Air fryer Makhana

Roasted makhana in air fryer are a delicious snack or munchie. Loaded with health benefits, it is super easy to make.

Foxnut is also known as makhana or phool makhana or lotus seed. It is used to make roasted makhana snack that is very tasty.

It is very easy to make and store in an air tight container. You can also make Makhane ke Kheer Recipe and Khoya Matar Makhana Curry with it.

Makhana is also perfect to have during vrat or upvas on Navratri. Just roast and toss with black salt and ground pepper mixed with ghee.

You will also love air fryer cashews, air fryer peanuts, air fryer masala peanuts, air fryer honey almonds, roasted almonds in air fryer, air fryer moong dal.

My kids love this roasted makhana snack. It is very quick and easy to make and gets over quickly too.

This is how I make easy roasted makhana made in Air fryer and on tawa:

Why You'll Love This Recipe

1. Healthy Crunch: Makhana is a low calorie snack that is perfect for munching and for a snack on the go.

2. Versatility: Vary the spices as per your needs. You can also omit oil and have it as it is.

3. Quick and Easy: Takes no time to roast and eat. Perfect even for newbie cooks.

Ingredients:

2 cups phool makhana or foxnuts are used in this recipe.

2 tbsp. ghee or clarified butter or olive oil (vegan) only for shallow frying. Use about 2 tsp. of ghee or olive oil for air frying.

Black salt or salt to taste or about ½ tsp.

Ground pepper: I used about ½ tsp.

Chaat masala: For a tangy hit, try adding ½ tsp.

Cayenne: I use about ½ tsp. red chilli powder or cayenne for a nice spicy hit.

Instructions on How to Roast Makhana

For Air frying

Preheat Air fryer at 200 C or 390 F for 3 minutes.

Lightly brush the Air fryer basket with a little ghee or olive oil (for vegans).

Add your foxnuts or lotus seeds taking care to only fill the basket to less than half the volume.

You can also cover with a steel mesh or sieve that fits in the air fryer to prevent the makhanas from flying up to the coil.

Or you can place makhana at the bottom of the air fryer and then place empty basket on top.

This will prevent the makhana from flying to the top or to the heater coil.

Air fry for 2-3 minutes at 390 F or 200C. Keep checking at 2 minutes.

It is done very quickly and burn as quickly too. Once it is creamish or brownish, remove.

Check after picking out one. It should be crunchy.

When hot, toss with your favourite seasonings added to ghee/oil and serve crunchy and tasty.

Your roasted makhana in air fryer is ready to serve.

In Skillet or Kadhai

Heat a wide bottomed pan or kadhai. Lightly brush with oil or ghee.

Now add phool makhana or foxnuts and keep roasting makhana on low heat for about 6-8 minutes till the makhana are crispy.

Keep turning them continuously till they turn golden brown and are crispy.

Now add seasonings like salt, ground pepper, cayenne and chaat masala to your ghee or oil.

Toss the roasted makhana in this and serve hot.

Variations and Substitutions

1. Vegan or dairy free option: Use olive oil or coconut oil in place of ghee or even vegan butter in this recipe.

2. Vary the spices: Sometimes I just add salt and pepper. At other times I add chaat masala and chilli powder. You can also add ground cumin for an earthy taste.

3. Sweet Makhana: Try caramel makhana by trying the recipe shared at the top.

Expert Tips

1. Keep watching out when making makhana in Air fryer. It cooks very quickly.

You don't need to apply any oil to the foxnuts just the Air fryer basket.

2. You must roast makhana on a low flame when doing on skillet or tawa.

Do not crowd your pan too much.

3. There is no need to use too much ghee or oil, just use enough for dry roasting and for the spices to adhere to your foxnuts.

4. Roasting makhana in air fryer with a little ghee gives a delectable flavour to your makhana.

5. You can use normal salt if not using for fasting.

6. You can try other flavour combinations eg. Chilli powder, chaat masala, peri peri powder etc. as per your wish.

7. You can also make Caramel Foxnuts or Gur Makhana.

Your roast makhana snack is ready to eat. Try making it in Air fryer or roasting on skillet.

Enjoy as a snack or anytime munchie. This recipe is perfect for Navratri when you are fasting.

Here's the recipe card:

📖 Recipe Card

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