Imagine biting into a perfectly crispy, golden-brown Indian snack that's not just delicious, but also healthier than traditional deep-fried versions. These Air Fryer Onion Pakodas are about to revolutionize your snack game, delivering all the mouth-watering flavor you crave with a fraction of the oil. Whether you're looking for a quick appetizer, a rainy day treat, or a crowd-pleasing party snack, these pakodas will have everyone asking for your secret recipe!
Prep Time: 10 mins
Cook Time: 15 mins
Total Time: 25 mins
Cuisine: Indian
Serves: 4 servings
Ingredients
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 1 cup gram flour (besan)
- 2 green chilies, finely chopped
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
- 1/2 tsp red chili powder
- Salt, to taste
- Water, as needed
- Oil spray, for cooking
Instructions
- Begin by gathering all the ingredients: 2 large onions, 1 cup gram flour (besan), 2 finely chopped green chilies, 1 tsp cumin seeds, 1/2 tsp turmeric powder, 1/2 tsp red chili powder, salt to taste, and oil spray for cooking.
- Peel the onions and slice them thinly. You can use a sharp knife or a mandoline slicer for even slices. Place the sliced onions in a large mixing bowl.
- Add the finely chopped green chilies to the bowl with the sliced onions. Adjust the quantity of green chilies based on your spice preference.
- In a separate bowl, combine the gram flour (besan), cumin seeds, turmeric powder, red chili powder, and salt. Mix these dry ingredients well to ensure they are evenly distributed.
- Gradually add the dry mixture to the bowl with the onions and green chilies. Mix thoroughly, ensuring that the onion slices are well coated with the flour mixture.
- Add water slowly, a tablespoon at a time, mixing continuously until the batter is thick and sticky enough to hold the onion slices together. You want just enough water to bind the ingredients without making the mixture too runny.
- Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (356°F) for about 5 minutes. This helps in achieving a crispy texture for the pakodas.
- Once the air fryer is preheated, lightly spray the basket with oil to prevent sticking.
- Using your hands, take small portions of the onion mixture and shape them into small fritters or pakodas. Place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer, making sure they are not overcrowded.
- Spray the tops of the pakodas lightly with oil to enhance crispiness during cooking.
- Cook the pakodas in the air fryer for about 15 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning. Keep an eye on them to prevent burning.
- Once they are golden brown and crispy, carefully remove the pakodas from the air fryer and place them on a paper towel to absorb any excess oil.
- Serve the air fryer onion pakodas hot with your favorite chutney or dipping sauce. Enjoy your delicious and crispy Indian snack!
Tips
- Slice onions uniformly to ensure even cooking and consistent crispiness.
- Don't add too much water to the batter - it should be thick and just sticky enough to hold together.
- Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket to allow proper air circulation and crispy results.
- Spray a light layer of oil on the pakodas before cooking to enhance browning and crispiness.
- Flip the pakodas midway through cooking to ensure even golden-brown color on all sides.
- Let the pakodas rest on a paper towel after cooking to absorb any excess oil.
- Serve immediately for the best texture and flavor - these are best enjoyed hot and crisp!
Nutrition Facts
Calories: 160kcal
Carbohydrates: 20g
Protein: 6g
Fat: 7g
Saturated Fat: 1g
Cholesterol: 0mg
