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Festivals in India are marked by gatherings where food is the centrepiece, and platters filled with a mix of savoury snacks and small bites have always been part of such occasions. With the air fryer becoming a regular kitchen appliance in many homes, preparing large varieties of festive snacks no longer feels heavy or time-consuming. The Usha air fryer in particular has gained popularity for its ability to cook evenly with minimal oil, making it easier to serve traditional favourites in a lighter way. Indian festive platters usually include a mix of fried items, baked treats, and sweets, and adapting them for the air fryer has brought convenience without taking away the essence of the food. Each of the following platter ideas reflects the mix of tradition and practicality that many families look for during celebrations.
1. North Indian Snack Platter
A platter of North Indian snacks often sets the tone for a festive evening. The most loved items include samosas, kachoris, and paneer tikkas, which are usually deep fried or cooked in heavy oil. With the air fryer, samosas filled with potatoes, peas, and spices can be crisped without excess oil, and kachoris stuffed with moong dal or spiced lentils can be prepared with a similar golden crust. Paneer tikka marinated in yoghurt and masala cooks evenly in the fryer basket, holding its smoky flavour when brushed lightly with ghee. Arranging these on a large platter with mint chutney and tamarind chutney allows guests to enjoy familiar snacks in a lighter version. Families hosting Diwali or Holi gatherings can prepare such platters ahead of time and warm them quickly in the air fryer before serving.
2. South Indian Tiffin-Inspired Platter
South Indian festivals bring forward dishes like medu vada, banana chips, and masala idlis, all of which can be adapted for the air fryer. Medu vadas shaped and brushed with oil crisp well in the fryer, avoiding the heavy frying method that many households find tiring. Banana chips tossed with coconut oil and salt cook evenly into thin, crunchy slices. Mini masala idlis coated with podi and a drizzle of oil can also be crisped in the fryer for a snack-style version that works perfectly on a festive platter. Adding small bowls of coconut chutney or tomato chutney completes the set. Such a platter reflects the variety of tiffin items enjoyed during Onam, Pongal, or even during Navratri evenings when families prefer light yet flavourful dishes.
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3. Street Food Style Platter
Festivals often revive the craving for street-style snacks that everyone enjoys during casual evenings. Popular items like aloo tikki, dahi kebabs, and pakoras can be cooked in the air fryer with less oil yet still taste close to the traditional versions. Aloo tikkis made from spiced mashed potatoes turn crisp on the outside while staying soft inside, and dahi kebabs with hung curd and spices hold their shape well in the fryer. Onion and spinach pakoras, lightly coated in gram flour batter, cook into crunchy bites without being greasy. Serving these with coriander chutney, sweet curd, and a sprinkle of chaat masala turns the platter into a complete festive snack board. Families often bring this style of platter for gatherings like birthdays, Diwali evenings, or wedding-related functions where variety is valued.
4. Modern Fusion Platter
Many families enjoy adding modern twists to their festive spreads, and the air fryer allows creative platters with fusion dishes. Items like tandoori mushrooms, corn and cheese balls, and peri-peri sweet potato wedges work well in this setting. Tandoori mushrooms marinated in spices and yoghurt gain a charred flavour in the fryer, while corn and cheese balls firm up into crunchy bites without excess oil. Sweet potato wedges coated in peri-peri seasoning crisp into a balanced mix of sweet and spicy. This type of platter appeals to younger guests who enjoy familiar flavours with a contemporary touch. Adding simple dips such as garlic yoghurt, salsa, or mustard sauce makes the platter versatile enough for Diwali card parties or Christmas gatherings where experimentation is welcomed.
5. Mithai And Sweet Snack Platter
No festive spread in India feels complete without sweets, and the air fryer provides useful shortcuts for preparing lighter versions of them. Gulab jamun dough balls can be air fried before soaking in syrup, giving them a different texture yet retaining the flavour. Shakarpara, usually deep fried, turns out crisp in the air fryer with much less oil. Dry fruit laddus, though not fried, can also be added to balance the platter with wholesome richness. Combining these with bowls of roasted nuts and jaggery-coated peanuts makes the platter diverse and festive. Families often prepare such platters during Diwali, Raksha Bandhan, or Eid when sweets are exchanged, and an air fryer makes the process faster for larger gatherings.
