• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar

Herbivore Cucina

  • Recipe Index
  • Indian
  • Instant Pot
  • Air-Fryer
  • International
  • Cakes & Bakes
  • More..
    • Featured
menu icon
go to homepage
  • About Me
  • Recipe Index
  • Instant Pot
  • Contact
  • Web Stories
  • Get Social

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • search icon
    Homepage link
    • About Me
    • Recipe Index
    • Instant Pot
    • Contact
    • Web Stories
  • Get Social

    • Facebook
    • Instagram
    • Pinterest
    • YouTube
  • ×
    Home » Uncategorized

    Published: Mar 14, 2019 · Modified: Mar 10, 2022 by Smruti · This post may contain affiliate links · Leave a Comment

    Air Fryer Gujiya ( Indian Sweet Pastry)

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Crescent shaped pastry stuffed with a sweet mixture of nuts and coconut; Gujiya is a popular Indian sweet recipe. This easy version is made in the Air Fryer!

    Some of the links below are affiliate links, meaning, at no extra cost to you, I will earn a commission if you click through and make a purchase. 

    Holi is around the corner and I am getting ready with all my favorite recipes. Thandai, gujiya, dahi bhalla, Jowar dhani...the list continues. Every year I try and add a recipe or two for the festival on the blog. This year the recipe includes my brand new favorite kitchen appliance; Air Fryer.

    What is Gujiya?

    A popular recipe enjoyed during Holi, Gujiya is crescent shaped pastry filled with a sweet mixture and deep fried. The mixture may contain sooji (semolina), mawa (milk solids) or just nuts and seeds. Adding Thandai powder to the mixture is a great idea to make Thandai flavored Gujiya.

    These pastries are generally deep fried and served on Holi, the festival of color or on Diwali that is celebrated later in the year. Known by different names like Ghughra, Karanji and Gujiya in different parts of the country; these are delicious year round! 

    This year I decided to make a super simple filling for my gujiyas; one that works year round and can be enjoyed on any occasion! It has mawa, coconut and nuts. However, the filling can be changed based on preferences but the method  to make them remains the same.

     

    Why use an AIR FRYER to make Gujiya?

    I started using the air fryer some time ago and have been a FAN since. The ease with which it can make a LOT of recipes without frying is amazing! Plus, it required just a little bit of oil/ghee and the results are great. 


    I made these Gujiyas in the Air Fryer mainly because it cuts down the amount of oil or ghee needed. With just 1 tablespoon of ghee; I could 'fry' 10 Gujiyas in the fryer, making them perfectly brown and not compromising on the taste. 

    The cooking process took about 16 minutes in the Air fryer. I made 10 Gujiyas using the ingredients below. So I was done in 30 minutes! 

     

    How to make PERFECT Gujiya?



    A lot of people have their secrets to make these pastries perfectly. Based on the attempts I have made, here is what I have learnt! 

    Make the dough using the amount of ghee specified below. If you cut that down, the pastry dough will be hard and not turn out the way we want. 

    Do not overfill the gujiya with the stuffing and make sure the edges are sealed well. Else, the filling might ooze out during cooking and make a big mess.

    Preheat the air fryer before placing the gujiya in the tray. If the temperature rises with the gujiya inside, it will result in hard gujiya covers. Placing them in the preheated fryer yields perfect results each time. 

    Keep the Gujiya dough and the rolled ones under wet tissue or kitchen towel. Leaving them exposed to air will dry them up and not make them well. 

     

    Variations



    For this recipe I used a mixture of nuts, coconut and mawa powder. However, using fresh mawa, condensed milk or semolina is a great idea too. Vary the fillings and get a new flavored gujiya each time! 

    In case you do not have an Air Fryer; try baking them. Here is the baked version: Baked Thandai Gujiya. 





    To shape the gujiys, you can either roll out and fold the rounds to make crescents or use a mold like I did. The shape and size can be modified based on how you like it. 

    Dipping the completed gujiya in sugar syrup is a great idea. To do so, make a thin sugar syrup and dip the completed gujiya in it. They taste awesome when dipped in the syrup.  

