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    You are here: Home / Recipes / Air Fryer / Karela Fry - Air Fryer

    Karela Fry - Air Fryer

    Published by Alpa Jain · This post may contain affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Jump to Recipe Jump to Video
    Karela fry is an Indian vegan and gluten-free dish made with bitter melon. It is served as a side dish with Indian meals. Check out how to make karela fry in the air fryer.
    Air fryer cooked bitter gourd in a plate.

    Karela fry is an Indian vegan and gluten-free dish which is served as a side dish with Indian meals. Karela has other names like bitter gourd, bitter melon, and kakarakaya.

    Although bitter gourd is bitter in taste, cooking it with spices enhances its flavor and adding a little bit sugar balances the bitter taste.

    This is an easy and healthy recipe to make air fryer karela fry with less oil and less mess.

    Jump to:
    • Ingredients
    • Instructions
    • Serving suggestions
    • Variations
    • Equipment
    • Storage
    • Top tip
    • Related
    • Pairing
    • 📖 Recipe
    • 💬 Comments

    Ingredients

    To make air fryer bitter gourd slices, you will need fresh bitter gourd and some basic Indian spices like coriander powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder, oil, and salt.

    A little bit of sliced onions adds crunchiness to the dish and sugar will balance the overall bitter taste.

    Air fryer cooked bitter gourd in a plate.

    Instructions

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    Making air fryer karela is very easy. Thoroughly rinse the bitter gourd and cut and discard the ends. Now make thin bitter gourd slices of about 3-4 mm in thickness.

    In a medium size mixing bowl, add all the spices and oil with the karela slices and mix well.

    Bitter gourd ingredients.

    Karela fry ingredients.

    Bitter gourd ingredients in a mixing bowl.

    Combine karela and all spices into a large bowl and mix thoroughly.

    Preheat the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 360°F. Add the karela mix to the air fryer basket and spread it evenly. Air fry the karela for about 16 minutes at the temperature of 360°F.

    After about 8 minutes or when the air fryer prompts to turn the food, add some sliced onions and sprinkle some sugar on the karela and mix it well with tongs or by shaking the basket.

    Bitter gourd mixed with spice in Air fryer basket.

    Karela and spices in air fryer.

    Bitter gourd mixed with onions in Air fryer basket.

    Add onions to karela.

    Continue air frying for the remaining time. After the air fryer time is over, check the karela how well it is cooked. It will need some more cooking and you can air fry it for 2 more minutes at 390°F.

    Check the karela for doneness by cutting one of the slices with a knife. If it is cutting easily, the karela fry is ready, else you can air fry it for a minute or two more.

    Bitter gourd cooked in Air fryer.

    Air fryer karela is ready.

    Air fryer cooked bitter gourd in a plate.

    Karela fry in serving plate.

    Serving suggestions

    Karela fry is served as a side dish with Indian meal. It is eaten with roti, puri, paratha, or dal rice.

    Variations

    If you like the karela to be spicy then you can add more red chili powder.

    Equipment

    I have used the 4 qt. Instant Vortex Plus air fryer to make this karela fry recipe. Any air fryer will work, whether it is basket style or tray style and you can make it in any size air fryer.

    Depending on the air fryer and the quantity of karela, the cook time may vary by a few minutes.

    Air fryer cooked bitter gourd in a plate.

    Storage

    It is best to serve the karela hot. If you have any leftovers it can be stored in the refrigerator for 3-4 days. You can reheat it in the microwave.

    You can also freeze the karela fry in air tight containers for about 3 months. You can defrost and reheat it in the microwave.

    Top tip

    Adding a little bit sugar to karela while cooking enhances the overall flavor and reduces the bitter flavor.

    AF Bitter gourd pin.

