Air Fryer Onion Bhajis (Onion Pakoras)

Onion pakoras on a plate, one is torn open.

Air Fryer Onion Bhajis (Onion Pakoras)

Air fryer onion bhajis are an easy recipe to make, totally delicious and ridiculously crispy whilst still being low oil and super simple. Also known as onion pakora, this recipe takes a classic recipe and makes it even better.

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Indian

Diet Vegan

Prep Time 40

Cook Time 15

Total Time 55

Servings

Calories 59kcal

Author Jess & Dan

Ingredients

2 large onions ~400g, finely sliced
0.5 teaspoon salt
2 teaspoon garlic - finely sliced
1 teaspoon ginger - finely sliced
1 green chilli - finely sliced
0.25 teaspoon cumin seeds
0.25 teaspoon black mustard seeds
0.25 teaspoon fenugreek seeds
0.25 teaspoon fennel seeds
0.25 teaspoon nigella seeds
0.25 teaspoon turmeric powder
1.5 tablespoon fresh coriander - roughly chopped
1 tablespoon oil
1 cup chickpea flour

Instructions

Finely slice the onions, then throw them in a large bowl with the salt. Set them aside for at least 30 minutes. This will draw the water out of the onions.
2 large onions, 0.5 teaspoon salt
After 30 minutes, using your hands, start to squeeze as much water out of the onions as you can, into the bowl. No need to do this into a different bowl, as the 'onion water' is needed.
Next, preheat the air fryer to 180°c.
Place all the dry ingredients plus the oil into the bowl with the sliced onions. That includes the garlic, onion, ginger cumin seeds, mustard seeds, fennel seeds, fenugreek seeds, nigella seeds, gram flour, turmeric powder, fresh coriander and gram flour.
2 teaspoon garlic, 1 teaspoon ginger, 1 green chilli, 0.25 teaspoon cumin seeds, 0.25 teaspoon black mustard seeds, 0.25 teaspoon fenugreek seeds, 0.25 teaspoon fennel seeds, 0.25 teaspoon nigella seeds, 0.25 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1.5 tablespoon fresh coriander, 1 tablespoon oil, 1 cup chickpea flour
Combine it all together until a thick batter forms. It should be sticky but not runny, and you should be able to form a ball with the mixture without it falling apart or getting stuck to your hands.
Shape them into evenly sized balls, then pop them into the air fryer basket.
Optionally, spray with oil spray generously, as this will help them to brown.
Air fry for 15 minutes at 180°c.
Serve hot as a snack, starter or side dish.

Notes

You can switch out the gram flour for plain or rice flour, but this isn't as traditional.
If you want to deep fry instead, they will take about 5 minutes in very hot oil. If you shallow fry them, they will take around 3-4 minutes on each side.
This onion bhaji recipe will keep in an airtight container for 3-5 days in the refrigerator. To reheat, just blast in the air fryer for around 5 minutes at 180°c.

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