This Air fryer chakli (murukku) is delicious, and low-fat. It is healthier than the traditional deep-fried chakli. Try these low-fat chakli without compromising on its taste. Munch on these healthy bites any time of the day. This recipe is vegan and nut-free.
Sharing Air Fryer and oven (baked) method chakli. This recipe uses avocados, which are nutrient-rich and low in calories. As a result, this recipe is healthier and lighter than the traditional deep-fried recipe.
India is known for its cultural heritage, diversity, festivities, food, and much more. Diwali, known as the Festival of Lights, is one of the popular festival in India. Diwali is celebrated all around India with all the zest and love. The celebrations usually lasts for 5 days.
Growing up in India, Diwali for me was a month-long celebration. From decorating the home to buying new clothes and yummy food. From homemade sweets, savory snacks to lavish meals served during the festival time.
I remember my mom used to start preparing for Diwali almost a month ahead. She used to make lots of sweets and savory snacks to share with family and friends. Some of the sweets were Gulab jamun, coconut burfi, peda, motichoor ke laddu, besan ki burfi, badam burfi, and my all-time favorite kheer (rice pudding).
My mom used to make many dry snacks like namak pare, Shakar pare, mathri, sev, boondi, Farsi poori, poha chivda, and my favorite chakli. No Diwali would be complete without homemade sweets and these crunchy, munchy savory snacks. We used to devour these snacks for weeks. These snacks have a long shelf life, and can be made ahead and stored in an air-tight container.
The day after Diwali is celebrated as a New Year in India. Where friends and family visit each other’s homes and wish New Year greetings and share homemade sweets and these yummy goodies. My mom used to make gift boxes with homemade goodies and distribute them among friends and family. Love this tradition!!
Jump to:
- About No Fry Chakli (Murukku)
- Ingredients for Air Fryer Chakli (Murukku)
- Prepare The Chakli Dough
- Shape The Chakli (Murukku)
- Air Fryer Chakli (Murukku)
- Baked Chakli (Murukku) - Oven Method
- No Fry Chakli (Murukku) using Air Fryer Lid
- Pro Tips For Best Air Fryer Chakli (Murukku)
- Frequently Asked Questions
- How to store Chakli (Murukku)?
- Air Fryer Indian Recipes
- Air Fryer Chakli [Murukku]
About No Fry Chakli (Murukku)
Chakli, known as "Chakari" or "murukku", is a savory, crunchy snack. It is made during festival time in India. It is deep-fried, spiral-shaped snack made with different combinations of lentils, and spices.
There are many versions of chakli. In Gujarat, Chakri is made using whole wheat flour or rice flour. In the southern part of India, it is called Murukku and is made with rice flour and some basic seasonings. Chakli is made using homemade flour known as "Bhajani" in Maharashtra.
Commonly used lentils flours include rice, Bengal gram (besan), wheat flour, and black gram (urad dal). Depending upon the type of flour(s) used, and spices, the taste and flavor will be different.
I remember my mom used to make this chakli using rice flour. Sometimes, she used to add some spinach puree to make a spinach chakli or tomato puree to make tomato chakli. You can add flavors as per liking.
Today, I am sharing my version of this chakli recipe, inspired by my mom's recipe. Instead of ghee, I am using avocado as a fat in this recipe. Traditionally chakli is deep-fried. I will be making chakli using 3 different non-fried methods using an Air Fryer, in the oven(baked), and with air fryer lid.
These chaklis are made with a fraction of oil. No deep-fried, and almost no oil, these chakli taste just like the traditional ones but are way healthier. Indulge in guilt-free eating, and enjoy these healthy chaklis with a cup of hot tea. If you try my recipe, please share your feedback with us. Would love to know your creations in the kitchen.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Chakli (Murukku)
1 cup rice flour
½ cup besan (chickpea flour)
1 ripe avocado
1 tablespoon sesame seeds (white/black)
½ teaspoon ajwain
½ teaspoon ground turmeric
⅛ teaspoon hing (asafetida)
½ teaspoon red chili powder
½ teaspoon baking soda
2-4 tablespoon water, as needed
2 tablespoon oil
1 teaspoon salt, adjust to taste
Recipe Video - Air Fryer Chakli (Murukku)
Please do watch this video to make a perfect chakli at home. I am sharing 3 different ways to make these non-fried chakli, using Air Fryer, air fry lid and oven method.
