Air Fryer Vegan Onion Pakora (Bhajis)

Air Fryer Vegan Onion Pakora, also known as Onion Bhajis, is a delicious Indian snack made with simple ingredients such as thinly sliced onions, gram flour, coriander leaves, and a few spices. They have a crisp texture and a rich, spiced flavor. They are incredibly easy to make at home and taste better than store-bought options.

These Indian veggie fritters are a popular choice with tea or as a quick appetizer and are traditionally deep-fried. While the deep-frying method gives pakoras their signature crunch, it also adds extra oil.

The air frying method is perfect if you’re looking for something quick, easy, and a bit healthier than the deep-fried version. It keeps things simple and mess-free, with no need for large amounts of oil or dealing with splattering pans. These pakoras are great for tea time, a snack platter, or even as part of a light meal.

What Are Onion Pakoras?

Onion pakoras are fritters made from thinly sliced onions mixed with a spiced gram flour batter. They’re a popular street food and snack, often served with chutney or tea. The traditional method involves deep-frying, but air frying offers a healthier alternative without giving up on the taste.

The most popular way to serve Onion Pakoras include chutneys, Indian tea, or a refreshing Onion Raita.

Ingredients You’ll Need

• Onions – Traditionally, large red onions are used for onion bhajis, but I prefer pink, yellow, or white onions for their milder flavor. Slice them thinly using a mandolin, food processor, or a sharp knife.

• Gram Flour (Besan) – This gluten-free flour adds a mild, nutty flavor and a lovely crunch to the onion bhajis (onion pakoras). Depending on the brand of flour, you may need to adjust the amount of water in the recipe to achieve the perfect batter consistency.

• Flavorings – Cumin seeds, turmeric, red chili, coriander leaves, and salt. You can add other spices such as ground cumin, ground coriander, garam masala, curry powder, curry leaves, red chili powder, and garlic powder.

How to Make Air Fryer Vegan Onion Pakora (Bhajis)

Making Air Fryer Vegan Onion Pakora (Bhajis) is extremely easy to make and to achieve the best results, you need to follow these simple steps:

Peel and slice the onions thinly and separate the layers. The key to perfect onion pakoras is slicing the onions thinly. If they’re too thick, they might remain raw and won’t crisp up properly as the batter cooks. Use a sharp knife, mandolin slicer, or food processor to achieve thin, even slices.

In a mixing bowl, combine gram flour, bicarbonate of soda, fennel seeds, turmeric, and salt.

Add the onions, sliced chilies, and chopped coriander leaves, and mix well. The moisture from the onions should help coat them with the dry mixture. Add water gradually if needed to form a thick batter.

Lightly grease your air fryer basket or line it with parchment paper to prevent the pakoras from sticking. Take a small portion of the mixture with a spoon, and shape them into flat patties. Avoid overcrowding the basket.

Lightly oil the pakoras using a brush to help them to crisp up. I avoid using spray oil as it destroys the air fryer basket. Set your air fryer to 180℃ (356℉), and air fry the pakoras for 6 minutes. Turn the heat up to 200℃ (392℉) and air fry for another 3 minutes, until the pakoras are golden and crispy.

Expert Tips From the Chef

• To ensure crispy and evenly cooked bhajis, slice the onions thinly. This helps them cook properly and gives them a great texture.

• The batter should be thick, similar to pancake batter. If it’s too thick, add a little water to thin it out. If it’s too thin, mix in a bit more gram flour.

• Avoid over-mixing the batter, as this can make it too runny and result in soggy pakoras.

• Spray oil can damage the air fryer basket, so it’s better to lightly brush the pakoras with oil to help them crisp up.

Serving Suggestions

Pakoras are best served fresh and hot. A popular pairing for onion bhajis is Raita, as its cool and creamy texture balances the spiciness of the bhajis.

You can also pair pakoras with:

• Mint Chutney: For a refreshing dip.

• Tamarind Chutney: Adds a tangy sweetness.

• Masala Chai: Complements the spices beautifully.

Variations to Try

1. Vegetable Pakoras

Add chopped spinach, grated carrots, or shredded cabbage to the batter for a vegetable-packed version.

2. Gluten-Free Option

Use a mix of chickpea and almond flour to make the recipe gluten-free.

3. Spicy Kick

Increase the number of green chilies or add a pinch of crushed red pepper for extra heat.

Storage and Reheating Instructions

You can store the leftover air fryer pakoras refrigerated for up to five days in an airtight container. They’re amazing cold the next day in lunch boxes or picnic baskets. For longer storage, you can keep them in the freezer for up to five months.

To reheat the leftover Bhajis, set your air fryer to 180℃ (356℉) and reheat them for 4 to 5 minutes, or in the preheated oven for around 7 to 8 minutes.

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