You won’t believe how easy it is to make Makar Sankranti treats healthier and tastier this year!

You know how Sankranti is all about food, family, and fun, right? The vadas, samosas, laddoos they’re everyone’s favorite.

But let’s be honest, all that frying means more oil, more mess, and a little extra guilt.

Here’s the good news: you can still enjoy all that crispy goodness without the oil drama, thanks to the air fryer! 

It’s like magic – less oil, less time, and the same delicious taste. Imagine serving crunchy pakoras or golden gujiyas that not only taste amazing but are healthier too.

Your guests will love it, and you’ll love how easy it is to pull off. Ready to wow everyone this Sankranti? 

Let’s talk about the 6 air-fried treats you have to try!

What to Consider While Heating Up the Air Fryer?

Air Fryer

Credits: Glen India

  1. Healthier Alternatives

Air fryers are fantastic for reducing the amount of oil in your food. Traditional frying often adds unnecessary fats, but with air fryers, you can achieve the same crispiness without all the guilt. Whether it’s vadas, samosas, or sweets, you can enjoy them guilt-free and still relish the festive flavors.

  1. Time-Saving

Air fryers are incredibly fast and efficient. Gone are the days of monitoring hot oil, splattering, and waiting forever for your food to cook. The air fryer makes preparing multiple Sankranti dishes quick and easy, giving you more time to spend with family and guests.

  1. Consistent Results

Air fryers provide consistent heat, ensuring your foods turn out perfectly crispy every time. Whether you're making a batch of vadas or samosas, the results are guaranteed to impress – golden, crunchy, and evenly cooked.

  1. Less Mess

Traditional deep frying can be a messy affair, with hot oil splattering all over your kitchen. Air fryers, however, cook your food in a sealed compartment, reducing spills and making cleanup much easier. Plus, most air fryer components are dishwasher-safe!

Sankranti Dishes Air-Fried & Guaranteed to Satisfy Your Guests

Air-Fried Makar Sankranti Dishes

Credits: Glen India

Here are some classic Sankranti treats you can air-fry for a healthier, quicker, and equally delicious twist:

1. Air-Fried Samosas

Crispy, golden samosas filled with spiced potatoes and peas are a favorite. Air frying these reduces the oil while still achieving that perfect crunch.

How to make samosa in an Air Fryer?

  • Prepare the samosa filling with cooked potatoes, peas, onions, and spices.
  • Roll the filling in samosa pastry and seal the edges with water.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F), lightly coat the samosas with oil, and cook for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway.

2. Air-Fried Vadas

How to make vada in Air Fryer

Credits: Glen India

These crispy, savory doughnuts made from urad dal are a traditional treat at Sankranti festivals. Air frying them gives the same crispy texture with less oil.

How to make Vadas in an Air Fryer?

  • Soak urad dal for a few hours and blend with spices like cumin, black pepper, and ginger.
  • Pipe the batter into doughnut shapes and place in the air fryer.
  • Cook at 180°C (350°F) for 15-20 minutes, turning once, until golden brown.

3. Air-Fried Laddoos

Laddoos made from sesame seeds and jaggery are a must-have at Sankranti. While they don’t need frying, a quick toast in the air fryer adds a delicious crunch.

How to make Laddoos in an Air Fryer?

  • Prepare the dough from sesame seeds, jaggery, and a little ghee.
  • Shape into small balls (laddoos) and place in the air fryer.
  • Cook at 160°C (320°F) for 5-7 minutes for a crispy finish.

4. Air-Fried Dosas

Crispy dosas, a South Indian favorite, are a perfect addition to your Sankranti menu. With an air fryer, you get the crispiness without using as much oil.

How to make Dosas in an Air Fryer?

  • Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F).
  • Spread a thin layer of dosa batter on the air fryer tray.
  • Cook for 5 minutes at 375°F until crispy and golden.

5. Air-Fried Peanut Chikki

How to make Chikki in an Air Fryer

Credits: Glen India

Peanut chikki is a traditional sweet made with jaggery and peanuts. While no frying is needed for the chikki itself, you can toast the peanuts in the air fryer for added crunch.

How to make Chikki in an Air Fryer?

  • Toast peanuts in the air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 5 minutes.
  • Combine toasted peanuts with melted jaggery and ghee in a pan.
  • Pour into a greased tray, let it cool, and break into pieces.

6. Air-Fried Pesarattu

This green gram pancake is a savory delight, perfect for Sankranti. Air frying it results in a crispy, healthy version of this classic dish.

How to make Pesarattu in an Air Fryer?

  • Make a batter with green gram, spices, and chilies.
  • Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (350°F).
  • Spread the batter thinly on the air fryer tray and cook for 8-10 minutes until golden.

Take a Look at Some Additional Tips

  • Don’t crowd the basket: For the crispiest results, ensure that your snacks are in a single layer in the air fryer basket. Overcrowding will lead to uneven cooking.
  • Apply a light coat of oil: A light spray of oil is enough to achieve a golden, crispy finish. Avoid soaking your snacks in oil.
  • Preheat the air fryer: Just like an oven, preheating the air fryer ensures even cooking and consistent results.
  • Test and adjust: Each air fryer is slightly different, so experiment with cooking times and temperatures to get the perfect results.

Introducing Glen India’s Air Fryers, Perfect for Your Sankranti Party

Glen India’s Air Fryers

Credits: Glen India

When it comes to making crispy, delicious dishes with less oil, Glen India’s air fryers stand out. With features like balanced heat distribution, multiple presets for popular dishes, and modern aesthetics, Glen India’s air fryers are a great addition to any kitchen.

Key Features:

  • Balanced heat ensures even cooking and a golden, crispy finish every time.
  • Multiple presets allow you to cook your favorite dishes with ease, from samosas to vadas.
  • Modern design fits perfectly into any kitchen, elevating both functionality and style.

Enjoy Healthier, Delicious Dishes This Sankranti

With air fryers, you can serve up mouthwatering air-fried versions of your favorite Sankranti treats. Whether it’s crispy samosas or golden laddoos, you’ll enjoy all the flavor without the extra oil and mess.

Air fryers cook faster, cleaner, and healthier, making them the perfect tool for a successful Makar Sankranti feast. 

So why wait? 

Get your air fryer and start making these delicious treats today.