As I have had occasion to mention before, most Indian snacks deep fried. This recipe is no exception. The air fried version presented here is as tasty as the deep fried one, but with no guilt associated, I have grown up on this tea-time snack and was missing it sorely when I gave up oil. Experimentation led me to this version – a real treat with a cup of your favourite hot beverage.

Ingredients
3 cups Bengal gram flour (besan, kadalai mavu)
3 tbsp rice flour
1 cup finely chopped onions
2 green chillies, chopped fine
1 sprig curry leaves, removed from stem and chopped roughly
1/2 cup peanuts or quartered cashewnuts
A pinch of turmeric powder (haldi powder, manjal podi)
3-4 tbsp water (or just enough to bind the dough)
Salt to taste
Method
Combine all the ingredients, except water, in a bowl
Mix well
Sprinkle water, 1 tbsp at a time, and knead into a stiff dough
The dough should be crumbly to look at but hold together when held tight
“Pinch” little portions of the dough and drop into a steamer
Steam for 10 minutes
Transfer to an air fryer and ‘fry’ till golden brown, shaking the tray occasionally so that all sides are equally browned
Transfer to a serving bowl
Serve with your favourite evening beverage
Enjoy!