Oh, you’re going to love this one! I still remember the first time I tried making kheer the traditional way—standing over the stove, stirring endlessly, praying it wouldn’t stick to the bottom of the pan. Then my air fryer changed everything. This Air Fryer Kheer gives you all that creamy, dreamy Indian rice pudding goodness with about 90% less effort. The magic happens while you kick back—no constant stirring, no scorched milk disasters. Just set it, forget it (well, almost—you’ll still need to stir once or twice), and boom—silky, cardamom-scented perfection. Trust me, once you try this method, you’ll never go back to the old way!
Why You’ll Love This Air Fryer Kheer
Let me count the ways this recipe will steal your heart (and save your sanity):
- Quick magic: Done in under an hour—no babysitting a pot for hours like traditional kheer
- Creamy dreams: The air fryer works its magic to give you that slow-cooked texture without the work
- Kitchen perfume: Your whole house will smell like cardamom and warm milk—better than any candle
- Effortless elegance: Looks and tastes like you slaved over it, but we’ll keep our little secret
Seriously, it’s like having a dessert fairy godmother in your countertop appliance.
Ingredients for Air Fryer Kheer
Gather these simple ingredients—each one plays a starring role in creating that authentic kheer magic:
- 1/2 cup basmati rice (soaked for 15 minutes—this little step makes all the difference)
- 4 cups whole milk (trust me, skim milk just won’t give you that luxurious creaminess)
- 1/4 cup sugar (adjust to taste—I sometimes sneak in an extra tablespoon when no one’s looking)
- 1/4 tsp cardamom powder (the fragrance alone will transport you to grandma’s kitchen)
- 1 tbsp chopped nuts (I use whatever’s in my pantry—usually cashews, almonds, and pistachios)
- 1 tbsp raisins (they plump up beautifully in the warm kheer)
- 1 tsp ghee or butter (that golden richness takes it over the top)
See? Nothing fancy—just pantry staples transformed into something extraordinary.
Equipment You’ll Need
Here’s the short and sweet list of tools that’ll make your kheer dreams come true:
- Air fryer (obviously—your trusty kitchen sidekick)
- Oven-safe dish (I use a small ceramic bowl that fits perfectly)
- Wooden spoon (for stirring—no fancy gadgets needed)
That’s it! No special equipment, no complicated setups—just three simple things you probably already have.
How to Make Air Fryer Kheer
Alright, let’s get to the fun part—turning those simple ingredients into creamy, dreamy kheer! Don’t let the steps fool you—this is easier than making toast (and way more impressive). Just follow these simple stages, and you’ll have dessert magic in no time.
Step 1: Soak and Prep the Rice
First things first—give that basmati rice some love! Rinse it under cold water until the water runs clear (this removes excess starch so your kheer doesn’t get gluey). Then, soak it in fresh water for about 15 minutes. I know, I know—waiting is hard when you’re hungry, but this little soak makes the rice cook faster and more evenly in the air fryer. Drain it well when the time’s up—no one wants watery kheer!
Step 2: Cook the Rice and Milk
Here’s where the air fryer works its magic. Preheat to 320°F (160°C) for 5 minutes—this helps everything cook evenly from the start. Combine your drained rice, milk, and that glorious teaspoon of ghee in an oven-safe dish (I use my favorite little ceramic bowl). Pop it in the air fryer and let it work for 20 minutes. Then—here’s the secret—give it a good stir to prevent any rice from sticking. Cook another 20 minutes, and you’ll see it start to thicken beautifully.
Step 3: Add Flavors and Finish
Now for the fun part! Stir in the sugar, cardamom powder, nuts, and raisins—the kitchen will smell incredible at this point. Cook for a final 10 minutes until it reaches that perfect pudding consistency (it should coat the back of a spoon nicely). Pro tip: The kheer will thicken more as it cools, so don’t overdo it! Let it sit for 5 minutes before serving—if you can resist diving in immediately.
Tips for Perfect Air Fryer Kheer
After making this recipe more times than I can count (okay, fine—I might have a kheer addiction), here are my foolproof tricks:
- Sweetness control: Start with less sugar—you can always add more after cooking. I taste right before serving and sometimes stir in an extra sprinkle.
- Overflow alert: Leave at least 1-inch space at the top of your dish—milk expands like crazy in the air fryer!
- Garnish game: Toast those nuts lightly before adding for extra crunch. A pinch of edible rose petals makes it fancy for guests.
- Texture check: If it seems too thick, stir in a splash of warm milk. Too thin? Cook 5 more minutes uncovered.
Remember—kheer is forgiving, so don’t stress!
Variations of Air Fryer Kheer
Once you’ve mastered the basic recipe, try these fun twists—each one tastes like a whole new dessert!
- Coconut dream: Swap half the milk for coconut milk (the canned kind) for a tropical vibe
- Saffron luxury: Steep a pinch of saffron in warm milk first—that golden color and floral aroma are unreal
- Chocolate surprise: Stir in cocoa powder with the sugar for a kid-pleasing chocolate version
- Fruity twist: Fold in diced mango or banana after cooking—so refreshing!
