This Crispy Air Fryer Gobi Manchurian recipe is healthier than the original cauliflower manchurian. Air Fried Cauliflower is tossed in an Indo-Chinese gravy which can be served as an appetizer or main dish.

It is naturally vegan, gluten-free and healthy . Serve with Schezwan Fried Rice .

Female hands are holding a plate of air fryer gobi manchurian - 1

What is Gobi Manchurian?

Gobi Manchurian is also known as Gobhi Manchurian and Cauliflower Manchurian. It is a fusion Indo-Chinese dish served in Indian restaurants.

It is made with cauliflower florets that are deep-fried and then stir-fried in a manchurian gravy. The sauce is typically made with ingredients like soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, onion, ginger garlic paste and various spices.

The Indo chinese recipe is known for its tangy, spicy, and slightly sweet taste. You can find cauliflower manchurian with a gravy or dry gobi manchurian.

Gobi Manchurian can be served as an appetizer, main course or side dish and is often accompanied by fried rice or noodles.

It is possible to prepare manchurian dishes with a wide range of vegetables. Common ones include Vegetable Manchurian, Soya Manchurian and Paneer Manchurian.

I like to prepare this Soya Veg Manchurian and Baked Tofu Manchurian .

Air Fried Gobi Manchurian

Air-fried cauliflower florets are tossed in a spicy manchurian sauce. It is one of my favorite dishes when the chinese food craving hits!

Instead of deep frying the cauliflower, It is a healthier option than the deep-fried version.

My version is not made with a runny batter but rather the flour is sprinkled over the washed cauliflower. There is less mess and the cauliflower remains so crispy!

I prefer the dry version of gobi manchurian as cauliflower can become spongy if soaked in too much moisture. You can however, easily adapt this recipe to make a gravy version.

My go-to these days are the air-fried versions of so many recipes instead of using the traditional method. An example are these Air Fryer Onion Bhaji . Other Air Fryer recipes include Air Fryer Baked Potato and Air Fryer Punjabi Samosa Puffs

air fryer cauliflower manchurian garnished with freshly chopped spring onion - 2

Air Fryer Gobi Manchurian Ingredients

Full ingredients with measurements are available in the recipe card below at the end of this post

For the air fryer gobi

You will need to make a batter using the corn starch, seasoning and water. Alternatively, you can toss washed cauliflower florets in a tray of cornstarch and seasoning.

Cauliflower – look for cauliflowers that are pale white in colour with minimal dark spots. The fresher, the better. I like to cut the florets into medium sized pieces for cauliflower manchurian.

Corn starch (corn flour)- alternatively, you can use rice flour which is also gluten free

Salt and black pepper – add to taste

Oil – you can either brush on oil or use a cooking oil spray

I do not recommend using frozen cauliflower for this recipe.

If you are not gluten-free you can also use all purpose flour

For the manchurian sauce

Soy sauce – you can use either dark soy sauce or a mix of light and dark soy sauce

Onion, garlic, ginger and green chilli – you can use either red onions or yellow onions

Capsicum – I recommend using green capsicum (green bell pepper) as red and yellow tend to be sweeter. However, you can use any colour

Spring onions – you will need both the green and white parts. Try to keep them separate as they are used at different stages in the recipe

Tomato ketchup or Tomato sauce

Sweet chilli sauce

Red chili sauce or Hot sauce

Sesame oil – sesame oil, commonly used in chinese cuisine, provides wonderful chinese flavours to this dish but you can of course use olive, sunflower or vegetable oil.

Corn starch – to make a corn starch slurry. Alternatively, use arrowroot powder

Spice powders: red chili powder, cumin coriander powder

Salt and black pepper – go easy on the salt as the soy sauce is already salty

Optional:

Green chilies for a more spicy sauce

air fryer gobi manchurian ingredients placed in bowls on the kitchen worktop - 3

How to make Air-Fryer Gobi Manchurian

Firstly, prepare the air fryer cauliflower.

Cut the head of a cauliflower into medium sized florets.

Wash thoroughly and allow the water to drain or pat dry with a paper towel

In a large bowl, add the washed cauliflower and sprinkle over a mix of rice flour and corn starch. Season with salt and pepper.

