Gobi kofta or gobhi ke kofte are a classic North Indian dish where kofta balls made from cauliflower, potatoes, and spices are traditionally deep-fried and served in a spicy gravy. This air fryer version gives you the same golden brown cauliflower koftas with much less oil. You can enjoy them as a crispy snack or add them to your favorite onion-tomato curry for a complete Indian meal.
Cooking them in the air fryer ensures the end result is healthier, lighter, and just as satisfying. The koftas come out crisp on the outside, soft on the inside, and full of flavor — perfect for pairing with roti, naan, or rice.
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How to make gobi kofta in air fryer? (recipe video)
Ingredients
- Cauliflower florets
- Potatoes (boiled and grated)
- Curry powder
- Red chili powder / paprika
- Salt
- Nutritional yeast or grated cheese (optional)
- Chickpea flour / gram flour / lentil flour
- Oil (for brushing or spraying)
Refer to recipe card for measurements.
Step by step instructions
Step 1 & 2 (Cauliflower preparation and spicing)
Soak cauliflower florets in hot salted water, then blend with red chilli powder, coriander powder, and salt to start the kofta mixture.
Step 3 & 4 (Mixing cauliflower and potatoes/cheese)
Blend cauliflower mixture lightly, then add grated boiled potatoes or cheese to help bind the dough.
Step 5 & 6 (Binding with chickpea flour)
Transfer to a bowl and mix in chickpea flour (cup of gram flour / कप बेसन) until the dough holds together.
Step 7 & 8 (Shaping kofta balls)
Shape the mixture into small balls, brushing with a little oil to prevent dryness.
Step 9 & 10 (Air frying koftas)
Arrange the kofta balls in the air fryer, spray with oil, and cook until crisp and golden brown on all sides.
Step 11 & 12 (Serving suggestion – koftas in gravy)
Once air fried, the koftas can be enjoyed as is or added into a spicy onion-tomato gravy to make gobi kofta curry.
Gobi Kofta in Air Fryer
Equipment
- Air fryer
- large mixing bowl
- Food processor
Ingredients
- 500 g cauliflower florets
- 300 g boiled potatoes grated
- 1 tablespoon curry powder
- ½ tablespoon red chilli powder
- ½ tablespoon salt
- ¼ cup red lentil flour or chickpea flour
- Oil for spraying
For the onion tomato curry
Instructions
- Soak cauliflower florets in hot salted water for 15 minutes. Drain.
- Add cauliflower, curry powder, red chilli powder, and salt to a food processor. Pulse until coarse.
- Add grated boiled potatoes and nutritional yeast, blending lightly. Transfer mixture to a bowl.
- Mix in chickpea flour (and rice flour if needed). Adjust to form a firm dough.
- Shape into small balls. Place on parchment and brush lightly with oil. Freeze for 2–3 hours to firm.
- Preheat air fryer to 180°C. Arrange balls in the basket. Spray oil and cook for 18–20 mins, turning halfway, until golden brown.
- Serve the crispy koftas hot with chutney, ketchup, or add them to your favorite onion-tomato gravy just before serving. Refer notes for the onion tomato curry
Video
Notes
Variations
- Green peas: Add mashed green peas to the kofta mix for extra texture.
- Cabbage koftas: Substitute cauliflower with cabbage to make cabbage koftas.
- Paneer stuffing: Fill the center of each ball with paneer or cheese for a surprise bite.
- Rice flour: Mix rice flour with besan for crisper koftas.
- Appe pan method: Instead of air frying, cook small balls in an appe pan with hot oil on medium heat.
Substitutions
- Nutritional yeast → shredded cheese if not vegan.
- Potatoes → sweet potatoes for a different flavor.
- Gram flour → lentil flour or rice flour for binding.
- Oil → spray with any neutral oil; mustard oil for a North Indian touch.
FAQ
Yes. After shaping, freeze the balls on a tray and then store them in airtight containers. You can air fry directly from frozen.
Add a little extra gram flour or rice flour to bind if the mixture feels too soft.
Yes. Shallow fry on medium high heat, bake in the oven, or use an appe pan.
Enjoy them as crispy fritters with chutney or dip, or add to a spicy onion-tomato gravy to make cauliflower kofta curry.
Conclusion: A healthier take on gobhi ke kofte, these golden brown balls can be enjoyed as a snack or added to curry for a rich Indian meal.
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