Navratri fasting does not mean you have to give up on crispy, flavourful snacks. From sabudana vada and crunchy makhana to sweet potato fries and aloo wedges, there are plenty of fasting-friendly dishes that can be made without frying. An air fryer makes it easier to bring that crisp texture to your Navratri menu while using little to no oil. If you are looking for air fryer vrat recipes that are simple enough for everyday cooking, these seven recipes are a good place to start.
Make Navratri Cooking Easier with an Air Fryer
Navratri fasting does not have to mean eating the same few dishes throughout the nine days. With ingredients such as sabudana, potatoes, sweet potatoes, makhana, paneer and raw banana, you can prepare a variety of snacks using an air fryer.
From crispy sabudana vadas to sweet potato fries and roasted makhana, these air fryer vrat recipes can add more variety to your fasting menu while reducing the need for deep frying. Choose ingredients according to your fasting practices and use air fryer to make simple, flavourful fasting food for Navratri at home.
7 Navratri Vrat Recipes to Make in an Air Fryer
1. Air FryerSabudanaTikki
Sabudana vada is a popular fasting snack, and an air fryer can give it a crisp exterior without deep frying.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup soaked sabudana
- 2 medium boiled potatoes
- ½ cup roasted and crushed peanuts
- 1 green chilli, finely chopped
- ½ tsp cumin seeds
- Sendha namak as per taste
- 1 tsp lemon juice
- A little oil for brushing
Method:
Mix the soaked sabudana with mashed potatoes, peanuts, green chilli, cumin, sendha namak and lemon juice. Shape the mixture into small, flat vadas. Lightly brush them with oil and place them in the air fryer basket. Cook until the outside is golden and crisp, turning them halfway through.
2. Air Fryer Sweet Potato Fries
Sweet potatoes are naturally sweet and filling, making them a useful option for fasting. These fries are also an easy way to enjoy healthy vrat recipes without deep frying.
Ingredients:
- 2 medium sweet potatoes
- 1 tsp oil
- Sendha namak
- Roasted cumin powder
- Black pepper
Method:
Peel the sweet potatoes and cut them into evenly sized strips. Toss them with a small amount of oil and the permitted seasonings. Arrange them in a single layer in the air fryer basket and cook until they are lightly crisp on the outside and tender inside. Turn them halfway through cooking.
3. Air FryerFalahari Mixture
When you want something crunchy and savoury during Navratri fasting, this falahari mixture is a great homemade option. It brings together crisp potato, sweet potato, makhana, peanuts and coconut with simple vrat-friendly seasonings. Using an air fryer also helps reduce the amount of oil needed to get everything beautifully crisp.
Ingredients:
- 1 medium potato
- 1 small sweet potato
- 1 small raw banana
- ½ cup makhana
- ½ cup peanuts
- ¼ cup dry coconut slices
- 1 tsp ghee or oil
- Sendha namak, to taste
- ½ tsp roasted cumin powder
- ½ tsp red chilli powder, if permitted
- A pinch of black pepper, if permitted
Method:
Thinly slice the potato, sweet potato and raw banana, then pat them dry. Lightly coat them with oil or ghee and air fry at 160°C until crisp and golden, turning halfway through. Separately, air fry the makhana, peanuts and coconut slices until crunchy. Combine everything in a bowl, season with sendha namak, roasted cumin powder and other vrat-friendly spices, and toss well.
4. Air Fryer Crispy Arbi
Arbi can be turned into a crisp and flavourful fasting snack with very little oil. Seasoned with sendha namak and roasted cumin, these air-fried arbi pieces make a nice change from the more common potato-based vrat snacks.
Ingredients:
- 300 g arbi
- 1–2 tsp oil
- ½ tsp roasted cumin powder
- ½ tsp red chilli powder, if permitted
- Sendha namak, to taste
- ½ tsp lemon juice
- Fresh coriander, if permitted
Method:
Boil the arbi until just tender, allow it to cool and peel it. Cut into thick slices or bite-sized pieces and gently toss with oil, sendha namak and the permitted spices. Arrange in the air fryer basket and cook at 180°C until crisp and golden, turning halfway through. Finish with lemon juice and fresh coriander before serving.
5. Air Fryer Aloo Wedges
Potatoes are commonly included in many fasting diets and can be turned into crispy wedges with minimal oil.