    Need more Holi recipes? Try these: 

    • Jowar Dhani Chivda
    • No-bake Thandai Cheesecake
    • Thandai | Spiced Milk Drink
    • Dahi Vada

    Ingredients

     

    For the Cover

    Allpurpose Flour 1 cup

    Ghee 2 tbsp

    Salt 1 pinch

    Cold Water ¼-1/2 cup

    For the Filling

    Desiccated Coconut 1 cup

    Mawa Powder/ Milk Powder ½ cup

    Almonds 8-10, slivered

    Cashews 8-10, slivered

    Pistachios 8-10, slivered

    Cardamom Powder ⅛ tsp

    Ghee 1 tbsp

    Milk 1 tbsp

    Other Ingredients

    Ghee/Non stick spray 1 tbsp

    Dried Rose Petals a handful

    Method

    To make the Cover

    In a bowl mix together flour, salt and ghee. Keep mixing till the mixture is crumbly. 

    Slowly add ¼ cup water and knead to form a semi stiff dough. If more water is required; add it slowly and keep kneading. Once a ball forms, cover it with wet kitchen towel and let it rest.

    To make the Filling

    In a pan heat the ghee. Once it melts, add almonds, cashews and pistachios. Let them roast for a minute and then add desiccated coconut and mawa powder. 

    Let everything roast for a few minutes on medium flame. Make sure the coconut does not burn. Once toasted, add milk and cardamom powder. Mix well and let the mixture thicken.

    Once the mixture is dry, turn down the flame and let the filling cool.

    To make the Gujiya

    Take the dough and divide it into 10 parts. Do the same for the filling.

    Roll out each part to a round of 4-5 inches diameter. 

    Using an empanada press or gujiya maker, press the round so that it fits well. Add one part of the filling and close the mold. 

    Remove the extra dough from the sides. Remove the gujiya from the mold and place covered with a wet towel.

    Repeat for all the remaining dough and filling. 

    To fry the Gujiya

    Preheat the air fryer to 350 F for 5 minutes. 

    Apply some ghee/ non stick spray on the gujiyas. Place 4-5 in the basket once the air fryer is hot. 

    Let the gujiyas fry for 8 minutes. Then turn them over and fry for another 8 minutes. 

    The cover should be golden brown. Remove from the air fryer and store in an airtight container. These gujiyas can be refrigerated for 10-15 days. 

    Air Fryer Gujiya

    Smruti
    Crescent shaped pastry stuffed with a sweet mixture of nuts and coconut; Gujiya is a popular Indian sweet recipe.
    This easy version is made in the Air Fryer!
    5 from 1 vote
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 40 minutes mins
    Cook Time 9 minutes mins
    Total Time 49 minutes mins
    Course Sweets
    Cuisine Gujarati, Indian
    Servings 10
    Calories 46 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    For the Cover

    • 1 cup All purpose Flour
    • 2 tablespoon Ghee
    • ¼ teaspoon Salt
    • ¼- ½ cup Cold Water

    For the Filling

    • 1 cup Desiccated Coconut
    • ½ cup Mawa Powder/ Milk Powder
    • 8-10 Almonds
    • 8-10 Cashews
    • 8-10 Pistachios
    • ⅛ teaspoon Cardamom Powder
    • 1 tablespoon Ghee
    • 1 tablespoon Milk

    Other Ingredients

    • 1 tablespoon Ghee/Non stick spray
    • 1 teaspoon Dried Rose Petals

    Instructions
     

    To make the Cover

    • In a bowl mix together flour, salt and ghee.
      1 cup All purpose Flour, ¼ teaspoon Salt, 2 tablespoon Ghee
    • Keep mixing till the mixture is crumbly.
    • Slowly add ¼ cup water and knead to form a semi stiff dough. If more water is required; add it slowly and keep kneading.
      ¼- ½ cup Cold Water
    • Once a ball forms, cover it with wet kitchen towel and let it rest.

