Air Fryer Pakora: A Healthy Twist On A Classic

Pakora is a popular Indian snack, commonly sold by street vendors across India. It is a vegetable fritter made with gram flour and spices, and traditionally deep-fried. However, you can also cook pakora in an air fryer, which is a healthier alternative to deep-frying as it uses less oil. Air-fried pakora has a similar crispy and browned crust and a soft, tender inner texture. It is also safer than pan-frying as you don't need to monitor a hot pan of oil.

Air fryer pakora recipe

Pakora is a delicious vegetable fritter that is commonly sold by street vendors in India. It is usually deep-fried, but an air fryer can be used to make a healthier version with less oil that is just as delicious.

Ingredients:

• 2 cups of sliced red or yellow onions
• 2-3 medium-sized potatoes, peeled and shredded
• Spinach, chopped
• 1-2 green chilies, chopped
• Garlic, diced
• Cilantro, diced
• Chickpea/gram flour (besan)
• Rice flour or sooji/semolina (optional)
• Spices: salt, red chili powder, turmeric powder, carom seeds, coriander powder, cumin powder, raw mango powder, hing, and chaat masala (as per taste)
• Lemon juice
• Oil
• Water

Instructions:

• Prepare the batter by mixing the chickpea/gram flour, rice flour (if using), spices, and salt in a large bowl.
• Add the onions, garlic, chilies, cilantro, and lemon juice to the bowl and mix well.
• Squeeze the onions with your fingers to release their moisture, and mix until a clumpy dough forms.
• Gradually add water until the batter is thick and sticky, coating all the ingredients.
• Add a teaspoon of oil to the batter to make the pakoras softer inside.
• Preheat the air fryer to 350-375°F (175-190°C).
• Grease the air fryer basket with oil or line it with parchment paper.
• Spoon the batter into the basket, forming small pakora shapes and leaving space between each one to ensure even cooking.
• Lightly spray or brush the tops of the pakoras with oil.
• Cook for 8-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until golden brown and crispy.
• Transfer the cooked pakoras to a plate lined with paper towels to absorb excess oil.
• Sprinkle with chaat masala and serve hot with mint cilantro chutney, ketchup, or any dip of your choice.

Enjoy your crispy and flavorful air-fried pakoras!

Pakora batter ingredients

The batter for pakoras is what gives them their unique texture and taste. The ingredients used in the batter play a crucial role in achieving the desired crispiness and flavour. Here is a detailed guide to the essential ingredients for making the perfect pakora batter:

Gram Flour (Besan):

Gram flour, also known as besan, is the star ingredient in pakora batter. It is a type of chickpea flour that gives the pakoras their distinct flavour, colour, and crisp texture. Gram flour has a higher protein content than other flours, which contributes to the crunchiness of the fried pakoras.

Vegetables:

The choice of vegetables is essential for a tasty pakora batter. Onions, potatoes, cauliflower, carrots, and broccoli are popular options. These vegetables provide a hearty texture and allow the batter to bind together. It is important to cut the vegetables into small, evenly sized pieces to ensure consistent cooking.

Spices and Seasonings:

Spices and seasonings are what give pakoras their signature flavour. Common spices used in pakora batter include chilli powder, turmeric, garam masala, cumin, and carom seeds. Ginger, garlic, and green chillies are also added to enhance the flavour and provide a spicy kick. Adjust the amount of spices to your preference.

Water:

Water is added to the batter to achieve the right consistency. It is important not to make the batter too runny, as this will affect the crispiness of the pakoras. The water should be added gradually until the batter is thick and coats the vegetables nicely. The moisture from the vegetables themselves can also contribute to the batter's consistency.

Oil:

Oil is an important component of pakora batter, as it helps to bind the ingredients together and ensures that the pakoras don't stick to the air fryer basket. A small amount of oil is added to the batter itself, and the basket is also lightly coated with oil before adding the batter.

Optional Ingredients:

Some optional ingredients can be added to the pakora batter to enhance the flavour and texture. These include rice flour, corn starch, baking powder, raw mango powder, and ajwain (carom seeds). You can also experiment with different types of vegetables and spices to create your own unique blend.

