The air fryer has revolutionized home cooking by delivering a fried-like texture with far less oil. It circulates hot air to crisp foods, making it a lower-fat cooking method. For busy weeknights, air frying means saving time and calories – studies show it can cut fat by 70–80% compared to deep frying. Below are 10 quick and healthy recipes (mostly vegetarian) that you can make in your air fryer in about 20–30 minutes, each yielding 2 servings.
Why Air Fryers?
Air fryers deliver crispy textures with 70-80% less oil than deep frying, slashing calories without sacrificing flavor. They cook 30% faster than ovens, making them ideal for busy households. Preheating takes just 3-5 minutes, and cleanup is minimal—no greasy mess!
10 Fast Air Fryer Dinners
1. Air Fryer Paneer Tikka (Vegetarian)
Duration: 25 minutes (10 min prep + 15 min cook)
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Paneer (cubed) | 200g |
| Yogurt (low-fat) | ½ cup |
| Ginger-garlic paste | 1 tbsp |
| Red chili powder | 1 tsp |
| Turmeric powder | 1 tsp |
| Garam masala | 1 tsp |
| Cumin powder | 1 tsp |
| Lemon juice | 1 tbsp |
| Salt | To taste |
| Oil (for brushing) | 1 tsp |
| Skewers (optional) | – |
Instructions:
- In a mixing bowl, whisk the yogurt with all spices, ginger-garlic paste, lemon juice, and salt.
- Add the paneer cubes and coat them thoroughly with the marinade. Let it rest for 10 minutes.
- Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F) for 3 minutes.
- Thread the marinated paneer onto skewers or place directly into the air fryer basket.
- Lightly brush the tops with oil.
- Air fry at 180°C for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway, until the paneer edges are lightly charred and crisp.
- Serve hot with mint chutney and onion rings.
Nutrition Per Serving:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 10g |
| Energy | 340kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 38g |
| Sugar | 8g |
| Fat | 16g |
| Fiber | 3g |
Pro Tip: Soak wooden skewers in water for 20 minutes before threading paneer to prevent burning!
2. Air Fryer Aloo Tikki (Vegetarian)
Duration: 25 minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Boiled potatoes | 2 medium |
| Boiled peas | ½ cup |
| Onion (finely chopped) | 1 small |
| Ginger-garlic paste | 1 tsp |
| Cumin seeds | 1 tsp |
| Coriander powder | 1 tsp |
| Red chili powder | ¼ tsp |
| Salt | To taste |
| Breadcrumbs | As needed |
| Oil (for brushing) | 1 tbsp |
Instructions:
- Mash potatoes and peas. Mix with onion, spices, and salt.
- Shape into patties and coat with breadcrumbs.
- Preheat air fryer to 200°C.
- Place tikkis in the basket, brush with oil.
- Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping once.
- Serve with ketchup or chutney.
Nutrition Per Serving:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4g |
| Energy | 250kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 38g |
| Sugar | 2g |
| Fat | 9g |
| Fiber | 4g |
3. Mixed Vegetable Cutlets (Vegetarian)
Duration: 25 minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Grated carrot | 1 small |
| Chopped green beans | 4–5 |
| Boiled corn kernels | ¼ cup |
| Boiled green peas | ¼ cup |
| Boiled potato (mashed) | 1 small |
| Ginger paste | 1 tsp |
| Fresh coriander (chopped) | 1 tbsp |
| Turmeric powder | ½ tsp |
| Salt and pepper | To taste |
| Breadcrumbs | As needed |
| Oil (for brushing) | 1 tbsp |
Instructions:
- Mix all vegetables, spices, and mashed potato in a bowl.
- Form into cutlets and coat with breadcrumbs.
- Preheat air fryer to 200°C.
- Brush tops with oil and air fry for 12–15 minutes.
- Serve with chutney.
Nutrition Per Serving:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 5g |
| Energy | 200kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 28g |
| Sugar | 4g |
| Fat | 8g |
| Fiber | 6g |
4. Crispy Bhindi (Okra) Fries (Vegetarian)
Duration: 20 minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Bhindi (okra) | 250g |
| Dry mango powder | 1 tsp |
| Turmeric powder | 1 tsp |
| Red chili powder | 1 tsp |
| Salt | To taste |
| Oil (for tossing) | 1 tsp |
Instructions:
- Wash and dry bhindi. Slice lengthwise.
- Toss with spices and oil in a bowl.
- Preheat air fryer to 200°C.
- Spread bhindi evenly and air fry for 12–15 minutes.
- Shake halfway through. Serve hot.
Nutrition Per Serving:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 2g |
| Energy | 150kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 20g |
| Sugar | 5g |
| Fat | 7g |
| Fiber | 8g |
5. Baked Vegetable Samosas (Vegetarian)
Duration: 27 minutes
Serves: 2 (makes 4 samosas)
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Boiled mashed potatoes | 1 cup |
| Boiled green peas | ¼ cup |
| Cumin seeds | ½ tsp |
| Turmeric powder | ½ tsp |
| Red chili powder | ½ tsp |
| Garam masala | ½ tsp |
| Salt | To taste |
| Samosa sheets/wrappers | 2–4 pieces |
| Oil (for brushing) | 1 tsp |
Instructions:
- Mix potatoes, peas, cumin, turmeric, chili, garam masala, and salt.
- Let mixture cool. Use as stuffing.
- Fill samosa wrappers and fold into triangles. Seal with water.
- Brush with oil.
