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Navratri brings together devotion, fasting, and celebration, where food plays an important role in daily rituals as well as in family gatherings. Across households, the dishes served are often adapted to fasting guidelines that avoid grains, pulses, and common table salt, yet creativity in cooking ensures that meals remain festive and satisfying. Many classic snacks are deep fried, which makes them heavy to eat over several days. With the Usha air fryer, these same favourites can be prepared with little oil, retaining their flavour while making them lighter and easier to digest. The appliance also allows a host to prepare several batches quickly, which is especially helpful when guests arrive during evening prayers or gatherings. Presenting a platter with small portions of varied dishes gives an inviting look to the table and lets everyone enjoy without overindulgence.
Here are five fresh recipe ideas that work beautifully for Navratri platters and showcase the versatility of the air fryer.
1. Amaranth And Potato Poppers
Amaranth, or rajgira, is widely used during fasting and provides a nutty taste along with a light crunch. For this dish, boiled potatoes are mixed with amaranth flour, crushed peanuts, and a touch of green chilli. The mixture is shaped into small balls and lightly brushed with ghee before being air fried in the Usha air fryer. They turn crisp on the outside while staying soft inside, making them an appealing finger food for platters. Served with coriander-coconut chutney seasoned with rock salt, these poppers balance tradition with a modern style of preparation.
2. Air-Fried Banana Chips With Sendha Namak
Banana chips are usually deep fried, but with an air fryer they can be made crisp without excessive oil. Raw bananas are sliced thin, lightly coated with ghee, and air fried until golden. Once ready, they are sprinkled with sendha namak and roasted cumin powder. These chips are light enough to fill small bowls on the platter, offering a crunchy element alongside heavier snacks. They also stay fresh for longer, so they can be made in advance when planning for larger gatherings.
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3. Pumpkin And Singhare Flour Cutlets
Pumpkin brings a mild sweetness and pairs well with water chestnut flour, making it perfect for fasting-friendly cutlets. Grated pumpkin is squeezed to remove excess water and combined with singhare ka atta, mashed potato, and green chilli paste. The cutlets are shaped into discs, brushed with ghee, and air fried until crisp. The mild flavour of pumpkin gives these cutlets a unique profile compared to the usual potato-based snacks. They can be served with yoghurt dip flavoured with fresh mint for a refreshing contrast.
4. Shakarkandi And Paneer Skewers
Sweet potato and paneer combine well to create a snack that feels festive and filling. Cubes of boiled sweet potato and paneer are alternated on skewers and coated with a marinade of yoghurt, rock salt, cumin powder, and black pepper. These skewers are then placed in the air fryer until the edges are lightly charred. Once served, they look vibrant on the platter and taste smoky without the need for grilling over open flame. A garnish of pomegranate seeds can be added on top for colour and freshness.
5. Apple And Dry Fruit Kachoris
For a sweet option, small kachoris made with grated apple and dry fruits can be prepared. The filling is made with chopped cashews, almonds, raisins, and grated apple cooked lightly in ghee. The outer layer is formed with kuttu flour dough. These kachoris are air fried until crisp and golden. They bring a festive sweetness to the platter without refined sugar, staying true to fasting guidelines. The combination of apple and dry fruits adds novelty while keeping the preparation balanced and light.
