Craving Pani Puri? Wondering how to make it at home? With just 2 ingredients and 2 minutes in the air fryer, you can enjoy a delicious batch of Air Fryer Pani Puri. It’s a low-oil or oil-free recipe that’s incredibly effortless.
About Pani Puri made in the air fryer
This is my healthier take on the street food classic, featuring my Air Fryer Pani Puri recipe. It’s made with minimal or even no oil, providing a guilt-free indulgence. In just two minutes and using only two ingredients, you can enjoy the crispy shells and flavourful fillings. It’s a quick and easy way to satisfy your Pani Puri cravings at home.
Wondering what is it? Pani Puri, also known as Puchka or Golgappa, consists of puffed puris filled with a potato-based mixture and spicy, tangy, minty water. Having grown up enjoying these from Mumbai’s street vendors and at home, I have nostalgic memories with these.
I love hosting chaat parties, and Pani Puris are always a crowd-pleaser. Even at my recent Pani Puri party, my guests were amazed that the puris were made in the air fryer.
In my Instant Pot Air Fryer Vortex 6-in-1, I could make 22-23 puris per batch. The quantity may vary depending on your air fryer’s size and size of the puris.
Ingredients
You will only need 2 ingredients:
- Pani Puri Pellets: These ready-to-fry pellets are readily available at local Asian stores. In the UK, you can find brands like Jaimin, JCR, or Saras Gol Gappa raw pellets.
- Oil: Any neutral-flavoured oil works well; I prefer using Sunflower oil. You can also make with no oil, but I prefer the texture and flavour with.
How to Make homemade Pani Puri in the Air Fryer – Step by Step
Place the pani puri raw pellets on a plate. Brush the pellets with oil, ensuring even coverage.
Preheat the air fryer to 180°C for 2-3 minutes. (Some air fryers will prompt you to add food once they have reached the desired temperature like mine.)
Put the pellets into the air fryer basket and air fry for 2 minutes. The puris will puff up and become crispy.
Avoid the temptation to air fry for too long, as the crispy puri will taste burnt. Enjoy your homemade air-fried Puri! These are versatile and can be enjoyed for making pani puri, masala puri, dahi puri and more.
Storing air fryer pani puris
After air frying, let the puris cool at room temperature briefly. Then transfer them to an airtight container. Seal the container tightly until you are ready to use them. They will keep well for up to a week.
Pani recipe for filling the Puri
If you need a Pani Puri water recipe, I’ve got you covered. This spicy, tangy, herb-infused water is delicious when filled inside puris but can also be enjoyed as a refreshing party drink. It’s prepared with coriander, mint, green chillies, spices, lemon and plenty of water.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups Mint leaves
- 1 cup Coriander leaves
- 1-inch sliced Ginger
- 4-6 Green Chillies
- Salt to taste
- 1 litre of Water
- 1 tsp Rock Salt
- 1 tbsp Roasted Cumin Powder
- 1½ tsp Chaat Masala
- 1 tsp Amchur Powder
- 1/2 cup Dates Tamarind Chutney
- Juice of 1 Lemon
Instructions:
- In a blender, combine coriander, mint, ginger, and green chilies with a little water. Blend until smooth and transfer to a large bowl.
- Add salt to taste, 1 liter of water, rock salt, roasted cumin powder, chaat masala, amchur powder, and lemon juice. Stir well.
- While it is optional, I like to add the dates tamarind chutney for a balance of flavours. Mix it in and chill the mixture in the refrigerator until you’re ready to serve.
- Taste the Pani and adjust the spices to your liking. Enjoy the burst of flavors in your Pani Puri!
How to serve Air fryer Pani Puri
To serve, you will need crispy air-fried pani puris, spicy pani, dates tamarind chutney, and a mashed potato filling.
- Create a Hole: To serve, take a puri and carefully create a hole in the top using your thumb. Be gentle to avoid breaking the puri.
- Stuff the Puri: Fill the puri with the potato mixture, leaving room for the pani.
- Dip in Pani: Now, dip your filled puri into the Pani (water). Hold it over the bowl of Pani to let excess water drip off, or you can simply dip it quickly for a burst of flavor.
- Eat Immediately: Once you’ve dipped your Pani Puri, quickly pop the whole thing into your mouth and enjoy the explosion of flavors and textures.
Optional: If you prefer a slightly sweeter pani, add some tamarind chutney into your spicy pani before filling your puris.
FAQ’s about air fryer pani puri
Why should I preheat the air fryer for making air fryer puris?
Think of it like frying in oil. If you add the puris in cold oil, it will not fry until you have reached an ideal temperature for frying. Likewise, the same concept applies to the air fryer. Preheat for even cooking, crispiness and faster cooking.
Can I make air fryer pani puris without oil for a healthier option?
Yes, air fryer pani puris can be prepared with no oil, making them a healthier alternative to traditionally fried puris. But I recommend adding 1 tsp oil per batch for the best taste.
Why does my pani puri deflate or is soft after air frying?
It is because the pani puri is not fried at the right temperature and at a lower temperature than desired. Hence the pani puris are soft and sometimes deflate with time.
How do I keep air fryer pani puris fresh and crispy for an extended period?
To keep air fryer pani puris fresh and crispy, store them in an airtight container at room temperature. Avoid exposure to moisture, and they should retain their crispiness for a few days.
Can I reheat air fryer pani puris if they become soft or lose their crispiness?
Reheating pani puris in the air fryer for a brief time (1-2 minutes) at a lower temperature can help restore some crispiness. Do not overheat and burn them.
Tips
- Preheat the air fryer to ensure that the puris are fried evenly and achieve maximum crispiness.
- After every two to three batches, allow the air fryer to preheat until it reaches the desired temperature before adding more puris.
- Avoid the temptation to add too many pellets that your air fryer basket cannot contain. Overfilling can cause the puris to puff up and come into contact with the air fryer’s heating coil. (I’ve tried it, and I won’t repeat that mistake.)
More Indian street food chaat recipes
Homemade Pani Puri / Puchka / Golgappa made in air fryer
Ingredients
- 20 pani puri pellets
- 1 tsp oil
Instructions
- Preheat the air fryer to 356F/ 180°C for 2-3 minutes. (Some air fryers will prompt you to add food once they have reached the desired temperature.) Place the pani puri raw pellets on a plate.
- Brush the pellets with oil, ensuring even coverage.
- Put the pellets into the air fryer basket and air fry for 2 minutes. The puris will puff up and become crispy.
- Enjoy homemade crispy puris.
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