Air-Fryer Pakora: Quick, Easy, And Delicious!

Pakora is a traditional Indian and Pakistani snack, or fritter, made with chickpea flour and vegetables. It is usually deep-fried, but an air fryer can be used to make a healthier version of the dish. The air-fried version has a similar taste and texture to the deep-fried pakora, but with fewer calories and less fat.

Choosing your ingredients

Choosing the right ingredients is key to making delicious pakora in an air fryer. Here are some tips to help you select the best ingredients for this tasty Indian snack:

Vegetables

Pakora is a versatile snack, and you can use a variety of vegetables as the base. Commonly used vegetables include onions, potatoes, cauliflower, spinach, cabbage, and cilantro. You can also experiment with other vegetables like carrots, peas, or green beans. If you're making onion pakora, you can add both sliced and chopped onions to your batter. Sliced onions will give your pakora that signature crispness, while chopped onions add bulk. Just remember to slice or chop your vegetables into small or thin pieces to ensure even cooking.

Flour

The type of flour you use will determine the texture of your pakora. Chickpea flour (also known as besan) is the traditional choice and is a must-have ingredient. It gives the pakora its distinctive flavour and colour. Additionally, you can add rice flour to your besan to make the pakora crispier. A good ratio to start with is 1¼ cups of besan to 3 tablespoons of rice flour. If you don't have rice flour, cornstarch can be used as a substitute.

Spices

Spices are essential to adding flavour and aroma to your pakora. Common spices used include red chilli powder or paprika, coriander powder, turmeric, cumin, curry powder, and garam masala. You can also add a pinch of hing (asafoetida) for flavour enhancement. If you like your pakora spicy, feel free to adjust the amount of chilli powder or add green chillies to your batter. Don't be afraid to experiment with different combinations of spices to find your perfect blend.

Oil

While the traditional method of deep-frying pakora requires a significant amount of oil, air frying uses minimal oil. Choose a heart-healthy oil with a high smoke point, such as corn oil or avocado oil. You'll need a small amount of oil for your batter—about 1-2 tablespoons—and additional oil for greasing your air fryer basket or tray. You can use cooking spray or brush the surface with oil to ensure even coverage.

Other Ingredients

In addition to the core ingredients mentioned above, you'll need water to adjust the consistency of your batter. Start by adding a small amount of water, a tablespoon at a time, until you achieve a thick but not watery batter. You can also add a pinch of baking soda to make your pakora fluffier. Some recipes also suggest adding a few drops of lemon juice, which reacts with the baking soda to make the pakora softer. Lastly, if you want to make your pakora extra special, you can add nuts like peanuts or cashews to the batter.

Making the batter

Firstly, gather your ingredients. You will need chickpea flour (also known as besan), rice flour, and an array of spices such as chilli powder, turmeric, coriander powder, and salt. You may also add a pinch of baking soda to make the pakoras softer and fluffier. For an onion pakora, you will need one medium onion, both sliced and chopped, and some coriander or cilantro leaves. For a more authentic experience, add some green chillies to the mix.

Now, it's time to make the batter. In a bowl, combine the chickpea flour, spices, and baking soda. If you're making onion pakoras, add the onions and coriander/cilantro leaves to the bowl as well. Gradually add water and stir until a thick batter forms. The batter should not be too thin or watery; it should be thick enough to coat the vegetables. Let the batter sit for at least 10 minutes, or up to 15 minutes if you have the time. This allows the flavours to meld and the baking soda to work its magic.

If the batter seems too thick or dry, you can add a splash of water to loosen it. On the other hand, if it's too thin or watery, simply add a few teaspoons of chickpea flour to adjust the consistency. The ideal batter should be thick and sticky, but still wet.

And that's it! You've made the perfect pakora batter for your air fryer. Now, you can move on to the next step of preparing your air fryer and cooking your delicious, crispy pakoras.

Adding vegetables

Pakoras are a popular Indian and Pakistani snack, traditionally deep-fried, but can be made healthier in an air fryer.

