These vegan mince puffs in the air fryer have crisp, flaky pastry wrapped around a savory soya keema filling. The filling is made with soy granules, onion, tomato, ginger, spices, and soy sauce, making it a satisfying meat-free alternative to traditional mince curry puffs.
The prepared puffs can be frozen ahead of time and cooked directly in the air fryer. They work well as a party appetizer, evening snack, or make-ahead treat served with tomato ketchup or chutney.
If you enjoy savory puff pastry snacks, try these recently added air fryer tofu puffs or air fryer paneer puffs. For another vegan filling, see these air fryer vegetable curry puffs.
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How to make soy keema puffs in air fryer?
Why Make Vegan Mince Puffs in the Air Fryer?
The air fryer cooks the puff pastry quickly and gives it a crisp, golden exterior with only a light spray of oil. You do not need to heat a full oven, and the frozen puffs can be cooked in small batches whenever you want a fresh snack.
Quick Summary: Prepare a dry soya mince filling, cool it completely, seal it inside cold puff pastry, freeze the puffs, then air fry at 190°C or 375°F until golden.
Ingredients
- Oil
- Onion
- Ginger
- Tomato
- Curry powder
- Garam masala
- Paprika
- Dried soya granules
- Soy sauce
- Salt
- Vegan puff pastry sheets
- Oil spray
- Tomato ketchup or chutney
Ingredient Note: Some puff pastry brands contain butter or other animal-derived ingredients. Check the package and choose pastry sheets marked vegan or dairy-free.
How to Make Soya Keema Puffs
Cook the onion and spices
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat. Add the chopped onion, ginger, and a small amount of salt. Cook until the onion softens and turns lightly pink.
2. Add the curry powder, garam masala, and paprika. Stir for a few seconds so the spices coat the onion evenly.
Add the tomato
3. Add the chopped tomato and mix well. Cook until the tomato softens and most of its moisture evaporates.
4. The tomato is optional, but it adds flavor and helps bring the soya mince filling together.
Soak and drain the soya granules
5. Place the dried soya granules in warm water for a few minutes. Drain them in a sieve and press firmly with a spoon to remove as much water as possible.
Pro Tip: Remove the excess water thoroughly. Wet soy granules can make the filling soft and prevent the bottom of the pastry from becoming crisp.
6. Add the drained soya granules and soy sauce to the skillet. Mix until the granules are evenly coated with the onion, tomato, and spices.
Cook for a few minutes, stirring regularly, until the filling looks fairly dry. Taste before adding more salt because soy sauce is already salty.
Turn off the heat and allow the filling to cool completely before adding it to the puff pastry.
Fill and freeze the puff pastry
7. Thaw the frozen puff pastry sheets for about 5 minutes, or only until they are flexible enough to fold. The pastry should still feel cold.
Cut each pastry sheet into equal portions. Divide the cooled soya mince filling between them, keeping the mixture away from the edges.
8. Fold the pastry over the filling and press the edges together firmly. Place the prepared puffs on a plate or tray and freeze for 3 to 4 hours or overnight.
Air fry until golden and flaky
9. Preheat the air fryer to 190°C or 375°F for 5 minutes.
Place the frozen mince puffs in the air fryer basket, leaving enough space around each one for the pastry to expand. Spray the tops lightly with oil.
`10. Air fry for 15 to 16 minutes, or until the pastry is puffed, crisp, and golden brown. Check a few minutes early because air fryer cooking times can vary.
Let the puffs rest for 2 to 3 minutes before serving because the filling will be hot. Serve with tomato ketchup, chili sauce, or chutney.
Variations
Vegetable mince puffs
Add finely chopped carrots, peas, bell peppers, or mushrooms. Cook the vegetables until their moisture has evaporated before filling the pastry.
Spicy mince curry puffs
Add chopped green chili, chili flakes, or extra paprika for a spicier filling.
Cheesy vegan puffs
Add a small amount of grated vegan cheese after the mince filling has cooled.
Mini party puffs
Cut the pastry into smaller portions and use less filling. Check the puffs earlier because smaller pieces may cook faster.
Substitutions
- Use packaged vegan mince instead of dried soya granules, following the package instructions before adding it to the spices.
