Do you love snacking on crispy, savory treats? If so, you’re in for a treat! In this article, we will explore the wonderful world of mathri, a delectable Indian snack that is both tasty and healthy. What makes it even more exciting is that we will be making it in an air fryer, ensuring a guilt-free indulgence. So, let’s dive in and learn how to make mathri in an air fryer!
Gearing Up: Gather Your Ingredients and Equipment
Before we get started, let’s make sure we have everything we need to make these delicious mathris. Don’t worry; you won’t need anything fancy – just some basic ingredients that you probably already have in your pantry. Here’s what you’ll need:
1. All-purpose flour
2. Semolina
3. Ghee (clarified butter)
4. Carom seeds
5. Salt
6. Baking powder
7. Water
8. Oil (for brushing)
Additionally, you’ll need an air fryer to cook your mathris. If you don’t have one, fear not! You can also bake them in a conventional oven, although the cooking time may vary slightly. So, let’s move on to the next step!
Mixing and Kneading the Dough: The Foundation of Delicious Mathris
To make perfect mathris, we need to start with a well-prepared dough. Follow these simple steps to achieve that:
Step 1: Combining the Dry Ingredients
In a large mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of all-purpose flour, ¼ cup of semolina, 2 tablespoons of ghee, ½ teaspoon of carom seeds, ½ teaspoon of salt, and ¼ teaspoon of baking powder. Mix all these ingredients together until well combined.
Step 2: Prepare the Dough
Slowly add water, little by little, to the dry mixture while kneading the dough. Continue kneading until you achieve a smooth and firm consistency. The dough should be pliable and not too sticky. Add more water or flour if necessary to obtain the desired texture.
Step 3: Resting the Dough
Cover the dough with a damp cloth or plastic wrap and let it rest for about 15-20 minutes. This resting period allows the gluten in the dough to relax, resulting in lighter and crispier mathris.
Shaping and Cooking the Mathris: Let’s Get Creative
With the dough ready, it’s time to shape the mathris and cook them to perfection. This is where you can get creative and experiment with various shapes and sizes. Here’s how you can do it:
Step 1: Dividing the Dough
After the resting period, divide the dough into small portions. This will make it easier to work with and shape the mathris. Take a portion of the dough and roll it into a ball between your palms. Repeat this process until you’ve used up all the dough.
Step 2: Rolling and Cutting
Now, take one dough ball and roll it out on a lightly floured surface. Aim for a thickness of about ¼ inch. Once rolled, use a cookie cutter or a small lid to cut out the mathris into your desired shape. Traditionally, mathris are round with a fluted or serrated edge, but feel free to get creative and try different shapes!
Step 3: Preparing the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C) for about 5 minutes. While the air fryer is preheating, brush the mathris with a little oil on both sides. This will help them achieve that perfect golden-brown color and crispy texture.
Step 4: Air Frying
Once preheated, place the mathris in a single layer in the air fryer basket, ensuring they are not touching each other. Cook them for approximately 12-15 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time. Keep a close eye on them during the last few minutes to avoid overcooking or burning.
Step 5: Cooling and Storing
After air frying, remove the mathris from the air fryer and let them cool on a wire rack. Once completely cooled, store them in an airtight container to maintain their crispiness. Mathris can last for several weeks if stored properly, but let’s be honest – they probably won’t last that long!
Enjoying Your Homemade Mathris: A Perfect Snack for Any Occasion
Congratulations! You have successfully made mouthwatering mathris in an air fryer. Now, it’s time to enjoy the fruits of your labor. Mathris make for an ideal snack that can be enjoyed on any occasion, whether it’s tea-time, game night, or as a quick munch on a lazy afternoon.
These crispy delights can be relished on their own or paired with some tangy chutney, pickle, or a cup of hot masala chai. You can also get creative and use mathris as a base for chaats, topping them with yogurt, chutneys, and various toppings to create a savory delight.
Conclusion
Making mathris in an air fryer is a straightforward and healthy alternative to deep-frying. By utilizing this handy kitchen appliance, you can enjoy all the crispy goodness without the guilt. So, grab your ingredients, fire up the air fryer, and start creating these delightful snacks from scratch. Your taste buds will thank you, and your family and friends will keep coming back for more of your tasty homemade mathris!