Diwali celebrations are incomplete without delicious snacks shared with family and friends. From crispy samosas to spicy chakli, festive treats are an important part of the celebrations. However, preparing several snacks at once can take time, especially when you are hosting guests or organising a Diwali party.
An air fryer can make festive cooking more convenient. It uses hot-air circulation to cook food and can help achieve a crisp texture with little to no oil, depending on the recipe. You can prepare a variety of savoury snacks, from potato-based favourites to paneer bites and roasted makhana.
If you are planning your festive menu, these air fryer snacks are easy options to try at home. Here are ten ideas for making Diwali snacks in air fryer with simple ingredients and straightforward preparation steps.
Why Use an Air Fryer for Diwali Snacks?
An air fryer can be useful during Diwali because it offers another way to prepare snacks without deep-frying every dish. It circulates hot air around the food, helping the outside become crisp while the inside cooks.
It can also help you manage multiple preparations during a busy festive evening. You can prepare the ingredients in advance, cook snacks in batches, and serve them fresh to your guests.
Air frying may reduce the amount of oil needed compared with traditional deep frying, although the final result depends on the recipe and ingredients. It is a convenient option for people looking for healthy Diwali snacks without giving up familiar festive flavours.
10 Easy Diwali Snacks to Make in an Air Fryer
An air fryer can be used for more than making French fries. Depending on the recipe, basket capacity and temperature settings, it can help prepare snacks, vegetables, main dishes and selected baked items.
1. Samosas
Samosas are a popular festive snack with a crisp outer layer and a spicy potato filling. You can make small samosas at home or use ready-made ones that are suitable for air frying.
Ingredients:
- Small samosa pastry sheets or prepared samosa wrappers
- 2 boiled potatoes
- ½ cup green peas
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- Chilli powder and salt to taste
- A little oil for brushing
Method:
- Mash the boiled potatoes and mix them with peas, cumin, garam masala, chilli powder, and salt.
- Fill the pastry sheets with the mixture and seal the edges properly.
- Lightly brush the samosas with oil.
- Preheat the air fryer to around 180°C and cook for approximately 12–18 minutes, turning them as needed, until golden and cooked through.
Cooking time will vary depending on the size and whether the samosas are fresh or frozen. These are convenient snacks for Diwali party menus because they can be prepared in small batches.
2. Kachori
Kachoris are crisp, filled pastries that pair well with chutney. Smaller versions can be convenient for festive gatherings.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- ¼ cup moong dal, soaked and drained
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- ½ teaspoon coriander powder
- Chilli powder and salt to taste
- Water and a little oil
Method:
- Mix the flour with a little oil, salt, and enough water to make a firm dough.
- Grind the soaked dal coarsely and cook it with cumin, coriander powder, chilli powder, and salt until the filling is relatively dry.
- Divide the dough into small portions, fill each one, and seal carefully.
- Brush lightly with oil and air fry at around 170–180°C for 15–22 minutes, turning as needed.
Check that the pastry is cooked through before serving. Since kachoris can be dense, avoid making them too large or overfilling them.
3. Aloo Tikki
Aloo tikki is an easy snack made with mashed potatoes and spices. It works well as a starter and can be served with mint chutney or tamarind chutney.
Ingredients:
- 3 boiled potatoes
- 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- Chilli powder and salt to taste
- Chopped coriander
- A little oil
Method:
- Mash the potatoes and mix them with breadcrumbs, cumin powder, chilli powder, salt, and coriander.
- Shape the mixture into small, flat patties.
- Brush or spray a little oil on both sides.
- Air fry at around 180°C for 12–16 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden on the outside.
Allow the patties to firm up before placing them in the basket. This helps them hold their shape during cooking.
4. Paneer Tikka
Paneer tikka adds variety to a festive snack platter. The paneer is coated in a spiced yoghurt marinade and cooked until lightly charred around the edges.
Ingredients:
- 200 g paneer, cut into cubes
- 3 tablespoons thick yoghurt
- ½ teaspoon red chilli powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- ½ teaspoon turmeric
- Salt to taste
- Onion and capsicum pieces, optional
Method:
- Mix the yoghurt with the spices and salt.
- Add the paneer and vegetables, then coat them evenly with the marinade.
- Let the mixture rest for 15–20 minutes.
- Arrange the pieces in the basket without crowding them.
- Air fry at around 180°C for 8–12 minutes, turning halfway through.
Avoid using an overly watery marinade, as excess moisture can affect browning. Serve with mint chutney and lemon wedges.
5. Chakli
Chakli is a traditional savoury snack known for its spiral shape and crunchy texture. Air-frying chakli requires a suitable dough that holds its shape and cooks evenly.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup rice flour
- ¼ cup gram flour
- ½ teaspoon sesame seeds
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- A pinch of turmeric
- Salt and chilli powder to taste
- Water and a little oil
Method:
- Combine the flours, sesame seeds, cumin, turmeric, salt, and chilli powder.
- Add water gradually to make a soft but firm dough.
- Shape the dough into small spirals using a chakli press.
- Place the spirals carefully in the air fryer basket and brush lightly with oil.
- Cook at around 160–170°C for 10–15 minutes, checking regularly until cooked and crisp.
Air-fried chakli may have a different texture from traditionally deep-fried chakli. Test a small batch first and adjust the temperature and time as needed.
6. Mathri
Mathri is a crisp, savoury snack commonly served with tea. Small, evenly shaped pieces work well for air-fryer preparation.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tablespoons semolina
- ½ teaspoon carom seeds
- Salt to taste
- 2 tablespoons oil
- Water as needed
Method:
- Mix the flour, semolina, carom seeds, salt, and oil.
- Add a little water and knead into a firm dough.