There are many types of pakoras depending on the vegetables used. Here are some options:

• Onion pakoras (using red or white onions) are the most popular.
• Potato pakoras (aloo pakora)
• Spinach pakoras (palak pakora)
• Green chilli pakoras (mirch pakora)
• Cabbage pakoras
• Cauliflower pakoras (gobi pakora)

You can also add other vegetables like carrots, peas, or beans. Pakoras are usually made with a combination of vegetables.

If you are using root vegetables like potatoes, make sure they are finely sliced or diced so that they cook through.

For onion pakoras, you can add both sliced and chopped onions. The sliced onion gives the characteristic crispness to the pakoras, while the chopped onion adds bulk.

Making the batter

To make the batter, combine chickpea or red lentil flour, onion, spices, and a pinch of baking soda. You can also add a few tablespoons of rice flour to make the pakoras crispier. Stir until a thick batter forms, then let it sit for 10-15 minutes.

Cooking the pakoras

Preheat your air fryer to between 340-360°F (170-180°C).

If you are using baking molds, grease them with oil spray and pour the batter into the molds, filling them about halfway. Place the molds in the air fryer and cook for 3-5 minutes, until golden brown. Then remove the molds from the air fryer, take the pakoras out of the molds, and place them directly on the air fryer basket/tray. Cook for another 2-4 minutes, until golden brown on both sides.

If you are not using molds, line the air fryer basket with a baking sheet with holes or a steamer sheet. Scoop spoonfuls of the batter onto the sheet and spray with oil. Cook for 8-10 minutes, then place the pakoras directly on the air fryer basket without the baking sheet. Spray with oil and cook for another 5 minutes, or until cooked through.

Frying the pakora

Firstly, preheat your air fryer. Most recipes suggest a temperature of around 350-360F, but this can vary depending on your air fryer model. Preheat for 5-10 minutes.

Next, you will need to prepare your air fryer basket or tray. Some recipes suggest lining the basket with perforated paper liners, muffin liners, or parchment paper with holes poked in it. This is to prevent the batter from sticking to the basket. Alternatively, you can line the basket with aluminium foil and grease it with cooking oil spray.

Now, it's time to add the pakora batter. Most recipes recommend using a spoon or scoop to drop the batter into the basket or onto the tray. Leave some space between each pakora, as they will expand while cooking. You can also use mini baking moulds for more consistent results. Spray the tops of the pakoras with oil, which will help them crisp up.

Close the air fryer and cook the pakoras for 8-10 minutes. Then, open the air fryer and turn the pakoras over. You can also remove the foil or moulds at this point and place the pakoras directly on the air fryer basket or tray. Cook for another 2-5 minutes, until the pakoras are golden brown and crispy.

Once the pakoras are cooked to your liking, remove them from the air fryer and serve hot with chutney or ketchup. Enjoy!

Serving suggestions

Pakoras are a popular Indian and Pakistani snack, often enjoyed with a cup of chai. They are traditionally deep-fried, but the air-fried version is a healthier alternative. Here are some serving suggestions for your air-fried pakoras:

Chutneys and Dips

The most common way to serve pakoras is with chutney. You can serve them with coriander chutney, tamarind chutney, mint chutney, or cilantro chutney. These chutneys provide a refreshing and flavourful contrast to the crispy pakoras. You can also serve them with a yoghurt dipping sauce or ketchup on the side.

Drinks

As mentioned, pakoras go well with chai, but you can also serve them with other drinks such as masala chai or a cup of hot tea.

Sides

Pakoras can be served as a snack or appetiser, but they can also be part of a larger meal. Some side dishes that complement pakoras include rice, curries, and flatbreads such as paratha.

Variations

There are many variations of pakoras that you can make in your air fryer, such as onion pakoras (piyaaz pakoras), potato pakoras (aloo pakora), spinach pakoras (palak pakora), and cabbage pakoras. You can also add nuts like peanuts or cashews to your pakora batter to make them even more special.

Frequently asked questions