Singapore’s hawker food culture is a national treasure, offering a diverse range of delicious dishes enjoyed by both locals and visitors. However, many hawker favourites are deep-fried or cooked with excessive oil, making them less ideal for those aiming for a healthier lifestyle. Fortunately, air fryers can be a game-changer for Singapore’s home cooks, allowing you to recreate your favourite hawker delights with significantly less oil while maintaining the authentic flavours and crispiness.
In this guide, we’ll explore how to make healthier versions of popular hawker dishes using an air fryer, offering guilt-free alternatives without compromising taste.
Why Use an Air Fryer for Hawker Food?
Traditional hawker dishes often involve deep-frying or heavy oil use, leading to excessive fat and calorie content. The air fryer provides a solution by using hot air circulation to achieve crispiness with minimal oil. Here’s why air frying is the perfect alternative for preparing hawker food at home:
- Healthier Cooking – Reduces oil usage by up to 80%, lowering calorie intake.
- Convenience – Air fryers cook food faster than conventional ovens and stovetops.
- Less Mess – No oil splatters or lingering deep-fry odours in the kitchen.
- Versatility – Works well for frying, roasting, and grilling a variety of ingredients.
By making small adjustments to ingredients and cooking methods, you can enjoy hawker-style meals in a way that supports a healthier diet.
Healthier Air-Fried Versions of Hawker Favourites
Here are some iconic Singaporean hawker dishes that can be adapted for the air fryer:
1. Air-Fried Har Cheong Gai (Prawn Paste Chicken)
Har Cheong Gai is a beloved zi char dish, famous for its crispy, flavourful prawn paste marinade. The traditional method involves deep frying, but air frying can provide the same crunch with less oil.
How to Make It Healthier:
- Marinate the chicken wings with prawn paste, Shaoxing wine, and a pinch of baking powder for extra crispiness.
- Use cornflour or rice flour instead of traditional wheat flour to create a light, crispy coating.
- Spray a light mist of oil on the wings before air frying at 180°C for 15-18 minutes, flipping halfway.
2. Air-Fried Curry Puff
Curry puffs, a popular snack, are typically deep-fried to achieve a golden, flaky crust. Using an air fryer allows you to cut back on excessive oil without losing the crunch.
How to Make It Healthier:
- Use whole wheat pastry instead of traditional dough for added fibre.
- Instead of deep-frying, lightly brush the puffs with egg wash and air fry at 180°C for 12-15 minutes.
- Reduce the amount of coconut milk in the curry filling to lower the saturated fat content.
3. Air-Fried Ngoh Hiang (Five-Spice Meat Roll)
Ngoh Hiang, a festive favourite, is usually deep-fried for an extra-crispy beancurd skin. Air frying offers a healthier alternative.
How to Make It Healthier:
- Use lean minced chicken or turkey instead of pork to lower fat content.
- Brush with a small amount of oil before air frying at 190°C for 12-15 minutes.
- Serve with homemade low-sugar sweet sauce instead of store-bought versions.
4. Air-Fried Chwee Kueh (Steamed Rice Cakes with Radish Topping)
Chwee Kueh is a hawker classic, typically topped with preserved radish (chye poh) stir-fried in generous amounts of oil.
How to Make It Healthier:
- Reduce the oil in the chye poh topping by using a non-stick pan and adding a splash of water instead.
- Instead of using pork lard for flavour, try mushroom seasoning or a dash of soy sauce.
- Use an air fryer steamer accessory to steam the rice cakes for an even texture.
5. Air-Fried Satay (Skewered Meat with Peanut Sauce)
Satay is typically grilled over an open flame, but an air fryer provides a faster, mess-free way to prepare this dish at home.
How to Make It Healthier:
- Marinate chicken, beef, or lamb in turmeric, lemongrass, and coconut milk overnight.
- Use lean cuts of meat and avoid fatty trimmings.
- Air fry at 180°C for 10-12 minutes, turning halfway through.
- Serve with a homemade peanut sauce using natural peanut butter and minimal sugar.
Tips for Air Frying Singaporean Dishes
- Use the right air fryer accessories – Baking trays, skewers, and perforated parchment paper can help with different recipes.
- Preheat your air fryer – Ensures even cooking and crispier results.
- Don’t overcrowd the basket – Give space for air circulation to achieve crispy textures.
- Lightly spray oil when needed – Some recipes benefit from a light mist of oil for a golden finish.
- Flip halfway through cooking – Helps food cook evenly and prevents one side from becoming too dry.
If you don’t have this kitchen gadget yet and are looking to buy an air fryer in Singapore, there are quite a number of options available that you can consider for your air frying needs.
Final Thoughts
Air fryers offer an excellent way to enjoy hawker food without the excess oil and guilt. By making simple adjustments, you can recreate your favourite local dishes in a healthier way—without compromising on taste.With the right techniques, Singapore home cooks can transform traditional recipes into lighter, air-fried alternatives that retain the delicious flavours of hawker cuisine. Try these recipes and enjoy your hawker favourites, guilt-free!
