Name: Hara Bhara Kabab - Air Fryer
Prep time: 15 min
Cook time: 12 min
Total time: 27 min
Ingredients: 2 Potatoes ((medium, cubed)); 4 cup Spinach ((packed)); 1 cup Peas ((frozen or fresh)); 1/2 tbsp Ginger ((grated)); 1 tsp Serrano pepper ((or to taste)); 2 tbsp Bread crumbs; 1/2 tsp Salt ((to taste)); 1/4 tsp Red chili powder ((to taste)); 1/4 tsp Garam masala; 1/4 tsp Chaat masala; 1 tbsp Oil; 1/2 tsp Chaat masala

4.91 from 10 votes

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Hara bhara kebab is a popular Indian snack or appetizer made with potatoes, spinach, peas, and spices. Check out how to make vegan hara bhara kebab in air fryer with step by step details.

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Hara Bhara kabab served in a plate with raw onion rings.

Hara bhara kebab is a vegan Indian finger food served as an appetizer. The word hara bhara kebab means patties full of greens. And indeed they are loaded with nutritious green veggies from which it gets their green color.

They are easy to make for parties, potlucks or can be frozen ahead of time. You can use them as burger patties or make wraps. They make a perfect evening snack with a hot cup of masala chai, especially on cold or rainy days.

You may also want to check out more delicious Indian air fryer recipes and vegan air fryer recipes.

Ingredients

Hara bhara kebab is made with potatoes, spinach, peas, and spices. The best part is you can adapt the ingredients to include the greens of your choice.

Any kind of leafy greens can be used instead of spinach. If you like beetroot and have leftover greens, you can use them. Sometimes I like to use broccoli as well.

Potatoes and bread crumbs help bind all the ingredients into a soft dough. Potatoes can be replaced by paneer or pressure-cooked chana dal. I like to make hara bhara kebab without onion and garlic, so I use only ginger, serrano pepper, and some spices and sprinkle some chaat masala while serving.

Instructions

It is really very easy to make hara bhara kabab at home from scratch. Although it looks tedious, once you follow these easy step-by-step instructions, it can be made in just about 30 minutes.

The first step is to make the mixture with boiled potatoes and steamed green vegetables. You can boil the potatoes in the microwave or steam them in the pressure cooker. I like to steam all the ingredients in the instant pot for 5 minutes. However, spinach and peas can be steamed on the stovetop too.

Once potatoes, spinach, and peas are cooked, mash the potatoes with a potato masher and blend spinach, peas, ginger, and serrano pepper in Vitamix or any other blender to a smooth paste.

collage of 4 images of making hara bhara kabab mixture.

Mix the potatoes, blended greens, spices, salt, and some bread crumbs into a soft, non-sticky dough. Now divide into 15 equal parts and roll them in between your palms to make patties of about an inch and a half diameter.

At this point, you are done with the major task and the final step is to cook them. There are a lot of options like deep frying, baking in the oven, shallow frying in the skillet, or air frying. I like the healthy non-fried option of making hara bhara kebab in an air fryer as it uses very little oil.

Hara Bhara kabab served in a plate with ketchup.

Air fry

Making hara bhara kebab in the air fryer is really very easy. Depending on the air fryer, preheat it to 390 °F. Place the kebab patties in the air fryer on parchment paper. Spray some oil using an oil sprayer or apply a coating of oil using a basting brush. This prevents hara bhara kebab from turning dry.

Air fry the kebabs for about 12 minutes. Flip them after about 6 minutes and apply oil on the other side as well. Continue cooking for the remaining time. Hara bhara kabab are ready when they are slightly crispy and golden brown in color.

collage of 4 images of air frying hara bhara kabab.

Serving suggestions

Just like most Indian appetizers, hara bhara kabab goes well will Indian chutneys like sweet tamarind chutney, cilantro chutney, or tomato ketchup. Cranberry chutney, tomato chutney, or mango chutney make flavorful dips for hara bhara kebab.

If you are planning an event, party, or celebrating a special occasion, you can serve hara bhara kabab on a platter with other Indian appetizers like cutlets, fritters, corn cheese balls, samosa, and kachori.

While serving don't forget to sprinkle some chaat masala on the kebab.

These kebabs are great to substitute other types of patties in burgers and that can be a quick meal. If you are a fan of pita bread then you can make delicious wraps with these hara bhara kebab patties by filling them in the pita pockets.

Storage

Air-fried hara bhara kebab are best when they are fresh. However, if you have any leftovers, you can also store them in the fridge and reheat them in the microwave before serving.

You can also store uncooked patties in the fridge for 2-3 days and then air fry them when you want to eat.

Hara bhara kebab can be frozen and made ahead of time. It is best to freeze them without air frying or deep frying. To freeze them, make the patties and store them in a freezer-safe container by lining parchment paper between them.

When you want to use them, you can directly air fry, deep fry, and shallow fry on the skillet or bake them in the oven. Frozen hara bhara kebab patties can also be grilled on the bbq.