If you are a fan of Indian cuisine, then you must have tried onion bhajis at least once in your life. These crispy, golden-brown fritters are made from a mixture of onions, spices, and gram flour. Traditionally, they are deep-fried in oil, which gives them a rich and indulgent taste. However, if you want a healthier alternative, you can try making onion bhajis in an air fryer.
Many people wonder how long it takes to cook onion bhajis in an air fryer. The cooking time may vary depending on the size and thickness of the bhajis, as well as the brand and model of your air fryer. However, on average, onion bhajis take about 10-12 minutes to cook in an air fryer.
When cooking onion bhajis in an air fryer, it is important to preheat the appliance. This helps to ensure that the bhajis cook evenly and become crispy. Set the temperature of your air fryer to 180°C and allow it to preheat for a few minutes.
Once the air fryer is preheated, you can place the onion bhajis in the basket. Make sure to leave some space between the bhajis to allow for proper air circulation. Cook the bhajis for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking time to ensure even browning. When the bhajis are golden brown and crispy, they are ready to be served.
Now that you know how long it takes to cook onion bhajis in an air fryer, you can enjoy this delicious and popular Indian snack without the guilt of deep frying. Serve them with some mint chutney or tamarind sauce and enjoy the crispy, flavorful goodness of onion bhajis.
Preparation of Onion Bhajis
Onion bhajis are a delicious Indian snack that can be made easily in an air fryer. Here is a step-by-step guide on how to prepare onion bhajis:
1. Peel and slice the onions finely. You can use either red or white onions, depending on your preference.
2. In a large bowl, combine the sliced onions with chickpea flour, rice flour, turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, chili powder, salt, and baking powder. Mix well to coat the onions evenly.
3. Gradually add water to the mixture, stirring continuously, until you get a thick batter-like consistency. The batter should be able to coat the onions well, but not too runny.
4. Let the batter rest for 10-15 minutes to allow the flavors to meld together.
5. Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer to 180°C (356°F).
6. Once the batter has rested, give it a quick stir and drop spoonfuls of the batter into the air fryer basket. You can use an ice cream scoop or a spoon to portion out the batter.
7. Lightly spray the bhajis with oil to help them crisp up in the air fryer.
8. Cook the onion bhajis in the air fryer for about 10-12 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and crispy. You might need to flip them halfway through cooking to ensure even browning.
9. Once cooked, remove the onion bhajis from the air fryer and drain them on a kitchen towel to remove any excess oil.
10. Serve the onion bhajis hot with mint chutney or tamarind chutney. They make for a delicious appetizer or snack.
With these simple steps, you can enjoy homemade onion bhajis that are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside, all cooked in an air fryer.
Ingredients Required for Onion Bhajis
Onion bhajis are a popular Indian snack that are crispy, flavorful, and easy to make. Here are the ingredients you will need to make delicious onion bhajis:
1. Onions
Choose 2 medium-sized onions for this recipe. They should be thinly sliced to create thin, crispy bhajis.
2. Gram Flour (Besan)
Gram flour is a key ingredient in making onion bhajis. It is a type of flour made from ground chickpeas and will help bind the ingredients together.
3. Rice Flour
To add a light and crispy texture to the bhajis, rice flour is added to the batter. It helps achieve a perfect crunch.
4. Fresh Coriander
Fresh coriander leaves add a vibrant color and a fresh, herby flavor to the bhajis. Chop the leaves finely and add them to the batter.
5. Green Chillies
Green chillies give the bhajis a spicy kick. They can be deseeded and finely chopped before adding them to the batter.
6. Spices
A combination of spices such as cumin seeds, coriander powder, turmeric powder, red chilli powder, and garam masala are added to the batter to enhance the flavor of the bhajis.
7. Baking Soda
Baking soda is used to make the bhajis fluffy and light. It helps in achieving the perfect texture.
8. Salt
Don’t forget to add salt to taste.
9. Oil
You will need oil to fry the bhajis. Any neutral oil with a high smoke point, such as vegetable oil or canola oil, can be used.
Make sure to have all these ingredients ready before you start making your onion bhajis. Once you have gathered everything, you’ll be ready to create crispy and delicious onion bhajis in your air fryer!
