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Amid the ongoing LPG crisis, along with the festival of Navratri, many households are rethinking how to cook the vrat-friendly dishes, as they need a good amount of cooking time. The recent LPG trouble in India is mostly linked to global supply problems. The ongoing geopolitical tensions in West Asia have largely affected the shipments through the Strait of Hormuz, which is an important route for India’s fuel imports. Since India relies on imports for almost 60% of its LPG, such troubles have led to cost hikes and also a restricted availability in some areas.
While the government has prioritised household supply, commercial usage is still restricted, and prices have increased, making many people more mindful of how they cook.
This is where the importance of appliances like air fryers comes into play. They run on electricity in place of gas, cook meals faster, and also use less oil, comparatively, making them useful not just for comfort but also during these uncertain fuel supply times. During the time when there is a need to be mindful of using an LPG cylinder, but also following Navratri fasting, air fryers offer a simple way to make vrat-friendly snacks without having to compromise on taste or tradition.
Vrat-Friendly Snacks You Can Make In An Air Fryer
Listed below are dishes that keep Navratri rules unchanged while letting you cook smartly with little or no use of LPG.
Sabudana Tikki
Sabudana tikki is a fasting staple that is loved by almost everyone who is keeping fast. It is usually shallow-fried, but in the air fryer, the game is changed. Make the mixture in the same way, like mashing boiled potatoes with soaked sabudana, peanuts, and sendha namak, then shape into small patties. But, instead of standing over a pan, you have to simply brush the tikkis lightly with oil and then air fry until they turn crisp. The outcome you get is cooked, crispy tikkis with a light crunch on the outside and soft from within. It also lowers the use of oil, and you do not have to do constant monitoring, making it ideal for busy days when you want something filling but should be easy to make.
(Image credit: Freepik)
Kuttu Aloo Pakoda
Pakodas are often ignored during fasting because it is assumed that they need deep frying and are time-consuming. But with an air fryer, you can still enjoy that same crunchy taste with little effort. Simply coat the potato slices in a kuttu flour batter flavoured with red chilli and sendha namak, then place them in the air fryer, and spray very little oil on them from above. Set the temperature at 200 degrees and leave for 15 minutes. The pakoras will turn crispy on the outside while being soft from within. This method not only cuts down on oil but also results in no mess from the frying process. It’s a useful way to relish the festive snack without having to worry about fuel usage, which can be significantly reduced in the frying process.
Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potatoes work beautifully when cooked in an air fryer. Cut them into wedges, toss lightly with sendha namak, black pepper and a touch of oil, and then air fry until crisp. Unlike deep frying, cooking in an air fryer brings out their natural sweetness while providing a light crunch. These fries appear to be indulgent but are comparatively light and easy to digest. These sweet potato fries are perfect for evenings when you are looking for something comforting but not too heavy, and also that can be prepared quickly without requiring much babysitting.
(Image credit: Freepik)
Makhana Roasted Mix
Makhana is a loved fasting snack, but roasting it in an air fryer can make it quicker and more evenly crispy. Toss the makhanas with a little ghee, rock salt, and black pepper powder, then air fry for a few minutes. The texture is light and crunchy without requiring constant stirring and fear of burning like in a pan. You can also add some peanuts, cashews or coconut slices for some extra crunch and flavour. This is one of the easiest snacks that you can make once in bulk and store to munch on through the day or when cravings hit.
Singhara Flour Poori Bites
Instead of making full-sized pooris, make small bite-sized discs using singhara atta, and then air fry them. Kneading the dough is simple; all you need is flour, some boiled potatoes, and a pinch of rock salt. Shape the dough into mini pooris, and they puff up slightly, turning crisp without having to be deep-fried. While they won’t copy the exact texture of oil-fried pooris, they offer a lighter option that still feels festive.
Banana Chips
Raw banana chips are often deep-fried, but making them in an air fryer makes them much lighter. Thinly slice the raw bananas, toss with a little oil and sendha namak, and then air fry until crisp. The result is a crunchy snack that does not feel greasy or heavy. It is particularly useful during fasting when you want to have something savoury but also not too heavy or oily. Since they can be stored well, you can make a batch well in advance and use them over a couple of days. This process also reduces dependence on gas while keeping the snack light.
(Image credit: Freepik)
