Air fryer Gobi Manchurian

This air fryer Gobi Manchurian is a delightful dish from Indian Chinese cuisine.

Crispy, tangy and spicy, it is the perfect appetizer or side. We are giving it a better spin by air frying the cauliflower florets instead of deep frying them.

If you love Indian Manchurian recipes, then you will love tofu Manchurian and veg Manchurian too all done in air fryer.

Why You'll Love This Recipe

Crispy: The cauliflower is perfectly crispy with a delectable Manchurian sauce. 

Versatile: Gobi Manchurian can be served dry and is perfect as an appetiser or you can have it with a little sauce that is so good with fried rice or noodles.

Flavourful: Indian Chinese cuisine is popular for its spicy, tangy and sweet taste. You get bags of flavour in this recipe.

Less oily: If like me you avoid deep frying, then this is the perfect recipe for you. I have shared both air fryer and oven instructions.

Ingredients

Cauliflower florets - Use small florets from one medium sized head of cauliflower.

For the batter

All-purpose flour: Use about ¾ cup of maida or all-purpose flour. You could use chickpea flour in its place as well.

Cornstarch: Use ½ cup cornstarch for crispness.

Ginger garlic paste: I used about 1.5 tsp. Ginger garlic paste in the batter.

Sauces: I have used chilli garlic sauce and soy sauce here.

Salt: Since the sauces already have salt, use just a little salt if needed.

Manchurian sauce

Veggies: Onion, spring onion and green pepper are used.

Aromatics: Finely chopped ginger and garlic along with green chillies (optional) are used.

Sauces: Soy sauce, red chilli sauce, tomato ketchup (optional) and vinegar are used for the base of the Manchurian sauce.

Cornstarch: 1 tbsp. cornstarch is added to ½ cup water to prepare a cornstarch slurry.

Variations and Substitutions

1. You can adjust the spice levels by using more or less of the sauces mentioned. Skip green chillies if you don’t like the heat.

2. Add some air fried tofu, paneer or soy curls to increase the protein content of this recipe.

3. For a gluten-free option, you can use chickpea flour with some rice flour (for added crispiness).

4. Feel free to play around with the sauces as per your taste.

Serving Suggestions

Air Fryer Gobi Manchurian is versatile and can be enjoyed in various ways. Here are a few serving suggestions:

Gobi Manchurian is a real favourite as a snack or appetizer. Serve it with drinks.

Pair it with fried rice or noodles. This is how it is served in numerous street-side carts or Indo-Chinese restaurants in India.

I love to have it in a wrap with some delicious crunchy vegetables.

Instructions

The ingredient list may look long, but don’t let it deter you. Once you have assembled all the ingredients, it really is a very simple recipe.

First step is preparing air fried cauliflower. Take a medium cauliflower and cut it into florets. 

Keep the florets small so that they cook fast.

Now prepare a batter using the ingredients mentioned. 

Mix all-purpose flour, cornstarch, ginger garlic paste, soy sauce, chilli garlic sauce, pepper and salt (if needed). 

Add water to form a thick batter that is not too runny else it will slide down the cauliflower.

Remember we are not deep frying but air frying these cauliflower florets.

Now dip the cauliflower florets in the batter.

Air Fryer Instructions

Meanwhile, preheat air fryer at 180C or 360F for 5 minutes.

I used this nice silicone mat that really helped with the clean up afterwards and helped with easily taking out cauliflower florets after air frying.

Place cauliflower florets dipped in batter on top of the silicone mat or you can use parchment paper as well.

Close air fryer basket. 

Air fry for about 15 minutes at 360F or 180C or till the florets are cooked and crunchy.

You can flip them midway though I didn’t. Also spray them with some olive oil after a few minutes of air frying.

Oven Instructions

Preheat your oven to 400F or 200C.

Place battered cauliflower florets on a parchment-lined baking sheet. 

Bake for 20-25 minutes or until they turn golden brown, flipping them midway for even crispiness.

Take them out and proceed with the rest of the recipe.

Manchurian Sauce

Meanwhile, prepare the Manchurian sauce. Assemble all the ingredients.

Heat oil in a pan. Add finely minced ginger and garlic and fry for 30 seconds.

Add in the green pepper and onion that I have cut in petals.

Fry for a couple of minutes. You can add chop chillies for added heat here.

Now prepare Manchurian sauce by combining soy sauce, red chilli sauce, vinegar, tomato ketchup (optional). Add the sauce to the pan.

Also prepare a cornstarch slurry by add ½ cup water to 1 tbsp. cornstarch.

Slowly add this slurry to the bubbling sauce.

This will instantly help in thickening the sauce. 

By now, your air fried cauliflower florets will be ready.

Take them out of the air fryer basket. Careful, they will be hot. Add them to the sauce.

Coat them well by spooning the sauce over them. No need to cook more. 

Top with greens from scallions or green onions and serve hot as an appetizer or with fried nice and noodles.

Enjoy your gobi manchurian. It is delicious.

Expert Tips

Pay attention to the batter consistency. It must be slightly thick so as to coat the cauliflower florets properly and not runny to slide off.

Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. This way cauliflower florets will cook evenly.

I sometimes just eat the cauliflower florets as is without the Manchurian sauce. They are quite delicious.

Adjust sauces and spice levels in the Manchurian sauce to your taste.

You can use frozen cauliflower only if you thaw them and use. 

You can also use other vegetables like broccoli or mushroom in this recipe.

Storage Instructions

Air fried cauliflower florets lose their crispiness on storing. Store them in an air tight container in the fridge for upto 2 days. 

Then reheat them in air fryer at 400F or 200C for about 3-4 minutes and use.

Here’s the recipe card:

📖 Recipe Card