Air Fryer Samosas

Spiced potato and pea filling in crisp pastry, with a fraction of the oil.

Prep Time35 mins
Air Fry15 mins
Temp190°C / 375°F
Yield12 samosas
The Air Fryer Cookbook, 100 recipes cover Loved this recipe? The Air Fryer Cookbook, 100 recipes Every ingredient in cups and grams, with a photo for every recipe. 206 pages, instant PDF. Get it $3+ →

Before You Start

Air fried samosas aren't identical to deep fried ones, and it's worth saying so. The pastry is crisper and drier rather than bubbled and flaky. What you get instead is a snack you can make on a Tuesday without a pan of hot oil, and the filling is the same.

Instructions

0 of 6 done

  1. Fry the onion in the oil for 8 minutes until soft, then add the ginger and all the ground spices and cook a minute until they smell toasty.

  2. Stir in the potato, peas and salt, mashing roughly so some lumps remain. Cool the filling completely, since warm filling steams the pastry from inside.

  3. Cut each pastry sheet into two long strips. Fold one corner over to form a cone, spoon in filling, then keep folding along the strip into a triangle. Seal the end with a flour and water paste.

  4. Spray the samosas all over. Every dry patch of pastry stays pale and papery, so be thorough.

  5. Preheat to 190°C / 375°F for 3 minutes, then air fry in a single layer for 8 minutes.

  6. Turn, spray again, and cook another 5 to 7 minutes until deep golden and blistered. Serve with mint yogurt or tamarind chutney.

Tap a step to check it off. Your place is saved on this device.

♨️ Air fryer notes

  • Cook at 190°C / 375°F and preheat for 2 to 3 minutes for the crispiest result.
  • Keep everything in a single layer with space around each piece. Overcrowding steams food instead of crisping it, so cook in batches if your basket is small.
  • Shake or turn halfway, and check a few minutes early, since air fryers cook faster than ovens and every model runs slightly differently.

💡 Cook's tips

  • Cool the filling. This is the single most common reason air fried samosas turn out soft rather than crisp.
  • Keep the pastry sheets under a damp cloth while you work. They dry out and crack within a couple of minutes of being uncovered.

🔀 Make it your own

  • Add minced lamb browned with the onion, or swap the peas for paneer and spinach.
  • Use filo pastry, doubled up and brushed with oil, for a lighter and even crisper shell.

📦 Storing & reheating

Freeze uncooked and air fry from frozen at 190°C for 18 minutes. Cooked ones keep for 2 days and re-crisp at 190°C for 4 minutes.

❓ Frequently asked

Can you cook frozen samosas in an air fryer?

Yes, and they come out well. Spray with oil and cook at 190°C for 12 to 15 minutes, turning halfway. No defrosting needed.

Why is my samosa pastry pale?

Not enough oil on the surface. Air fryers brown through fat, so an unsprayed patch stays white and chalky no matter how long you cook it.

Adapting your own recipe? Use the oven to air fryer converter for temp and time, or the recipe scaler to halve or double this.

More air fryer recipes

Hot Honey Halloumi Fries Snacks Hot Honey Halloumi Fries Golden halloumi batons with a sticky sweet-heat honey drizzle. Crispy Sesame Chickpeas Snacks Crispy Sesame Chickpeas A crunchy, sticky-sweet snack from one tin of chickpeas. Crispy Air Fryer Gnocchi Snacks Crispy Air Fryer Gnocchi Shop-bought gnocchi turned golden and crunchy, like tiny roast potatoes.
🛒 Our air fryer picks

Kit that makes this foolproof

A few inexpensive bits that get you crispier results with less mess.

A roomy air fryer A roomy air fryer A larger basket means fewer batches and crispier results. Available at Amazon Check price → Perforated liners Perforated liners Less sticking and mess, without blocking the airflow. Available at Amazon Check price → Silicone tongs Silicone tongs Turn and lift without scratching the non-stick basket. Available at Amazon Check price →

As an Amazon Associate, GramCups earns from qualifying purchases, at no extra cost to you.

Play GramCups Café 🎮