Chaapli Kebabs – Spicy Flat Turkey Kebabs
These succulent Chaapli Kebabs have opened up a work of possibilities for me. Another Air Fryer Creation that I am excited about. The kebabs also helped test out a new toy from Mealthy. It is essentially a portable air fryer, so this recipes works well in the air fryer.
While this recipe works well in an air fryer. I have a baked version here as well.
What is a Chaapli Kebab?
A chaapli kebab is a flat well seasoned patty that is usually made with ground beef or lamb. It is shaped and shallow fried. This lighter recipe reduced both the oil and the effort used for cooking.
- The lean turkey is much lighter than beef or lamb.
- I am air-frying this with minimal added fat.
Adding little ghee makes all the difference
I have added 1 tablespoon of ghee while shaping the patties, which gives you all the flavorful you need without frying the patties. The added bonus here is that lean organic turkey is readily available and actually meshes very well with the spices.
These kababs are great by them serves possibly with some green chutney. They are a wonderful spicy filler for sliders. Back in the day, when I had first tried making these, I found them in an easy Indian cookbook by Madhur Jaffrey. I Well, fast forward many years later, I now make my own version.
As for me, I am still nursing what we are calling the India bug. It remains unidentified and it keeping me functioning at about 85% capacity. Which essentially means I am doing pretty much everything just not totally with it. This said, life could be crazier. As for these kababs, they are everything I want in a quick fix meal. As side notes they freeze very well. You can remove them from the freezer and pop them into the air fryer basket, you will just need to cook this a little bit longer.
Another Kabab recipe that works well in the air fryer or grill is my chicken malai kabab recipe.
And for anyone celebrating, Happy Diwali!
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Of course Instant Indian is here, joining its siblings The Bengali Five Spice Chronicles and Spices and Seasons.
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A lighter take on chaapli kababs, traditional well spiced meat patties. This recipe is done in the air fryer.
Ingredients
- 1 and 1/2 pounds ground turkey or chicken
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 2 teaspoons ground coriander
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons garam masala powder
- 1 tablespoon minced garlic
- 2 teaspoons minced ginger
- 3 to 4 green Serrano chillies
- 1 and 1/2 teaspoons salt
- 3 tablespoons fresh lime juice
- 1 tomato finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 1 egg, beaten
- 2 tablespoons chickpea flour
- 1 tablespoon ghee or oil
- Thinly Sliced onions
- Chopped Cilantro
Instructions
- Place the turkey or chicken in a mixing bowl.
- Add in the ground cumin, coriander, and garam masala powder.
- Add in the garlic, ginger, chillies, salt, lime juice and cilantro and mix well. I recommend using your hands for this.
- Mix in the egg and the chickpea flour and the ghee.
- Let the mixture rest for 30 minutes if possible.
- Shape into medium sized flat patties about 2 inches wide. I got about 10 patties.
- Plate in the basket.
- Cook at 450 degrees for 9 to 10 minutes. Turn and cook for another 8 minutes. The patties should be nicely browned and golden.
- Remove and serve garnished with onions and chopped cilantro.
Notes
This recipe can be baked using a sheet pan, you will need to grease the sheet pan and also finish with broiling the kababs to get the crisp finish.