Who doesn’t love easy, flavorful, and healthy recipes? An air fryer lets you make food with less oil. This collection of 25 Air Fryer Indian Recipes has plenty of choices for appetizers, main course, and side dishes that are extremely flavorful!

25 Best Air Fryer Indian Recipes
Want to save this recipe?
Just enter your email and get it sent to your inbox! Plus you’ll get new recipes from us every week!

Indian food has been growing in popularity all over the world. Why wouldn’t it? It is so flavorful and healthy, with all the wonderful spices and a variety of vegetarian and gluten-free options.

Indian cooking can sometimes be elaborate and take a lot of time. What I love about the air fryer is that most of the cooking is hands-free and does not need my active attention. With so much less time, you only have to season the meats or veggies and put them in the air fryer. Then relax or do other things while your food gets cooked.

You won’t believe there are so many things you can cook in the air fryer, from main to sides, from dessert to snack, everything with so much less oil. And they all taste amazing.

An air fryer is great for cooking vegetarian food, as well as chicken and seafood. Here is my collection of 20+ vegetarian air fryer recipes.

Air Fryer Indian Vegetarian Recipes:

Aloo Gobi

Indian Roasted Aloo Gobi (Potatoes and Cauliflower) in a bowl

Aloo Gobi is one of the most loved North Indian side dishes. It is not only popular to order at restaurants but also something made frequently by home cooks.

This Roasted Aloo Gobi is so good! All you need to do is toss cauliflower and potatoes in spices, roast in the air-fryer or oven, and have the perfect Indian veggie dish. No mushy cauliflower and it takes less than 20 minutes to put together!

Onion Bhaji

Air fryer onion pakora in white plate

The crispy and golden Air Fryer Pakoras are cooked to perfection! These Air fried onion bhajis are made with sliced onions, gram flour (besan), and spices.

These crunchy, flavorful fritters are a perfect snack with a cup of masala chai! 

Tandoori Aloo Tikka

Tandoori aloo tikka on skewers in a platter

Baby potatoes are marinated in a delightful combination of yogurt and spices, then threaded onto skewers and cooked in the air fryer to create this heavenly appetizer.

You can make these potatoes without the skewers too. They are perfect for a vegetarian tandoori starter.

Paneer Tikka (Air Fryer, Oven & Grill Recipe)

Low carb Paneer tikka masala in a white plane

The best restaurant-style Tandoori Paneer Tikka at home. With marinated paneer and crispy vegetables, this Indian appetizer is packed with lots of flavor. Enjoy paneer tikka with this easy recipe in the air fryer, oven, or grill!

Hariyali Paneer Tikka

Hariyali Green Paneer Tikka served with lime and green chutney

Hariyali Paneer Tikka is a delectable Indian appetizer made with cubes of soft paneer, crisp bell pepper, and onions marinated in cilantro and mint, along with yogurt and spices. Enjoy this quick and easy Haryali paneer tikka that can be made in the air fryer, oven, or grill!

Tandoori Paneer Naan Pizza

Tanddori Paneer Naan Pizza Air Fryer Oven

Who doesn’t love a good pizza? And this quick and easy version using naan as a base is amazing. Vegetarian, easy, and convenient.

Tandoori Paneer Naan Pizza is made with marinated paneer, red peppers, onions, grape tomatoes, and Varying toppings of your choice.

This is a delicious and quick fusion pizza for the times when you are craving pizza!

Vada Pav

Vada Pav Air Fryer

This Vada Pav is the humble street food of Mumbai. A fried potato fritter is stuffed between dinner rolls and sweet and spicy sauces or chutney.

Now, with this air fryer version to make the vada, you can skip the deep frying and enjoy homemade Vada Pav even on a weekday!

Sabudana Vada

Sabudana vada in a plate with chutney

Sabudana Vada is a traditional Maharashtrian snack made from tapioca pearls (sago), potatoes, peanuts, herbs, and spices. These sago fritters are delicous! This is a vegan, gluten-free, and simple fasting recipe.

This tasty snack includes peanuts, which gives it a nice crunchy texture. This recipe for evening tea is ready in under 30 minutes if you have the sago pearls pre-soaked. 

Paneer Puff

Paneer Puff Pastry Turnovers Air Fryer Oven Main 4.3

These Paneer Puffs have a flaky golden crust filled with spicy, flavorful paneer.

You can buy puff pastry sheets and add your favorite filling – potatoes, ground meat, paneer, or cheese.

A perfect easy appetizer for a party that can be prepared ahead of time. So easy and delicious with chai!  

Spicy Corn on the Cob

Spicy grilled corn on the Cobb in a plate with a lime

This grilled Air Fryer Corn on the Cob is so easy to make and so good!

It is one of our favorite summer treats. It takes minimal effort, and everyone loves it. Spice it up the way you like, and enjoy it as an appetizer, snack, or side!

Mawa Gujiya

Mawa gujiya in a pretty place with holi colors spread around

Mawa Gujiya is an authentic Indian sweet fried dumpling with a crispy, flaky crust filled with a mixture of mawa (milk solids), nuts, and coconut.

It is easy to make but takes time and patience. Hence, this delicious treat is made during special occasions such as the festivals of Holi and Diwali.

Samosa Jalapeno Poppers

Indian cheesy samosa jalapeno poppers with tamarind chutney

Cheesy Samosa Jalapeno Poppers is an Indian fusion twist to the favorite party appetizer.

These Samosa jalapeno poppers have spicy potato and peas filling. And jalapeños are spicy, so this appetizer has a wonderful spice kick. 