Prepare The Chakli Dough
In a large mixing bowl, add all the dry ingredients - rice flour, besan, turmeric powder, red chili powder, asafetida, ajwain, sesame seeds, baking soda, and salt to taste. Mix well to combine the dry ingredients. Keep it aside.
In small mixing bowl, add the avocado. Using a fork mash the avocado to a smooth consistency.
Add this mashed avocado to the dry ingredients and knead the flour into a semi-soft dough. Gradually, add water, around 2-3 tablespoons or as needed to just combine the dough into a smooth ball. Cover the dough with a plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel, to prevent it from drying. Let dough rest for 5 minutes.
Shape The Chakli (Murukku)
To make the chakli, you will need a chakli maker or a machine. I use this chakli maker for making the chaklis.
Place the chakli disc with a star shape into the Chakri maker. Grease the chakli maker with some cooking oil (or spray). Take a small portion of the dough and add it to the Chakri maker. Fill the Chakri maker with the dough, leaving about a centimeter of space from the top to close the lid (handle). Screw the top of the chakli maker and press the handle.
On a plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel, start by pressing the handle and moving the chakli maker in a circular motion to create the spiral shape chaklis. I prefer around 3-4 circular rounds for a medium-size chakli. At the end of the fourth circular round, break the dough and secure it by gently pressing the loose end to the outermost circle.
Air Fryer Chakli (Murukku)
Using a pastry brush, grease the air fryer basket with some cooking oil. Carefully, lift the chaklis and place them in the air fryer basket. Using a pastry brush, apply some oil to the top of the chaklis.
Air Fry these chaklis at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes, turning halfway through. After 8 minutes, open the air fryer, and using a spatula gently flip the chaklis. Apply some oil on the top, and air fry for 4 more minutes. After 4 minutes, check if the chaklis are done. If required add a few more minutes of cooking time in increments of 1 minute.
Note: Depending upon the size of the air fryer basket, you can add the chaklis. I could fit around 6 chaklis in a 5-quart air fryer.
Continue with the process. Finish making the remaining chaklis till there is dough left in the chakli maker. Fill the chakli maker with the remaining dough and repeat the process. You can make around 32-36 small-size chaklis.
Pic Shown: Air Fryer Chakli
Baked Chakli (Murukku) - Oven Method
Line a baking tray 9*13 inches with some parchment paper. Make the chaklis directly on the parchment paper. Start by pressing the handle and moving the chakli maker in a circular motion to create the spiral shape chaklis. I prefer around 3-4 circular rounds for a medium-size chakli. At the end of the fourth circular round, break the dough and secure it by gently pressing the loose end to the outermost circle.
Continue with the process, and finish making the remaining chaklis. You can make around 12-14 medium-size chaklis. Fill the chakli maker with the remaining dough and repeat the process. You can fit around 12 chaklis on the baking tray. This recipe makes around 24-28 chaklis.
Bake the chaklis at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 35-40 minutes, turning halfway through. After 20 minutes, gently flip the chaklis using a spatula. With the help of the pastry brush, apply some oil on top of the chaklis. Bake for another 10-15 minutes or until light golden in color and crisp.
Note: Different oven temperature settings work differently, please keep an eye on these as they can get burnt quickly. It took me around 35 minutes of cooking time.
Pic shown: Oven baked Chakli (Murukku)
No Fry Chakli (Murukku) using Air Fryer Lid
IMPORTANT: Completely UNPLUG the Instant Pot unit, before proceeding with this recipe.
Using a pastry brush, grease the crispy basket with some cooking oil. Carefully, lift the chaklis and place them in the crispy basket. Using a pastry brush, apply some oil on top of the chaklis. You can place around 7 small size chaklis. Note: Make only chaklis that will fit into the crispy basket. Keep the dough covered.
Place the trivet (that comes with crisplid) inside the inner pot of the Instant Pot. Place the crispy basket on top of the trivet. Now place the air fryer lid on top of the inner pot. Plug the air fryer lid and lower the handle.
Air fry these chaklis at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes, turning halfway through. After 8 minutes, open the crisp lid. Using a fork or spatula gently flip the chaklis. Apply some oil on top, and air fry for 4 more minutes. After 4 minutes, check if the chaklis are done. If required add a few more minutes of cooking time in increments of 1 minute.
