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Onion Bhaji

Learn how to make this traditional fried Indian snack called Onion bhaji. These crispy onion fritters are made with gram flour, onions, and spices from your pantry. These vegan & gluten-free onion pakoras are so delicious!

Prep Time
10 mins
Cook Time
10 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 4 people
Calories: 174 kcal
Course: Appetizer , Snacks
Cuisine: Indian

Ingredients

For pakora batter
  • 2 cups Red Onions thinly sliced
  • 2 green chili pepper finely diced, adjust to taste
  • 1 teaspoon ginger grated or paste
  • 2 tablespoon cilantro leaves finely chopped
  • 1 cup gram flour (besan)
  • 2 tablespoon rice flour
  • 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
  • 1/2 teaspoon carom seeds (ajwain)
  • 1/4 teaspoon Ground Turmeric (Haldi powder)
  • 3/4 teaspoon salt
  • ⅛ teaspoon asafoetida (hing)
For Frying
  • oil I used canola oil
To serve
  • 1/2 teaspoon chaat masala
  • mint cilantro chutney
  • tamarind chutney
  • tomato ketchup

Instructions

Make onion batter
    Cup of Yum
  1. In a large bowl add all the batter ingredients, and mix using your hand. Massage the onions with your fingers while mixing so they release their moisture. You can leave the mixture for 5-10 minutes which gives the onions more time to release their moisture. If needed, add 1-2 tablespoons of water. You want a clumpy mixture to form (not a runny mixture).
  2. Heat vegetable oil in a large frying pan (kadhai) over medium to high heat until it reaches 300°F. Once oil is hot, lower the heat to medium.
Deep Fry Method
  1. Use a small scoop (or your fingers if you are comfortable) and drop the pakoras in the oil. Fry in batches of 4-6 to not over crowd the kadhai. Cook several minutes per side until the pakora is golden brown. Turn the pakoras to make sure they cook evenly on the other side.
  2. Transfer the pakoras to a paper towel lined plate or bowl. Sprinkle some chaat masala. Serve hot and with chutney or ketchup.
Air Fryer Method
  1. Add 1 teaspoon of oil to the onion batter. This can help make the air fryer pakoras softer inside.
  2. Preheat the air fryer to 400°F.
  3. Spray air fryer with some oil. 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.
  4. Air fryer at 350°F for 12-14 minutes. Flip the pakoras at about 9 minutes.
  5. 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.

Notes

  • Variations: 
  • Keep warm: To keep them warm, heat oven to 250°F and keep pakoras there until ready to serve for up to 30 minutes.  
  • o keep them warm, heat oven to 250°F and keep pakoras there until ready to serve for up to 30 minutes.  
  • You can also add 1 cup of finely chopped spinach to the batter to make spinach onion pakora.
  • Add potatoes by cutting them into small pieces of 1cm, then add along with the onion to make Pyaaz Aloo Pakora (Onion Potato Pakora) 
  • You can add chopped curry leaves for south indian version of these onions bhajjis. 

Nutrition Information

Calories 174kcal (9%) Carbohydrates 30g (10%) Protein 8g (16%) Fat 2g (3%) Saturated Fat 0.3g (2%) Polyunsaturated Fat 1g Monounsaturated Fat 0.5g Sodium 542mg (23%) Potassium 390mg (11%) Fiber 6g (24%) Sugar 7g (14%) Vitamin A 176IU (4%) Vitamin C 9mg (10%) Calcium 35mg (4%) Iron 2mg (11%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 4people

Amount Per Serving

Calories 174

% Daily Value*

Calories 174kcal 9%
Carbohydrates 30g 10%
Protein 8g 16%
Fat 2g 3%
Saturated Fat 0.3g 2%
Polyunsaturated Fat 1g 6%
Monounsaturated Fat 0.5g 3%
Sodium 542mg 23%
Potassium 390mg 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.