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    Home » Air Fryer Recipes

    Onions Pakodas | Kanda Bhajji | Crispy Onion Fritters

    Published: Oct 13, 2021 · Modified: Dec 7, 2022 by Archana · This post may contain affiliate links · As an Amazon Associate I earn from qualifying purchases · 11 Comments

    223 shares
    Jump to Recipe

    Onion Pakodas is an iconic and beloved food in India. This classic dish is part of the fabric of the culture - as rich in flavor as in tradition.

    These golden-crisp onion fritters are jam-packed with flavors from green chilies, red Kashmiri chili, garlic, carom seeds, turmeric, and of course onions! Serve this epic dish as a snack with green chutney or ketchup or serve it alongside your favorite Indian meal.

    Onion Bhajis are naturally Gluten-Free and Vegan, a wonderful bite to be enjoyed by all!

    Onion pakodas served with ketchup and chutney

    Traditionally pakoras are deep-fried in hot oil. In order to enjoy one of my favorite foods more often, I had to find a way to lighten it up. I’m thrilled with my Air Fryer Onion Pakodas--they have all the essential flavor and crunch without drowning in oil. They're extremely easy to make and Air Fry in a matter of minutes.

    Jump to:
    • Pakoda Traditions
    • Ingredient Spotlight
    • Tips and Substitutions
    • Instructions
    • How to Serve
    • Storing
    • Recipe

    Onion bhajis are enjoyed hot, fresh, and shatteringly crisp. The besan flour adds body, while rice flour ensures the pakoras are light and crispy. This flour combo is from my mom’s recipe and they come out perfectly every time in the Air Fryer.

    Kanda Bhajji served in a black plate

    Pakoda Traditions

    Pakodas are part of a unique and charming tradition in India. A rainy day (or days) means it’s time to make onion pakoras and chai. Something about the cool damp weather makes hot crispy Pakodas taste even better, trust me. To this day, rainy weather gives me an unmistakable craving for onion pakoras and their warm cozy feeling of home.  

    Pakodas is also known as "Bhajiya" in Hindi or "Bhajji" in Southern India are legendary street cart offerings, a deep-fried grab-and-go classic. When they’re not picked up at a cart, they are being served at home, as a satisfying tea-time snack before supper. 

    These onion fritters are often also made to accompany the special festive Puran Poli Meal, served along with fried papad, Batata Bhaji, Steamed rice, and Aamti (a spicy lentil-based curry). 

    While Onion Pakodas are enjoyed throughout India, this recipe is from Western India, the state of Maharashtra where I grew up. As I mentioned, my mom’s addition of rice flour to the besan is key to keeping the fritters light and crispy.

    Ingredient Spotlight

    • Besan Flour {Gram Flour} - Staple in Indian kitchens this gluten-free, high-in-fiber flour is made from dried split chickpeas and has a nutty flavor.
    • Kashmiri Red Chili Powder {Lal Kashmiri Mirch} - Kashmiri red chili powder adds a brilliant red hue without adding too much heat. When substituting other chiles for Kashmiri red chiles be mindful of the heat level.
    • Carom Seeds {Ajwain} - tiny dried fruits of an herb plant. Pungent, bitter, complex flavor. Widely used in Indian cooking. Dry roasting and cooking in hot oil, butter, or ghee as part of the tadka tempers the pungency. Contains a wealth of medicinal benefits: especially good in aiding digestion and relieving symptoms of the common cold.
    • Turmeric {Haldi} – Ground turmeric is a bright, healing spice known for its anti-inflammatory properties, adding a peppery-woody taste and a deep golden color.

    Tips and Substitutions

    • Make sure to thinly slice the onions and massage them well to release some of the moisture
    • Rice flour adds a crispy texture but if you do not have it add half a teaspoon of baking powder instead
    • These pakoras are medium spicy but you can add more or less of the chili to your taste
    • Don't have an air fryer? Check out the recipe notes for oven and stovetop instructions
    Onion pakodas served with ketchup, chutney and chai

    Instructions

    Cut the onion in half and peel the skin and outer thin layer off. Then thinly slice each half of the onion. In a medium bowl add onion and cilantro. Massage with your hands or use a silicone spatula to help release the moisture (photos 1 -4)

    photos one through four showing prepping veggies for onion pakoras

    Add gram flour, rice flour, green chili, garlic, red chili powder, turmeric, and carom seeds. Mix well to form a thick mixture. Add hot oil and give a quick mix (photos 5 - 6)

    Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees. Divide the mix into 9 or 10 equal parts and then pick up each part and press down with your fingers to form a small patty. Place the Pakodas in the air fryer basket keeping some space between each one for airflow. Air fry at 350 F for 10 mins. Open the air fryer and lightly spray oil on top and cook for an additional 2 minutes or until they turn golden brown with crispy edges. (photos 7 - 8)

    photos six through eight showing how to make onion fritters in air fryer

    How to Serve

    Serve onion Pakodas as a snack or appetizer, hot out of the Air Fryer, with dipping bowls of spicy green chutney and ketchup.

    Serve as part of an Indian meal alongside Batata Bhaji, Puri, and Shrikhand or as a traditional Maharashtrian Puran Poli Thali.

    Storing

    Onion Pakodas are best served immediately. You can also make them ahead and reheat them in the air fryer. To reheat simply pop them back in the fryer basket and air fry for 2 to 3 minutes at 350 F.

