Air-Fried Onion Pakoda: A Tasty, Healthy Treat!

Onion pakoda is a popular Indian snack, often served with masala chai. It is traditionally deep-fried, but can also be made in an air fryer with very little oil. The ingredients typically include onions, gram flour (besan), rice flour, and spices such as turmeric, coriander, and chillies. The air-fried version is a healthier alternative, and it is also vegan and gluten-free.

How to slice the onions

Slicing the onions is a crucial step in making onion pakoda. Here is a detailed guide on how to slice the onions for this delicious Indian snack:

Start by selecting the right type of onion. Red onions are commonly used for onion pakoda, but you can also use yellow, white, or sweet onions.

Next, cut the onion in half lengthwise. Peel off the skin and the outer thin layer. It is important to ensure that the onion halves are not too thick or too thin, as this can affect the crispiness of the pakoda.

Now, thinly slice each half of the onion. You can do this using a sharp knife or a food processor with a slicing attachment. The slices should be even and consistent in thickness. Transfer the sliced onions to a large mixing bowl.

At this point, you can also add other ingredients to the onions, such as chopped green chilies, ginger, garlic, cilantro or coriander leaves, and spices like carom seeds, turmeric, red chili powder, and garam masala. These ingredients will enhance the flavor of the onion pakoda.

Once you have sliced and mixed the onions with the desired ingredients, it is important to let the mixture sit for a few minutes to allow the onions to release their moisture. This step is crucial in achieving the right consistency for the pakoda batter.

After the onions have rested, you can proceed to the next steps of mixing the batter and cooking the pakoda in the air fryer, following your chosen recipe.

How to prepare the batter

To prepare the batter for onion pakoda in an air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:

• Besan (gram flour)
• Rice flour
• Onions
• Green chillies
• Ginger
• Fresh herbs (coriander leaves and curry leaves)
• Spices and seasonings (ajwain or carom seeds, turmeric, red chilli powder, garam masala, chaat masala, asafoetida or hing)
• Oil
• Water

• Thinly slice a large red onion (about 250 grams). You can also use any other variety of onion, such as yellow, white, or sweet onion.
• Transfer the sliced onions to a large bowl.
• Add all the ingredients except rice flour, besan, and oil to the bowl with the onions. This includes green chillies, ginger, fresh herbs, and spices.
• Gently massage the onions with your hands. This helps in releasing moisture from the onions.
• Cover the bowl and let it sit for about 10 minutes. This allows the onions to release more moisture.
• After 10 minutes, add besan and rice flour to the bowl.
• Mix well until you have a stiff and not soggy mixture. The moisture from the onions should be enough to form a dough. If needed, you can add a little extra besan (1-2 tablespoons).
• Add ½ tablespoon of hot oil to the mixture. This helps keep the pakodas soft from the inside.
• The batter for onion pakoda is now ready!

Note: It is important not to make the batter too runny or watery. The moisture from the onions and a small amount of water (if needed) should be enough to form a thick batter.

How to cook the pakoras in the air fryer

Ingredients

• 1 large red onion
• 1/4 cup gram flour (besan)
• 1 tablespoon rice flour
• 1/2 teaspoon green chilli, minced
• 1 teaspoon garlic, grated
• 1 teaspoon Kashmiri red chilli powder
• 1 teaspoon carom seeds
• 1/4 teaspoon ground turmeric
• 1/2 tablespoon oil, heated
• Salt, to taste

Method

• Cut the onion in half and peel off the skin and outer thin layer. Thinly slice each half of the onion.
• In a medium bowl, add the onion, cilantro, and salt. Massage with your hands or a silicone spatula to release the moisture.
• Add the gram flour, rice flour, green chilli, garlic, red chilli powder, turmeric, and carom seeds. Mix well to form a thick mixture. Add the hot oil and give it a quick mix.
• Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Divide the mixture into 9 or 10 equal parts. Pick up each part and press down with your fingers to form a small patty.
• Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking spray. Place the pakoras in the basket, leaving some space between each one for airflow.
• Air fry at 350 degrees Fahrenheit for 10 minutes. Open the air fryer and lightly spray oil on top. Cook for an additional 2 minutes or until they turn golden brown with crispy edges.
• Serve the pakoras hot out of the air fryer with dipping sauces like spicy green chutney or ketchup.

Tips

• 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 don't have it, you can add half a teaspoon of baking powder instead.
• Adjust the amount of chilli to your taste preference.
• If you don't have an air fryer, you can bake the pakoras in the oven or deep-fry them in oil.

How to store and reheat the pakoras

Storing and reheating onion pakoras is a simple process. If you're serving them within an hour, place the wire rack into a warm oven (95°C/200°F) until you're ready. Otherwise, cover and store them at room temperature.

To reheat, put the pakoras back in the air fryer at 175°C/350°F for around 10 minutes, or until heated through. Alternatively, you can bake them in the oven at the same temperature.

Variations of pakoras you can make

Pakoras are a popular snack and street food from the Indian subcontinent, and there are many variations to the traditional recipe. Here are some ideas for different types of pakoras you can make:

• Onion Pakoda/Bhajis: This is a popular variation of pakoras made with onions as the star ingredient. You can also add other ingredients like potatoes, green chillies, coriander leaves, and cabbage.
• Vegetable Pakora: You can make pakoras with a variety of vegetables, including onions, potatoes, cabbage, spinach, cauliflower, carrots, French beans, bell peppers, and more. You can also add leafy greens like spinach, fenugreek, or amaranth leaves.
• Rice Flour Pakora: Using rice flour instead of gram flour gives the pakoras a great crunch and helps reduce oil absorption. This variation is commonly used in South India.
• Bread Pakora: This variation involves using bread as the base and dipping it in the batter before frying.
• Chicken Pakora: For a non-vegetarian option, you can add chicken to the pakora batter.
• Chickpea Flour Pakora: While gram flour is traditionally used, you can also experiment with using chickpea flour. This will give the pakoras a different flavour and texture.
• Spicy Pakora: If you like your food hot, you can increase the amount of spices like red chilli powder, cayenne, or green chillies in the batter.
• Herb Pakora: Experiment with different herbs like coriander leaves, mint leaves, or curry leaves to add aroma and flavour to your pakoras.
• Gluten-Free Pakora: To make gluten-free pakoras, simply replace the gram flour with rice flour, cornstarch, or another gluten-free alternative.
• Baked Pakora: Instead of frying, you can also bake your pakoras in the oven at around 400 F for 15-20 minutes.

These are just a few ideas, but the possibilities are endless! Feel free to experiment with different ingredients and spices to create your own unique variations of pakoras.

Frequently asked questions