- Finely chopped mushrooms, cooked lentils, or crumbled firm tofu can also be used. Whichever filling you choose, cook it until fairly dry before adding it to the pastry.
- Replace curry powder with another seasoning blend. Smoked paprika can replace regular paprika, and tamari can be used instead of soy sauce.
- If you do not have oil spray, lightly brush the pastry with oil or unsweetened plant milk.
Related recipes
Vegan Mince Puffs in Air Fryer
Equipment
- Air fryer
- Frying pan or skillet
- Mixing bowl
- Sieve
Ingredients
- 2 tablespoons oil
- 1 medium onion chopped
- 1 teaspoon ginger chopped or grated
- 1 medium tomato chopped, optional
- 1 teaspoon curry powder or seasoning of choice
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon paprika
- 1 cup dried soya granules or soy mince
- 2 tablespoons soy sauce or to taste
- Salt to taste
- 2 vegan puff pastry sheets
- Oil spray as needed
- Tomato ketchup or chutney to serve
Instructions
- Prepare the vegan mince filling
- Heat the oil in a skillet over medium heat.
- Add the chopped onion, ginger, and a small pinch of salt. Cook until the onion becomes soft and lightly pink.
- Add the curry powder, garam masala, and paprika. Stir for a few seconds.
- Add the chopped tomato and cook until it softens and most of the moisture evaporates.
- Place the dried soya granules in warm water and soak them for a few minutes.
- Drain the granules and press firmly to remove the excess water.
- Add the drained soya granules and soy sauce to the skillet.
- Cook for a few minutes, stirring regularly, until the filling is well combined and fairly dry.
- Taste the filling and add more salt only if required.
- Remove the skillet from the heat and allow the filling to cool completely.
- Fill the puff pastry
- Thaw the puff pastry sheets for about 5 minutes, or until flexible but still cold.
- Cut each pastry sheet into equal portions.
- Divide the cooled vegan mince filling between the pastry pieces.
- Fold each piece into a triangle and press the edges firmly to seal.
- Place the prepared puffs on a tray or plate.
- Freeze for 3 to 4 hours or overnight.
- Air fry the mince puffs
- Preheat the air fryer to 190°C or 375°F for 5 minutes.
- Place the frozen puffs in the air fryer basket, leaving space between them.
- Spray the tops lightly with oil.
- Air fry for 15 to 16 minutes, or until puffed, crisp, and golden brown.
- Rest for 2 to 3 minutes before serving with tomato ketchup or chutney.
Video
Notes
Do not add warm filling to the pastry.
Drain and press the soaked soya granules thoroughly.
Keep the mince mixture fairly dry to avoid soggy pastry.
Use less salt initially because soy sauce is salty.
Keep the puff pastry cold while filling and folding.
Air fry the puffs directly from frozen.
Air fryer cooking times may vary slightly.
Smaller puffs may cook faster than large puffs.
More Air Fryer Puff Pastry Recipes
For another protein-rich vegan filling, try these air fryer tofu puffs. They combine tofu, onions, soy sauce, and spices inside flaky pastry.
These air fryer paneer puffs use a mildly spiced paneer and vegetable filling, while these air fryer vegetable puffs are a useful vegan option made with a mixed vegetable curry filling.
FAQ
Yes. Place the frozen puffs in a preheated air fryer, spray them lightly with oil, and cook at 190°C or 375°F for about 15 to 16 minutes. There is no need to thaw them first.
The filling may have contained too much moisture, the pastry may have become warm during shaping, or the air fryer may not have been fully preheated. Drain the soya granules thoroughly, cool the filling completely, and leave space between the puffs.
Some store-bought puff pastry sheets are made with vegetable fats, while others contain butter or other animal-derived ingredients. Check the ingredient label and choose pastry marked vegan or dairy-free.
Conclusion
These vegan mince puffs in the air fryer combine flaky pastry with a well-seasoned soya keema filling. Preparing and freezing the puffs ahead of time makes it easy to air fry a fresh batch whenever you need a savory snack.
For the best texture, keep the filling dry, allow it to cool completely, keep the pastry cold, and cook the puffs directly from frozen.
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