Steps to Prepare Onion Bhajis
Step 1: Gather all the required ingredients for making onion bhajis. You will need onions, gram flour (besan), rice flour, red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, cumin seeds, chopped coriander leaves, baking soda, salt, and water.
Step 2: Peel and slice the onions thinly. Set them aside.
Step 3: In a mixing bowl, add gram flour, rice flour, red chili powder, turmeric powder, garam masala, cumin seeds, chopped coriander leaves, baking soda, and salt. Mix well.
Step 4: Gradually add water to the dry mixture and whisk until you get a smooth batter of pouring consistency. Make sure there are no lumps in the batter.
Step 5: Add the sliced onions to the batter and mix well, ensuring that all the onion slices are coated evenly.
Step 6: Preheat the air fryer at 180 degrees Celsius for 5 minutes.
Step 7: Grease the air fryer basket with oil or use a parchment paper to prevent sticking.
Step 8: Scoop a spoonful of the prepared onion bhaji batter and drop it in the air fryer basket. Repeat until the basket is filled, leaving some space between each bhaji.
Step 9: Cook the onion bhajis in the air fryer at 180 degrees Celsius for about 10-12 minutes, or until they turn crispy and golden brown.
Step 10: Once cooked, remove the onion bhajis from the air fryer and place them on a paper towel to absorb any excess oil.
Step 11: Serve the onion bhajis hot with your favorite chutney or sauce.
Note: You can adjust the cooking time in the air fryer according to your desired crispiness.
Cooking Onion Bhajis in Air Fryer
Onion bhajis are a delicious Indian snack that can be enjoyed as an appetizer or with a main meal. Traditionally, they are deep-fried to achieve a crispy texture. However, using an air fryer is a healthier alternative that still yields a similar result.
To cook onion bhajis in an air fryer, follow these simple steps:
- Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (355°F).
- In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup of chickpea flour, 1/2 teaspoon of ground cumin, 1/2 teaspoon of ground coriander, 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric, 1/2 teaspoon of chili powder, and a pinch of salt.
- Add 1 finely chopped onion and 2 tablespoons of chopped fresh coriander to the flour mixture.
- Slowly pour in water, a little at a time, to form a thick batter. The amount of water needed may vary, so add it gradually until the desired consistency is achieved.
- Allow the batter to rest for 10-15 minutes.
- Meanwhile, preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes.
- Once the batter has rested, lightly grease the air fryer basket with cooking spray.
- Spoon small portions of the batter onto the greased basket, leaving some space between each bhaji.
- Place the basket in the air fryer and cook for 10-12 minutes, flipping the bhajis halfway through the cooking time.
- After the cooking time is up, check the bhajis for crispness. If desired, cook for an additional 1-2 minutes.
- Once cooked to your liking, remove the onion bhajis from the air fryer and serve hot with chutney or a yogurt dip.
Using an air fryer allows you to enjoy the deliciousness of onion bhajis with less oil and a healthier cooking method. Experiment with different spices and seasonings to customize the flavor to your liking. Get creative and enjoy this crispy and flavorful Indian snack!
Preheating the Air Fryer
Before you start cooking your onion bhajis in the air fryer, it is important to preheat the appliance. Preheating ensures that the air fryer reaches the ideal temperature for cooking and helps to achieve a crispy and golden exterior on the bhajis.
To preheat the air fryer, follow these simple steps:
- Place the air fryer on a clean and stable countertop.
- Plug in the air fryer and set the temperature to the recommended cooking temperature for onion bhajis, usually around 180°C or 350°F.
- Set the cooking time for preheating, usually 2-3 minutes.
- Press the start button to begin preheating.
- Wait for the air fryer to reach the desired temperature before adding the onion bhajis.
Preheating the air fryer ensures that the bhajis cook evenly and allows for a better texture and taste. It also reduces the overall cooking time, as the air fryer is already hot and ready to go.
Cooking Time and Temperature for Onion Bhajis in Air Fryer
When it comes to cooking onion bhajis in an air fryer, getting the right cooking time and temperature is crucial to achieve crispy and delicious results. Here are some guidelines to help you get the best outcome:
1. Preparing the Air Fryer:
Before you start cooking the onion bhajis, it’s important to preheat the air fryer. This helps to ensure even cooking and a crispy texture. Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (356°F) for about 5 minutes.
