The first lot of shankarpali is generally the most desirable lot. Just made, lightly golden and crisp to give you the familiar crunch with each bite. This traditional snack is consumed by most of the Maharashtrian homes during the Diwali festivity and is offered with chakli, chivda and laddoo.
When the conventional deep frying method is replaced by an Air Fryer, what will happen?
Yes, it is possible to prepare Diwali shankarpali in an Air Fryer. The secret is to have the right consistency of dough and to keep the temperature of cooking just right, while providing sufficient space for uniform cooking. Air-fried shankarpali can be a little bit different in texture and taste than deep-fried shankarpali, but it can be quite crisp.
This festive favourite can be prepared in significantly less oil with a little preparation and right cooking technique.
What Happens When Shankarpali Is Air Fried?
The texture of shankarpali, or shankarpale or shankarpali in other regions is achieved by frying it in hot oil. The fat will give the dough its light crumbly crunch while the heat will cook the dough.
The Air Fryer is different.
Rather than dipping the pieces in oil, it moves heated air around the pieces. This slowly cooks the dough and works to build up a crisp exterior.
But there are a couple of key points to consider when assessing the results:
- Thickness of dough: Thinner pieces will crisp up quicker and thicker pieces will be slightly soft in the middle.
- Fat content: To make the dough tender, it is necessary to add the correct quantity of ghee to the dough.
- Too high temperatures: Can cause the outside to brown before the centre is cooked.
- Overlapping pieces: Blocks air circulation and can lead to uneven cooking.
- Cooling time: Shankarpali tends to firm up during the cooling phase after cooking.
What’s important to note is that air fried shankarpali might have a biscuity texture when compared to deep fried shankarpali. But it doesn’t mean anything is wrong.
How to Make Crispy Shankarpali in an Air Fryer
This festive snack is not a complicated recipe to make. A few of the common ingredients used in the kitchen will suffice.
Ingredients for Homemade Shankarpali
Arrange for a small batch:
- 1 cup of refined wheat flour (maida flour)
- 2 tablespoons powdered sugar
- 2 tablespoons melted ghee
- A little bit of salt
- Add about 3–4 tablespoons of milk or water, little by little
- A small amount of oil/ghee to apply to brush, if needed
The quantities are guidelines. Add or subtract liquid as needed to absorb moisture by the flour.
Step 1: Prepare the Dough
Combine flour, powdered sugar and salt in a mixing bowl.
Add ghee, melt it and rub it into flour till it is similar to coarse breadcrumbs. This is to help you achieve the familiar short and crumbly bread texture.
Slowly mix in the milk or water and knead together a firm yet pliable dough.
Do not make it too soft. Sticky dough can be harder to cut, and may not crisp up as much.
Cover and let the dough rest for about 15–20 minutes.
Step 2: Roll and Cut the Shankarpali
Portion the dough into small portions.
Roll into a sheet of about 3–4mm thickness, each portion. Using a knife or pastry cutter, cut small diamond-shaped pieces.
Try to maintain a similar thickness throughout. Otherwise, some items might be burning and others may still be cooking.
Step 3: Set the Air Fryer Temperature
If the Air Fryer instructions say to preheat the Air Fryer, do this for about 3 minutes at 160°C.
Place shankarpali in a single layer with a little gap between the pieces.
Cook for about 10–14 minutes in the Air Fryer at 160°C, or until cooked through, checking after 7–8 minutes. Turn or lightly shake in the middle if necessary.
These are the recommended cooking modes and not a specific Haier shankarpali mode. These are only approximate times as they will vary depending on the thickness of the dough, size of batches and the performance of the cooking appliance.
Step 4: Cool Before Storing
Take out the shankarpali when it gets slightly golden and done.
Cool completely on a wire rack or plate.
Don’t hurry to pack it when it is hot. The trapped moisture can make the items soft and lose their crispness.
Air Fryer Shankarpali Temperature and Timing Guide
The following is a reference guide of temperatures and times for the Air Fryer Shankarpali to use.
The biggest problem most first timers have is timing.
With a number of Diwali snacks waiting to be cooked and the temptation to crank up the heat for quicker cooking time, you might find yourself doing just that. However, high temperatures can cause the outside to over brown, while leaving the inside undercooked.
This is a useful way to begin:
| Shankarpali thickness | Suggested temperature | Approximate cooking time | Expected texture |
| Thin, 2–3 mm | 150–160°C | 8–11 minutes | Light and crisp |
| Medium, 3–4 mm | 160°C | 10–14 minutes | Tender, crisp with a middle |
| Thick, 5–6 mm | 150–160°C | 13–17 minutes | More compact and bite like biscuit |
These times are subject to change. Check early and make adjustments as needed based on the colour and texture of your initial batch.
Medium thickness shankarpali is an option that can be used for Diwali gifting as it is less likely to break while handling.
Why Your Air-Fried Shankarpali Might Not Turn Crispy
When you prepare the air fried shankarpali, it may not come out crispy.
Occasionally the shankarpali may be a perfect color of gold but will be soft when bitten.
If the cooking time is to be extended, inspect to see what may have gone wrong.
The Dough Contains Too Much Moisture
Too many liquids means the dough is not as firm, and may take longer to dry and crisp the pieces.
The next time, slowly add liquid, ensuring the dough’s consistency is firm.
The Basket Is Full
Air must be able to flow around food.