- Roll it out and cut into small discs. Prick each disc with a fork.
- Brush lightly with oil and arrange in a single layer.
- Air fry at around 160–170°C for 12–18 minutes, turning as needed.
Let the mathri cool before storing it in an airtight container. Cooling helps the texture become firmer.
7. Bread Rolls
Bread rolls filled with spiced potatoes are a familiar snack that can be made using an air fryer.
Ingredients:
- 4 slices of bread
- 2 boiled potatoes
- ½ teaspoon cumin powder
- Chilli powder and salt to taste
- Chopped coriander
- Water for moistening the bread
- A little oil
Method:
- Mash the potatoes and mix with the spices, salt, and coriander.
- Trim the bread crusts if desired and lightly moisten each slice.
- Place some filling in the centre, roll the bread around it, and seal the edges.
- Brush lightly with oil and place in the basket.
- Air fry at around 180°C for 8–12 minutes, turning halfway through.
Do not soak the bread, as excess water can make the rolls difficult to shape and crisp.
8. Corn Kebabs
Corn kebabs are a colourful option for festive gatherings. Sweet corn, potatoes, and spices create a mixture that can be shaped into small patties.
Ingredients:
- 1 cup boiled sweet corn
- 1 boiled potato
- 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- Chilli powder and salt to taste
- Chopped coriander
- A little oil
Method:
- Coarsely crush the sweet corn and mash the potato.
- Mix with breadcrumbs, spices, salt, and coriander.
- Shape into small kebabs or patties.
- Brush with oil and air fry at around 180°C for 10–15 minutes, turning halfway through.
If the mixture feels too soft, add a little more breadcrumbs. This helps the kebabs hold their shape during cooking.
9. Veg Cutlets
Vegetable cutlets are a useful way to combine different vegetables in one snack. They can be served with chutney or tomato sauce.
Ingredients:
- 1 boiled potato
- ½ cup boiled mixed vegetables
- 2 tablespoons breadcrumbs
- ½ teaspoon garam masala
- Chilli powder and salt to taste
- A little oil
Method:
- Mash the potato and vegetables together.
- Add the breadcrumbs, spices, and salt, then mix well.
- Shape the mixture into small, flat cutlets.
- Brush both sides with a little oil.
- Air fry at around 180°C for 10–15 minutes, turning halfway through.
Make sure the mixture is not too wet. If needed, add breadcrumbs to help the cutlets hold their shape and cook evenly.
10. Roasted Makhana
Roasted makhana is one of the simplest air fryer snacks to prepare. It requires very little preparation and can be seasoned to suit your taste.
Ingredients:
- 2 cups makhana
- 1 teaspoon ghee or oil
- ½ teaspoon chaat masala
- A pinch of black pepper
- Salt to taste
Method:
- Toss the makhana with ghee or oil.
- Place it in the air fryer basket in a reasonably even layer.
- Air fry at around 160°C for 5–8 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through.
- Add chaat masala, pepper, and salt after cooking.
- Allow the makhana to cool before serving.
Check frequently because makhana is lightweight and can brown quickly. This is an easy option to include in your Diwali snack recipes when you want something that takes less preparation than filled snacks.
Tips for Making Diwali Snacks in an Air Fryer
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Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheating can help the appliance reach the desired cooking temperature before you add the food. Follow the instructions for your model, as preheating requirements can vary. A short preheat is often useful for snacks that need a crisp exterior.
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Avoid Overcrowding the Basket
Hot air needs space to circulate around the food. Arrange samosas, tikkis, paneer, and cutlets in a single layer whenever possible. Cook in batches if needed and shake or turn the food halfway through for even browning.
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Set the Right Temperature and Cooking Time
Different snacks need different cooking settings. Small items such as makhana cook quickly, while thicker kachoris and cutlets need more time. Treat the temperatures and times in these recipes as starting points and check the food regularly. Adjust based on the size of the pieces and your air fryer’s instructions.
Make Diwali Snacking Easier With Sujata Fryomatic
Sujata Appliances offers the FRYOMATIC range for people who want another way to prepare snacks and everyday meals. Both models use rapid hot-air circulation to help cook food with little to no oil, depending on the recipe, and feature removable non-stick baskets for easier cleaning.
| Model | Key Features |
| FRYOMATIC | 1500W heating, 5-litre capacity, Aero 360° Technology, and manual controls |
| FRYOMATIC PLUS | 2000W heating, 6.4-litre capacity, dual heating coils, digital touch controls, preset programmes, and a viewing window |
The FRYOMATIC offers a 5-litre capacity for everyday cooking, while the FRYOMATIC PLUS has a larger 6.4-litre capacity and additional digital features. Both can be considered for preparing suitable festive snacks, roasting vegetables, and cooking other foods that benefit from circulating hot air.
With a little planning, Diwali snacks in air fryer can be part of a festive menu that includes traditional favourites and lighter snack options. Prepare the ingredients ahead of time, cook in batches, and serve your snacks fresh for your guests.
FAQs
1. Can traditional Diwali snacks be made in an air fryer?
Yes, many snacks such as samosas, aloo tikki, paneer tikka, cutlets, and roasted makhana can be prepared in an air fryer. Some traditional snacks may have a different texture from deep-fried versions, so the recipe and cooking settings may need adjustment.
2. Do I need to preheat an air fryer for snacks?
Preheating can help the air fryer reach the cooking temperature before you add the food. Follow the instructions for your model and recipe, as not every snack requires the same preheating time.
3. Can I make snacks in batches in an air fryer?
Yes. Preparing snacks in batches is often helpful when cooking for a Diwali gathering. Avoid overcrowding the basket so that hot air can circulate around the food. Keep finished batches warm in an appropriate way while the remaining snacks cook.
