Delicious Air Fryer Vegetable Samosas

Are you a fan of classic Indian samosas but want to skip the deep-frying? You’re in luck! This air fryer samosa recipe brings together a crispy exterior and a flavorful, spiced potato filling—just like the beloved deep-fried version. Perfect for a snack or appetizer, these air-fried vegetable samosas will have you coming back for seconds!

What is a Samosa?

A samosa is traditionally shaped like a triangle and made of a flaky pastry that is filled with savory ingredients, typically featuring a combination of potatoes, peas, and spices. In some variations, meat may also be included.

Origin Story

While many people believe that samosas originated in India, their history goes back much further. The earliest references trace back to the Persians in the 9th or 10th century, where they were called sanbusaj. Merchants introduced these snacks while traveling for trade, and the samosa made its way into Indian kitchens, evolving along the way. By the 13th or 14th centuries, samosas were being created in royal kitchens in Delhi, often filled with meat, ghee, onions, and other rich ingredients. As the culinary journey continued across India, distinct regional varieties developed, leading to the many types of samosas we enjoy today.

From the potato-filled Aloo Samosa to the spicier Punjabi Samosa and even the sweet Chamuças from Portugal, samosas have numerous variations across cultures.

About This Recipe

Growing up in the bustling streets of Mumbai, I couldn’t resist the charm of freshly made samosas available at every corner and college cafeteria. The hot, flaky vegetable samosas paired perfectly with masala chai, and now, I’m excited to recreate that magic at home with this air fryer adaptation. No more messy deep-frying; just perfectly crispy samosas with much less hassle!

Reasons to Love This Recipe:

• Delicious flavor with fewer calories than traditional deep-fried ones.
• No messy cleanup—just pop them into the air fryer!
• Perfect for gatherings; you can prepare them in advance.
• Leftover fillings can easily be repurposed for other meals.

Ingredients

For the Dough:

• All-purpose flour
• Ghee (or butter)
• Carom seeds (ajwain)
• Salt
• Water (to form a stiff dough)

For the Stuffing:

• 4 medium potatoes, boiled and mashed
• ½ cup green peas (optional)
• Cooking oil (such as avocado, ghee, or olive oil)
• Indian or Thai green chilies
• Fresh ginger, minced
• Spices: asafoetida, cumin seeds, fennel seeds, coriander powder, turmeric powder, dry mango powder (amchur), pepper, and garam masala (optional)
• Fresh cilantro, chopped for garnish

Instructions

Prepare the Samosa Filling:

1. Boil the potatoes separately until tender. Once cooked, let them cool, then peel and mash.
2. If you’re using green peas, blanch them for a few minutes before adding them to the mashed potatoes.
3. In a pan, heat your chosen oil and add minced ginger and green chilies. Sauté for a couple of minutes until fragrant.
4. Add the mashed potatoes, spices, and salt to the pan. Stir well to combine and cook for a few more minutes for the flavors to meld. Set aside to cool.

Prepare the Samosa Dough:

1. In a mixing bowl, add the flour, ghee, carom seeds, and salt. Mix to combine until crumbly.
2. Gradually add water, kneading until you have a stiff dough. Cover the dough with a damp cloth and let it rest for about 30 minutes.

Folding the Samosas:

1. Divide the rested dough into golf ball-sized portions. Roll each portion into a thin oval.
2. Cut the oval in half to form two semi-circles. Moisten the straight edge with water.
3. Shape the moist edge into a cone, overlapping the edges to seal.
4. Fill the cone with the prepared potato mixture until it’s about ¾ full. Seal the open edge, and ensure there are no gaps.
5. Repeat the process for the remaining dough and filling.

Cooking the Samosas:

1. Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
2. Lightly spray or brush the outside of each samosa with cooking oil to help them crisp up.
3. Arrange the samosas in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Be careful not to overcrowd them.
4. Cook for about 15-20 minutes, turning them halfway through for even cooking until they are golden and crispy.

Serve:

Enjoy your air-fried vegetable samosas with your favorite chutney or dipping sauce—be it mint chutney, tamarind sauce, or even ketchup.

Tips for a Perfect Samosa

• Adding ghee to both the dough and stuffing improves flavor and crispiness.
• Don’t roll the dough too thin to prevent tearing during filling.
• Ensure the filling is completely cooled to avoid sogginess.
• Experiment with different fillings like shredded chicken or vegetables as per your taste.

FAQs

Can you air fry frozen samosas?

Yes, you can cook frozen samosas in an air fryer. Temperature and time may differ based on brand, but generally, cooking at 400°F for about 10 minutes works well.

Should I thaw frozen samosas before air frying?

It’s best to cook them from frozen to get the crispiest texture. Just pop them into the air fryer directly from the freezer.

How can I keep samosas crispy for longer?

Brush them lightly with ghee or oil before air frying and keep them in an open container to avoid steam which can make them soggy.

Can I reheat samosas in an air fryer?

Absolutely! Preheat the air fryer to 350°F and reheat for 2-4 minutes until they are crispy again.

Why aren’t my samosas crispy?

If they aren’t coming out crispy, make sure your dough is properly incorporated with fat and that you brushed them well with oil before cooking. Also, avoid overloading the air fryer.