Creating delicious vegan food has never been easier, and these crispy, golden air fryer samosas are proof. They’re the perfect way to use up any leftover vegetables lurking in your fridge, transforming them into a mouth-watering light snack or appetiser in no time. Whether you’re prepping for a dinner party, a picnic, or just a cosy night in, these samosas tick all the boxes – flavourful, crunchy, and satisfying.
What’s brilliant is that they look and taste just like traditional samosas, but no one would guess you made them with leftovers and cooked them in the air fryer instead of deep frying. When placed side by side with traditionally fried samosas, you genuinely can’t tell the difference – they’re that good! The air fryer gives them that perfect crisp finish without all the extra oil, making them a lighter and healthier option too.
We all know that eating more vegetables is key to maintaining a healthy lifestyle, but let’s face it – boiled or steamed veg can get boring fast. That’s why finding creative, exciting ways to enjoy them is essential. These samosas do just that. They allow you to incorporate a mix of colourful vegetables into your day in a delicious, fuss-free way. You can mix and match fillings depending on what you have – think peas, carrots, potatoes, spinach, or sweetcorn – all spiced to perfection and wrapped in a light pastry shell.
Pop them in your air fryer for 12 to 15 minutes at 180°C, and you’re left with golden parcels of goodness. Once you try these, you’ll be swapping soggy veg for crunchy, flavour-packed bites in no time.
Rediscover your love for vegetables the easy way – with these tasty, simple air fryer vegan samosas.
PREP 10 minutes
COOK 12-15 minutes
KIT you will need an air fryer and mixing bowl
Ingredients for air fryer samosas
1 sweet potato, grated
An onion, peeled and grated
1 small carrot, grated
1/4 of a cabbage, thinly sliced
2 gloves of garlic, chopped
2 red chillis, chopped
1 teaspoon of black mustard seeds
2 teaspoon of curry powder
Filo pastry
Method
I started this flavour-packed recipe by prepping the vegetables. First, I grated the sweet potato, onion, and carrot, aiming for fine, even textures to help everything cook evenly. Then, I thinly sliced the cabbage – this adds a lovely crunch and balances the sweetness of the carrot and sweet potato. So all the veg went into a large mixing bowl, ready to be transformed into the perfect filling.
To boost the flavour, I added finely chopped cloves of garlic, one diced red chilli for a bit of heat, a teaspoon of black mustard seeds for an earthy pop, and a generous spoonful of curry powder to bring everything together. Give it all a thorough mix so the spices coat the vegetables evenly. If you can, leave the mixture to rest for a while – this really helps the flavours to develop and blend beautifully.
So once the filling was ready, I rolled out a sheet of filo pastry and sliced it in half lengthwise. Then, I placed about a tablespoon of the veggie mixture in the bottom left corner of each strip. So brushing the edges with a little water helps to seal everything together. Then I began folding from the corner, carefully creating a triangle shape with each fold – like origami with flavour! Be sure to fold tightly so the filling is well-contained and the samosas hold their shape.
I gave the triangles a light spray with oil before placing them in the air fryer at 180°C. They cooked for around 12 to 15 minutes, crisping up perfectly – just make sure to check on them regularly to prevent overcooking.
To serve, I paired my vegan air fryer samosas with a cooling homemade raita and a dollop of sweet chilli jam. Crispy, golden, and packed with flavour – these are a must-try!
Tips for Air Fryer Samosas
1. Use ready-made wrappers or filo pastry
To save time, use store-bought samosa sheets, spring roll wrappers, or filo pastry. Filo gives a super crisp texture and works brilliantly in the air fryer.
2. Keep the filling dry
Make sure your vegetable filling is not too wet as excess moisture can lead to soggy bottoms. Cook off any extra liquid before filling the samosas.
3. Cool the filling before wrapping
Hot fillings can steam the pastry, making it tear or become mushy. Let your spiced potato, peas, or veggie mix cool completely before wrapping.
4. Seal edges tightly
Use a flour-water paste as “glue” to seal the edges of your samosas. This stops the filling from spilling out while they air fry.
5. Brush or spray with oil
Lightly brush or spray each samosa with oil before placing them in the air fryer. This helps achieve that beautiful golden colour and crispiness.
6. Preheat your air fryer
It is always advisable to set your air fryer to 180°C (356°F) and preheat for at least 2 minutes. It will ensure that the samosas start cooking evenly right from the beginning.
7. Don’t overcrowd
Place samosas in a single layer with a little space between each one. Cook in batches if needed for the best crisp results.
8. Flip halfway for even browning
Cook for 10 or 12 minutes, flipping halfway through to get that lovely golden finish on all sides.
9. Serve with chutneys
Pair your samosas with classic green chutney, tamarind sauce, or even yoghurt dip for the full experience.
Crispy, spiced, and satisfying, these air fryer samosas are an easy snack win, with no deep frying needed!
Similar recipes
If you love these air fryer vegan samosas you may also like to try my air fryer spring rolls recipe.
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