The pieces will overlap each other and some of the surfaces will not get the full heat and cook unevenly.
Smaller batch results generally seem to be more uniform.
The Temperature Is Too High
The dough with the sugar will brown very rapidly at high temperatures.
A slightly lower temperature and longer cooking time may help to get a more even texture.
You Packed the Shankarpali Too Early
Warm shankarpali will give off moisture when it cools.
If you store it right away in an airtight container, that moisture will be trapped and impact its crunch.
Pack it after it has completely cooled down.
How Haier Air Fryers Make Festive Snack Preparation More Convenient
Making one snack is not enough to prepare for the Diwali festival. A few sweet treats may be prepared in the morning and savoury in the afternoon, and last minute treats may be prepared before guests arrive.
It can be easier to cook with an appliance that can be used in various ways.
There are two Air Fryer models available at Haier India, one is 5L and can be used daily for cooking and personal use, while the other can be used for festive cooking as well.
Haier IVORY Air Fryer 5L Capacity (HAF-M503I)
The Haier IVORY Air Fryer 5L Capacity (HAF-M503I) has a 3D Hot Air Circulation function that circulates heated air around the food in cooking.
It has a 1500W heating power and manual controls with mechanical knobs, which are easy to use and set the temperature and cooking time.
Other features include:
- Larger capacity basket for making several meals at a time.
- Detachable grill plate
- Mechanical time & temp controls
- Support for frying, baking, grilling and roasting.
- Ten ideas for various recipes
The manual controls are especially helpful for home cooking of shankarpali as it involves adjusting the temperature and timing precisely rather than a preprogrammed cooking sequence.
Haier BLACK Air Fryer 5L Capacity (HAF-D503B)
The Haier BLACK Air Fryer 5L Capacity (HAF-D503B) is another option for those who opt for digital controls.
It has a 3D Hot Air Circulation, a heating system of 1500W and a basket of 5L.
The model also has:
- Digital touch controls
- 12 pre-programmed recipes.
- An easy-to-see window to observe food without repeating the basket opening action
- Removable grill plate
- Cooking flexibility of numerous everyday recipes
The window can be very useful when making snacks containing sugar like shankarpali, as the colour might change rapidly at the end of cooking.
Both models do not have a dedicated shankarpali preset so the user is required to choose appropriate manual settings and closely watch the first batch to ensure their desired results.
In addition, listed warranties are also offered for both models, to the extent of applicability (2-year limited warranty).
Can Air-Fried Shankarpali Taste Like Traditional Deep-Fried Shankarpali?
It can get very close, but don’t expect the same outcome.
This is because the shankarpali dough cooks in oil, resulting in a richer texture in the final product. Air-fried versions involve less additional oil on the food, and can be lighter and firmer.
That doesn’t mean they’re not fun
Indeed, if a family is cooking multiple recipes of diwali sweets, air frying can be an interesting option for them when they want to minimize the use of oil while preparing the meal.
Some tweaks will make the final result better:
- While creating the dough, make use of adequate ghee.
- Try not to roll the pieces too thick.
- Cook on a medium heat.
- Leave adequate space for the items in the basket.
- Let cool thoroughly before scoring the final crunch.
Keep in mind that less oil is not necessarily a healthier option when it comes to a sugar and flour snack. But portion sizes still count.
How to Store Air-Fried Shankarpali for Diwali Guests
After the shankarpali is completely cooled, put it in a clean dry airtight container.
Ensure that the container does not come into contact with direct sunlight, heat and moisture.
Pack only after the pieces have completely cooled down for gifting. Don’t serve the shankarpali if it’s soft or if it smells funny.
It is advisable to make a little trial batch before the Diwali festival also. This will help you to understand your specific dough recipe in the Air Fryer.
Make Your Diwali Faral Preparation Easier with Haier
Cooking for Diwali shouldn’t be all about standing in the kitchen, it should be about enjoying the celebration.
The Haier IVORY Air Fryer 5L Capacity (HAF-M503I) or Haier BLACK Air Fryer 5L Capacity (HAF-D503B) both have practical features that prepare a variety of homemade snacks, with the choice between the mechanical controls or the digital interface and visible window.
They come with 5L baskets, 1500W heating systems and 3D Hot Air Circulation technology, which will be handy for kitchens that host festive recipes as well as regular cooking.
Know about the Haier IVORY Air Fryer and Haier BLACK Air Fryer, and select the one that best fits your cooking needs.
After all, the best thing about a homemade Diwali shankarpali is eating it with family still crunchy
Frequently Asked Questions
Can you make shankarpali in an Air Fryer without oil?
Yes. Shankarpali can be air-fried without adding oil to the basket, although ghee in the dough helps improve its texture and flavour.
What is the best temperature for Air Fryer shankarpali?
Around 160°C is a useful starting temperature. Adjust it according to the thickness of the pieces and how quickly they brown.
How long does shankarpali take in an Air Fryer?
Medium-thickness shankarpali generally takes approximately 10–14 minutes at 160°C. Cooking times vary, so check the first batch early.
Why is my Air Fryer shankarpali hard?
The dough may contain insufficient fat, the pieces may be too thick, or they may have been overcooked. Adjusting these factors can help improve the texture.
Can you prepare sweet and salty shankarpali in an Air Fryer?
Yes. Both sweet and savoury versions can be air-fried. However, their ingredients and thickness may require different cooking times.