stuffing, and light oil.

How to make it

Fill the sheets with potato masala, fold properly, and air fry at 180°C for 10 to 12 minutes. Flip once and enjoy with ketchup or chutney.

Air Fryer Paratha (Quick & Easy)

You can heat or lightly crisp parathas in the air fryer. This is handy for busy mornings.

Ingredients

Readymade or homemade parathas and a little ghee or oil.

How to make it

Brush the paratha lightly with oil or ghee. Air fry at 180°C for 3 to 4 minutes. Flip and heat for another 2 minutes.

Simple Air Fryer Tips for Better Results

To improve your cooking skills, keep experimenting with different recipes. Each air fryer model is slightly different, so note down the time and temperature that work best for you.

If you are looking for more beginner-friendly recipes, you can check our easy cooking guides on MyFirstRecipe. They will help you build a strong foundation in cooking, even if you are new to the kitchen.

Common Mistakes Beginners Should Avoid

Many people make small mistakes when they first start using an air fryer. Avoiding these will give you better results.

Using too much oil

An air fryer needs only a small amount of oil. Adding too much will make the food oily instead of crispy.

Skipping preheating

Without preheating, the food may cook unevenly.

Not flipping halfway

If you don’t shake or flip the food midway, one side may remain soft.

Cooking wet batter items

Batter-coated items like pakoras may drip and stick. Instead, make thicker batter or use breadcrumbs.

Ignoring the smoke point

When cooking oily marinated recipes, use oils with higher smoke points.

FAQs on Air Fryer Indian Recipes for Beginners

Can I cook all Indian recipes in an air fryer?

You cannot cook all Indian recipes, but you can cook many snacks, starters, parathas, and roasted sabzis. Wet gravy dishes are not suitable.

Is air fryer cooking healthier than deep frying?

Yes, air fryer cooking uses very little oil, making it healthier than deep frying.

Can I reheat food in an air fryer?

Yes, you can reheat rotis, parathas, samosas, and snacks easily in the air fryer.

Why is my food not crispy?

This happens when you add too much oil, overcrowd the basket, or skip flipping.

How to clean an air fryer?

Let it cool down, remove the basket, wash with mild soap, and wipe the inside gently with a soft cloth.

Final Thoughts

Air fryers make Indian cooking simple, quick, and beginner-friendly. Whether you live alone, are a student, or are new to cooking, these air fryer Indian recipes are easy to try at home. Start with basic recipes like aloo tikki, paneer tikka, and roasted vegetables. As you get comfortable, you can explore more creative dishes. For more step-by-step recipes, visit MyFirstRecipe and discover simple cooking ideas you can make daily.