Add in a little oil and mix well

cauliflower florets in the mixing bowl - 4 cauliflower florets mixed with flours in the bowl to make dry gobi manchurian - 5 cauliflower florets are coated in flour, spices and oil to make crispy air fried gobi manchurian - 6

Spray the air fryer basket with a bit of oil or use parchment paper.

Arrange the cauliflower in a single layer. Spray over more oil over the battered cauliflower.

Air Fry for 10 minutes at 185C or until just tender and golden brown. Cooking time and temperature may vary based on your produce and air fryer model.

flour, spices and oil coated cauliflower florets in the air fryer basket - 7 a female hand is spraying cooking oil on cauliflower florets - 8 air fried cauliflower florets in the basket to prepare dry gobi manchurian - 9

Now, prepare the manchurian sauce .

In a pan, add the sesame oil and heat on medium heat.

Add in the onions and cook until translucent on a medium flame.

Then tip in the white parts of spring onion, garlic and ginger and green chillies if using.

Sauté for a minute before adding the chopped green pepper. (I forgot to add in mine whist making the video of this recipe, cooked separately later and added to the cauliflower)

oil heating in the pan to make spicy manchurian sauce - 10 chopped onion cooking in hot oil in the pan - 11 ginger-garlic and spring onion added in to the sauteed onions in the pan - 12

Add in the spice powders, and whichever sauce you want to use to find the perfect balance of spicy and sweet. I like to use a mix of soy sauce, chili sauce, sweet chilli sauce and ketchup.

Season with salt and pepper

Now prepare the cornstarch slurry. In a small bowl, add the corn starch with a little water. Mix to make a thin paste. Pour into the pan and mix quickly.

If you want a gravy recipe , add a bit more water .

spices and all the sauces are added to the sauteed onion - 13 dry manchurian sauce in the pan - 14 corn flour slurry added to the gobi manchurian sauce - 15

Tip in the cauliflower fritters.

Toss everything on high heat for a minute then take off the heat.

Garnish with the green parts of the green onions.

crispy gobi manchurian sauce on the pan - 16 Air fried crispy cauliflower florets added in to the manchurian sauce - 17 Air fryer gobi manchurian garnished with green parts of the spring onion in the pan - 18 Indo-chinese gobi manchurian recipe served in oblong white plate with serving spoons - 19

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Pro Tips for Crispy Gobi Manchurian

Instead of making a smooth batter, I find it quicker to simply sprinkle the rice flour/cornstarch over the cauliflower. This reduces any risk of a too thin or too thick batter and it also keeps the cauliflower crispy.

Ensure the cauliflower are dry before adding into the basket. If they still have water, they will steam rather than air fry

Use sauces based on your heat preference. If preparing for kids, reduce the chili sauce and add a bit more ketchup

Add more or less red chilli powder based on your preference

Go easy on the salt as soy sauce is already salty. Do a taste test before adding the salt

Serving Suggestions for Cauliflower Manchurian

Schezwan Fried Rice or Hakka Noodles go great with this Indian chinese cauliflower.

Another option is Burnt Garlic Fried Rice

crispy air fryer gobi manchurian plate on the wooden serving borad - 20

Storage

It is best to consume Gobi Manchurian as soon as possible to enjoy its taste and texture at its best.

To store Gobi Manchurian, follow these steps:

  1. Allow the Gobi Manchurian to cool down to room temperature before storing it.
  2. Transfer to an airtight container.
  3. Seal the container tightly to prevent air from entering.
  4. Place the container in the refrigerator.
  5. Gobi Manchurian can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

It’s important to note that the texture of the cauliflower florets may change slightly after refrigeration, and they might become less crispy. When you’re ready to eat the stored Gobi Manchurian, you can reheat it in a pan on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through.

Female hands are putting a plate of air fryer cauliflower manchurian on the table - 21

Other Indo-Chinese dishes

Chili Paneer or make Vegan Chilli Tofu

Masala Mogo

Schezwan Baby Potatoes

Vegetable Spring Rolls

As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!

Don’t forget to follow me on social media using the buttons below – I can’t wait to see you all there!

