Bitter melon or bitter gourd is known by many names. Karela(Hindi) or kakarkaya (Telugu). It is something which you either love or get totally put off by. I took my time to like this curry but now I m hooked to it. It can be pan fried or you can make as karela chips.
Air fryer bittermelon is best served with a yellow dal or plain kadhi. Trust me, if you want to eat sweet all life, learn to appreciate, the bitter. Air fried karela fry is an easy sides with roti even when you travel. It stays longer especially when you want to avoid food cooked outside and have to travel long distances. This curry along with fried okra were always in our tiffin when we went by train.
Long journey, no takeaways life was quite different & simpler then. As kids we would avoid bitter gourd and so okra was for us , while mum would munch away the fried karela and stuffed karela leaving us in awe. How can someone eat something so bitter? Now, that we have grown up, we travel lesser by train and eat less fried, yet we always make both bitter gourd and okra in our air fryer, appreciating both the veggies. Learn to make this easy curry here. Other Indian recipes that you can make in the air fryer include air fryer tindora, air fryer anardana , air fryer bharwa baigan & air fryer nankhatai.
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How to make karela fry in air fryer? (recipe video)
Equipment
- air fryer
- mixing bowl
- oil spray
Ingredients
- bitter melon/ bitter gourd
- oil
- salt as per taste
refer to recipe card for details.
Related links
Step by step instructions
- Cut the bitter melon,Toss with oil.
2. Preheat the air fryer for 5 mins at 160 C| 320 F and place the bittermelon in the basket.
3. Air fry it for 19-20 mins at 160 C| 320 F.
4. Toss oil and continue to cook for a further 10-15 minutes more at 160C|320F. . Total cook time of 30-35 minutes @160C|320F.Depending on the thicknes, this will take few more minutes
Enjoy these as crispy sides.
Bitter gourd fry recipe
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Food processor
- Mixing bowl
Ingredients
- 500 gm bittermelon bitter gourd / karela
- 2 tbsp. oil
- salt as per taste
Instructions
- Toss the bitter melon with 1 tablespoon oil.
- Preheat the air fryer for 5 mins at 160 C| 320 F and place the bittermelon in the basket.
- Air fry it for 19 -20 mins at 160 C | 320 F.
- Toss oil and continue to cook at 160 C|320 F.total cook time of 30-35 minutes or more depending on the bitter melon slices.
- Serve as a side
- Optionally you can add this air fried bitter melon to a onion and tomato curry,mix for few minutes and serve
Video
Notes
Substitution & variation
You can use frozen ampalaya instead of raw. Cooking time might vary slightly. It may not be as crispy though as it already has higher water content in it.
2. You can also make stuffed bitter gourd i.e. karela, follow the recipe of stuffed karela.
3. Once the karela is air fried, you can also add these to a curry of tomatoes and onions to make curry that is not too bitter . Refer to out recipe of onion and tomato curry.
Serve this with Roti/Rice
Storage
Store this for 2-4 days in refrigerator.If you are looking to choose a safe air fryer , read our detailed article on choosing a safe air fryer.
Food safety
Always reheat the left overs.If you are looking to choose a safe air fryer , read our detailed article on choosing a safe air fryer.
FAQ
It is a great source of vitamin C.
It helps reduce bad cholesterol, thereby reducing risk of heart disease.
Saket says
Super quick and healthy.
thanks for sharing second Recipe. I loved it .
bhavana bhatia says
Thank you so much for your feedback.