Continue with the process, and finish making the remaining chaklis until there is no dough left in the chakli maker. Fill the chakli maker with the remaining dough and repeat the process. You can make around 32-36 small-size chaklis.
Pic Shown: Air Fryer Lid Chakli
Pro Tips For Best Air Fryer Chakli (Murukku)
About the chakli dough:
Use ripe avocado, mash it to a smooth consistency and use it immediately for making the dough. The longer the avocado sits, it starts discoloration.
Use minimum water to just bind the dough into a smooth ball. Remember the more moisture the dough has the longer it will take for it to cook (air fry or bake). We just want enough moisture to bind the dough and foam chaklis out of it.
To foam chaklis, the dough should not be too dry or too wet. If the chakli breaks when foaming, add 1-2 tablespoons of water and knead the dough again.
If the chaklis do not foam into a spiral shape, means the dough is too wet. Adjust the consistency of the dough by adding some more rice flour.
Taste the dough for the seasonings, and add salt and red chili powder to your liking.
There is no need to add any additional oil or any kind of fat to this recipe. The avocado does the job of adding the required fat to make these oil-free chaklis.
Use Baking Soda NOT Baking Powder. Baking soda gives a nice crunch to the chaklis.
Pinch the ends of chakli:
Secure the loose ends of the chakli. Gently press the loose end to the outermost circle.
Apply some oil on top of the chaklis. It helps nicely brown the chakli and crisps evenly. I prefer using a pastry brush, gives me consistent results. When using cooking spray, I see uneven browning of the chaklis.
Work in batches:
For Air Fryer and air fryer lid, foam chaklis in small-batch, as needed, to prevent discoloration of the chaklis.
Temperature cooking can sometimes be quite tricky. Please use timing as a guideline. Different oven/air fryers work on different temperature settings. When baking or air frying the chakli, keep a close eye on them. They can go from light brown to burnt in no time.
Cool the chaklis completely. Store it in a clean, air-tight glass container. The chaklis stay good for 2-3 weeks.
Pic Shown: Air Fryer Chakli
Frequently Asked Questions
Can I make chakli without using avocado?
Yes, you can make chaklis without using avocados. Substitute a half cup of thick yogurt plus 2-3 tablespoons of ghee or butter to bind the dough. Follow the rest of the recipe as discussed earlier.
I can't shape the chakli
To foam chaklis, the dough should not be too dry or too wet. If the chakli breaks when foaming, add 1-2 tablespoons of water and knead the dough again.
If the chaklis do not foam into a spiral shape, means the dough is too wet. Adjust the consistency of the dough by adding some more rice flour.
How to store Chakli (Murukku)?
Chakli (Murukku) stays fresh for 2-3 weeks at room temperature. Store it in a clean, air-tight glass container. Use clean, dry hands to remove the chakli from the jar.
Air Fryer Indian Recipes
Air Fryer Chakli [Murukku]
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup rice flour
- ½ cup besan (chickpea flour)
- 1 ripe avocado
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- ½ teaspoon red chili powder, adjust to taste
- ½ teaspoon ajwain
- 1 tablespoon sesame seeds (white/black)
- ½ teaspoon baking soda
- ⅛ teaspoon hing (asafetida)
- 1 teaspoon salt, adjust to taste
- 2-4 tablespoon water, as needed
- 2 tablespoon oil
Instructions
Prepare The Chakli Dough
- In a mixing bowl, add all the dry ingredients – rice flour, besan, turmeric powder, red chili powder, asofeotida, ajwain, sesame seeds, baking soda, and salt to taste. Mix well to combine all the dry ingredients. Keep it aside.
- In another mixing bowl, add the avocado, using a fork mash the avocado to a smooth consistency.
- Add this mashed avocado to the dry ingredients and knead the flour into a semi-soft dough. Gradually, add water, around 2-3 tablespoons or as needed to just combine the dough into a smooth dough.
- Cover the dough with a plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel, to prevent it from drying. Let dough rest for 5 minutes.
Shape The Chakli (Murukku)
- Place the chakli disc with star shape into the chakli maker. Grease the chakli maker with some cooking oil (or spray).
- Take a small portion of the dough and add it to the chakli maker. Fill the chakli maker with the dough, leaving about a centimeter of space from the top to close the lid (handle). Screw the top of the chakli maker and press the handle.
- On a plastic wrap or a clean kitchen towel, start by pressing the handle and moving the chakli maker in a circular motion to create the spiral shape chaklis. For medium size chakli make around 3-4 circular rounds.
