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Non Fried Manchurian

Craving that sticky, spicy, restaurant-style Manchurian but dreading the deep-fried guilt? You are in the right place! This Non-Fried Veg Manchurian is the ultimate game-changer. We are talking about the same crispy veggie balls and glossy, garlic-loaded sauce, but made with 90% less oil using an Appe Pan (or Air Fryer). It’s lighter, healthier, and honestly, tastes even better than the greasy street version. Get ready to indulge without the regret!
  • Zero Guilt, Maximum Flavour
  • Sneaky Veggie Load
  • No Messy Cleanup

Ingredients & Substitutions:

Cabbage & Carrots

ou can use grated Cauliflower (Gobi), finely chopped French Beans, or even Broccoli. Just make sure they are grated very finely or processed in a chopper.

Corn Flour & Maida

For a healthier twist, swap Maida (All-Purpose Flour) with Oats Flour (powdered oats) or Whole Wheat Flour. The texture will be slightly denser but much healthier.

Soy Sauce

If you are gluten-free, use Tamari. If you don’t have Dark Soy Sauce, use regular Soy Sauce but add a pinch of brown sugar to balance the color.

Ginger & Garlic

Freshly chopped is always best for that “street food” kick. In a pinch, you can use Ginger-Garlic Paste, but the aroma won’t be quite as strong.

👉 Pro-Tips for the Perfect Crunch

The Squeeze Technique: The biggest mistake people make is skipping the squeeze! After grating your cabbage and carrots, sprinkle a little salt and let them sit for 10 minutes. Then, squeeze out all the excess water tightly with your hands or a muslin cloth. If you skip this, your mixture will be too wet, you’ll add too much flour to fix it, and your Manchurian balls will turn out hard and doughy instead of crispy!”

Non Fried Manchurian

This Non-Fried Manchurian was born out of a very real kitchen moment — the craving for spicy, saucy Indo-Chinese food, followed immediately by the guilt of deep frying 😄. So instead of dropping Manchurian balls into hot oil, we decided to steam them… and honestly, there was no going back.
Made with fresh vegetables and cooked without frying, this version is light, wholesome, and still packed with bold flavors. The Manchurian cubes stay soft on the inside, soak up the spicy Schezwan gravy beautifully, and don’t leave you feeling heavy afterward. It’s proof that comfort food can be kind to your body too.
This recipe is perfect for anyone trying to eat a little healthier without giving up their favorite flavors. Even non-cooks can make it easily, and no one at the table will guess it’s “healthy food.” Serve it hot with fried rice or noodles, and enjoy Manchurian that satisfies cravings, not regrets.
Prep Time 20 minutes
Cook Time 1 hour
Course Side Dish, Weight Loss Recipe
Cuisine Chinese
Servings 2

Ingredients
  

  • 2 cups Cabbage
  • ½ cup Carrot
  • ½ cup Chopped Capcicum
  • 1 tsp Green chilli paste
  • 1 tbsp Schezwan Chutney
  • 1 tsp Black pepper powder
  • 1 cup Rice floor
  • 1 tbsp Corn floor
  • 2 tbsp Oil
  • 1 tsp Green Chillies
  • 1 tsp Ginger
  • cup Chopped Cabbage
  • 1 tbsp Tomato Sauce
  • 1 tbsp Soya Sauce
  • ¼ cup Coriander
  • 1 tbsp Schezwan Chutney
  • 1 tbsp Corn floor
  • 1 tsp Salt

Instructions
 

  • Let’s make Manchurian without deep frying, without guilt, and without panic in the kitchen 😄 Relax. Tie your apron (or don’t). We’ve got this.
  • Take a large mixing bowl. Add finely chopped cabbage, carrot, and capsicum. Now add green chilli paste, black pepper powder, salt, and Schezwan chutney.
    2 cups Cabbage, ½ cup Carrot, ½ cup Chopped Capcicum, 1 tsp Green chilli paste, 1 tsp Black pepper powder, 1 tbsp Schezwan Chutney
  • Mix everything really well using your hands or a spoon. This is where the magic starts—make sure the veggies are evenly coated and feeling loved.
  • Add rice flour and corn flour to the bowl. Mix again until the mixture comes together. It should be moist, not watery. If it feels too dry, don’t panic—just mix well and it will settle.
    1 cup Rice floor, 1 tbsp Corn floor
  • Transfer this mixture into a greased steaming plate or dish. Steam for 15 minutes until it becomes firm and cooked through. Once done, let it cool slightly, then gently remove and cut into neat square cubes.
    Congratulations—you’ve made Manchurian without oil drama!
  • Heat oil in a pan on medium flame. Add chopped green chillies and ginger. Sauté for a few seconds until aromatic. Now add chopped cabbage and capsicum. Cook for about 2 minutes—they should stay slightly crunchy.
    ½ cup Chopped Capcicum, 1 tsp Green Chillies, 1 tsp Ginger, ⅓ cup Chopped Cabbage, 2 tbsp Oil
  • Add Schezwan chutney, tomato sauce, soya sauce, and salt. Mix well and let it cook for 5 minutes, stirring occasionally so nothing sticks or burns.
    1 tbsp Tomato Sauce, 1 tbsp Soya Sauce, 1 tbsp Schezwan Chutney, 1 tsp Salt
  • Prepare corn flour slurry by mixing corn flour with water. Add it to the pan and cook for 2 minutes until the gravy thickens and turns glossy.
    1 tbsp Corn floor
  • Gently add the steamed Manchurian cubes to the gravy. Toss carefully so every cube is coated without breaking. Be gentle—they’re sensitive 😄
  • Switch off the flame. Garnish with fresh coriander. Serve hot with fried rice or noodles—and enjoy a healthier Manchurian that doesn’t judge your diet choices 😉
    ¼ cup Coriander
Keyword Healthy Manchurian, Healthy snacks, Healthy starter, Manchurian, Non Friend Manchurian

Watch me cook this live:

Don’t just read the recipe—see exactly how to get that perfect texture in 4k quality.

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Questions that most you would have:

Absolutely! Preheat your Air Fryer to 180°C (350°F). Brush the balls generously with oil and air fry for 12-15 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through until they are golden and crispy.

Yes! You can make the non-fried balls a day in advance and store them in an airtight container in the fridge. Chop the veggies and prep the sauce mix separately. When guests arrive, just heat the sauce, toss in the balls, and serve hot!

This usually happens if the balls are too soft or were added to the gravy too early. Always add the fried/cooked balls to the sauce just before serving. If they sit in the hot sauce for too long, they will absorb liquid and get soggy.

It can be! Swap the Maida/Cornflour for Rice Flour or Tapioca Starch for binding, and ensure you use a certified Gluten-Free Soy Sauce or Tamari. The taste stays 100% authentic.

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