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Female hands are holding a plate of air fryer gobi manchurian - 22

Air Fryer Gobi Manchurian

Equipment

  • 1 Air fryer
  • 1 pan

Ingredients

Crispy Cauliflower Fritters

  • 1 head cauliflower florets – roughly 5 cups
  • 3 tablespoon rice flour
  • 2 tablespoon corn flour
  • salt
  • pepper
  • 1 tablespoon oil cooking oil spray

Gobi Manchurian Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • ½ cup onion chopped
  • 2 tablsespoon garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger minced
  • ½ cup spring onion keep white and green parts separate
  • 5 tablespoon soy sauce I mixed light and dark
  • ½ cup green bell pepper capsicum – chopped
  • 3 tablespoon tomato ketchup or tomato sauce
  • 3 tablespoon sweet chilli sauce
  • 3 tablespoon red chilli sauce or hot sauce
  • 2 tablespoon corn flour mixed in 5 tablespoon of water
  • 1 tablespoon chilli powder red
  • 1 tablespoon cumin powder
  • 1 teaspoon pepper powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Firstly, prepare the air fryer cauliflower.

  • Cut the 1 head cauliflower head of a cauliflower into medium sized florets.
  • Wash thoroughly and allow the water to drain or pat dry with a paper towel
  • In a large bowl, add the washed cauliflower and sprinkle over a mix of 3 tablespoon rice flour and 2 tablespoon corn flour . Season with salt and pepper .
  • Add in 1 tablespoon oil or little oil, mix well
  • Spray the air fryer basket with a bit of oil or use parchment paper.
  • Arrange the cauliflower in a single layer .
  • Spray over more oil over the battered cauliflower.
  • Air Fry for 10 minutes at 185C or until just tender and golden brown. Cooking time and temperature may vary based on your produce and air fryer model.

Now, prepare the manchurian sauce.

  • In a pan, add the 1 tablespoon sesame oil and heat on medium heat.
  • Add in the 1/2 cup onion s and cook until translucent on a medium flame.
  • Then tip in the white parts of 1/2 cup spring onion , 2 tablsespoon garlic and 1 tablespoon ginger and green chillies if using.
  • Sauté for a minute before adding the chopped 1/2 cup green bell pepper . (I forgot to add in mine whist making the video of this recipe, cooked separately later and added to the cauliflower)
  • Add in the spice powders, 1 tablespoon chilli powder and 1 tablespoon cumin powder whichever sauce you want to use to find the perfect balance of spicy and sweet. I like to use a mix of 5 tablespoon soy sauce , 3 tablespoon tomato ketchup , 3 tablespoon sweet chilli sauce , and 3 tablespoon red chilli sauce
  • Season with salt and pepper
  • Now prepare the cornstarch slurry. In a small bowl, add the 2 tablespoon corn flour with a little water. Mix to make a thin paste. Pour into the pan and mix quickly.
  • If you want a gravy recipe , add a bit more water.
  • Tip in the cauliflower fritters.
  • Toss everything on high heat for a minute then take off the heat.
  • Garnish with the green parts of the green onions .

Video

Notes

Nutrition

PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Female hands are holding a plate of air fryer gobi manchurian - 23

Air Fryer Gobi Manchurian

Equipment

  • 1 Air fryer
  • 1 pan

Ingredients

Crispy Cauliflower Fritters

  • 1 head cauliflower florets - roughly 5 cups
  • 3 tablespoon rice flour
  • 2 tablespoon corn flour
  • salt
  • pepper
  • 1 tablespoon oil cooking oil spray

Gobi Manchurian Sauce

  • 1 tablespoon sesame oil
  • ½ cup onion chopped
  • 2 tablsespoon garlic minced
  • 1 tablespoon ginger minced
  • ½ cup spring onion keep white and green parts separate
  • 5 tablespoon soy sauce I mixed light and dark
  • ½ cup green bell pepper capsicum - chopped
  • 3 tablespoon tomato ketchup or tomato sauce
  • 3 tablespoon sweet chilli sauce
  • 3 tablespoon red chilli sauce or hot sauce
  • 2 tablespoon corn flour mixed in 5 tablespoon of water
  • 1 tablespoon chilli powder red
  • 1 tablespoon cumin powder
  • 1 teaspoon pepper powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt

Instructions

Firstly, prepare the air fryer cauliflower.