- Towards the end of the 4th circular round, break the dough and secure it, by gently pressing the loose end to the outermost circle, so the chakli stays together.
Air Fryer Chakli (Murukku)
- Using a pastry brush, grease the air fryer basket with some cooking oil. Carefully, lift the chaklis and place them in the air fryer basket. Using a pastry brush, apply some oil on the top of the chaklis.
- Air Fry these chaklis at 350 degree Farenheit for 12-15 minutes, turning half way through.Note: Depending upon the size of the air fryer basket, you can add the chaklis. I could fit around 6 chaklis in a 5 quart air fryer.
- After 8 minutes, open the air fryer, and using a spatula gently flip the chaklis, apply some oil on the top and air fry it for another 4 minutes. After 4 minutes, check if the chaklis are done. If required add couple of minutes of cooking time in the increments of 1 minute.
- Continue with the process, and finish making the remaining chaklis. You can make around 32-36 small size chaklis.
Baked Chakli (Murukku) - Oven Method
- You will need two 9*13 inches baking sheet, parchment paper
- Line two 9*13 inches baking tray with some parchment paper. Make the chaklis directly on the parchment paper.
- Using a pastry brush, apply some oil on top of the chaklis. Bake these chaklis at 350 degree Fahrenheit for 35-40 minutes, turning half way through.
- After 20 minutes, gently flip the chaklis using a spatula. With the help of the pastry brush, apply some oil on top of the chaklis, bake for another 10-15 minutes or until light golden in color and crisp.
- You can fit around 12 chaklis on the baking tray. This recipe makes around 24-28 medium size chaklis.
No Fry Chakli (Murukku) using Air Fryer Lid
- You will need an Air Fryer lid
- IMPORTANT: Completely UNPLUG the Instant Pot unit, before proceeding with this recipe.Using a pastry brush, grease the crispy basket with some cooking oil. Carefully, lift the chaklis and place them in the crispy basket. Using a pastry brush, apply some oil on top of the chaklis. You can place around 7 small size chaklis.
- Place the trivet (that comes with crisplid) inside the inner pot of Instant Pot. Place the crispy basket on top of the trivet. Now place the air fryer lid on top of the inner pot. Plug the lid and lower the handle.
- Air fry these chaklis at 350 degree Fahrenheit for 12-15 minutes, turning half way through.
- After 8 minutes, open the air fryer lid and using a fork gently flip the chaklis, apply some oil on top and air fry for another 4 minutes. After 4 minutes, check if the chaklis are done. If required add few more minutes of cooking time in the increments of 1 minute.
- Continue with the process, and finish making the remaining chaklis. You can make around 32-36 small size chaklis.
Notes
- Different oven temperature settings work differently, please keep an eye on these as they can get burnt quickly. It took me around 35 minutes of cooking time.
- Make only chaklis that will fit into the air fryer / crispy basket. Keep the dough covered until next batch of cooking.
- Depending upon the size of the air fryer basket, you can add the chaklis. I could fit around 6 chaklis in a 5 quart air fryer.
- Apply some oil on your hands while handling the dough to prevent it from sticking.
- PRO TIPS FOR THE BEST CHAKLI (MURUKKU) - please refer to the post earlier.
- CAN I MAKE CHAKLI WITHOUT USING AVOCADO - Yes, substitute half cup of thick yogurt plus 2-3 tablespoons of ghee or butter to bind the dough. Follow rest of the recipe as discussed earlier.
- HOW TO STORE CHAKLI (MURUKKU) - Chakli (Murukku) stays fresh of 2-3 weeks at room temperature. Store it in a clean, air-tight glass container. Use clean, dry hands to remove the chakli from the jar.
Nutrition
Disclaimer
Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.
KEYWORD
air fried murukku, air fryer chakli, no fry chakli, no fry murukku
Shilpa says
Looks yummy ? can’t wait to try it.
Jyoti Behrani says
Hi Shilpa, Great! Let me know how it turns out. Thanks!
VK says
Tried this in my air fryer. This is a keeper. Thanks for the recipe
Jyoti Behrani says
Awesome! I am so glad you liked my recipe. Thanks for sharing your feedback!
Payal Agrawal says
I tried this yesterday. It came out very good.
Jyoti Behrani says
Awesome! I am so glad you liked my recipe 🙂 Thanks Payal for your feedback!