Ingredients:
- 3 medium potatoes
- 1–2 tsp oil
- Sendha namak
- Roasted cumin powder
- Lemon juice
- Black pepper or other permitted seasoning
Method:
Wash the potatoes and cut them into evenly sized wedges. Toss them with oil, sendha namak and the permitted seasonings. Place them in the air fryer basket without overcrowding. Cook until golden and crisp, turning them halfway through. Add a little lemon juice before serving.
These wedges can be served as a snack or alongside a fasting-friendly meal.
6. Air Fryer Paneer Tikka
For those who include dairy products during their fast, paneer tikka can be a filling option. It also works well when you are looking for something different from traditional dishes for Navratri fast.
Ingredients:
- 200 g paneer
- 3 tbsp thick yoghurt
- Sendha namak
- ½ tsp roasted cumin powder
- Lemon juice
- A fasting-friendly spice mix, if permitted
- A little oil
Method:
Cut the paneer into bite-sized pieces. Mix the yoghurt with sendha namak, cumin, lemon juice and permitted spices. Coat the paneer with the mixture and let it rest for a short while. Place the pieces in the air fryer basket and cook until lightly golden around the edges.
Check the ingredients in your spice mix and yoghurt to ensure they fit your fasting practice.
7. Air Fryer Banana Chips
Homemade banana chips can be prepared with less amount of oil in an air fryer. They are a simple option when you want a crunchy snack during Navratri.
Ingredients:
- 2 raw bananas
- 1 tsp oil
- Sendha namak
- Black pepper or another permitted seasoning
Method:
Peel the raw bananas and slice them thinly and evenly. Toss them with a small amount of oil and seasoning. Arrange the slices in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Cook until they become crisp, checking them regularly as thinner slices can brown quickly.
8. Bonus Bite: Give Your Makhana a Crunchy Twist
Makhana is a convenient fasting snack and takes very little preparation. Air frying it can give it a light, crunchy texture.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups makhana
- 1 tsp ghee
- Sendha namak
- Roasted cumin powder
- Black pepper, if permitted
Method:
Toss the makhana with ghee and your preferred fasting-friendly seasonings. Spread them evenly in the air fryer basket. Cook until crisp, shaking the basket once or twice so they roast evenly. Allow them to cool slightly before serving.
This can work well as a light snack when you need quick vrat ka khana between meals.
Which Sujata Air Fryer Can You Use for Navratri Cooking?
Sujata Appliances offers two air fryer models that can be used to prepare a variety of fasting-friendly snacks. Both use Aero 360° air circulation and can help reduce the amount of oil needed for cooking.
| Sujata Air Fryer | Power | Capacity | Key Features | Suitable For |
| Fryomatic | 1700W | 5 L | Aero 360° technology, manual knob controls, removable non-stick basket and auto shut-off timer | Sabudana tikki, makhana, sweet potato fries, aloo wedges and other vrat snacks |
| Fryomatic Plus | 2200W | 6.4 L | Dual heating coil, digital touch controls, preset programs, viewing window and Aero 360° technology | Larger batches of vrat snacks, sabudana tikki, paneer tikka, potatoes and other Navratri dishes |
The Fryomatic is suitable for everyday family cooking, while the Fryomatic Plus offers a larger capacity and additional digital features for preparing bigger batches. Both can be useful for making Navratri snacks and other fasting-friendly dishes with little to no oil.
FAQs
Can I preparevratrecipes in advance and reheat them in an air fryer?
Yes. You can prepare some dishes in advance and reheat them briefly in the air fryer to restore their crisp texture.
Can I use aluminium foil in a Sujata Air Fryer?
Check the model’s instructions before using foil. Ifpermitted, avoid covering the entire basket so that hot air can circulate properly.
How do I clean an air fryer after cookingvratfood?
Allow the appliance to cool completely before cleaning. Remove the basket and wash it with mild dish soap and a soft sponge.
Can I cook frozen fasting snacks in an air fryer?
You can cook packaged frozen snacks only when their ingredients are suitable for your fasting practice and the packaging provides air-fryer cooking instructions.
Can I bake fasting desserts in an air fryer?
Yes. An air fryer can be used for fasting-friendly baked desserts, provided all the ingredients used arepermitted during your fast.
