Air Fryer Recipe: Samosa Pinwheels (from Puff Pastry)
Air Fryer Samosa Pinwheels (from Puff Pastry)
Forget the deep fryer and lengthy dough-making! These Air Fryer Samosa Pinwheels offer all the beloved savoury spiced potato filling of a classic samosa, enveloped in crisp, golden puff pastry. Rolled, sliced, and air-fried to perfection, they're an incredibly easy and impressive appetiser or snack that's ready in a flash.
Ingredients:
For the Spiced Potato Filling:
- 2 medium potatoes, boiled, peeled, and mashed (ensure no lumps)
- 1 tbsp oil (vegetable or canola)
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/2 tsp ginger-garlic paste (or finely minced ginger and garlic)
- 1/2 cup frozen peas, thawed
- 1/4 cup finely chopped red onion (optional)
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder1
- 1 tsp ground coriander
- 1/2 tsp garam masala
- 1/4 tsp red chilli powder (adjust to your spice preference)
- 1/4 tsp amchur (dry mango) powder (for tang, optional but recommended)2
- Salt to taste
- 2 tbsp chopped fresh coriander leaves
For the Pinwheels:
- 1 sheet (approx. 250g) ready-made puff pastry, thawed but still cold
- 1-2 tbsp milk or water (for brushing)
Instructions & Method:
1. Prepare the Spiced Potato Filling:
* Heat oil in a pan over medium heat. Add cumin seeds and let them splutter.
* Add ginger-garlic paste (and chopped onion, if using) and sauté for 1-2 minutes until fragrant.
* Stir in turmeric powder, ground coriander, garam masala, red chilli powder, and amchur powder (if using). Cook for 30 seconds, stirring constantly, until aromatic.
* Add the mashed potatoes and thawed peas to the pan. Mix well, breaking up any remaining potato lumps, until the spices are evenly incorporated.
* Season with salt to taste. Cook for 2-3 minutes, stirring occasionally, allowing the flavours to meld.
* Remove from heat and stir in the fresh coriander leaves. Let the filling cool completely. This is crucial as warm filling will make the pastry soggy.
2. Assemble the Pinwheels:
* Lightly flour a clean work surface. Unroll the puff pastry sheet.
* Evenly spread the cooled spiced potato filling over the entire surface of the puff pastry, leaving a small border (about 1/2 inch) along one long edge.
* Starting from the long edge opposite the small border, carefully and tightly roll the puff pastry into a log. Aim for a compact roll to ensure neat pinwheels.
* Brush the small exposed border with a little milk or water and press gently to seal the seam.
* Wrap the pastry log tightly in plastic wrap and refrigerate for at least 20-30 minutes. This helps the pastry firm up and makes slicing easier and cleaner.
3. Air Fry the Pinwheels:
* Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F).
* Remove the chilled pastry log from the refrigerator. Using a sharp knife, carefully slice the log into 1/2 to 3/4 inch thick pinwheels.
* Arrange the pinwheels in a single layer in your air fryer basket, ensuring not to overcrowd. You will likely need to cook them in batches.
* Brush the tops of the pinwheels lightly with milk or water for a golden finish.
* Air fry for 12-18 minutes, or until golden brown and puffed, flipping them halfway through cooking to ensure even crisping. Cooking time may vary slightly depending on your air fryer model.
4. Serve:
* Carefully remove the Samosa Pinwheels from the air fryer.
* Serve warm with your favourite chutney (mint, tamarind, or mango chutney work wonderfully) or a dollop of plain yogurt.
Tips for Perfection:
- Cool the Filling Completely: This is the most important tip! Warm filling will melt the butter in the puff pastry, making it difficult to roll and resulting in a less flaky texture.
- Don't Overfill: While tempting, too much filling can make the pinwheels hard to roll and prone to bursting during cooking.
- Chill the Rolled Log: Chilling the pastry log before slicing makes for cleaner cuts and helps the pinwheels maintain their shape during air frying.
- Even Slices: Aim for consistent thickness when slicing to ensure even cooking.
- Don't Overcrowd the Air Fryer: Cook in batches if necessary to allow proper air circulation, which is key for crispiness.
- Adjust Spices: Feel free to modify the spice levels in the potato filling to suit your personal preference. A pinch of black salt (kala namak) can also add an authentic tangy touch.
- Make Ahead: You can prepare the potato filling a day in advance and store it in the refrigerator. You can also assemble and slice the pinwheels, then freeze them on a baking sheet before transferring to a freezer bag.3 Air fry from frozen, adding a few extra minutes to the cooking time.
Enjoy your incredibly easy, fancy, and undeniably delicious Air Fryer Samosa Pinwheels – a delightful fusion of tradition and modern convenience!