Air Fryer Pakora
User Reviews
4.9
Air Fryer Pakora
Description
The recipe combines thinly sliced onions with gram flour, rice flour, turmeric, Kashmiri red chili powder, ajwain seeds, and optional asafoetida to form a thick, clumpy batter by squeezing the onions to release moisture. This batter is seasoned with salt and a little neutral oil for tenderness. The batter should not be runny to preserve crispness.
The pakoras are shaped into flat patties and air fried at about 400°F, with oil sprayed on the surface to avoid sticking and help browning. Cooking in small batches prevents overcrowding for even cooking and optimal crispness. The result is a flavorful fried snack with a crispy exterior and a soft interior showcasing the sweet onions and spices.
Pakoras are traditionally served with accompaniments like mint chutney, tamarind chutney, or ketchup and dusted with chaat masala to add tangy, savory notes that enhance the dish's complexity.
Ingredients
- 2 cup red onions thinly sliced
- 2 green chilli finely diced, adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon ginger grated or paste
- 2 tablespoons cilantro finely chopped
- 1 cup gram flour aka besan
- 2 tablespoon rice flour
- 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder ground, aka Haldi powder
- 1/2 teaspoon ajwain seeds aka carom seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon asafoetida optional, aka hing
- 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- 1 teaspoon neutral cooking oil plus for spraying, generic cooking oil
To serve
- 1/2 teaspoon chaat masala
- mint chutney contains cilantro
- tamarind chutney
- ketchup
Instructions
- Peel and slice the onion
- Wash and chop the green chilli and cilantro
- In a large mixing bowl, add the sliced onions, green chili, ginger, and cilantro leaves. Then add the chickpea flour (besan), rice flour, red chili powder, turmeric powder, carom seeds, hing and salt.
- mix using your hand. Squeeze the onions with your fingers while mixing. Don't add any water as a runny batter will not make crispy pakoras. Squeeze the onions until their moisture releases and a clumpy dough forms.
- Add 1 teaspoon of oil to the onion batter. This can help make the air fryer pakoras softer inside.Only if needed, add 1-2 tablespoons of water so the onions are well coated with the gram flour and spices.
Air Fryer Method
- Preheat your air fryer as per the instruction manual of the manufacturer (about 400°F for 5 minutes). Then, spray a little oil to prevent the pakoras from sticking to the surface.
- Pick some batter in your fingers, and flatten in a patty like shape. Then place it in the air fryer basket. Make sure the pakoras don't touch each other. Do not overcrowd. Spray some oil on top.
- Air fryer at 350°F for 12-14 minutes. Flip the pakoras at about 9 minutes.
- Once they are golden and crispy, take out on a plate lined with paper towel. Sprinkle some chaat masala. Serve hot and with mint cilantro chutney or ketchup.
Oven Method
- Line a baking tray with parchment paper and place spoonfuls of the batter on it. You want to make small to medium-sized pakoras rather so they bake uniformly.
- Then bake for 25-30 minutes at 400°F (205 °C). Spray with oil and flip the baking tray around at halfway mark and then continue to bake. Keep an eye on them to ensure sure they're baking properly and not burning.
Notes
- The batter must be thick and not watery to ensure the pakoras develop a crispy exterior in the air fryer.
- Cook in small batches to avoid overcrowding and to ensure even cooking and crisp texture.
- Spray oil on the pakoras or use perforated parchment paper to prevent sticking during air frying.
Nutrition Information
Show DetailsNutrition Facts
Serving: 4Serving
Amount Per Serving
Calories 171 kcal
% Daily Value*
| Calories | 171kcal | 9% |
| Carbohydrates | 27g | 9% |
| Protein | 8g | 16% |
| Fat | 4g | 6% |
| Saturated Fat | 0.4g | 2% |
| Polyunsaturated Fat | 1g | 6% |
| Monounsaturated Fat | 1g | 5% |
| Sodium | 687mg | 29% |
| Potassium | 388mg | 8% |
| Fiber | 6g | 24% |
| Sugar | 7g | 14% |
| Vitamin A | 176IU | 4% |
| Vitamin C | 9mg | 10% |
| Calcium | 35mg | 4% |
| Iron | 2mg | 11% |
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.
User Reviews
Overall Rating
4.9
You'll Also Love
