The air fryer’s biggest advantage is how little oil it needs. Most snacks here use 1 teaspoon to 1 tablespoon of oil for a whole batch, compared with the litre or more of oil used for deep frying (some of which soaks into the food). Here are our favourite low-oil desi snacks, grouped by how much oil they actually need.
Why the oil saving matters
One tablespoon of cooking oil is roughly 120 kcal. Deep-fried snacks absorb a noticeable amount of oil as they fry, while air-fried versions only carry the thin coat you brush or spray on. Over a week of tea-time snacks, that difference adds up.
Snacks that need 1 teaspoon of oil or less
| Snack | Oil per batch | Air fry |
|---|---|---|
| Roasted peanuts | 0–½ tsp | 180 °C, 8–12 min |
| Roasted makhana | 1 tsp ghee | 150–160 °C, 8–10 min |
| Roasted chickpeas | 1 tsp | 200 °C, 15–18 min |
| Banana chips | 1 tsp coconut oil | 180 °C, 12–15 min |
| Popcorn | 1 tsp | 200 °C, 6–8 min |
| Masala papad | None | 180 °C, 1–2 min |
Snacks that need about 1 tablespoon
| Snack | Air fry |
|---|---|
| Paneer tikka | 200 °C, 10–12 min |
| Aloo gobi (1½ tbsp) | 200 °C, 18–22 min |
| French fries | 200 °C, 15–20 min |
| Potato wedges | 200 °C, 18–22 min |
| Paneer pakoda | 190 °C, 10–12 min |
| Samosa (8 pieces) | 180 °C, 12–15 min |
| Veg cutlet | 180 °C, 12–14 min |
Quick low-oil recipe: masala makhana
- Toss 2 cups makhana with 1 tsp melted ghee, ¼ tsp turmeric, ½ tsp kashmiri chilli, ¼ tsp chaat masala and salt.
- Air fry at 150–160 °C (300–320 °F) for 8–10 minutes, shaking every 3 minutes.
- Bite one: it should snap. Cool completely before storing.
How to use less oil without losing crunch
- Use a sprayer or brush, not a pour. A refillable oil mister coats evenly with very little.
- Toss in a bowl rather than oiling food in the basket.
- Dry food crisps with less oil. Pat everything dry first.
- Rice flour or cornflour coatings crisp with very little oil.
- Choosing an oil? See the healthiest oil for air frying.
Frequently asked questions
Can I air fry without any oil?
Yes for nuts, papad and already-oily frozen foods. Most other foods turn dry and pale without a light coat of oil.
Which snack uses the least oil?
Masala papad (none), roasted peanuts and makhana (½–1 tsp per batch).
More: high-protein paneer snacks · lighter air fryer recipes · all snacks