2. Cooking Time:
The cooking time for onion bhajis in an air fryer can vary depending on the size of the bhajis and the brand of air fryer you are using. In general, it takes about 10-15 minutes to cook onion bhajis in an air fryer. However, it’s recommended to check on them after 8 minutes and adjust the cooking time accordingly to avoid overcooking.
3. Cooking Temperature:
The recommended cooking temperature for onion bhajis in an air fryer is 180°C (356°F). This temperature allows the bhajis to cook evenly and develop a crispy exterior while retaining a soft and flavorful interior.
4. Cooking in Batches:
If you are making a large batch of onion bhajis, it’s best to cook them in batches to ensure they cook evenly. Overcrowding the air fryer basket can result in uneven cooking and the bhajis may not turn out as crispy as desired.
5. Flipping the Bhajis:
To ensure even cooking and a crispy texture on all sides, it’s recommended to flip the onion bhajis halfway through the cooking time. This helps to evenly distribute the heat and achieve a uniform texture.
By following these guidelines, you can achieve perfectly cooked onion bhajis with a crispy texture and delicious flavor using an air fryer. Remember to adjust the cooking time and temperature based on your preference and the specific model of your air fryer.
Serving Onion Bhajis
Once the onion bhajis are cooked and ready, it’s time to serve them and enjoy the delicious flavors. Here are a few suggestions on how to serve them:
1. Traditional Indian Style
Serve the onion bhajis hot with some mint chutney or tamarind chutney on the side. These tangy and spicy dips complement the flavors of the bhajis perfectly. You can also serve them with a side of yogurt for a cooling effect.
2. Appetizer or Side Dish
Onion bhajis make a great appetizer or side dish for an Indian meal. Arrange them on a plate and serve with a selection of other Indian snacks like samosas, pakoras, or kebabs. Add a sprinkle of chaat masala for an extra burst of flavor.
3. Burger or Wrap Topping
If you’re feeling adventurous, you can use the onion bhajis as a topping for burgers or wraps. It adds a unique texture and taste to these dishes. Simply place a few bhajis on top of your cooked patty or wrap and enjoy the fusion of flavors.
So, next time you make onion bhajis in your air fryer, try one of these serving suggestions to take your meal to the next level. Whether you serve them traditionally, as an appetizer, or as a burger topping, these crispy and flavorful treats are sure to please your taste buds!
Accompaniments for Onion Bhajis
Onion bhajis are a popular Indian snack that can be enjoyed on their own or with a variety of accompaniments. Here are some delicious options to serve alongside your onion bhajis:
Mint Chutney
A mint chutney is a classic condiment that pairs perfectly with onion bhajis. The fresh, tangy flavor of the mint complements the deep-fried onions beautifully. To make mint chutney, blend together fresh mint leaves, coriander leaves, green chillies, garlic, lemon juice, and a pinch of salt. Serve it chilled for a refreshing accompaniment.
Tamarind Chutney
Tamarind chutney is another popular condiment that adds a sweet and tangy kick to your onion bhajis. To make tamarind chutney, soak some tamarind pulp in warm water, then strain and combine it with jaggery (or brown sugar), dry ginger powder, roasted cumin powder, red chilli powder, and a pinch of salt. Cook the mixture until it thickens, then allow it to cool before serving.
These chutneys can also be served together as a chutney duo, allowing guests to choose their favorite flavor to enjoy with their onion bhajis.
Yogurt Raita
Raita is a cooling yogurt-based dip that is often served with spicy Indian snacks. To make a simple onion raita, whisk together some plain yogurt, finely chopped onions, finely chopped coriander leaves, roasted cumin powder, black salt, and a pinch of sugar. The creamy and refreshing nature of the raita complements the crispy bhajis perfectly.
Other accompaniment options for onion bhajis include mango chutney, tomato ketchup, or a combination of all these condiments. Feel free to experiment and find your favorite combination!
Q&A
How long do onion bhajis take to cook in an air fryer?
Onion bhajis typically take about 12-15 minutes to cook in an air fryer.
What temperature should I set the air fryer to when cooking onion bhajis?
The air fryer should be preheated to 180°C (350°F) for cooking onion bhajis.