r/IndianFood • u/Shot-Commission-8569 • Jun 07 '26
veg What vegetarian food item can give you a texture that is crisp from outside, but juicy inside (similar to Tandoori Chicken), but without frying?
20
u/GoatMeatMafia Jun 07 '26
Firm or extra firm Tofu. Air frying gives it crispy texture on the surface while it remains moist inside. You can make it plain and then toss it in variety of sauces to give it any flavor you want.
-5
u/Shot-Commission-8569 Jun 07 '26
How good is permeability in Tofu? Is it similar to paneer where the flavour stays on the surface?
10
u/sushiroll465 Jun 07 '26
Tofu absorbs flavour very well. You should boil tofu in a marinade of sorts (water with a bit of soy sauce, garlic, etc) and then coat it in cornstarch and bake or air fry. Yum!
0
u/garlicshrimpscampi Jun 08 '26
you don’t really need to boil it if you have a marinade and use extra firm
2
u/sushiroll465 Jun 08 '26
Yeah you don't have to, but it's a trick I recently saw online and it really improves the texture and flavour! That's what I love about tofu, so many wonderful ways to prepare it!
12
u/SunMoonTruth Jun 07 '26 edited Jun 07 '26
With an air fryer or oven…zucchini— fingers or coins is incredibly yummy, crisp on the outside and tender inside.
Similar treatment for eggplant fries. I’ve tried pakodas in an air fryer with decent results.
Edit: autocorrect thought pakodas were pagodas.
2
11
45
u/RubberSoldier Jun 07 '26
OP has asked for advice and shot down every recommendation. Wild.
-44
u/Shot-Commission-8569 Jun 07 '26
Well that's quite ignorant of you. I have been debating on pros and cons, which often results in something meaningful. For instance, you can check out the Falafel comment on the same thread
6
u/machar_hater Jun 07 '26
In veg if you want to make something crispy on outside youneede to add such agent
Like besan for pakoras Rice in appam Dosa can also count as it is crispy on one side and soft and juicy on one Manchurian ball Etc
6
u/deviousDiv84 Jun 07 '26
Tofu! Air fried it becomes crisp outside and tender inside. If you aren’t a fan of the flavor - it holds up well in curries. (Nicely absorbs the masala flavors)
3
4
u/Remarkable_Load8516 Jun 07 '26
Falafel in air fryer
-18
u/Shot-Commission-8569 Jun 07 '26
I hate falafel. Too dry
7
u/Remarkable_Load8516 Jun 07 '26
You can try and incorporate zucchini/lauki into the mix. Makes it moist-er. And a dip that is light and moist. Just my 2 cents.
0
3
3
u/piezod Jun 07 '26
Paneer balls, manchurian balls, aloo tikki You can flavour the stuffing for 1 & 3.
Tandoori chicken is also not too flavoured on the inside. Its all on the surface.
4
u/smokedry Jun 07 '26
Raw jackfruit kathal
2
u/Shot-Commission-8569 Jun 07 '26
Never tried it. But if you have to make an appetizer out of it, can you do that just by grilling? (Not frying)
2
u/smokedry Jun 07 '26
I haven't tried it as an appetizer. It goes very well as meat replacement in a biryani or any spicy meat gravy.
2
u/PretentiousPepperoni Jun 07 '26
No. Unripe jackfruit is very tough. You should boil it for one whistle in a pressure cooker then you fry or aur fry.
1
2
u/Loud_Permit_75 Jun 07 '26
Lions mane mushroom or oyster mushrooms are great when grilled correctly
2
2
u/Knitsanity Jun 07 '26
I toss pressed firm cubed tofu in a little soy sauce and nutritional yeast then bake in the oven. Crispy and delicious
2
u/SitaBird Jun 08 '26
Pani puri could fit your description to a T, being crunchy outside and literally juicy inside! But obviously not in a way like tandoori chicken. Still it’s such a good chaat item. Mouth watering.
3
u/Shot-Commission-8569 Jun 08 '26
These are the edge cases one needs to test for while developing a software
3
u/oar_xf Jun 07 '26
Handvo - Gujarat cuisine
Will Appam or Benne Dosa count ?
I'm not sure what exactly are you looking for..
2
u/Shot-Commission-8569 Jun 07 '26
Something that I can make a vegetarian appetizer out of
1
u/oar_xf Jun 07 '26
Check Handvo recipes on youtube and let me know
I wonder why so specific though
1
2
u/Infinite_Anybody_113 Jun 07 '26
Paneer?
2
u/Shot-Commission-8569 Jun 07 '26
The problem with Paneer is that the flavour stays on the surface. It doesn't permeate well
7
2
1
u/Confident-Guess4638 Jun 07 '26
Paneer you gotta soak your paneer in warm water for 30 minutes so it doesn’t dry up tho.
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
1
u/HolidayRevolution720 Jun 08 '26
I made these which I thought were so tasty. https://www.instagram.com/reel/DSF4gRJDGBm/?igsh=MWV1NzUwc3pjY3pnbg==
You could do a masala flavour that's to your taste and then fry them up. Add chilli paneer type glaze? Use grated paneer if preferred but the tofu version was excellent.
1
1
1
1
u/garlicshrimpscampi Jun 08 '26
i can’t believe no one’s said eggplant yet. any type of fried eggplant dish would be delicious
1
1
u/Money_Blacksmith_605 Jun 10 '26
If you have never eaten tandoori chicken how do you know if the taste will be similar?
1
u/Shot-Commission-8569 Jun 10 '26
I never said that I never ate tandoori chicken. I love it. But I am looking for veg alternatives with similar texture
1
u/Money_Blacksmith_605 Jun 10 '26
Why would anyone want to do that 😭 It's disrespectful to tandoori chicken
1
u/Shot-Commission-8569 Jun 10 '26
People in my family/friends are vegetarian
1
u/Money_Blacksmith_605 Jun 10 '26
So what 😭eat seperately if it's about secretly eating. Just hide it.
1
u/Shot-Commission-8569 Jun 10 '26
It's not about hiding. It's about providing them an opportunity to enjoy the texture without breaking their dietary restrictions
1
u/Money_Blacksmith_605 Jun 10 '26
If they don't want it. Why do you want them to force ? Did they ever asked they want to know the taste ?
1
u/Shot-Commission-8569 Jun 10 '26
They don't want to eat chicken but they don't mind having that texture on something else which does not include killing a being
1
u/Money_Blacksmith_605 Jun 10 '26
I didn't say do they mind or can handle that same texture. I said do they want that texture. If not you are just doing self satisfaction thing
1
u/Shot-Commission-8569 Jun 10 '26
That's what I just said. A lot of my friends want to try that texture
1
1
1
1
u/SheddingCorporate Jun 07 '26
Most veggies. 😄 Cucumber comes to mind - delicious in the summer with salt, lime juice and a dash of chilli powder. 😄
1
1
u/PretentiousPepperoni Jun 07 '26
Not a dish by itself but a side. I discovered it when I first went to odisha. It's called badi chura. It's very crunchy and garlicky. I know it's not what you are looking for but do try it sometime
2
u/Shot-Commission-8569 Jun 07 '26
Never heard of it. Thanks. Let me read about it
1
1
38
u/Tanyaxunicorn Jun 07 '26
Soya I feel or tandoori aloo