    Related

    Looking for other recipes like this? Try these:

    • Stuffed karela served in a plate.
      Stuffed Bitter Gourd | Bharwa Karela
    • Air fryer baked stuffed bell pepper served on a platter.
      Air Fryer Stuffed Peppers
    • Air fryer stuffed mushrooms on a platter.
      Air Fryer Stuffed Mushrooms
    • Air fryer stuffed okra served in a plate.
      Stuffed Okra

    Pairing

    These are my favorite dishes to serve with air fryer karela chips:

    • cooked roti
      How to make Roti (Chapati)
    • Two Deep fried puri or Indian puffed bread served in a plate
      Poori (Puri) | Puffy Indian Bread
    • toor dal with a red chili on top in a small wok.
      Instant Pot Toor Dal
    • instant pot basmati rice in a bowl
      Instant Pot Basmati Rice

    Don't forget to rate the recipe by clicking the stars. Also, pin the recipe by clicking the "Pin" button, for your future reference.

    📖 Recipe

    Air fryer cooked bitter gourd in a plate.

    Karela Fry - Air Fryer

    Karela fry is an Indian vegan and gluten-free dish made with bitter melon. It is served as a side dish with Indian meals. Check out how to make karela fry in the air fryer.
    5 from 2 votes
    Rate Recipe Print Pin Save Saved!
    Course: Side Dish
    Cuisine: Indian
    Diet: Gluten Free, Vegan, Vegetarian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes mins
    Cook Time: 18 minutes mins
    Total Time: 28 minutes mins
    Servings: 4 person
    Calories: 53kcal
    Author: Alpa Jain
    Follow on Facebook@culinaryshades

    Equipment

    • Instant Vortex Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    • 3 medium Karela (Bitter gourd)
    • 1 tablespoon Oil (or more if needed)
    • ½ teaspoon Salt (to taste)
    • 1 teaspoon Coriander powder
    • ⅛ teaspoon Red chili powder (to taste)
    • ¼ teaspoon Turmeric powder

    To be added later

    • ¼ cup Onion (sliced)
    • 1 teaspoon Sugar
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    Instructions

    • Rinse the bitter gourd thoroughly and cut the ends.
    • Slice the karela into chips of about 3-4 mm thickness.
    • Preheat air fryer to 360 °F
    • In a mixing bowl, mix the sliced karela with oil and spices.
      1 tablespoon Oil, ½ teaspoon Salt, 1 teaspoon Coriander powder, ⅛ teaspoon Red chili powder, ¼ teaspoon Turmeric powder, 3 medium Karela
    • Place the karela in the preheated air fryer and cook for 14 minutes at 360°F.
    • Open the basket after 8 minutes, add the onions and sugar, and mix them well.
      ¼ cup Onion, 1 teaspoon Sugar
    • Continue air frying for another 8 minutes.
    • Air fry for another 2 minutes at 390°F.
    • Transfer the okra to a serving dish.

    Watch Video

    Nutrition Facts
    Karela Fry - Air Fryer
    Amount per Serving
    Calories
    53
    % Daily Value*
    Fat
     
    4
    g
    6
    %
    Saturated Fat
     
    0.3
    g
    2
    %
    Trans Fat
     
    0.01
    g
    Polyunsaturated Fat
     
    1
    g
    Monounsaturated Fat
     
    2
    g
    Sodium
     
    296
    mg
    13
    %
    Potassium
     
    232
    mg
    7
    %
    Carbohydrates
     
    5
    g
    2
    %
    Fiber
     
    2
    g
    8
    %
    Sugar
     
    1
    g
    1
    %
    Protein
     
    1
    g
    2
    %
    Vitamin A
     
    347
    IU
    7
    %
    Vitamin C
     
    59
    mg
    72
    %
    Calcium
     
    20
    mg
    2
    %
    Iron
     
    0.5
    mg
    3
    %
    * Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
    Tried this recipe?Mention @culinaryshades23 or tag #culinaryshades

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    Alpa Jain - Author of Culinaryshades

    Hi! I am Alpa. I am passionate about cooking and love to share my tried and tested vegan and vegetarian recipes for your family and friends to enjoy!

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