Air fryer temperature and timing

The temperature and timing for cooking pakoras in an air fryer depend on the type of pakora being cooked, the desired texture, and the size of the air fryer basket.

For crispy pakoras, a higher temperature of 400°F (200°C) is recommended. Cooking at a lower temperature will result in harder and drier pakoras. An air fryer should be preheated for 5 minutes before cooking pakoras. Pakoras can be cooked directly in the air fryer basket or in baking moulds. When cooking directly in the air fryer basket, the basket should be sprayed with cooking spray or lined with parchment paper. The batter should be spooned into the basket, leaving a space of about 0.5-1 inch between each pakora. The pakoras should be cooked for 15-18 minutes at 400°F (200°C) until browned and crispy.

When using baking moulds, the moulds should be greased and filled about halfway with batter. The filled moulds are then placed in the air fryer and cooked at 180°C (360°F) for 3-5 minutes until golden brown on top. The pakoras are then unmoulded and placed directly in the air fryer basket to cook for an additional 2-4 minutes until golden brown on both sides. The total cooking time will depend on the size of the baking moulds, with smaller moulds requiring less time.

For frozen pakoras, the cooking time is reduced to 8 minutes at 180°C (360°F).

How to store and reheat pakora

If you're looking to store and reheat pakoras, there are a few things to keep in mind. Firstly, it is possible to freeze pakoras, but some people have reported that reheating them after freezing can make them soggy, especially if they contain mushrooms or chicken. However, others have had success with freezing and reheating vegetable pakoras, so it may be worth experimenting with different types of pakoras to see what works best for you.

When freezing pakoras, make sure they are cooled completely before storing them in airtight containers or freezer bags. They can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.

To reheat pakoras, you can use an oven, air fryer, microwave, or hob. Here are some specific instructions for each method:

Oven or Air Fryer: Preheat your oven to 190 degrees Celsius or 180 degrees Celsius for an air fryer. Place the pakoras on an oven-safe tray and heat for 4-5 minutes, turning halfway through.

Microwave: Remove the pakoras from their packaging and place them in the microwave. Heat on high for around 30 seconds in an 800W microwave. However, microwaving is not recommended as it can make the pastry soggy.

Hob: Heat a non-stick flat frying pan on medium heat. Place the pakora on the pan and heat for about 20 seconds on each side.

It is also possible to keep pakoras warm and crispy before serving by wrapping them in aluminium foil and placing them in a warm oven at around 140-150 degrees Celsius for 20 minutes to an hour. This method can be used for both freshly made and frozen pakoras.

Health benefits of air-fried pakora

Air fryers are a great way to cook pakoras, offering a healthier alternative to deep-frying without compromising on taste and texture.

Deep-fried foods are associated with a higher risk of obesity, type 2 diabetes, and cardiovascular disease. By using an air fryer, you can significantly reduce the amount of fat and calories in your pakoras, making them a healthier option. Air fryers work by circulating hot air around the food, creating a crispy exterior and tender interior, similar to deep-fried pakoras, but with minimal oil. This cooking method can also reduce the formation of harmful compounds like acrylamide, which is linked to an increased risk of cancer.

Air-fried pakoras are also a safer option as there is no risk of spilling or accidentally touching hot oil, which can cause burns. The non-stick linings in air fryers allow for easier cleaning and enable you to use less oil. However, it's important to use silicone utensils with non-stick surfaces and follow temperature guidelines to avoid potential toxic fumes.

While air-frying fish has been shown to increase cholesterol oxidation products (COPs), which can negatively affect cholesterol levels, air-fried pakoras made with vegetables like potatoes, onions, and cauliflower can be a healthier choice. The high temperature of air fryers can also be a concern, as it may produce polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs), which are carcinogenic fumes. However, the reduced amount of oil used in air fryers mitigates this risk compared to traditional frying methods.

Overall, air-fried pakoras offer a healthier alternative to deep-fried ones, providing the same great taste and texture with reduced fat and calories, making them a better option for managing weight and lowering the risk of obesity-related health issues.

Frequently asked questions