I am sure many of you would disagree when I say this is the best way to enjoy the least desirable vegetable, but wait till you try these karela chips made in an air fryer. They are so good and addictive that you will not be able to stop at one chip. I agree to be sent email.
These air fryer bitter gourd chips are a perfect side dish to south Indian dishes like rasam, rice, sambar, and avial. The best part is that you retain all the essential nutrients, and the preparation time is short. This evening, try it as a tasty snack or a dinnertime side dish.
Why this recipe works
These bitter gourd chips do not use sugar, jaggery, yogurt, or tamarind, making them a highly nutritious and diabetic-friendly meal. It’s due to the way the bitter gourd is cooked that gives it its distinctive taste. There’s no deep frying involved for these healthy chips as I use the air fryer for cooking them lean. So, there’s no messing around with a deep fryer. The karela chips are usually a little bitter, but the bitterness disappears when you air fry them. All that’s left is a delicious crunchy snack. Trust me when I say this; they are so good that you will not be able to stop at one chip. Like my bitter gourd recipe, this bitter gourd chips recipe is easy to make with just a few ingredients and needs very little oil. If you are new to the bitter gourd, read the health benefits here. Also, check out my other recipes like bitter gourd fry, hagalakai palya, and tindora fry.
Ingredients note
Bitter melon: Karela, a.k.a bitter gourd or bitter melon, is a long, cucumber-shaped green vegetable with a bitter taste. It is widely used in Indian cooking, and you can find them in Indian grocery stores.Bengal Gram flour: Chickpea flour or besan is a pulse flour made from a type of ground chickpeas. It is gluten-free and has a nutty flavor.Corn flour: This comes in handy to make them crispy. You can also use rice flour or tapioca flour instead of corn flour.Spices: I have used very few spices in this recipe. Just a few dry masala basics like red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala powder, amchur powder, and a little salt to taste.Oil: Use cooking spray oil to fry the karela chips. I used olive oil cooking spray. You can also use avocado oil, canola oil, or peanut oil.
How to make this
Wash the karela well. Cut off the ends and slice the karela into thin circles. Remove the seeds from the center. Place the circled bitter gourd slices in water with a pinch of salt and let them soak for 15 minutes. After 15 minutes, drain the water and dry the karela slices with a paper towel. In a large mixing bowl, add the karela slices, gram flour/besan, corn flour, salt, red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala powder, amchur powder, and oil. Mix well to get an even coating of spices Preheat the air fryer to 400 F or 200 C. Place the karela chips in a single layer on the air fryer basket. Spray some oil on top. Air fry for 15 minutes until they are crispy and golden brown. Flip them 2 to 3 times in between. Once done, remove from the air fryer and serve immediately. Repeat the same process for the remaining karela chips.
Storage
These crispy bitter gourd chips are best enjoyed hot and fresh. But you can store them in an airtight container for up to 3 days at room temperature. Reheat them in the air fryer before serving.
Expert Tips
Adjust the salt and spice as per your taste preference.You may also add crushed fennel for a little more taste.I did not place the air fryer tray with foil or parchment paper. You can do that to make it easier to clean afterward.Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket. Every 5 mins, stop the air fryer and shake the karela chips so that they cook evenly.The cooking time will vary depending on the thickness of bitter gourd slices. Keep an eye on the bitter gourd and stop the cooking process after 15 minutes when it reaches your preferred texture consistency.
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