    Did you enjoy this modern take on the classic Indian dish? Here are some more vegetarian Air Fryer recipes that you will love:

    • Zucchini chips
    • Masala Fries
    • Sweet Potato Fries
    • Crispy Okra
    • Masala Corn on the Cob

    Recipe

    Tried this recipe? We love your feedback.Please click on the stars in the recipe card below
    onion pakoras served with ketchup and chutney
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe Save Saved!
    4.77 from 17 votes

    Onion Pakodas

    Tasty and EASY Onion Pakodas cooked with a fraction of oil in the Air Fryer. Check out the notes for oven and stovetop instrcutions
    Prep Time15 mins
    Cook Time15 mins
    Total Time30 mins
    Course: Appetizer
    Cuisine: Indian
    Servings: 3
    Calories: 96kcal
    Author: Archana Mundhe

    Equipment

    • Air Fryer

    Ingredients

    • 1 large red onion
    • ½ cup cilantro
    • ¼ cup gram flour besan
    • 1 tablespoon rice flour
    • ½ teaspoon green chili minced
    • 1 teaspoon garlic grated
    • 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
    • 1 teaspoon carom seeds
    • ¼ teaspoon ground turmeric
    • 1 teaspoon kosher salt
    • ½ tablespoon oil heated
    • oil spray

    Instructions

    • Cut the onion in half and peel the skin and outer thin layer off. Then thinly slice each half of the onion.
    • In a medium bowl add onion, cilantro and salt. Massage with your hands or using a silicone spatula to help release the moisture. Add gram flour, rice flour, green chili, garlic, red chili powder, turmeric, and carom seeds. Mix well to form a thick mixture. Add hot oil and give a quick mix.
    • Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees.
    • Divide the mix into 9 equal parts and then pick up each part and press down with your fingers to form a small patty (about ½ inch thick and 2-½ inches wide).
    • Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the Pakodas in the air fryer basket keeping some space between each one for airflow.
    • Air fry at 350 F for 10 mins. Open the air fryer and lightly spray oil on top and cook for an additional 2 minutes or until they become golden brown with crispy edges. Enjoy hot with green chutney or ketchup.

    Video

    Notes

    Oven Instructions:
    Bake in a preheated oven at 400 F for 15 to 20 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. Spray generously with oil, flipping halfway through.
     
    Stove Top Instructions:
    You can also deep fry these pakodas. Heat oil in a small wok or frying pan. Add the batter by spoonfuls. No need to shape them flat. Fry on medium heat until the Pakodas are golden brown with crispy edges. 

    Nutrition

    Calories: 96kcal | Carbohydrates: 13g | Protein: 3g | Fat: 4g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Polyunsaturated Fat: 1g | Monounsaturated Fat: 2g | Trans Fat: 1g | Sodium: 801mg | Potassium: 175mg | Fiber: 3g | Sugar: 3g | Vitamin A: 383IU | Vitamin C: 4mg | Calcium: 20mg | Iron: 1mg
    Tried this recipe?Share your photo and tag @ministry_of_curry or tag #ministryofcurry

    Author: Archana

    Hey there! I am a techie turned recipe developer, cooking instructor, and food blogger. I love food and enjoy developing easy and healthy recipes for busy lifestyles. I live in New Jersey with my husband and two sons.
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    1. N says

      October 17, 2021 at 12:21 pm

      Love this recipe! Crispy on the outside and soft of the inside. I was a bit too brave with my chilli powder and salt but I will adjust next time. Had been dreaming about an air fried version of onion pakoda and so happy I finally have a guilt free version.5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        October 19, 2021 at 8:30 am

        Thank you for your lovely feedback. I am so glad you enjoyed this guilt-free recipe.

        Reply
    2. Aditi Chang says

      October 31, 2021 at 1:08 pm

      I'll admit I was a little skeptical but these turned out amazing! A tad salty so I'll decrease the salt next Time, but so crispy! You don't even miss the deep fried texture because they come out so light and crispy!5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        November 05, 2021 at 8:48 pm

        Thank you for the feedback!

        Reply
    3. Khyati R says

      February 05, 2022 at 8:59 pm

      Made air fryer onion pakoras from the recipe of ministry of curry it came out awesome . Since me and husband go gym and follow healthy life style we avoid fry foods but this air fryer onion pakoras was as delicious as you actual eat fry onion pakoras and it was very easy to make in air fryer with less oil .I would really recommended this5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        February 05, 2022 at 9:56 pm

        Thank you Khyati!

        Reply
    4. Dee Ganjoo says

      February 16, 2022 at 7:58 pm

      OMG! I was not expecting these airfryer pakorqs to be so good!! I have tried airfryer pakoras before and have never been satisfied! This recipe hit the spot with minimal effort and hardly any oil. Thank you Archana ( Dee @ Masalapaleo)5 stars

      Reply
      • Archana says

        February 17, 2022 at 9:36 pm

        Thank you!5 stars

        Reply
    5. Krisitn says

      March 14, 2022 at 1:52 pm

      These are delicious - I made them for an India food night with friends and we all loved them. The o only issue we experienced is that they did not stay together as clumps/fritters. I do not have an air fryer so I cooked on the stove top in oil. It ended up just being a pile of fried onions but we still dove in and loved them. My husband likes to come up with different types of burgers and he is working on one that uses these toppings. I'm not sure why they didn't club but honestly don't care b/c they were still tasty!5 stars

      Reply
    6. Nadia says

      February 04, 2023 at 10:16 am

      How can I substitute gram flour and rice flour?

      Reply
      • Archana says

        February 07, 2023 at 9:43 am

        Gram flour (chickpea flour) is traditionally used in making pakoras. I have not tried making pakoras without it. Rice flour adds a crispy texture and can be skipped.

        Reply

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    Hi, I'm Archana: a former software engineer, now a full-time blogger. I am a mother of two boys who share my love for food and cooking. Words I love to hear are, “Mom, what’s for dinner?” The same words I say to my mom every time we speak. I live in the greater New York City Area with my husband and sons.

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