Lauki kofta in airfryer | Bottle gourd kofte recipe

Lauki ke Kofte or ghiya kofte are Indian style vegan meatballs curry. Although people feel dudhi or ghiya is a boring vegetable. Everyone loves its kofte. Serve fried vegetarian meatballs or bottle gourd kofta in spicy gravy with flatbread or rice instead of paneer for a change. Surely wins hearts and tummies. A great gram flour or besan based curry for a party. Hence, it is also vegan and gluten-free. This way you can make one curry inclusive for all types of foodies. This dudhi kofta recipe can also be baked in oven or made in an air fryer if you are health conscious. Yes, they still taste just as great. You may choose to have deep fried koftas once a while on a cheat day.

Below is the recipe of ghiya kofta 3 ways for your reference. The recipe for lauki kofta curry remains the same but koftas do have additional corn flour (makai atta) and rice flour added to it when making the low oil versions. This ensures you get evenly cooked kofte even with low oil.

Jump to:

• How to make lauki kofta in air fryer? (video recipe)
• Ingredients
• How to make lauki kofta in air fryer?
• air fryer lauki kofta | bottle gourd kofta curry recipe
• Variation - deep fried lauki kofte
• Variation (make lauki kofta in oven)
• how to make kofta curry?
• Related links

How to make lauki kofta in air fryer? (video recipe)

Ingredients

• Lauki / Bottle gourd
• Lentil flour (for airfryer , red lentil flour yields best results , can use Besan/Chickpea flour)
• Ginger-chilli
• Red chilli powder
• Turmeric
• Salt
• Oil

For dudhi kofta curry:

• Oil
• Onion
• Tomato puree
• Spices for gravy
• Cumin seeds
• Red chili powder
• Turmeric powder
• Coriander powder
• Garam masala
• Salt
• Water
• Chopped coriander for garnish

refer to recipe card for details.

How to make lauki kofta in air fryer?

1. Peel and grate bottle gourd. Add lentil flour and spices

2. Mix all ingredients

3. It should have a thick consistency to make round shaped ball.

4. Place all balls in the air fryer basket with a baking sheet (with holes) underneath

5..Air fry them at 190 degree C | 375 F for 10 mins

Brush oil on the kofta and air fry again for 8-10 mins @190 degree C | 375 F .

7.Once ready, add to gravy just before serving.

Variation - deep fried lauki kofte

This is the traditional style -frying method to make deep-fried koftas.

1. Heat oil in a pan. Fry the koftas until golden brown.

2. Remove once golden brown. Pat on a tissue to remove excess oil.

Variation (make lauki kofta in oven)

For baked lauki kofta

1. If you want to make lauki ke kofte in an oven, pre-heat the oven at 180 degree C.
2. Place the kofte on a tray lined with baking sheet (with holes).
3. Bake them for 10 mins.
4. Brush oil and bake for 15 mins. Add to gravy just before serving.

how to make kofta curry?

We like making this easy onion and tomato curry base for most of the Indian recipes.

1. In a pan, heat oil add onions and let it brown. Add tomato puree and mix well.

2. Let it cook until the oil oozes out, add spices.

3. Add water and let it come to a boil.

4. Once the gravy is ready,add kofta balls to it,let it simmer for 5 mins. Serve hot with roti/rice.

Benefits of bottle gourd & uses

Lauki also known as 'Ghiya'/'Dudhi'/'Opo'/long melon. Cooling, calming, diuretic and anti-bilious. Most people think eat it during sickness,but it is highly nutritious. It is also a great substitute to potatoes in many gravies. You can even add a piece to pav bhaji or to tomato soup. Excellent during pregnancy and post-partum. Diet watchers as it is very low calorie.

Some people also add a bit to their juice. However,you need to check it is fresh and not bitter when eating raw. You should add only a small quantity to your juice as it is di-uretic and might upset the stomach. You can also make a lot of recipes from it. Make a barfi or sweet or make a thepla, gluten-free flatbread out of it.You can make simple curries with lentils like lauki channa or enjoy it as  a simple curry or sabji.

Tips for lauki kofta curry

1. You may drain out the excess water from the lauki by pressing the mixture between your palms. If the water is not drained out then it will make the mixture more loose making it difficult to make round balls.Grated lauki when mixed with salt starts to release water very fast. Hence, do not keep the mixture for long.You may keep the water in the mix and add more dry flour of besan/makai.

2. Add just one kofta in the hot oil (if frying) to check if it breaks. If it does, add a little chickpea flour.

3. Make sure that the kofta is fried on medium flame. If you fry them on high flame then it will turn the balls dark brown quickly but will remain uncooked from inside.

4. You can make the gravy with tomatoes,ginger and chillies only and avoid onion & garlic. 

5. Add the koftas right before the serving, otherwise kofta will absorb almost all the gravy and becomes soft and soggy.

6. You can also prepare the meatballs before hand and keep it in refrigerator. Use it for a dinner anytime mid week.

7.Once you have added salt and other ingredients, use it immediately to fry/bake the koftas else they will become more loose.

FAQs