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Navratri is a time when households across India prepare meals using ingredients that respect fasting customs. While the festival is observed in different ways across regions, the rules of the kitchen remain central. Grains are replaced with alternatives like rajgira, kuttu, or singhara, and meals are often light but filling. In recent years, many home cooks have found the air fryer to be a convenient addition to their kitchens. Appliances such as the Usha air fryer allow fasting recipes to be prepared with far less oil while still delivering the taste and texture that people look forward to during these nine days.
Sabudana Vada With Less Oil
Sabudana is one of the most common ingredients during Navratri, and vadas made with it are almost expected on the table. Traditionally these vadas are deep-fried, but the air fryer makes them crisp without needing to submerge them in oil. The mixture of soaked sabudana, boiled potatoes, peanuts, green chillies, and cumin can be shaped into patties and brushed lightly with ghee before placing in the basket. The result is golden on the outside and soft inside, with a fraction of the oil used in the classic method.
Rajgira Patties
Rajgira, or amaranth flour, holds a significant place during fasting days. It is known for being light on digestion while still giving energy. Patties made from rajgira flour mixed with mashed potato and mild spices can be shaped and air-fried until crisp. These patties are often served with curd or a coriander chutney prepared without onions or garlic. Air frying makes the outer layer firm and appealing while ensuring the centre stays soft.
Kuttu Ki Tikki
Buckwheat flour or kuttu is used across North Indian households during Navratri. The flour can be combined with boiled potatoes, sendha namak, and chopped green chillies to make small tikkis. In the air fryer, these tikkis require only a brushing of oil or ghee and come out evenly browned. The nuttiness of the flour and the warmth of the spices make them filling, especially for the evening meal when many people break their fast.
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Sweet Potato Chips
Sweet potato or shakarkandi is another important fasting ingredient that is also considered sattvik. Thin slices of sweet potato, coated lightly with rock salt and ghee, can be placed in the air fryer basket and cooked until they curl at the edges. They provide a natural sweetness, balanced with the salt, and work as a snack that is easy to prepare. Unlike fried chips, these remain light and do not leave an oily aftertaste.
Makhana Namkeen
Makhana, or foxnuts, are often roasted during Navratri and eaten as a snack. In the air fryer, they can be made evenly crisp in minutes. A little ghee, rock salt, and black pepper is all that is needed. Air frying gives them a uniform crunch without constant stirring. They can be stored in an airtight container and eaten over several days of the festival.
Singhara Dhokla
Singhara flour is another flour used during fasting. It can be steamed into a soft dhokla and then lightly crisped in the air fryer. This preparation requires the batter to be made with singhara flour, curd, and sendha namak, steamed in a tray, and then cut into squares. Air frying the squares for a short time gives them a light golden surface that pairs well with green chutney.
Paneer Tikka Without Onion And Garlic
Paneer remains permitted during Navratri in many households. A simple marinade of curd, sendha namak, green chilli, and cumin can be used to coat cubes of paneer and capsicum. The air fryer cooks the skewered paneer evenly, giving it the roasted edges that are otherwise only possible on an open flame or in a tandoor. This preparation works well for the evening meal and brings variety to the menu.
Kachhe Kele Ki Tikki
Raw banana or kachha kela is often boiled and mashed to create fasting dishes. Combined with singhara flour, green chilli, and cumin, it makes a soft mixture that can be shaped into tikkis. When placed in the air fryer, they develop a crisp crust with very little oil. These tikkis are commonly served with fresh yoghurt or mint chutney, keeping in line with fasting rules.
Apple And Cinnamon Chips
Fruits are a natural choice during Navratri, but they can also be turned into interesting snacks. Apple slices sprinkled with cinnamon and a touch of rock sugar can be arranged in the air fryer until they become crisp. These chips provide a light sweet snack and are often enjoyed by children in the family during fasting days. They are simple to prepare and store well in jars.
Sama Rice Cutlets
Sama rice, also called barnyard millet or vrat ke chawal, is widely consumed during Navratri. Cooked sama rice can be combined with boiled potato, green chilli, and coriander to form cutlets. When air-fried, they hold together well and develop a golden exterior. This makes them easy to serve as part of a meal or as a snack with chutney.
