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During Indian festivals, the thali takes on a special significance as it represents abundance, hospitality and community. Families come together to prepare a wide spread of dishes that combine savoury snacks, rich curries, vegetables, breads, rice, chutneys and sweets. While every household has its own tradition, the idea remains that the thali should feel complete and celebratory. In recent years, many home cooks have begun adapting traditional methods of cooking with modern appliances. The air fryer has become popular because it allows people to prepare familiar festive recipes in a way that feels lighter without losing flavour. Using an appliance like the Usha Air Fryer can reduce excess oil and shorten cooking time, which is particularly useful during busy celebrations when multiple dishes need to be made.
Air Fryer Moong Dal Kachori With Spiced Filling
Kachori is one of the most loved festive snacks, though it is usually deep fried. The moong dal version, with a stuffing of spiced lentils, coriander and fennel seeds, is particularly popular in northern India. In the air fryer, the dough rounds can be brushed with oil and cooked until crisp and golden. This method produces a flaky crust while reducing heaviness, which makes it suitable for a large festive spread where several dishes are already rich. On the thali, the kachori represents indulgence and festive charm in a lighter way.
Air Fryer Hara Bhara Kebab With Spinach And Peas
Hara bhara kebab offers a vibrant green snack made with spinach, peas and potatoes, bound together with breadcrumbs and flavoured with spices. When air fried, the kebabs gain a crisp exterior while remaining soft inside. They can be shaped into tikkis or small patties, which makes them easy to serve alongside chutneys on the thali. The addition of leafy greens also gives a refreshing element to the platter, balancing the dense fried snacks and sweets.
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Air Fryer Vegetable Samosa For The Platter
The samosa is an essential part of many festive spreads. The filling, which usually includes potatoes, peas, spices and sometimes paneer, is prepared in advance. Traditionally, the dough is rolled, filled, and deep fried until crisp. Using the air fryer, shaped samosas can be brushed with oil and cooked until the crust turns evenly golden. While the texture differs slightly from deep frying, the taste and aroma remain authentic, and the lower oil content makes it suitable for families seeking a lighter thali. When served with tamarind chutney, the samosa adds familiarity and indulgence to the festive plate.
Air Fryer Tandoori Aloo For The Thali
Small potatoes coated with yoghurt, chilli powder, garam masala and kasuri methi are usually roasted or fried. In the air fryer, marinated baby potatoes can be cooked until they develop a firm outer layer while remaining soft inside. This preparation is quick and allows multiple batches to be prepared in succession, which is useful when hosting larger gatherings. The dish brings warmth and flavour to the thali and pairs well with rotis and rice. Tandoori aloo made in the air fryer has the advantage of uniform cooking, which reduces the effort needed compared with pan-frying.
Air Fryer Mathri With A Crisp Finish
Mathri, the flaky and spiced biscuit-like snack, holds an important place in festive thalis, particularly in northern India. Traditionally, the dough is shaped into small discs and deep fried until crisp. In the air fryer, the discs can be brushed with ghee or oil before cooking, resulting in a lighter yet still crunchy texture. Mathri keeps well for several days, which makes it practical for festivals when snacks are made in larger quantities. When placed on the thali, mathri offers a savoury contrast to the sweet dishes and provides a traditional touch that families value.
Air Fryer Gulab Jamun For The Sweet Section
A festive thali would feel incomplete without a sweet dish. Gulab jamun remains one of the most popular desserts prepared during Diwali and other light festivals. The dough is shaped into small balls and usually deep fried before being soaked in sugar syrup flavoured with cardamom and rose. With the air fryer, the dough balls can be cooked until they develop a uniform brown layer. Once cooled slightly, they can be immersed in warm syrup. The result is a dessert that has the same richness in taste with a lighter preparation method. Serving gulab jamun made in this way on a thali allows families to enjoy a traditional favourite with less heaviness after a large meal.
