Air-fried Green papaya Kofta

Green papaya kofta is a healthy indian dish made with raw/green papaya that be air fried and is so delicious that you won’t even realise it’s not deep fried. Kofta is from the family of meatballs and is very popular in India. Making the koftas requires little to no oil and is in a light tomato gravy. The koftas are full of flavors & soft! It’s very easy to make- literally just mix, shape and cook!
This was such a fun recipe for me because my mother and developed it together being in two parts of the world, it will always hold a special place for me! We thought about it because Jiggy and I picked up green papaya instead of the ripe fruit and wanted to think out of the box of what to make with it. After some thought I thought of kofta because it had been a while since we had kofta at home. So I called mom and we were like why not?!. This is show we came up with it together. This is a great option when you want to have koftas but a much healthier version of it. There is no cream at all and you can use dairy free milk and this dish is completely vegan and gluten free.

Happy Cooking!

Servings: 2-3 servings/ 6-7 koftas

Prep Time: 10 mins

Cooking Time: 30-40 mins

Total Time: 40-50 mins

Ingredients: 

Papaya Kofta balls-:

• 1 cup Green papaya coarsely grated

• 1/2 tsp ginger paste

• 1 tsp red chilli powder

• 1/4 tsp Turmeric powder

• 1/6 tsp Eno or baking soda

• 1/2 tsp Hing- Asafoetida

• 1/4 tsp cumin powder

• 1 tsp Salt

• 3 tbsp besan (chickpea powder)

Tomato gravy:

• 2 tsp Cumin seeds

• 1 cardamom

• 1 large onion chopped

• 1 inch ginger

• 1 green chilli

• 1/4 tsp Turmeric powder

• 1 tsp red chili powder

• 1/4 tsp Coriander powder

• 1/4 tsp Ajwaain powder

• 1/2 tsp cumin powder

• 1/4 tsp Hing- Asafoetida

• 2.5 medium tomato chopped

• 1/4-1/2 cup milk

• 1-1.5 tsp salt

• 1/4 tsp sugar

• 1/2 tsp Kasthuri methi

• 1 tbsp chopped coriander

Directions: 

1. Tomato gravy: In a pan add 1 tbsp oil and add cumin seeds. Let it crackle.

2. Add the onions, ginger and green chili. Cook for 4-7 mins till the onions are translucent.

3. Add the spices-red chilli, turmeric, coriander powder, Hing, Ajwain powder, Cumin powder, sugar and salt and mix it in for 1 minute.

4. Add the tomatoes and cook till they break down.

5. Add about 1/3-1/2 cup of water and mix it together. Cook for 2-4 mins till it slightly thickens.

6. Let it cool and grind it into a fine paste.

7. Add the grinder paste and add the milk in a pan and mix it together.

8. Add the Kasthuri methi and chopped coriander and mix it in. Your gravy is ready.

9. Papaya Kofta balls: Preheat the air fryer to 370F. (Check notes for other methods)

10. In a bowl add the grated papaya and ginger paste and mix it together.

11. Add the spices- red chilli, turmeric, Eno, Hing, Cumin powder and salt. Mix it in.

12. Add the besan and mix it all together. It should be be able to form a shape. Add 1-3 tsp water if needed.

13. Scoop 1-1.5 tbsp of the filling and roll it into a ball.

14. Place a lightly greased air fryer basket/rack and cook at 360F for 9-12 mins. Flip over when 3 mins left.

15. When they golden brown and cooked through they are ready.

16. Serve by tossing in the warm gravy or serving over the gravy.

Notes/Tips:

• Deep fry- If you want to deep fry the koftas, you can fry it as you would any other kofta in medium heat oil.

• You can also make them in paniyaram/appam pan.

• You can prepare the gravy beforehand and prepare the koftas fresh.

• Do not overcook the koftas in an airfryer or it will dry out.