Tindora Stir Fry made in an Air Fryer. This dry Indian vegetable curry is full of delicious spices and perfect for dinner.
When you crave Indian food for simple weeknight dinners, you need quick and easy recipes. Dal Tadka, Instant Pot Aloo Matar and Chickpea Coconut Curry are our family favorites.
Easy Vegetable Stir Fry
My mom used to make a variety of different stir fry curries like Paneer Jalfrezi for every day dinners. We used to eat it along with chutney, pickles, roti and rice.
These dry vegetable stir fry recipes also were good for tiffin or school lunches since they are easy to eat without reheating.
What Is Tindora ?
Tindora is known as the ivy gourd in English. You also see other names like Coccinia grandis, gherkin, scarlet gourd and kowai fruit.
The tindora, a vegetable that comes from the pumpkin family, is available at most Indian grocery stores and is a popular ingredient in Indian cooking. It has look of mini cucumbers and it grows on the vine.
In Indian languages, it is called tondli in Marathi, Kundru in Hindi, dondakaya in Telugu, Kovai in Tamil and Tonde Kayi in Kannada.
Tindora Health Benefits
Typically grown in tropical climates, tindora is commonly used in everyday cuisine. It is a mini squash with a mild earthy nutty taste. It is rich in dietary fiber, phytonutrients, Vitamin A and C . It is considered diabetes friendly vegetables which aids in lowering blood sugar levels.
Air Fryer Tindora Fry / Curry
This Tindora fry is my husband’s favorite. He also likes Stuffed Okra ( Bharvan Bhindi ) Initially I used to make these dishes on the stove in a cast iron pan.
Once I started using the air-fryer, I made them in the airfryer. All these crispy dry subzis come out so good in the air fryer, now it's my go to method.
Making crispy food without deep frying in a lot of oil is so rewarding. I like guilt free eating. Plus you don't need to actively keep stirring.. so the easy, quick and healthy method of air frying is surely a Winner !
I am using simple Indian masala ( spice mix ) to enhance the taste. You can use your favorite seasoning. Fresh tindora is easily available in most Indian grocery stores. Choose firm, green and smaller size.
Serve it as a side dish along with paratha, naan or roti. You can also serve with different types of rice, quinoa or couscous.
As written, this recipe is Vegan, gluten-free, grain-free, dairy-free and low carb keto friendly.
Ingredients
Vegetables : Tindora. Fresh is preferred but you can also use frozen. I have used frozen tindora in air fryer and it cooks just as good too. I also use medium onion to enhance the flavor of the curry. Caramelized onion adds nice crisp and sweet taste to the subzi.
Spice Mix : Typical Indian curries use tempered oil called tadka. In air fryer I use oil ( typically avocado oil) with cumin seeds and fennel seeds. Turmeric powder, red pepper powder, garam masala, chat masala add a wonderful sultry spices. A hint of sweetness with brown sugar or jaggery. It also helps caramelize the vegetables. Fresh cut cilantro for garnish. If you don't have chat masala easily available, use amchur powder or lemon juice.
Optional Garnishes and Toppings : Besides the spice mix listed above, you can use ginger and garlic, mustard seeds, cumin powder and coriander powder. Add fresh green chilies or red chili powder for spicy taste.
You can further enhance this recipe by adding variety of additional toppings. Roasted crushed peanuts, Sesame seeds, Shredded coconut, Ajwain ( carrom) seeds, Kasuri Methi ( dried fenugreek leaves ) are all good choices. You can also use chickpea flour or cornstarch to make the spices stick to the vegetables.
Instructions:
Prepare Tindora
- Wash Tindora under cold tap water. Pat dry well to remove moisture.
- Using a knife, cut Tindora into even thin slices. I like to cut it into disks. You can also cut it julienne style.
Season It
- Put cut Tindora in a mixing bowl. Drizzle oil over it. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. It should coat the Tindora well.
Air Fry Seasoned Tindora
- Spray the air fryer basket with some oil. Alternatively, you can use perforated parchment paper.
- Arrange seasoned Tindora on the air-fryer basket. Do not overcrowd it. Try to keep it in a single layer.
- Set the temperature to 375 °Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through for even browning.
- Remove from the air-fryer. Garnish with optional toppings. Serve warm. Enjoy!
Stove Top Tindora Fry
Heat oil in a wok or saute pan. Add cumin and fennel seeds. Let them sizzle for 1 minute.
Add tindora to it. Cook covered for 10 minutes on low to medium heat stirring in between.
Now add the rest of the ingredients. Stir well. Continue to cook for additional 5-7 minutes stirring frequently until it becomes crispy.
Tindora should be tender and slightly brown when done. Turn off the heat. Garnish the stir fry and serve warm. Enjoy!
Our Favorite Indian Curry Recipes
- Instant Pot Palak Paneer
- Chana Masala - Chole
- Easy Instant Pot Undhiyu
- Kala Chana
- Rajma Curry
- Jackfruit Coconut Curry
Delicious Air Fryer Recipes
- Crispy Aloo Tikki
- Veg Manchurian
- Corn Fritters
- Sweet Potato Wedges
- Cheese Potato Poppers
- Paneer Tacos
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📖 Recipe
Tindora Stir Fry - Ivy Gourd Fry in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 3 cups Tindora - Ivy gourd - thinly sliced
- 1 medium onion - thinly sliced
For spice mix
- 1 Tablespoon Oil
- ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
- ½ teaspoon fennel seeds
- ½ teaspoon turmeric powder
- ½ teaspoon cayenne or red pepper chili powder
- ½ teaspoon garam masala powder
- ½ teaspoon chat masala or amchur powder or lemon juice
- ½ teaspoon brown sugar or jaggery
- Salt per taste
- Chopped cilantro for garnish
Instructions
Prepare Tindora
- Wash Tindora under cold tap water. Pat dry well to remove moisture. Using a knife, cut Tindora into even thin slices. I like to cut it into disks. You can also cut it julienne style.
Season It
- Put cut Tindora in a mixing bowl. Drizzle oil over it. Add the rest of the ingredients and mix well. It should coat the Tindora well.
Air Fry Tindora
- Spray the air fryer basket with some oil. Alternatively, you can use perforated parchment paper.
- Arrange seasoned Tindora on the air-fryer basket. Do not overcrowd it. Try to keep it in a single layer.
- Set the temperature to 375 °Fahrenheit for 20 minutes. Shake the basket halfway through for even browning.
- Remove from the air-fryer. Garnish with optional toppings. Serve warm. Enjoy!
For stove-top Tindora fry
- Heat oil in a wok or sauté pan. Add cumin and fennel seeds. Let them sizzle for 1 minute.
- Add tindora to it. Cook covered for 10 minutes on low to medium heat stirring in between.
- Add the rest of the ingredients. Stir well. Continue to cook for additional 5-7 minutes stirring frequently.
- Tindora should be tender and slightly brown when done. Turn off the heat. Garnish the stir fry and serve warm. Enjoy!
Roopa mohan
Do we preheat the airfryer?
Prajakta Sukhatme
Most air fryers do not need to be preheated