Air Fryer Indian Bread Roll

Note: This post contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

This crispy Air Fryer Indian Bread Roll stuffed with spicy potato filling is a delicious snack that you can savor any time of the day. Make it for school lunches or as an after-school snack, your kids will gobble it up in no time.

Note – You don’t need an air-fryer to make these bread rolls. They can be easily pan-fried. 

Disclosure: This bread roll recipe post was sponsored by the Idaho Potato Commission. All opinions, as always, are my own. 

What are bread rolls?

When we talk about bread rolls, most folks all over the world picture a round roll of bread that is often served as a side with a dollop of butter. But Indian bread rolls are way different.

Slices of bread are stuffed with a spicy potato filling and then rolled to resemble either a cigar or an oval-shaped roll. This roll is then deep-fried till it is crispy and golden brown. Served with green chutney, tamarind chutney, or ketchup – this Indian snack is a perfect companion to hot ginger tea. 

While these Indian bread rolls are typically deep-fried, I prefer to air-fry them, and here’s why. 

Air-frying vs Deep-frying

The function of an air fryer is similar to a convection oven. It cooks by circulating hot air around the food and requires a lot less oil than deep frying where the food is cooked by submerging it in hot oil. 

Air frying is supposedly healthier than deep frying but contrary to popular belief, deep frying at home is not all that bad. The one thing we associate with deep-fried foods is greasy and oily food. But it doesn’t have to be that way. Deep frying when done right can result in crispy, delicious food that doesn’t soak up oil. It is also a lot quicker than air frying. 

I prefer air frying because of the following reasons – 

1. It is a relatively hands-free approach – it is just like baking in an oven. 
2. You don’t have to worry about how to use the leftover oil from deep frying. 
3. I am petrified that I might tip the wok/kadhai while deep frying (I can be clumsy).
4. After deep frying (especially in the US), the whole house seems to reek of oil for a few hours (ugh!). 

How to make crispy bread roll recipe

Making these Indian bread rolls involve four easy steps – 

1. Boiling potatoes – I use an Instant Pot to fasten the process. You can use any electric or stovetop pressure cooker.
2. Making the stuffing – Mash the potatoes and saute them in oil along with cumin and a few spice powders. You can use an Instant Pot or a wok to saute the stuffing. 
3. Making the rolls –
   • Use a rolling pin to flatten the bread slices. Place the potato stuffing and spread it evenly. 
   • Roll the bread slices tightly into a long cylinder. Seal them properly. 
   • Repeat the process for the rest of the bread slices. 
4. Air frying the rolls – After preheating the air-fryer for about 5 minutes at 400°F, place the bread rolls in the air frying basket. Air fry these rolls for about 10 minutes at 400°F till they brown on all sides. [I really like Phillips Air fryer because it evenly heats the rolls from all sides so you don’t have turn the rolls mid-way]

Variations

These bread rolls can be filled with a variety of stuffings. For example – 

• Leftover pav bhaji – make sure it is not runny. Heat up the bhaji to thicken it if needed. 
• Leftover mashed potatoes – After Thanksgiving, most of us have leftover mashed potatoes. Spice it up any way you want and use it as a filling for this bread roll. 
• Replace the potato stuffing in this recipe with paneer (cottage cheese). If you have leftover fillings from making paneer paratha, use them in this recipe. 
• You can also add peas in the stuffing. Use about 1/2 cup of peas and boil them with potatoes and mash them well. It tastes just like a samosa filling. 

Other favorite tea time snack recipes that we often make at home – 

1. Corn bhel  –  Try this non-traditional way of making corn bhel or corn chaat and you’ll be hooked. While most Indian street food demands a mandatory drizzling of tamarind chutney and green chutney, this no-fuss corn bhel recipe doesn’t require either.
2. Poha Chivda  – Make this poha chivda under 10 minutes – makes for a great after school snack.
3. Cereal chivda – Turn your leftover cereals into a snack (Cereal Chivda) that your kids will love to munch on during a road trip or after school.
4. Chutney cheese quesadilla and mini veggie tortilla rolls  – Two super easy snack options that come together in minutes.
5. Shankarpalli – It is an extremely addictive snack that we can’t get enough of. Learn how to prepare Shankarpali in 30 minutes!
6. Bombay Sandwich – You’ll fall in love with this grilled veggie sandwich – bread slathered with butter and green chutney, layered with veggies and then grilled to perfection. Learn how to make this sought-after Indian street food at home.

I would like to thank the Idaho Potato Commission for sponsoring this Air fryer potato bread rolls recipe.