Air Fryer Gobi Manchurian

This Crispy Air Fryer Gobi Manchurian recipe is quicker to make than the original cauliflower manchurian. Air Fried Cauliflower is tossed in an Indo-Chinese gravy which can be served as an appetizer or main dish. 

It is naturally vegan, gluten-free and so delicious! Serve with Schezwan Fried Rice. 

What is Gobi Manchurian?

Gobi Manchurian is also known as Gobhi Manchurian and Cauliflower Manchurian. It is a fusion Indo-Chinese dish served in Indian restaurants. 

It is made with cauliflower florets that are deep-fried and then stir-fried in a manchurian gravy. The sauce is typically made with ingredients like soy sauce, vinegar, ketchup, onion, ginger garlic paste and various spices. 

The Indo chinese recipe is known for its tangy, spicy, and slightly sweet taste. You can find cauliflower manchurian with a gravy or dry gobi manchurian. 

Gobi Manchurian can be served as an appetizer, main course or side dish and is often accompanied by fried rice or noodles. 

It is possible to prepare manchurian dishes with a wide range of vegetables. Common ones include Vegetable Manchurian, Soya Manchurian and Paneer Manchurian. 

I like to prepare this Veg Manchurian and Tofu Manchurian. 

Air Fried Gobi Manchurian

Air-fried cauliflower florets are tossed in a spicy manchurian sauce. It is one of my favorite dishes when the chinese food craving hits! 

Instead of deep frying the cauliflower, It is a healthier option than the deep-fried version. 

My version is not made with a runny batter but rather the flour is sprinkled over the washed cauliflower. There is less mess and the cauliflower remains so crispy!

I prefer the dry version of gobi manchurian as cauliflower can become spongy if soaked in too much moisture. You can however, easily adapt this recipe to make a gravy version. 

My go-to these days are the air-fried versions of so many recipes instead of using the traditional method. An example are these Air Fryer Onion Bhaji. Other Air Fryer recipes include Air Fryer Baked Potato and Air Fryer Punjabi Samosa Puffs

Air Fryer Gobi Manchurian Ingredients

Full ingredients with measurements are available in the recipe card below at the end of this post

For the air fryer gobi

You will need to make a batter using the corn starch, seasoning and water. Alternatively, you can toss washed cauliflower florets in a tray of cornstarch and seasoning. 

Cauliflower - look for cauliflowers that are pale white in colour with minimal dark spots. The fresher, the better. I like to cut the florets into medium sized pieces for cauliflower manchurian. 

Corn starch (corn flour)- alternatively, you can use rice flour which is also gluten free

Salt and black pepper - add to taste

Oil - you can either brush on oil or use a cooking oil spray

I do not recommend using frozen cauliflower for this recipe. 

If you are not gluten-free you can also use all purpose flour

For the manchurian sauce

Soy sauce - you can use either dark soy sauce or a mix of light and dark soy sauce

Onion, garlic, ginger and green chilli - you can use either red onions or yellow onions

Capsicum - I recommend using green capsicum (green bell pepper) as red and yellow tend to be sweeter. However, you can use any colour

Spring onions - you will need both the green and white parts. Try to keep them separate as they are used at different stages in the recipe

Tomato ketchup or Tomato sauce

Sweet chilli sauce

Red chili sauce or Hot sauce

Sesame oil - sesame oil, commonly used in chinese cuisine, provides wonderful chinese flavours to this dish but you can of course use olive, sunflower or vegetable oil. 

Corn starch - to make a corn starch slurry. Alternatively, use arrowroot powder

Spice powders: red chili powder, cumin coriander powder

Salt and black pepper - go easy on the salt as the soy sauce is already salty

Optional:

Green chilies for a more spicy sauce

How to make Air-Fryer Gobi Manchurian

Firstly, prepare the air fryer cauliflower. 

Cut the head of a cauliflower into medium sized florets. 

Wash thoroughly and allow the water to drain or pat dry with a paper towel

In a large bowl, add the washed cauliflower and sprinkle over a mix of rice flour and corn starch. Season with salt and pepper.

Add in a little oil and mix well

Spray the air fryer basket with a bit of oil or use parchment paper. 

Arrange the cauliflower in a single layer. Spray over more oil over the battered cauliflower. 

Air Fry for 10 minutes at 185C or until just tender and golden brown. Cooking time and temperature may vary based on your produce and air fryer model.

Now, prepare the manchurian sauce.

In a pan, add the sesame oil and heat on medium heat. 

Add in the onions and cook until translucent on a medium flame. 

Then tip in the white parts of spring onion, garlic and ginger and green chillies if using. 

Sauté for a minute before adding the chopped green pepper. (I forgot to add in mine whist making the video of this recipe, cooked separately later and added to the cauliflower)

Add in the spice powders, and whichever sauce you want to use to find the perfect balance of spicy and sweet. I like to use a mix of soy sauce, chili sauce, sweet chilli sauce and ketchup. 

Season with salt and pepper

Now prepare the cornstarch slurry. In a small bowl, add the corn starch with a little water. Mix to make a thin paste. Pour into the pan and mix quickly. 

If you want a gravy recipe, add a bit more water. 

Tip in the cauliflower fritters. 

Toss everything on high heat for a minute then take off the heat. 

Garnish with the green parts of the green onions. 

Pro Tips for Crispy Gobi Manchurian

Instead of making a smooth batter, I find it quicker to simply sprinkle the rice flour/cornstarch over the cauliflower. This reduces any risk of a too thin or too thick batter and it also keeps the cauliflower crispy.

Ensure the cauliflower are dry before adding into the basket. If they still have water, they will steam rather than air fry

Use sauces based on your heat preference. If preparing for kids, reduce the chili sauce and add a bit more ketchup

Add more or less red chilli powder based on your preference

Go easy on the salt as soy sauce is already salty. Do a taste test before adding the salt

Serving Suggestions for Cauliflower Manchurian

Schezwan Fried Rice or Hakka Noodles go great with this Indian chinese cauliflower. 

Another option is Burnt Garlic Fried Rice 

Storage

It is best to consume Gobi Manchurian as soon as possible to enjoy its taste and texture at its best.

To store Gobi Manchurian, follow these steps:

1. Allow the Gobi Manchurian to cool down to room temperature before storing it.
2. Transfer to an airtight container.
3. Seal the container tightly to prevent air from entering.
4. Place the container in the refrigerator.
5. Gobi Manchurian can be stored in the refrigerator for up to 3 to 4 days.

It's important to note that the texture of the cauliflower florets may change slightly after refrigeration, and they might become less crispy. When you're ready to eat the stored Gobi Manchurian, you can reheat it in a pan on the stovetop or in the microwave until heated through.

Other Indo-Chinese dishes

Chili Paneer or make Vegan Chilli Tofu

Masala Mogo

Schezwan Baby Potatoes

Vegetable Spring Rolls

As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!

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