Air Fryer Pakoras: A Healthy, Guilt-Free Treat?

Pakoras are a popular Indian snack, usually deep-fried and served as fast food or as an appetiser. They are made by dipping vegetables—such as onion, potato, spinach, or cauliflower—in a batter made from gram flour, and then frying them. However, this can be an unhealthy option due to the high levels of fat and calories. Air fryers provide a healthier alternative, as they require only a fraction of the oil used in traditional frying methods, resulting in crispy pakoras with less fat but all the flavour.

Air fryer pakora recipe

Pakoras are a delicious Indian snack or appetiser that can be made in an air fryer with less oil and fewer calories than the traditional deep-fried version.

Ingredients

• Potatoes
• Spinach
• Onion
• Garlic
• Red chilli
• Cilantro
• Flour
• Water
• Salt
• Coriander
• Cumin
• Turmeric
• Lemon juice
• Besan (gram or chickpea flour)
• Rice flour
• Oil for frying

Optional Ingredients

• Cauliflower
• Sea salt
• Tomatoes
• Zucchini
• Other vegetables

Method

• Peel and grate the potatoes.
• Chop the spinach and dice the onion, garlic, red chilli, and cilantro.
• In a large bowl, combine the flour, water, salt, coriander, cumin, turmeric, and lemon juice.
• Add the potatoes, spinach, onion, garlic, chilli, and cilantro to the bowl and stir until a batter forms.
• Preheat the air fryer to 355°F (or 400°F, depending on your recipe) for 5 minutes.
• Line the air fryer basket or tray with parchment paper or aluminium foil and grease with cooking spray.
• Place spoonfuls of the batter into the air fryer, leaving space between each pakora.
• Cook for 8 minutes, flip, and cook for another 8 minutes (or 15-18 minutes, depending on your recipe).
• Remove from the air fryer and let cool for a few minutes before serving.

Tips

• To make the pakoras extra crispy, add 2 tablespoons of rice flour to the batter.
• Use red or yellow onions.
• To minimise overcrowding and uneven cooking, air fry only a few pakoras at a time.
• Serve with a dipping sauce of your choice, such as chutney or ketchup.

Pakora ingredients

Pakoras are a popular Indian street food or starter for an Indian meal. They are also known as pikora or pakura. Pakoras are spiced fritters made with vegetables, spices, and herbs. They are naturally gluten-free and can be made vegan.

The most common vegetables used in pakoras are onions, potatoes, cauliflower, and spinach. Other vegetables that can be used include sweet potatoes, broccoli, asparagus, and peas. It is best to avoid vegetables like tomatoes, zucchini, or other water-based vegetables as they can make the batter too wet.

The spices used in pakoras include fenugreek powder, garlic, salt, coriander, turmeric, chili powder, and garam masala. The batter is made with chickpea flour, also known as gram flour or besan, which is made from dried chickpeas. Rice flour can also be added to the batter to create a thicker consistency. The batter should be thick and not too watery, as this can make it difficult to cook in the air fryer.

To make pakoras in an air fryer, preheat the air fryer at 355°F for 5 minutes. Line the air fryer tray with aluminum foil and grease it with cooking oil spray. Take a small spoon and scoop out an equal amount of batter onto it. Air fry at 355°F for 10 minutes, turning the pakoras halfway during cooking, then air fry for 4 minutes again at 325°F. The pakoras are ready when they are evenly brown and crispy.

Pakora cooking time and temperature

Pakoras are a popular Indian snack, usually deep-fried and served as a fast-food snack or appetiser. They are also often served with chai to guests arriving at Indian wedding ceremonies.

Air fryers are a great alternative to deep-frying pakoras as they require less oil, resulting in a healthier version of this delicious snack. The cooking time and temperature for pakoras in an air fryer can vary slightly depending on the specific model and the ingredients used. However, here is a general guide:

First, preheat your air fryer to 355°F (some sources recommend 360°F) for about 5 minutes. If your air fryer has a CrispLid, you can follow the same instructions. You can also line the air fryer tray or basket with aluminium foil, although this is not necessary if you make a thicker batter. If you do use foil, grease it with cooking oil spray.

