Air fryer pani puri, a healthier twist to a popular street food from India. Enjoy these zero oil air fried pani puri guilt-free!
Pani Puri is round, ball-shaped, hollow puri, filled with spicy, flavorful potato mixture, flavor bursting, lip-smacking, spicy, and tangy mint-cilantro pani (water). Spicy, sweet, and tangy, Pani puri is a popular street food, served all over India.
Traditionally, puri for pani puri is deep-fried. Here, I am sharing a no-fry recipe for making this puri using an air fryer. Enjoy this popular street food at home with my healthier, guilt-free homemade air fryer pani puri.
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Air Fryer Pani Puri
Pani puri is a popular street food, loved by all ages. Pani puri, also known as puchka, gup chup, gol gappe, and pani ke patashe, is named depending on the region. In India, I remember growing up as a kid, I was so crazy about this pani puri. I could eat pani puri for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Oh ya…and still crave more…LOL!!!
Things change as you grow older, I still absolutely love these, but the fact the puri were deep-fried, it happened like a once-a-year treat. Thanks to technology, ever since I started making homemade air fryer pani puri, we can’t stop eating these healthier, guilt-free pani puri. These taste heavenly, and the fact these puris are not deep-fried, I could eat these puri the whole day. I make these air fry pani puri quite often and my whole family devoured it.
I dislike deep frying. Not only it is unhealthy but is also time-consuming. I make my pani puri at home, I use an air fryer to air fry these puri. These air-fried pani puris are so easy to make and are way healthier than the deep-fried ones. I use store-bought ready-to-cook pani puri, and air fry them. Air fry pani puri tastes amazing, these are a thousand times better than the deep-fried ones. I bet you, if you try these air fry pani puri once, you will never go back to the deep-fried ones, ever again!!
Popular air fryer Indian recipes on blog: No Fry Sabudana Vada (Air Fryer | Oven | Appam Pan), No Fry Avocado Chakli (Murukku) [Air Fryer | Oven), Air Fryer Chickpeas, Air Fryer Frozen Bhindi, and Air Fryer Gujiya
Pic Shown: Mint-cilantro pani puri, Strawberry pani puri, Pineapple pani puri
Ingredients For Air Fryer Pani Puri
1 packet ready-to-cook-pani-puri
1 teaspoon oil ( optional )
Pic Shown: Ready-to-cook pani puri
Instructions For Air Fryer Pani Puri
You will need Air Fryer
Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 360 degrees Fahrenheit.
Arrange the puri in a single layer ( as shown in the pic ).
Optional: You can apply some oil to the puri. Take a few drops of oil onto your hand. Take a few puris, and gently rub the puri between your palms.
Air fry the puri for 2 minutes.
Remove the puri and set it aside. Continue with the next batch of puri.
Note: It is important to preheat the air fryer after 2 batches of air frying.
Pic Shown: Air Fryer Pani Puri
I made a few batches with and a few without oil. Puris with oil had a nice shine and were a bit darker than those without. As per taste, not much noticeable difference.
Pic Shown: Left - Air Fry Pani Puri WITH some oil; Right - Air Fry Pani Puri WITHOUT any oil
Pic Shown: Closeup of Air Fry Pani Puri
How To Serve Air Fryer Pani Puri
Pani puri is best enjoyed with some spicy potato and black chickpeas filling and some flavorful pani ( water ). I have shared 3 different flavors of pani (water) from traditional mint-cilantro to more trendy strawberry and pineapple ones. Enjoy this popular street food at home with my healthier, guilt-free homemade air fry pani puri!
Making pani puri is such a fun activity to do with your kids. I just keep everything in separate bowls and let my kids make their pani puri. They can make the puri according to their taste, and add more or less filling or pani.
My daughter is crazy about strawberry pani and my son devoured the pineapple one. My hubby loves spices food, so this mint-cilantro is just perfect for him. I love this time with my family when we all have something to share and enjoy together as a family. So blessed!!
Pic Shown: Homemade Air Fry Pani Puri, mint-cilantro pani, strawberry pani, pineapple pani, masala for pani puri
Pro Tips For Best Air Fryer Pani Puri
It is important to preheat the air fryer the first time and after every 2 batches of air frying for best results.
Puri needs to be air fried at a high temperature, if the temperature is not maintained the puri does not puff up well.
I have tried air frying at 360 degrees Fahrenheit and 370 degrees Fahrenheit. Both temperatures gave good results.
Air fry the pani puri in batches. Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Arrange the pani puri in a single layer. I could fit around 15-16 puri in my 5-quart Gourmia air fryer.
Applying oil to the pani puri is optional. I made a few batches with and a few without oil. Puris with oil had a nice shine and were slightly dark in color, than the ones without oil. As per taste, not much noticeable difference.
Pic Shown: Mint-cilantro pani puri, Strawberry pani puri, Pineapple pani puri
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I store air fryer pani puri?
Yes, you can make these air fry pani puri ahead and store them in airtight container. If stored in proper conditions, pani puri stays good for up to a month.
Can I deep fry ready-to-cook puri?
Yes, you can deep fry ready-to-cook puri.
How To Serve Pani Puri
Pani puri is best served with some spicy, flavorful potato mixture, flavor bursting, lip-smacking, spicy, and tangy mint-cilantro pani (water). Occasionally, I like to add some boiled black or white chickpeas for added flavor.
I have shared 3 different flavors of pani (water) from traditional mint-cilantro, to more trendy strawberry and pineapple ones on my blog. Also, how to make spicy potato filling. Here's the recipe for pani and aloo mixture - pani puri (gol gappe)
More Indian Street Food
Mumbai Style Ragda Pattice
Methi Bhajiya (Pakora)
Mumbai Street Style Pav Bhaji
Mixed Lentils Dosa (no-rice)
Air Fryer Pani Puri
Equipment
Ingredients
INGREDIENTS FOR AIR FRY PANI PURI
- 1 packet ready-to-cook-pani-puri
- 1 teaspoon oil ( optional )
Instructions
Instructions For Air Fryer Pani Puri
- You will need an Air Fryer
- Preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 360 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Arrange the puri in a single layer.Optional: You can apply some oil to the puri. Take a few drops of oil onto your hand. Take a few puris, and gently rub the puri between your palms.
- Air fry the puri for 2 minutes.
- Remove the puri and set it aside. Continue with the next batch of puri.Note: It is important to preheat the air fryer after 2 batches of air frying.
How To Serve Air Fryer Pani Puri
- Pani puri are best served with some spicy, flavorful potato mixture, flavor bursting, lip-smacking, spicy, and tangy mint-cilantro pani (water).
- I have shared 3 different flavors of pani (water) from traditional mint-cilantro, to more trendy strawberry and pineapple ones on my blog. Also, how to make spicy potato filling. Here’s the recipe for masala and pani - pani puri (gol gappe)
Notes
- Pro Tips For Best Air Fryer Pani Puri
- Frequently Asked Questions
Disclaimer
Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.
Priya says
Came out just perfect in air fryer. I was hesitant to try but wow i am impresses how they turned out. Thank you Jyoti so much!
Jyoti Behrani says
Hi Priya, I'm so glad you liked my recipe 🙂 Thanks for sharing your feedback!
Ks says
Can this be made in a regular oven?
Jyoti Behrani says
Sorry, I have not tried this recipe in an oven. Thanks!
Ks says
I tried it in a regular oven at 400 deg F on regular bake mode. The puris did not puff up all the way and had a very “bubbly” surface. Is it because the temperature is too high or too low than required?