Healthy Bread Pakora in an Air Fryer: No Oil, No Guilt, Just Deliciousness

What comes to your mind when you hear ‘bread pakoras’? Their mention loosely brings to memory the carefree days of my childhood filled with the aroma of crispy, golden bread pakora my mom would fry. The pakoras paired with a cup of steaming chai on a rainy day was simply blissful.

Like the rest of the world, I grew up hearing the notion of “healthy eating,” which involved refined oil as a strict no.  

In Indian households, there is some sort of understanding that deep fried savory snacks are the epitome of delicious cuisines. So why not indulge, right? For some, it may be indulging guilt free but for elders, these cuisines are considered a taboo. However, Skip it, adults! A bread pakora is simply too nostalgic to resist.

So, let me ask you again, what if we told you deep fried delicacies are completely oil free, and you can enjoy the pakora guilt free?

That’s right, healthy bread pakora is not a myth anymore, thanks to the air fryer revolution.

The Big Misbelief: Bread Pakora Can’t Be Healthy

Using an air fryer, we retain all that crispiness, warmth, and flavor, while cutting down almost 80% of the fat content. No, you won’t miss the oil-drenched version in fact, you might even prefer this lighter, healthier take on your favorite pakora.

Why Choose Air Fryer Bread Pakora?

Credits: Glen India

There are several convincing reasons why switching to an air fryer version of bread pakora makes perfect sense, especially in today's health-conscious times. Here are a few:

• It greatly helps your heart by reducing the amount of oil you use. 
• The taste and texture remain the same while the number of calories is reduced.  
• Oil splatters and lengthy cleaning after frying are eliminated by air frying.  
• Ideal for individuals controlling their weight or cholesterol or just prefer clean eating.  
• It allows for guilt-free snacking of favorite snacks.

What Makes Bread Pakora So Hard to Resist?  

Before “healthy-frying” it, I think it’s essential to understand why we enjoy bread pakoras so much.The combination of tangy green chutney and spicy tomato sauce aides in capturing the complex dance of flavors while I bite into the bread most commonly known for it's soft, fluffy texture in opposite to the savory filling it holds. This savory bread with a golden crispy shell makes for an exceptional burst of flavor.

As mentioned before, for a healthier alternative, the magic has to be preserved while responsibly cutting out the unhealthy components.

And with an air fryer, that's exactly what we are going to do.

Ingredients You Will Need

Here’s a list of everything you’ll need to make your guilt-free, oil-free bread pakoras:

1. Whole wheat or multigrain bread slices
2. Boiled and mashed potatoes
3. Finely chopped green chilies
4. Fresh coriander leaves, chopped
5. Ginger paste
6. Cumin seeds
7. Red chili powder
8. Turmeric powder
9. Chaat masala
10. Salt to taste
11. Besan (gram flour)
12. Baking soda (a pinch)
13. Water
14. Olive oil spray (optional, for added crispiness)

Step-By-Step Recipe for Healthy Bread Pakora

Credits: Canva

Now, let's get cooking  or should we say, air frying!

Make The Mixture For Stuffing Potatoes

Once the potatoes have been boiled, peeled, and mashed, add green chilies as well as ginger paste and cumin seeds as well. Add coriander leaves, red chili powder, turmeric powder, chaat masala, and salt. Mix well to ensure it is balanced so that the stuffing is spicy and canned filled with taste.

Combine All The Ingredients For Pakoras

Take two slices of bread. Put the potato mixture on one side and cover it with the other slice of bread. Press gently and cut into triangles or squares as per your liking.

Cover The Besan Pakora With The Batter

Submerge each bread triangle into the besan batter and ensure the bread is coated thoroughly on all sides.

Set The Air Fryer

Set the temperature of the air fryer to 180 degrees Celsius; it will crisp up perfectly if left to warm for around 3 minutes. 

Ready the Pakoras in the Air Fryer

Place the Pakora bread pieces coated in batter into the air fryer basket. Put the air fryer to 180°C and set a timer for 10 to 12 minutes. Make sure to flip the pieces midway through the cooking time for even browning.

Eating sequence  

Now you can serve the bread pakoras with some green chutney or ketchup and masala chai. You can relish them while they are hot.

Tips for the Perfect Air Fryer Bread Pakora

Credits: Glen India

Even though the method is fairly straightforward, a few simple tricks can make your bread pakoras truly unforgettable:

1. Always preheat the air fryer for best results.
2. Do not overfill the bread slices.
3. Use fresh besan batter for better flavor and coating.  
4. As a precaution, avoid overly soft bread as it may turn soggy.  
5. Incorporating whole wheat or multigrain will boost the health value even further.  
6. Making sure to turn the pakoras halfway through will allow for even crispiness.

Variations You Can Try

If you want to experiment a bit, here are some delicious twists to the classic recipe:

1. Paneer Stuffing
   Use mashed paneer with spices instead of potatoes for a protein-packed snack.
   
2. Vegetable Stuffing
   Mix boiled peas, carrots, and beans along with potatoes for a more nutritious filling.
   
3. Cheese Burst
   Add a slice of cheese along with the potato stuffing for a gooey, melty surprise inside.
   
4. Sweet Corn Delight
   Boiled sweet corn kernels mixed with chaat masala make for an interesting and juicy filling.
   
5. Moong Dal Twist
   Cooked and spiced moong dal can also be used as a hearty and wholesome stuffing alternative.
   

Why Air Fryer Bread Pakora Is Perfect for Modern Lifestyles

• The modern world emphasizes the need for quick yet delectable and healthy options. Anything that demands significant time commitment is no longer feasible, nor does it appeal to us. Air fryer bread pakoras enhance rather than complicate this lifestyle:
• They help you stay on track when struggling with cravings.  
• Preparation requires under 20 minutes.  
• They can be eaten as breakfast, snacks or even light dinners.
• They are extremely easy to prepare, as is the clean up afterwards.

A Healthy Snack for All Occasions

Credits: Canva

Whether it’s a cozy evening with family, a sudden craving during work-from-home, a kid’s party, or an impromptu tea session with friends, healthy bread pakoras are the answer. They are also a wonderful option to introduce healthy snacking to children who are otherwise drawn towards unhealthy fried junk food.

You can even pack them in lunch boxes or serve them during small get-togethers without feeling guilty about offering something unhealthy.

Breaking the Misbeliefs, One Bite at a Time

I advise you to bring crispy pakoras from the air fryer next time someone claims that the bread variant is unhealthy or boring. Watching them change their mind after the first bite is sure to be a sight to behold. One can eat their favorite foods without feeling guilty or thinking they have “diet restrictions.”

 It just means being a little smarter about how you prepare them.

And remember, small changes in your everyday habits can lead to big results over time and switching to air fryer snacks is a great step in that direction.

Conclusion

In a world that’s moving towards healthier choices without compromising on traditional flavors, this healthy air fryer bread pakora is a beautiful blend of nostalgia and nutrition. So the next time your heart craves something crispy and delightful, don’t hold back. 

Whip up a batch of these delicious bread pakoras in your air fryer and enjoy without a second thought and for an even more seamless and healthier kitchen experience, you can always trust Glen India, your partner for smarter cooking solutions.