  • Cut the 1 head cauliflower head of a cauliflower into medium sized florets.
  • Wash thoroughly and allow the water to drain or pat dry with a paper towel
  • In a large bowl, add the washed cauliflower and sprinkle over a mix of 3 tablespoon rice flour and 2 tablespoon corn flour . Season with salt and pepper .
  • Add in 1 tablespoon oil or little oil, mix well
  • Spray the air fryer basket with a bit of oil or use parchment paper.
  • Arrange the cauliflower in a single layer .
  • Spray over more oil over the battered cauliflower.
  • Air Fry for 10 minutes at 185C or until just tender and golden brown. Cooking time and temperature may vary based on your produce and air fryer model.

Now, prepare the manchurian sauce.

  • In a pan, add the 1 tablespoon sesame oil and heat on medium heat.
  • Add in the 1/2 cup onion s and cook until translucent on a medium flame.
  • Then tip in the white parts of 1/2 cup spring onion , 2 tablsespoon garlic and 1 tablespoon ginger and green chillies if using.
  • Sauté for a minute before adding the chopped 1/2 cup green bell pepper . (I forgot to add in mine whist making the video of this recipe, cooked separately later and added to the cauliflower)
  • Add in the spice powders, 1 tablespoon chilli powder and 1 tablespoon cumin powder whichever sauce you want to use to find the perfect balance of spicy and sweet. I like to use a mix of 5 tablespoon soy sauce , 3 tablespoon tomato ketchup , 3 tablespoon sweet chilli sauce , and 3 tablespoon red chilli sauce
  • Season with salt and pepper
  • Now prepare the cornstarch slurry. In a small bowl, add the 2 tablespoon corn flour with a little water. Mix to make a thin paste. Pour into the pan and mix quickly.
  • If you want a gravy recipe , add a bit more water.
  • Tip in the cauliflower fritters.
  • Toss everything on high heat for a minute then take off the heat.
  • Garnish with the green parts of the green onions .

Video

Notes

Nutrition

PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.

Aloo Shimla Mirch Sabzi, or Aloo Capsicum , is a delicious Indian curry made with sauteed potatoes, green peppers and basic Indian spices. It is a no onion and garlic recipe.

Naturally vegan and gluten-free. Best served as a quick weeknight dinner with Gujarati rotlis .

A female hand is holding a pan filled with aloo capsicum - 24
  • About Aloo Shimla Mirch ki Sabji
  • Ingredients
  • How to make Aloo Capsicum Recipe
  • Serving Suggestion
  • Storage
  • Other Potato Recipes

About Aloo Shimla Mirch ki Sabji

Aloo Shimla Mirch, also known as Aloo Capsicum or Potato Bell Pepper Curry , is a popular Indian vegetarian dish.

It is a simple potato curry made using two main ingredients: potatoes (aloo in Hindi) and crunchy bell peppers (Shimla Mirch in Hindi). The simple dish is cooked in a blend of basic spices.

It is called aloo capsicum sabzi recipe because it is a dry curry without any added liquid. It is great as a side dish or as a main course.

This Indian dish is quick and so easy to prepare – think of it as an Indian stir fry .

It has similarities to other dry potato recipe like this potato chips curry or jeera aloo .

It’s an easy recipe – even novice chef or students can make this recipe, just like my cabbage curry .

aloo shimla mirch in a pan with a serving spoon - 25

Ingredients

Potatoes – peeled. Choose between cubed potatoes or cut into wedges. Regular potatoes work best but you could use baby potatoes if you wanted.

Green bell peppers – I have used a mix of green and red capsicum but you can use whichever colour. I find that green peppers work best as they have a savoury flavour but generally, any color bell peppers works.

Cumin seeds – aka jeera

Spice powders – red chili powder, turmeric powder, cumin coriander powder, garam masala powder

Amchoor powder – dry mango powder. Alternatively, use lemon juice

Hing – omit if you do not have it

Sugar – a pinch of sugar makes all the flavours pop! In Indian food, sugar does not add sweetness but provides balance for the spicy and tangy flavours from the spices.