The best part? You can mix and match these ideas—I won’t tell! If you enjoy experimenting with desserts, you might also love trying out these air fryer donut holes.
Serving Suggestions for Air Fryer Kheer
Oh, how I love dressing up this humble kheer! Serve it warm right out of the air fryer for that cozy, just-made comfort—perfect with a sprinkle of crushed pistachios on top. Chilled is magical too—let it cool completely, then refrigerate for a couple hours until it’s gloriously thick and cold. My favorite garnish? A mix of chopped nuts, a few golden raisins, and maybe a tiny pinch of edible silver leaf when I’m feeling fancy. Pro tip: Warm it slightly before serving leftovers—it’ll taste freshly made all over again! For another great dessert option, check out this recipe for air fryer chocolate lava cake.
Storage and Reheating Instructions
Here’s the beautiful thing about this kheer—it gets even better overnight! Store any leftovers (if you’re lucky enough to have any) in an airtight container in the fridge for up to 3 days. When reheating, I splash in a tablespoon of milk and microwave in 30-second bursts, stirring between each, until just warm. Pro tip: The nuts will soften in the fridge—if you want crunch, sprinkle fresh ones on top when serving!
Air Fryer Kheer Nutritional Information
Just so you know—these numbers are estimates (your exact amounts might vary depending on ingredients). For a 1/2 cup serving, you’re looking at about:
- 220 calories
- 15g sugar (adjustable—I sometimes use less!)
- 7g fat (that glorious milk and ghee goodness)
- 6g protein (dessert that kinda-sorta counts as nourishment?)
Not bad for something that tastes this indulgent! If you are interested in the science behind how appliances like the air fryer circulate heat, you can read more about convection cooking principles.
Frequently Asked Questions
I’ve gotten so many questions about this air fryer kheer since I started sharing it—here are the ones that pop up most often with my tried-and-true answers:
Can I use regular long-grain rice instead of basmati?
You can, but basmati really makes a difference—it has that perfect texture and subtle fragrance. If you must substitute, reduce the cooking time by 5 minutes since other rices tend to soften faster.
My kheer turned out too thick—help!
No worries—that’s an easy fix! Just stir in warm milk a tablespoon at a time until it reaches your ideal consistency. The kheer thickens as it cools, so I usually aim for slightly thinner than I want when it’s hot.
Can I make this dairy-free?
Absolutely! Swap the milk for coconut milk (the full-fat canned kind works best) and use coconut oil instead of ghee. The flavor will be different but still delicious—kind of like a tropical twist on traditional kheer.
Why does my air fryer kheer keep overflowing?
Ah, the great milk explosion! Make sure your dish is big enough (leave at least 1-inch headspace) and don’t skip preheating—starting with a hot air fryer helps prevent sudden bubbling over. If it’s still misbehaving, try cooking at 300°F instead.
Can I double this recipe?
Yes—but don’t just double everything in the same dish! Use two separate oven-safe containers and rotate their positions halfway through cooking. Crowding leads to uneven cooking and possible overflow disasters (trust me, I learned the hard way!).
Try This Air Fryer Kheer Recipe and Share Your Results!
Alright, my fellow dessert adventurers—it’s your turn now! Whip up this air fryer kheer and let me know how it turns out. Did you go classic with the cardamom? Get wild with coconut milk? Maybe sneak in some saffron like a kitchen rebel? I want to hear all about your kheer creations! Tag me on social or leave a comment—nothing makes me happier than seeing your kitchen successes (and even the funny fails—we’ve all been there!). Now go forth and make some magic in that air fryer. Your future self, enjoying that first creamy spoonful, will thank you!
Print
Creamy Air Fryer Kheer in Just 50 Minutes – Blissful!
- Total Time: 1 hour 5 minutes
- Yield: 4 servings
- Diet: Vegetarian
Description
Air Fryer Kheer is a quick and easy version of the traditional Indian rice pudding, made creamy with milk, rice, and aromatic spices.
Ingredients
- 1/2 cup basmati rice
- 4 cups whole milk
- 1/4 cup sugar
- 1/4 tsp cardamom powder
- 1 tbsp chopped nuts (cashews, almonds, pistachios)
- 1 tbsp raisins
- 1 tsp ghee or butter
Instructions
- Rinse the basmati rice and soak it in water for 15 minutes.
- Drain the rice and set it aside.
- Preheat your air fryer to 320°F (160°C) for 5 minutes.
- In an oven-safe dish, combine the rice, milk, and ghee.
- Place the dish in the air fryer and cook for 20 minutes.
- Stir the mixture, then cook for another 20 minutes.
- Add sugar, cardamom powder, nuts, and raisins. Mix well.
- Cook for an additional 10 minutes until the kheer thickens.
- Remove from the air fryer and let it cool slightly before serving.
Notes
- Soaking the rice helps it cook faster.
- Adjust sugar to your taste.
- Garnish with extra nuts for crunch.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 50 minutes
- Category: Dessert
- Method: Air Fryer
- Cuisine: Indian