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A bowl of vegan malai kofta curry is on the plate with chapati.
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5 from 14 votes

Best Vegan Malai Kofta (Air Fryer)

Craving a restaurant-style meal that's vegan and guilt-free? Check out this delicious air fryer vegan malai kofta curry recipe - perfect for special occasions or a cozy night in.
Prep Time10 minutes
Cook Time40 minutes
Total Time50 minutes
Course: Main Course
Cuisine: Indian
Diet: Vegan
Allergen: Dairy free, Gluten free
Difficulty: Easy
Servings: 5
Calories: 370kcal

Ingredients

Instructions

  • Start by boiling potatoes and pressing the tofu to remove excess water.
    16 oz firm tofu
  • Soak raw cashews in warm water for 15 minutes.

Prepare malai kofta

  • Place the cubed tofu into the food processor or blender and pulse it until it's smooth.
  • In a large bowl, mash the boiled potatoes with a fork or masher.
    4 potatoes
  • Add salt, cornstarch, nutritional yeast, and the tofu paste. Mix well.
    1 tablespoon cornstarch, 1 tablespoon nutritional yeast
  • Make small round balls from the mixture and spray them with some oil so that they don't stick to each other.

Cooking malai kofta balls

  • Air Fryer option: Preheat an air fryer for 5 minutes at 380°F (190°C).
  • Carefully place the malai koftas in the air fryer basket and cook for 10 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
  • Deep frying option:  Heat oil in a pan and deep fry the kofta balls until they are golden brown on all sides. Place the kofta on a paper towel to drain any excess oil.

Prepare malai kofta gravy

  • Place a pan over medium heat and add olive oil. As the oil heats up, add whole spices.
    2 cardamom, ½ inch cinnamon, ½ teaspoon cumin seeds, 2 tablespoon olive oil, 2 cloves
  • Once they start to release their aroma, add chopped onions and sauté until golden brown.
    1 onion
  • Add ginger garlic paste and cook for another minute. Add tomatoes and cook till they become mushy.
    2 garlic cloves, 1 teaspoon ginger, 3 tomatoes
  • Add all the spices and cook on medium-low heat for one more minute.
    1½ teaspoon red chili powder, ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder, ¾ teaspoon garam masala powder, salt to taste
  • Switch off the heat and add soaked cashews.
    ½ cup cashews
  • Let the mixture cool down, and then transfer it to a blender. Blend it into a smooth paste.
  • In the same pan, heat one tablespoons of oil and add the tomato-cashew paste. Cook for 2-3 minutes.
  • Add water to adjust the consistency, and add salt and sugar. Let the gravy simmer for another 5 minutes. (add water little by little according to your consistency)
    2 ½ cup water
  • Now, add the air-fried or deep-fried malai koftas to the gravy and let it simmer for two more minutes to absorb the gravy flavors.
  • Garnish with kasuri methi and serve hot with rice or naan for a truly satisfying meal.
    3 teaspoon kasuri methi, 2 teaspoon cilantro

Notes

  • If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake the koftas in the oven at 400°F for 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through.
  • To make this dish spicier, add some green chilies or red chili flakes to the gravy.
  • Add chopped nuts like cashews or almonds to the kofta mixture for added texture and flavor.
  • This dish can also be made in advance and stored in the fridge. Just reheat it before serving, and it will taste just as good. 

Nutrition

Calories: 370kcal | Carbohydrates: 44g | Protein: 16g | Fat: 16g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 4g | Monounsaturated Fat: 8g | Sodium: 37mg | Potassium: 1074mg | Fiber: 7g | Sugar: 5g | Vitamin A: 802IU | Vitamin C: 46mg | Calcium: 166mg | Iron: 4mg