- Preheat air fryer to 180°C.
- Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping once.
- Serve with tamarind chutney.
Nutrition Per Serving:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4g |
| Energy | 250kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 32g |
| Sugar | 2g |
| Fat | 12g |
| Fiber | 3g |
6. Cauliflower Manchurian (Gobi Manchurian, Vegetarian)
Duration: 25 minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Cauliflower florets | 1 small head (bite-sized pieces) |
| Soy sauce | 1 tbsp |
| Ginger-garlic paste | 1 tsp |
| Tomato ketchup | ½ tbsp |
| Red chili sauce | ½ tbsp |
| Vinegar | ½ tsp |
| Cornflour (optional) | 1 tsp |
| Salt and pepper | To taste |
| Spring onions (for garnish) | 1 tbsp |
| Oil (for brushing) | 1 tsp |
Instructions:
- (Optional) Toss cauliflower in cornflour, salt, and pepper.
- Preheat air fryer to 180°C. Air fry for 10 minutes until slightly crispy.
- In a pan, heat a little oil and sauté ginger-garlic paste.
- Add soy sauce, ketchup, chili sauce, vinegar, and a splash of water.
- Mix in air-fried cauliflower and toss well to coat.
- Garnish with spring onions and serve.
Nutrition Per Serving:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4g |
| Energy | 220kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 30g |
| Sugar | 8g |
| Fat | 10g |
| Fiber | 5g |
7. Spinach-Stuffed Mushrooms (Vegetarian)
Duration: 22 minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Large button mushrooms | 6 pieces |
| Fresh spinach (chopped) | 1 cup |
| Crumbled paneer or cheese | 2 tbsp |
| Garlic-chili paste | 1 tsp |
| Salt and pepper | To taste |
| Oil (for brushing) | 1 tsp |
Instructions:
- Remove stems and clean mushrooms.
- Mix spinach, cheese, garlic-chili paste, salt, and pepper.
- Fill mushroom caps with mixture.
- Preheat air fryer to 180°C.
- Brush tops with oil and air fry for 10–12 minutes until tender.
- Serve as a starter or side.
Nutrition Per Serving:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 6g |
| Energy | 150kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 12g |
| Sugar | 3g |
| Fat | 5g |
| Fiber | 3g |
8. Chicken Tikka (Non-Vegetarian)
Duration: 25 minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Boneless chicken (thigh preferred) | 300g |
| Yogurt (low-fat) | ½ cup |
| Ginger-garlic paste | 1 tbsp |
| Red chili powder | 1 tsp |
| Turmeric powder | 1 tsp |
| Garam masala | 1 tsp |
| Cumin powder | 1 tsp |
| Lemon juice | 1 tbsp |
| Salt | To taste |
| Oil (for brushing) | 1 tsp |
Instructions:
- Combine yogurt, spices, lemon juice, and ginger-garlic paste to create the marinade.
- Add chicken pieces and marinate for 10–15 minutes.
- Preheat air fryer to 190°C. Brush basket with oil.
- Place chicken in a single layer and brush tops with oil.
- Air fry for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway.
- Serve hot with lemon wedges and onion rings.
Nutrition Per Serving:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 43g |
| Energy | 360kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 12g |
| Sugar | 4g |
| Fat | 17g |
| Fiber | 0g |
9. Fish Tikka (Non-Vegetarian)
Duration: 22 minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Fish (salmon/tilapia/cod), cubed | 300g |
| Yogurt | ½ cup |
| Ginger-garlic paste | 1 tbsp |
| Chili powder or paprika | 1 tsp |
| Turmeric powder | 1 tsp |
| Cumin powder | 1 tsp |
| Lemon juice | 1 tsp |
| Salt | To taste |
| Oil (for brushing) | 1 tsp |
Instructions:
- Prepare a marinade with yogurt, spices, lemon juice, and ginger-garlic paste.
- Add fish pieces and marinate for 10 minutes.
- Preheat air fryer to 180°C. Brush fish with oil.
- Air fry for 10–12 minutes, flipping halfway through.
- Sprinkle chaat masala and serve with mint chutney.
Nutrition Per Serving:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 32g |
| Energy | 390kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 8g |
| Sugar | 5g |
| Fat | 24g |
| Fiber | 0g |
10. Chicken Cutlets (Non-Vegetarian)
Duration: 30 minutes
Serves: 2
Ingredients:
| Ingredient | Quantity |
|---|---|
| Ground chicken (mince) | 300g |
| Onion (finely chopped) | 1 small |
| Garlic paste | 1 tsp |
| Red chili powder | ½ tsp |
| Turmeric powder | ½ tsp |
| Garam masala | ½ tsp |
| Chopped coriander | 1 tbsp |
| Salt and pepper | To taste |
| Beaten egg (for binding) | 1 |
| Breadcrumbs (for coating) | As needed |
| Oil (for brushing) | 1 tsp |
Instructions:
- Mix chicken mince with spices, onion, garlic, coriander, egg, salt, and pepper.
- Shape into small patties and coat with breadcrumbs.
- Preheat air fryer to 190°C.
- Place in air fryer basket, brush tops with oil.
- Air fry for 13–15 minutes, flipping once.
- Serve hot with green chutney or salad.
Nutrition Per Serving:
| Nutrient | Amount |
|---|---|
| Protein | 25g |
| Energy | 300kcal |
| Carbohydrates | 8g |
| Sugar | 3g |
| Fat | 18g |
| Fiber | 1g |