    To make the Filling

    • In a pan heat the ghee. Once it melts, add almonds, cashews and pistachios.
      8-10 Almonds, 8-10 Cashews, 1 tablespoon Ghee, 8-10 Pistachios
    • Let them roast for a minute and then add desiccated coconut and mawa powder.
      1 cup Desiccated Coconut, ½ cup Mawa Powder/ Milk Powder
    • Roast everything for a few minutes on medium flame. Make sure the coconut does not burn.
    • Once roasted, add milk and cardamom powder. Mix well and let the mixture thicken.
      1 tablespoon Milk, ⅛ teaspoon Cardamom Powder
    • Once the mixture is dry, turn down the flame and let the filling cool.

    To make the Gujiya

    • Take the dough and divide it into 10 parts. Do the same for the filling.
    • Roll out each part to a round of 4-5 inches diameter.
    • Using an empanada press or gujiya maker, press the round so that it fits well. Add one part of the filling and close the mold.
    • Remove the extra dough from the sides. Remove the gujiya from the mold and place covered with a wet towel.
    • Repeat for all the remaining dough and filling.

    To Air fry the Gujiya

    • Preheat the air fryer to 350 F for 5 minutes.
    • Apply some ghee/ non stick spray on the gujiyas. Place 4-5 in the basket once the air fryer is hot.
      1 tablespoon Ghee/Non stick spray
    • Let the gujiyas fry for 8 minutes. Then turn them over and fry for another 8 minutes.
    • The cover should be golden brown. Remove from the air fryer and store in an airtight container. Serve topped with rose petals.
      1 teaspoon Dried Rose Petals

    Notes

    Note: Nutrition values are my best estimates using an automated calculator. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 46kcalCarbohydrates: 10gProtein: 1gFat: 0.1gSaturated Fat: 0.02gPolyunsaturated Fat: 0.1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.01gSodium: 0.3mgPotassium: 13mgFiber: 0.3gSugar: 0.03gVitamin A: 0.3IUCalcium: 2mgIron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

    More Uncategorized

    • A black tray filled with cream cheese wontons with scallions and sauce on the side.
      Cream Cheese Wontons
    • Air Fryer Peanuts in a blue bowl on a wooden board and a printed cloth on the side.
      Air Fryer Peanuts
    • A grey platter with dudhi dhokla and cilantro chutney on the side.
      Instant Dudhi Dhokla
    • A tray filled with achari focaccia and some koro sambhar and oil on the side.
      Achari Focaccia

    Reader Interactions

    5 from 1 vote (1 rating without comment)

    Leave a Reply Cancel reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

    Recipe Rating




    Primary Sidebar

    About Me

    Smruti headshot

    This blog is dedicated to one of my greatest passions, Cooking. I have always loved to cook, especially trying out some unconventional recipes.

    Learn more about me →

    Delicious sweets to enjoy!

    • Strawberry cheesecake ice cream in a green bowl topped with mint, strawberries and graham crackers.
      No-Churn Strawberry Cheesecake Ice Cream
    • A brown plate with sooji halwa served topped with rose petals on top; with diyas on the background.
      Rava Sheera | Sooji Halwa
    • An oval bowl with carrot kheer; topped with nuts, rose petals and saffron with a spoon on the side and nuts in small bowls.
      Carrot Kheer ( Gajar Halwa Kheer)
    • Gulab Jamun cheesecake mix in phyllo cups topped with saffron and nuts.
      Gulab Jamun Cheesecake Bites
    • Ice Halva sheets placed on top of one another with diya and pistachios in the background.
      Bombay Ice Halva
    • Rava Ladoo in a plate topped with dried rose petals and silver foil with diyas in the background.
      Rava Ladoo

    Popular Recipes

    • Air Fryer noodles in a tray with vegetables
      Air Fryer Noodles
    • Rose Peda in plate
      Instant Rose Peda
    • Instant Pot Pickled Jalapeños
    • Front view of Papdi Chaat Dip
      Papdi Chaat Dip
    • Top view of chaat
      Khasta Kachori Chaat
    • glass with rose boba tea
      Rose Boba (Bubble) Tea

    Footer

    ↑ back to top

    About

    • Privacy Policy
    • Accessibility Policy

    Contact

    • Contact
    • About Me
    • Work with Me

    As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases.

    Copyright © 2025 Herbivorecucina.com

    Rate This Recipe

    Your vote:




    A rating is required
    A name is required
    An email is required

    Recipe Ratings without Comment

    Something went wrong. Please try again.