Air Fryer Momos — Steamed or Crispy Dumplings Ready in 12 Minutes

Momos from a restaurant are either steamed or pan-fried. An air fryer lets you make both — and a third version that no restaurant typically offers: crispy air-fried momos with a golden, slightly shatteringly crunchy wrapper and a juicy filling inside.

This guide covers the complete air fryer momos recipe from scratch — dough, veg filling, chicken filling, the correct air fryer technique for both crispy and steamed results, and the classic tomato chilli dipping chutney.

Momos Dough

•  1 cup all-purpose flour (maida)

•  Pinch of salt

•  Warm water — approximately 5-6 tablespoons (add gradually)

Combine flour and salt. Add warm water one tablespoon at a time, kneading after each addition. The dough should be stiff — stiffer than roti dough. Knead 5-7 minutes until smooth. Cover with a damp cloth and rest 20-30 minutes. Resting makes the dough pliable and easier to roll thin.

Veg Momos Filling

• 1 cup cabbage, very finely chopped and squeezed dry

•  Half cup carrot, finely grated

•  2 spring onions, finely chopped

•  1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste

•  1 tablespoon soy sauce

•  1 teaspoon sesame oil

•  Half teaspoon black pepper

•  Salt to taste

Mix all filling ingredients. Taste before filling — the filling should be well-seasoned since the wrapper is plain. Squeeze out any excess moisture — wet filling tears the wrapper during cooking.

Chicken Momos Filling

•   250g chicken mince (keema)

•  1 tablespoon ginger-garlic paste

•  2 tablespoons soy sauce

•  1 teaspoon sesame oil

•  2 spring onions finely chopped

•   Half teaspoon white pepper

•   Salt to taste

Mix all chicken mince filling ingredients well. Do not pre-cook the filling — it cooks inside the wrapper during the air frying process. The residual heat from the 12-minute cook is sufficient for chicken mince to cook through completely.

Shaping Momos

1. Divide rested dough into small balls (slightly smaller than a marble).

2. Roll each ball into a thin circle — 8-10cm diameter. The edges should be slightly thinner than the centre.

3. Place 1 teaspoon of filling in the centre. Do not overfill — overfilled momos split during cooking.

4. Fold the circle in half and pinch the edges together firmly. Then pleat the sealed edge in small folds to create the traditional momo pattern. Ensure no gaps in the seal — gaps cause filling to leak and momos to dry out.

Air Frying Method

For Crispy Fried Momos

5. Preheat air fryer to 180°C for 4 minutes.

6. Brush each momo lightly with oil on all sides.

7. Place in a single layer in the basket. Do not stack.

8. Air fry at 180°C for 12-14 minutes. Flip at the 7-minute mark and brush the second side with oil.

9. Done when golden and slightly blistered. The wrapper should be crispy on the outside and tender inside.

For Steamed Momos in Air Fryer

10. Place a small heatproof bowl or ramekin with 3-4 tablespoons of water in the air fryer basket.

11. Lightly oil a piece of parchment paper. Place momos on the parchment.

12. Set to 160°C for 10-12 minutes. The water creates steam that cooks the momos soft.

13. Done when the wrapper turns translucent and the surface looks smooth and slightly shiny.

Red Chilli Dipping Chutney

•  4 dry red chillies, soaked 10 min

•  3 medium tomatoes

•  4 garlic cloves

•  1 inch ginger

•  1 tablespoon oil

•  Salt and vinegar to taste

Blend all ingredients into a smooth paste. Fry in oil for 5 minutes until thick and aromatic. Add salt and a splash of vinegar. The chutney should be tangy, spicy, and slightly sweet from the tomatoes.

Best Air Fryers for Momos 

Related Guides

→ Air Fryer Pizza on Bread — Quick Kids After-School Snack in 10 Minutes

→ Air Fryer Pakora Recipe — Crispy Pakoras with Less Oil

→ Air Fryer Murukku Recipe — Crispy Chakli Without a Drop of Oil

Frequently Asked Questions

Can you make steamed momos in an air fryer?

Yes — place a small ramekin of water in the basket to create steam. 160°C for 10-12 minutes gives soft, properly steamed momos with a translucent wrapper. The result is comparable to a traditional steamer. 

What temperature for crispy fried momos in air fryer?

180°C for 12-14 minutes. Brush both sides with oil. Flip at 7 minutes. The oil brush is essential — without it, the wrapper dries rather than crisps.

How do I stop momos from splitting in the air fryer?

Two causes: overfilling (use only 1 teaspoon of filling per momo) and gaps in the seal (pinch firmly and pleat tightly). Wet filling also causes splitting — squeeze out excess moisture from vegetables before mixing.

Can I make chicken momos in an air fryer?

Yes. Use raw chicken mince in the filling. At 180°C for 12-14 minutes, the internal temperature of the mince reaches well above safe cooking temperature. The mince is fully cooked by the time the wrapper is golden.

How many momos can I make in an air fryer at once?

3.5L: 7-8 momos per batch. 4.5L: 10-12 per batch. 6.5L: 15-18 per batch. Always in a single layer with small gaps between each piece.

Conclusion

Air fryer momos deliver crispy fried momos in 12 minutes — no deep frying, no oil pooling, no standing over a hot pan. Or genuine steamed momos using the water-bowl technique. Master the dough and filling, and the rest is just temperature and timing.

Shop Wonderchef Air Fryers
Neo 3.5L | Neo Pro 4.5L | Evita 6.5L — for momos and all Indian snacks.