Air fryers have quickly become a favorite kitchen appliance, thanks to their ability to prepare crispy, spicy, and delicious food using very little oil. From fitness enthusiasts to busy home cooks, everyone loves the idea of enjoying fried snacks without compromising on health. However, many people end up using their air fryer only a few times before leaving it unused, simply because they are unsure what all can be made in it. If you’re one of them, this article is for you.
Popular chef and MasterChef India winner Pankaj Bhadouria often shares easy and healthy recipes that make everyday cooking simple and enjoyable. She has also revealed several air fryer snack recipes that are not only low in oil but also rich in protein and flavor—perfect for both adults and kids. Here are five healthy and tasty snacks you can easily make in an air fryer.
Corn chaat balls are a great option for evening snacking. To prepare them, mashed boiled potatoes are mixed with crushed sweet corn and green chilies. Chopped onions, breadcrumbs, garlic powder, coriander leaves, lemon juice, salt, and chaat masala are added to enhance the taste. The mixture is shaped into small balls and air-fried at 200°C for 10–12 minutes until crisp and golden. These crunchy bites are perfect with tea.
Paneer tikka is another classic snack that turns out amazingly well in an air fryer. Paneer cubes are marinated with hung curd, mustard oil, ginger-garlic paste, Kashmiri red chili powder, gram flour, garam masala, salt, and fresh coriander. Chopped onions, capsicum, and tomatoes are added to the marinade and skewered together. The tikka is air-fried at 200°C for about 12 minutes, with a light oil brushing in between, resulting in a smoky and flavorful snack without excess oil.
For non-vegetarian snack lovers, chicken popcorn is a must-try. Boneless chicken pieces are first marinated with salt, lemon juice, and Kashmiri chili powder. They are then coated in seasoned flour, dipped in ice-cold water, coated again, and finally rolled in breadcrumbs. Air-frying at 160°C for 15 minutes gives you crispy chicken popcorn that’s crunchy on the outside and juicy inside.
Masala chana is a simple yet highly nutritious tea-time snack. Boiled chickpeas are tossed with lemon juice, roasted cumin powder, Kashmiri chili powder, black salt, chaat masala, turmeric, and regular salt. The seasoned chana is placed in the air fryer basket and cooked at 200°C, shaking once midway to ensure even crisping. This protein-rich snack is both filling and healthy.
Oats cutlets are perfect for those looking for a wholesome snack option. Rolled oats are mixed with boiled vegetables like carrots, beans, peas, mashed potatoes, and crumbled paneer. Spices such as red chili powder, black pepper, garam masala, and salt are added, and the mixture is shaped into cutlets. Lightly greased cutlets are air-fried at 200°C for 10–12 minutes, resulting in crispy, nutritious snacks ideal for weight-conscious eaters.
These air fryer snack recipes prove that healthy food doesn’t have to be boring. With minimal oil and maximum flavor, these snacks are easy to make and perfect for everyday cravings. If you’ve been wondering how to make the most of your air fryer, these recipes are a great place to start.