Oil – sunflower oil or olive oil work well

Cilantro / coriander leaves

Optional

I never add it in my aloo shimla mirch curry but some add dry fenugreek leaves (kasuri methi/kasoori methi)

aloo shimla mirch ki sabji ingredients placed on the kithen countertop - 26

How to make Aloo Capsicum Recipe

In a pan, heat oil on medium heat. Once hot, add the cumin seeds. As they begin to sizzle, tip in the potatoes. Mix and cover the pan with a lid and allow the potatoes to cook about 80%.

oil heating in a pan to make aloo shimla mirch ki sabzi - 27 cumin seeds and hing sizzling in the hot oil - 28 potatoes added into the hot cumin oil to make aloo capsicum - 29 80 percent cooked potatoes are in the pan for aloo capsicum sabzi recipe - 30

Next add in the green capsicum and sauté for a minute or so on medium flame.

Add all the ground spices – red chilli powder, turmeric, cumin coriander and garam masala. Season with salt and stir well.

Add little water to reduce risk of burning if needed and switch to low flame.

green bell peppers added to the potatoes - 31 Spice powders added to the aloo shimla mirch ki sukhi sabji - 32 sauteed bell peppers and potatoes in the pan - 33 sugar and dry mango powder added to the aloo shimla mirch curry - 34

Switch off from the heat when potatoes are fully cooked.

Add lemon juice or amchoor powder. Mix in sugar as well.

Garnish with fresh coriander and serve

pan filled with dry aloo capsicum placed on a wooden backdrop - 35

Serving Suggestion

Aloo Shimla Mirch ki Sabzi is a versatile and flavorful dish that pairs well with various accompaniments.

For a complete meal I tend to go for Indian bread, simple dal and salad.

Serve Aloo Shimla Mirch with traditional Indian flatbread like chapati or paratha .

This curry also goes excellently with steamed Basmati rice or Jeera rice . A wonderful combination is a simple dal to make dal rice. I go for Whole Masoor Dal .

A cooling cucumber raita makes an excellent side.

A fresh salad such as Indian kachumber can be a refreshing addition to the meal, providing a cool and crunchy element.

Crispy papads (poppadums) serve as a tasty accompaniment to add some crunchiness to the meal.

Some green mint chutney can be served alongside the dish.

Storage

Store leftovers in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for 3 days.

I do not recommend freezing this recipe as the vegetables will loose their texture upon thawing.

aloo capsicum recipe garnished with freshly chopped coriander - 36

Other Potato Recipes

Instant Pot Dum Aloo

Aloo Baingan

Bombay Potatoes

Brussels Sprouts and Potato Sabji

Dahi Aloo

Marwari Dum Aloo

Aloo Methi

As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!

Don’t forget to follow me on social media using the buttons below – I can’t wait to see you all there!

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aloo shimla mirch ki sukhi sabji in a pan with a wooden serving spoon - 37

Aloo Shimla Mirch (Aloo Capsicum)

Equipment

  • 1 pan
  • 1 Chopping board
  • 1 Knife

Ingredients

  • 4 cup potatoes peeled and cut in to batons
  • 3 cup capsicum cut in to long strips
  • 4 tablespoon oil
  • 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
  • ¼ teaspoon asafoetida hing
  • 1 tablespoon chilli powder red
  • 1 teaspoon tumeric powder
  • 1 tablespoon ground coriander
  • 1 tablespoon ground cumin
  • ¼ teaspoon garam masala
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon sugar
  • ½ teaspoon dry mango powder amchoor powder
  • 2 tablespoon cilantro coriander

Instructions

  • In a pan, heat 4 tablespoon oil on medium heat.
  • Once hot, add the 1 teaspoon cumin seeds and 1/4 teaspoon asafoetida
  • As they begin to sizzle, tip in the 4 cup potatoes .
  • Mix and cover the pan with a lid and allow the potatoes to cook about 80%.
  • Next add in the green capsicum 3 cup capsicum and sauté for a minute or so on medium flame.
  • Add all the ground spices – 1 tablespoon chilli powder , 1 teaspoon tumeric powder , 1 tablespoon ground coriander , 1 tablespoon ground cumin and 1/4 teaspoon garam masala . Season with 1 teaspoon salt and stir well.
  • Add little water to reduce risk of burning if needed and switch to low flame.
  • Switch off from the heat when potatoes are fully cooked.
  • Add lemon juice or 1/2 teaspoon dry mango powder . Mix in 1 teaspoon sugar as well.
  • Garnish with fresh coriander 2 tablespoon cilantro and serve

Video

Nutrition

PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.