This vegetarian and gluten-free version is made in the air fryer for samosa lovers.

Bharwa Bhindi (Stuffed Okra)

Bharwa Bhindi (Stuffed bhindi) served in a plate with lemon wedges and the stuffed spices on the side.

Bharwa Bhindi, which means Stuffed Okra,, is a popular Indian side dish in which the okra is stuffed with spicy and tangy masala filling.

This vegan & gluten-free dish is a perfect side with Indian roti or paratha, or even great to enjoy as an appetizer.

Roasted Cauliflower with Cilantro Yogurt Sauce

Roasted cauliflower topped with green cilantro sauce

This Air Fryer Cauliflower seasoned with spices is so easy to make and amazingly delicious topped with the popular Indian cilantro yogurt sauce.

Enjoy it as a wonderful low-carb side dish or appetizer.

Bharwan Baingan (Stuffed Eggplant)

Air Fryer Stuffed Eggplant. Bharwan Baingan

Baby Eggplants stuffed with flavorful and aromatic spices cooked in very little oil in the Air Fryer. A quick and delicious way to enjoy eggplants! 

Kurkuri Bhindi

Kurkuri Bhindi, crispy bhindi fry served with green chutney

Kukuri Bhindi, called Kurmure Bhendi Bhaja in Bengali, is sliced okra coated in spices and fried until crunchy.  

This crispy fried okra is so good, you cannot stop eating it! It is perfect to enjoy as an appetizer or side dish.

Tandoori Gobi

Tandoori Gobi served on a platter with chutney

Tandoori Gobi in the air fryer is a great snack or appetizer.  A North Indian favorite, nutritious with no oil and easy to prepare. 

When the meat eaters enjoy Tandoori Chicken, the vegetarians at the party can enjoy this crispy Tandoori Gobi with green chutney

Crispy Arbi (Taro Fries)

Taro fries in a bowl with a cilantro dip

These Taro Fries (Crispy Arbi) made in Air Fryer are so easy and delicious. They are a great variation in taste and nutrition to potato french fries. A perfect snack or side with a cilantro dip!

Arbi Fry is a popular dish in India. However, this version skips the deep frying to make the same Crispy Arbi in the air fryer.

Plantain Chips

roasted air fryer plantains

These Air Fryer Plantains are a perfect side dish or snack.

Made in the air fryer for a healthier version with much fewer calories compared to the traditional fried plantains.

Below are the most popular Indian Chicken Air Fryer recipes:

Tandoori Chicken Wings

Indian style Tandoori chicken wings served in a platter with a dip and lemon wedges

These smoky Tandoori chicken wings, marinated in Indian spices and yogurt and grilled to perfection, will blow your mind away!

They are easy to prep ahead of time. Marinate the chicken wings the day before, and just air fry them when ready to serve.

The wings are succulent and juicy on the interior and crispy on the outside. Enjoy them with the Indian green chutney.

Chicken 65

Colorful and flavorful Chicken 65 with vibrant spices.

Chicken 65 is a fried chicken appetizer known for its bold flavors, fiery spice level, crispy texture, and wonderful deep red color, making it an absolute favorite among chicken lovers.

This restaurant-style Chicken 65 is made by marinating chicken in yogurt, spices, and curry leaves, then deep-frying it to make the best chicken starter!

Chicken Tikka Kebab

Chicken Tikka Kebab garnished with onions and green chutney on side

Chicken tikka kebab is one of the most favorite Indian appetizers. It starts with chicken pieces marinated in yogurt, lime juice, and aromatic spices, then threaded onto skewers and cooked to create a delicious appetizer.

Don’t be daunted by the list of spices used in the marinade. This kebab is super easy to make in the air fryer. It is also a great one to include in your meal prep for the week! 

Chili Chicken

Crispy Saucy Chilli Chicken piece in chopsticks

Make restaurant-style Chilli Chicken at home. It is crispy and flavorful, just like what the Indo-Chinese street vendors do.

Boneless chicken is marinated in Chinese sauces and fried until crispy. This is stir-fried with lots of ginger, garlic, onions, bell peppers, and sauces.

Tandoori Chicken

Tandoori Chicken Air Fryer

A flavor-packed spicy dish from the Indian subcontinent popular all over the world. Even though this sounds exotic, it is actually super easy to make tandoori chicken.

Chicken is marinated in yogurt, ginger, garlic, spices, and lemon juice, then grilled in the air fryer. This recipe is also low-carb and keto-friendly. 

Chicken Pakora

Chicken pakora with lime wedges

Learn how to make chicken pakoras with this easy recipe for the perfect crispy results. Marinated chicken pieces are coated in gram flour and then air-fried to make golden and crispy pakoras. Savor the perfect harmony of crispy on the outside and tender juicy on the inside with this flavorful chicken appetizer.

I hope you add these recipes to your menu. Let me know what you are most excited to make in your air fryer, and when you make it, don’t forget to tag #pipingpotcurry.

You might also enjoy this collection of 20+ Air Fryer Vegetarian Recipes.

About Meeta

I strongly believe that each one of us has a chef inside us, we just need to explore the ingredients and create great food. My passion is to share easy, healthy, and wholesome recipes made using Instant Pot & Air Fryer, that are well tested, so you can cook with confidence.

You May Also Like

Get new recipes sent to your inbox!
Don't miss out! Subscribe and get all the new recipes first.

Leave a comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

3 Comments

  1. Meeta, your Air fryer Indian recipes are fantastic. Great taste with less oil. Love them. Thank you.
    Sunila