Learn how to make Dondakaya Vepudu recipe in Air Fryer with detailed step by step pictures. Easy Dondakaya Fry recipe, Tindora Fry in Air Fryer, Air Fryer Ivy Gourd Fry recipe – quick and easy side dish recipe for rice!
Dondakaya Vepudu – a fry made from Ivy Gourd is a humble and simple side dish made in Andhra households, as a side dish for rice. In this recipe, I share the tips and tricks to make it perfectly crispy but at the same time make it guilt-free by using an air fryer. Ivy Gourd fry can either be made on stove top or in air fryer, just that the effort is almost negligible when we use an air fryer and the results are great every single time. If you are not a fan of this vegetable, I am sure this recipe will have you converted! Do give it a try and it goes really well with even plain hot rice and a dollop of ghee.
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Key Ingredients
Dondakaya (Telugu) known as Tindora (Hindi) or Ivy Gourd is the main ingredient. Choose the ones that are dark green and hard, which means they are tender. It is easier to cook tender ivy gourd to a crispy consistency than the ones that are squishy with orangish/reddish interiors.
Gram Flour is added to make the vegetable fry crispy, and at times a small amount of Rice Flour can also be added.
Only spice powder used is Red Chilli Powder and other optional additions could be coriander powder, cumin powder, garam masala powder too.
1 teaspoon of Oil is all this Dondakaya Vepudu needs when made in an Air Fryer. It is possible to make this without any oil too, but adding a small amount of oil helps keep the ivy gourd crisp and moist without drying out.
Tips & Important Notes for Making Air Fryer Ivy Gourd Fry
If you own an air fryer, there is no reason why you should not make this recipe immediately as it is such a simple and also beginner-friendly recipe. There is no way to fail this recipe and it is almost hands-free, except for a couple of shakes in between. Everything is taken care of by the appliance and there is almost no effort. Follow the below notes to try it off at home.
As this fry is made with very less oil in an air fryer, it works better if the ivy gourd is pre-cooked. I always pressure cook the cut vegetable without any water for 2 whistles. It doesn’t make it soggy, but just soft. It should not be mashable, which is what will happen if cooked in water.
To remove any extra moisture from the ivy gourd, we add gram flour and rice flour (optional) to coat. This also adds to the crispness of the fry.
Preheating the air fryer is an important step in cooking the vegetable to the right crispness. I always preheat the fryer at same temperature as the cooking temperature for 5 mins at the least. This preps the fryer to start frying the vegetable as soon as we place it in.
Substitutions & Variations
Can you make Dondakaya Vepudu in an Oven/OTG? The answer is both yes and no. Compared to the air fryer, making it in an oven can dry out the vegetable as the cooking time is more compared to an air frying. So add 1-2 teaspoon extra oil and spread it thin over a pan lined with parchment paper, set the oven on broil mode at 180°C for 20-25mins. Please keep in mind that there is a chance for the fry to be slightly chewy merely because of time taken to cook in an oven.
To make this fry on a stove top, use a heavy pan like cast iron skillet and heat 1 tablespoon oil. The preparation steps are the same but cook it on the stove top, stirring every 3-4 mins until they are crispy & golden. When cooking on stove top, it is optional to pressure cook the vegetable. It takes longer to cook the raw vegetable to crispness, but there are less chances of it breaking when stirring constantly.
Cutting of the vegetable also plays an important part in how the fry turns out. I prefer to make long slices of ivy gourd when air frying but cut it into thin roundels when frying on stove top.
Serving Suggestions
Tindora Fry is best served hot immediately, straight out of the air fryer as a side dish for rice, sambar, rasam or even curd. Although it retains crispness for about 20-30mins, it doesn’t retain crispness long at room temperature. It is not advisable to store it in fridge/freezer and it is better to consume it immediately after preparing. The prep ahead can be done with the cutting of the vegetable. Store the cut ivy gourd in an airtight container for upto 2 days in fridge and it is ready to used.
Similar Recipes
Air Fryer Dondakaya Vepudu Recipe with Step by Step Pictures
Cut ~250grams Ivy Gourd into long slices vertically and without adding any water, pressure cook for 2 whistles on medium flame. Let the pressure drop naturally.
If there is any residual water, drain it and then add it to a mixing bowl. Add 1 tablespoon gram flour, 1 teaspoon red chilli powder, salt as needed.
Mix well until the spices and gram flour are coated around. Add 1 teaspoon oil and toss the vegetable around.
Meanwhile preheat the air fryer at 180°C for 5 mins. Spread the ivy gourd on the air fryer tray. Set it at 180°C for 12 mins.
After 6 mins, remove and shake the ivy gourd fry once.
After 12 mins, it should be crispy and golden. Remove from the air fryer tray.
Serve hot immediately as side for hot rice, sambar or rasam or curd.
Recipe Notes
- Adjust spices as per preference. For a less spicier version, use Kashmiri red chilli powder instead of regular chilli powder.
- Add ½ tablespoon of rice flour for added crispness.
I would be delighted to know if you have tried this recipe, don’t forget to share your feedback and comments below. If you have any questions, you can e-mail me! I am also available on Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and Twitter 🙂
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Dondakaya Vepudu | Tindora Fry in Air Fryer | Air Fryer Ivy Gourd Fry
MEASUREMENT
1 cup = 250ml, 1 tablespoon = 15ml, 1 teaspoon = 5ml
Ingredients
- 250 Grams Dondakaya/Tindora/Ivy Gourd preferably tender & small
- 1 tablespoon Gram Flour
- 1 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
- 1 teaspoon Oil
- Salt as needed
Instructions
- Cut ~250grams Ivy Gourd into long slices vertically and without adding any water, pressure cook for 2 whistles on medium flame. Let the pressure drop naturally.
- If there is any residual water, drain it and then add it to a mixing bowl. Add 1 tablespoon gram flour, 1 teaspoon red chilli powder, salt as needed.
- Mix well until the spices and gram flour are coated around. Add 1 teaspoon oil and toss the vegetable around.
- Meanwhile preheat the air fryer at 180°C for 5 mins. Spread the ivy gourd on the air fryer tray. Set it at 180°C for 12 mins.
- After 6 mins, remove and shake the ivy gourd fry once.
- After 12 mins, it should be crispy and golden. Remove from the air fryer tray.
Notes
- Adjust spices as per preference. For a less spicer version, use Kashmiri red chilli powder instead of regular chilli powder.
- Add ½ tablespoon of rice flour for added crispness.
Sowmya
Looks crisp and crunchy Ramya. Great preparation 👍
Ramya
Thank you Sowmya 🙂
desicart
Yum! This looks so delicious and tasty!
Ramya
Thanks!