Share
Diwali is a festival that carries a strong connection to food, and sweets hold a central place in every celebration. The joy of sharing mithai with family and neighbours is a tradition that continues in every household. However, many people today look for ways to make their festive table healthier without losing the warmth of traditional taste. An air fryer allows sweets to be prepared with far less oil, yet the dishes can remain authentic in flavour and texture. The process of using hot air circulation gives mithai a golden finish while avoiding the heaviness that comes with deep frying. Families who once relied on large kadhais of ghee and oil are now finding practical alternatives in modern kitchens, with appliances like the Usha air fryer becoming a useful companion. The focus has shifted towards balance, where health and heritage come together in the same plate.
Gujiya
Gujiya is one of the most cherished Diwali sweets, filled with khoya, nuts, and sometimes dried coconut. Traditionally deep fried, gujiya can be brushed lightly with ghee and cooked in an air fryer until crisp and golden. The filling retains its rich sweetness, and the outer layer achieves the same flaky bite without absorbing excess oil. When cooled and stored properly, air-fried gujiyas keep their texture for several days, making them suitable for gifting as well.
If you don’t have Usha’s Air Fryer, Shop Now 
.
Gulab Jamun
Gulab jamun is often seen as the heart of a mithai platter. Instead of frying the dough balls in deep oil, they can be arranged in an air fryer basket and cooked evenly until browned. Once removed, they can be soaked in warm sugar syrup infused with saffron and cardamom. The result is soft and syrupy, but the use of air frying reduces the heaviness and keeps the portion lighter. Many home cooks prefer using milk powder or paneer-based dough, which also works well with this method.
Shakarpara
Shakarpara is a crisp snack that combines flour, sugar, and ghee. It is usually fried in large batches, but in the air fryer, small portions can be prepared with a light brushing of oil. The pieces puff up nicely and hold their crunch for days, making them ideal to store in airtight jars. Air frying also helps in controlling the level of sweetness, as the sugar coating adheres more evenly without the stickiness that sometimes comes with frying in hot oil. Families often serve shakarpara with tea when guests arrive during Diwali visits, and the air-fried version maintains the same festive spirit.
Mysore Pak
Mysore pak is known for its rich use of ghee and its soft yet firm texture. While the base remains gram flour, sugar, and ghee, an air fryer helps in setting the sweet with less oil floating in the mixture. Once the mixture is poured into a tray, the air fryer provides gentle even heating, which helps the pak to set with fewer cracks and a smoother finish. It still carries the melt-in-mouth quality, though the preparation feels lighter and more approachable. This makes it easier for households to prepare Mysore pak without feeling overwhelmed by excess ghee.
Coconut Ladoo
Coconut ladoo has always been considered one of the easier sweets to prepare, often made in advance to share with friends and relatives. In the air fryer, desiccated coconut can be lightly toasted until aromatic, then combined with condensed milk or jaggery syrup. Rolling the mixture into ladoos while still warm ensures they hold their shape, and the final outcome is fragrant and sweet without being overly heavy. The slight toasting achieved in the air fryer enhances flavour and gives the ladoos a subtle depth that remains festive.