Next, take small portions of the batter and place them on the air fryer tray or mesh. Depending on the consistency of your batter, you may want to use a spoon to scoop it out, or you can simply place small portions directly onto the mesh. Brush the pakoras lightly with oil.

Now, it's time to air fry! Set your air fryer to 355°F and cook the pakoras for about 10 minutes. Halfway through the cooking process, turn the pakoras over and brush them with oil again.

After the initial 10 minutes, reduce the temperature to 325°F and air fry for an additional 4 minutes. The total cooking time can range from 12 to 18 minutes, depending on your air fryer and the desired level of crispness. Keep an eye on them, as you may need to adjust the timing slightly.

Your pakoras are ready when they are evenly browned and crispy. Serve them hot with chutney, ketchup, or tamarind sauce, and enjoy!

Pakora serving suggestions

Pakoras are a delicious treat that can be enjoyed in a variety of ways! Here are some serving suggestions to elevate your pakora experience:

Appetizers and Snacks

Pakoras are commonly served as appetizers or snacks. They are a perfect finger food option and can be served as canapes at your next gathering. Their bite-size nature makes them ideal for popping into your mouth, one after the other! You can also serve them as a light meal.

Dips and Sauces

Pakoras are often served with various chutneys (sauces) and dips to enhance their flavour. Some popular options include coriander chutney, mint chutney, green chutney, schezwan sauce, and ketchup. You can also pair them with a minted yogurt sauce or sweet and spicy pakora chutney for a delicious contrast to the spiced pakoras.

Beverage Pairings

Pakoras are traditionally enjoyed with a hot cup of masala chai or ginger milk tea. The warmth of the tea complements the crispiness of the pakoras. You can also pair them with a refreshing glass of cold milk or a tangy glass of lemon juice.

Vegetable Combinations

Pakoras can be made with a variety of vegetables, allowing you to create different flavour profiles. Some popular vegetable options include onions, potatoes, cauliflower, spinach, and carrots. You can experiment with different combinations to find your favourite.

Presentation Ideas

When serving pakoras, you can place them on a wired rack to keep them crispy for longer. For an elegant presentation, use a cooling rack placed over a cookie sheet or a steel colander. This will also help catch any excess oil.

With these serving suggestions, you can elevate your pakora experience and impress your family and friends. Enjoy the delicious combination of crispy, spicy, and healthy treats with the perfect accompaniments!

Health benefits of air-fried pakoras

Air fryers are marketed as a healthier alternative to deep-fat frying, and they do deliver on some of those promises. Air-fried pakoras, for example, are cooked with less oil, resulting in a healthier version of this delicious snack.

Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food, creating a crispy, crunchy texture with minimal oil. This reduces the amount of fat and calories in the food, which can have several health benefits. Firstly, it helps with weight management as a higher intake of fried foods is linked to obesity, which in turn can lead to various health issues such as type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Secondly, it lowers the risk of cardiovascular disease by helping to manage cholesterol levels. This is because deep-fried foods tend to be high in saturated fat, which can negatively impact cholesterol.

Air-fried pakoras also reduce the risk of exposure to certain dangerous compounds that can develop when frying in oil, such as acrylamide, which is linked to an increased chance of getting cancer. Additionally, air fryers are safer to use than traditional deep frying as there is no risk of spilling or accidentally touching hot oil.

However, it's important to note that there are some potential drawbacks to air frying. One study found that air frying fish reduced its healthy fat content (polyunsaturated fats) and slightly increased cholesterol oxidation products (COPs), which may negatively affect cholesterol levels. However, adding fresh herbs like parsley and chives can help reduce these damaging effects. Another potential concern is the non-stick lining of some air fryers, which if damaged or heated to high temperatures, may release toxic gases.

Frequently asked questions