Air-Fryer Cauliflower Manchurian is a healthier version of the world-famous Cauliflower Manchurian or Gobi Manchurian as it is known in India. It is my most favorite way to eat cauliflower! Trust me once you try it you will agree as well!
Though I love this dish, most times I tend to stay away from it as the cauliflower is deep-fried.
But air fryer to the rescue!! I cannot tell you how much I love my air fryer! It really is a genius invention!
So here is my version of air-fried cauliflower Manchurian which tastes very much like the deep-fried version.
I have to mention the cauliflower is air fried but the rest of the dish is finished on the stovetop.
So let’s get straight to it!
What are the ingredients for Air-Fryer Cauliflower Manchurian?
For the air fried cauliflower:
Cauliflower
Flour
Cornflour
Salt and pepper to taste
Turmeric powder
Buttermilk ( I used milk with vinegar)
For the Manchurian:
Onions
Garlic
Ginger
Green chilies
Scallions
Red onions
Green bell pepper
For the sauce:
Soya sauce
Sriracha sauce or chili sauce
Tomato ketchup
Vinegar
Sugar
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How do you make this Air Fryer Cauliflower Manchurian?
Wash the cauliflower florets. Microwave for 2 minutes with water and turmeric powder. Drain and keep them aside.
Whisk the dry ingredients in a bowl.
In another bowl put your buttermilk. If you do not have buttermilk, you can mix 1 cup milk with 1 tbsp of white vinegar.
Now dip the cauliflower florets in the buttermilk and then toss them in the flour mixture. They should be nicely coated. Do the same for all the florets.
Drizzle oil on them and put in the air fryer at 375 for 8 minutes, and 400 for 2 minutes.
Air fry all the florets and keep them aside.
To make the Manchurian sauce:
Chop the onions, ginger, garlic, green chilies, and scallions if using.
Mix the ingredients for the sauce and keep it ready.
Heat oil in a pan, when hot, add the onions, ginger-garlic, and green chilies. Fry on a high flame stirring constantly. Add the red onions and green bell pepper. Cook for a minute.
Add the sauce and mix.
Add in the cauliflower florets and toss to coat.
Lastly, add the chopped scallions and cilantro to garnish.
Your delicious cauliflower Manchurian is ready! Enjoy it with some Fried Rice or Noodles!
I also have a recipe for Eggplant and Paneer Manchurian.
Air-Fryer Cauliflower Manchurian
Ingredients
- 15 Cauliflower florets (half a cauliflower)
- ½ Onion chopped
- 5 garlic cloves chopped
- 1 inch ginger chopped
- 2 green chilies chopped
- ½ red onion quartered
- ½ green bell pepper cut into squares
- 5 stalks Cilantro chopped
- 5 Scallions or green onions chopped(optional)
- Salt to taste (if required)
For the Sauce
- ¼ cup Soya sauce
- 1 tbsp Sriracha or Chili sauce
- 1 tsp White vinegar
- 2 tbsp tomato ketchup
- 1 tsp sugar
For the air-fried cauliflower
- 1 cup buttermilk
- ½ cup all-purpose flour
- 2 tbsp cornstarch (cornflour)
- ½ tsp salt
- ¼ tsp pepper
Instructions
- Microwave the cauliflower florets for 2 minutes with a little water and a pinch of turmeric powder. Once done, drain and set them aside.
- In a bowl, whisk the flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper.
- Pour the buttermilk into another bowl. (Mix 1 cup milk and 1 tbsp. vinegar to make buttermilk)
- Dip the cauliflower florets in the buttermilk, then put them into the flour mixture and toss them around till they are coated. Remove them onto a plate. Do the same until all the florets are coated.
- Drizzle oil on the cauliflower florets.
- Preheat your air fryer to 375°F. Put the cauliflower florets in a single layer, and air fry till crispy. It should take about 8 minutes. After that, turn up your air fryer to 400°F and air fry for 2 minutes more.
- Repeat with a second batch till all the florets are air fried. Keep them aside.
To make the Manchurian
- Chop all the ingredients and keep them ready.
- Mix all the ingredients to make the sauce and keep it ready in a bowl.
- Heat up a pan on medium-high heat, add oil, when the oil is hot, add the chopped onions, ginger, garlic, green chilies, and white scallions parts (if using). Fry them for a minute.
- Add the sauce mixture and fry. Add the red onion and green bell peppers. Stir fry for a minute.
- Next, add the air-fried cauliflower florets and toss to coat with the sauce. If needed add salt to taste.
- Fry for a minute more and switch off the flame. Garnish with chopped cilantro and the green parts of the scallions.
- Enjoy your delicious healthier version of Cauliflower Manchurian!
NOTES:
The same method can be used to make Manchurian with mushrooms, paneer, tofu, chicken, pork, etc
The cauliflower can be steamed or boiled on the stovetop as well, but whichever way you pre-cook it, make sure to undercook it and not overcook it. Because it will cook more in the air-fryer and in the sauce. I always do it in the microwave for 2 minutes, it turns out perfect every time.
If you find your sauce is too spicy in the end, you can add more tomato ketchup and mix it. If you prefer it spicier add extra green chilies or chili sauce.
To make buttermilk, mix 1 cup of milk with 1 tablespoon of white vinegar, that is how I make buttermilk for any recipe that calls for it.
I did not use Scallions as I did not have them, but if you have them I do recommend using them in this recipe.
If you do not have an Air Fryer, you can bake the cauliflower in an oven at 400F for about 8 to 10 minutes.
If you try this recipe out, please let me know what you think by leaving a comment below and rating the recipe.
I have more Air-Fryer recipes for you to try! Do check them out:
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Photo by Katarzyna Grabowska on Unsplash
2 Comments
Love this recipe. Thank you
I am so happy to hear that Rashmi! Thank you for taking the time to leave a comment, I appreciate it!