Mumbai Vada Pav Made Easy: Air-Fried to Perfection — No Deep Frying Required

The snack that best describes the iconic Mumbai City has to be Vada Pav; and oh Vada Pav is something spicy, buttery and crispy, so ya it can be said it is as good as a burger but with a lot more spices. 

The traditional way is a crispy potato patty called Batata Vada, it is stuffed in Pav, a type of bun, and is generously covered in fiery chutneys with fried green chillies on the side.  

Let us know the truth; excessive frying would turn out to be very messy and greasy, and frankly who likes being guilty?

Imagine if you could relish the wonderful taste of Pav while having it air-fried! Utterly amazing isn't it? Worry not as the beauty of air fryer machines allows you to enjoy perfectly light and crisped up Vada Pav right at home.

Why Choose Air-Fried Vada Pav?

Credits: Glen India

1. Health Benefits: Trying to maintain your body while still enjoying Pav? The best thing is it reduces calorie intake while retaining the flavor!
2. A Clean Environment: There is a lack of any form of splattered fry oil, it'll smell, and even radiate heat.
3. Efficiency: Best suited for weekdays when you are extra busy or over the weekends where you are simply having a lazy day.
4. Remaining Same Pav: While steam will definitely be a lot of it, a beautiful non-burnt yellow coating will remain.

Aim of Vada Pav is to straddle between gluttony and healthy eating; and boy does it achieve it.

Ingredients You’ll Need

For the Batata Vada (Potato Filling):

• 3 large potatoes (boiled and mashed)
• 1 green chili (finely chopped)
• 1-inch ginger (grated)
• 1 tsp mustard seeds
• 8-10 curry leaves
• ¼ tsp turmeric powder
• 1 tsp lemon juice
• 2 tbsp coriander leaves (finely chopped)
• Salt to taste
• 1 tbsp oil

Credits: Canva

For the Besan (Gram Flour) Batter:

• 1 cup besan (gram flour)
• ¼ tsp turmeric powder
• ½ tsp red chili powder
• A pinch of baking soda
• Water (enough to make a thick batter)
• Salt to taste

For Serving:

• Pav buns (6 pieces)
• Green chutney
• Tamarind chutney
• Dry garlic chutney
• Fried green chilies (optional)

How to Make Vada Pav in the Air Fryer: Step by Step Instructions

Create the potato vada filling

1. In a pan, heat a tbsp of oil, then add mustard seeds allowing them to crackle.
2. Toss in the curry leaves along with the green chilies and ginger. You can add turmeric along with the mashed potatoes. 
3. Make sure to add some salt alongside lemon juice for seasoning so the mixture can be combined.
4. Top off the coriander leaves and mix post rolling into small balls of potato vada roughly the size of lemons.

Batter and Air-Fry the Vadas

Credits: Glen India

1. Set your air fryer to 180 °C (350 °F) and preheat it for 5 minutes.
2. Use besan batter to dip all the potato balls, ensuring complete coverage.
3. Put the balls into the air fryer basket (you can brush oil on them beforehand).
4. Put oil in the air fryer and set it to 180 °C (350 °F) for 12–15 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden.

Prepare the Vada Pav

1. Open each pav bun horizontally, but don't slice all the way.
2. Spread green chutney and tamarind chutney on either side.
3. Put in a piece of vada that has been fried till crispy.
4. Top with some dry garlic chutney to give it a kick towards street-style.

Serve Hot!

To jazz it up with the full Mumbai experience, serve with fried green chilies.

Pro Tips for Air-Fried Vadas without Defects

• Do not Overcrowd: Place each vada separately to ensure even crisp in each.
• Oil Brush Magic: Brushing oil on portions gives a toasted, crispy exterior.
• Control Hammer: Drip, coat, or won’t adhere at all. Adjust to pancake-like batter thickness.
• Chutney Importance: For maximum impact with Vada Pav, homemade chutneys are best! Make batches and store them.

Different Versions You Can Try

1. Cheese Vada Pav: Place a little cube of cheese in the middle of the potato ball before it’s air-fried. 
2. Paneer Vada Pav: Use paneer instead of mashed potatoes for a boost in protein.
3. Masala Pav: Add butter, garlic, and pav bhaji masala to toast the pavs before putting them together.

Why This Will Become Your Favorite Recipe

Vada Pav made in the air fryer may be healthier, but it’s so much more than that. Whether you are hosting a party, need a quick meal, or are simply craving something from the past, this recipe is both time-efficient and hassle-free. Not to mention, save your time from throwing a deep fryer filled with oil out after feeling remorseful for using it. 

In addition, the taste of a crisp, spicy vada made with 80% less oil is priceless! 

Final Thoughts

The unparalleled street food of Mumbai undergoes an modernized yet healthier transformation with these air-fried Vada Pav. Once you try it, there’s no going back to deep frying! 

Take some of these air-fried Vada Pavs for a spin whenever you’re longing to feel the Mumbai streets and let the taste take you on a ride. 

Food should always be soothing and guilt-free. Just like this beautifully crafted dish.

If you are looking for the best air fryer Glen India has the best range.