Olivia Carter
Looking to make an Indian classic in a healthier way? Then you have come to the right place! In this article, we will show you how to make delicious and crispy onion bhajis using an air fryer.
Onion bhajis, also known as pakoras, are a popular Indian snack made with a batter of onion, gram flour, and spices. Traditionally, these deep-fried fritters can be quite greasy, but by using an air fryer, you can achieve the same crispy texture with a fraction of the oil.
Preparing onion bhajis in an air fryer is quick, easy, and requires minimal ingredients. The air fryer uses hot air circulation to cook the bhajis, resulting in a crispy exterior and a soft, flavorful interior. So, let’s get started and learn how to make these delicious onion bhajis in an air fryer!
The Basics of Onion Bhajis
Onion bhajis are a popular Indian snack or appetizer that are made with a crispy, flavorful batter and deep-fried until golden brown. They are typically made with a mixture of onions, gram flour, and a variety of spices, making them deliciously aromatic and full of flavor.
Ingredients
To make onion bhajis, you will need:
– 2 onions, thinly sliced
– 1 cup gram flour (chickpea flour)
– 1 teaspoon ground cumin
– 1 teaspoon ground coriander
– 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
– 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (adjust according to your spice preference)
– 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
– Salt to taste
– Water (as needed)
– Oil for frying
Instructions
1. In a large bowl, combine the sliced onions, gram flour, ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric powder, red chili powder, baking powder, and salt.
2. Gradually add water to the mixture, stirring continuously, until you have a thick and smooth batter. The consistency should be similar to a pancake batter.
3. Heat oil in a deep pan or an air fryer to about 180°C (350°F).
4. Take small portions of the batter using your hands or a spoon and drop them gently into the hot oil. Be careful not to overcrowd the pan or fryer.
5. Fry the onion bhajis for about 5-6 minutes, or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Flip them over halfway through the frying process to ensure even cooking.
6. Once cooked, remove the bhajis from the oil using a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.
7. Serve the onion bhajis hot with mint chutney, tamarind chutney, or ketchup.
Enjoy these crispy and delicious onion bhajis as a snack, appetizer, or as a side dish with your favorite Indian meal!
Step-by-Step Tutorial
Follow these simple steps to make delicious onion bhajis in your air fryer:
Step 1: Prepare the Ingredients
Gather all the necessary ingredients for the onion bhajis. You will need:
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 1 cup gram flour (besan)
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 1 teaspoon coriander powder
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon red chili powder (optional)
- Salt to taste
- Water, as needed
- Oil, for greasing the air fryer basket
Step 2: Make the Bhaji Batter
In a mixing bowl, combine the gram flour, cumin seeds, coriander powder, turmeric powder, red chili powder (if using), and salt. Mix well.
Add water gradually to the dry ingredients and mix until you have a smooth batter. Make sure the batter is not too thick or too thin.
Step 3: Add the Onions
Add the thinly sliced onions to the batter and mix them well, ensuring that all the onion slices are coated with the batter.
Step 4: Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (356°F) for about 5 minutes.
Step 5: Shape and Cook the Bhajis
Grease the air fryer basket with a little oil to prevent the bhajis from sticking. Take small portions of the onion and batter mixture and shape them into small round flat discs, about 2 inches in diameter.
Place the shaped bhajis in a single layer in the preheated air fryer basket. You may need to do this in batches depending on the size of your air fryer.
Cook the bhajis in the air fryer at 180°C (356°F) for 10-12 minutes, flipping them halfway through the cooking process to ensure even browning.
Step 6: Serve and Enjoy
Once the bhajis are evenly browned and crispy, remove them from the air fryer and serve hot. They can be enjoyed on their own as a tasty snack or served with chutney or sauce of your choice.
Now that you know how to make onion bhajis in an air fryer, you can easily enjoy this popular Indian appetizer without the need for deep frying. Happy cooking!
Preparing the Ingredients
Before you start making onion bhajis in an air fryer, make sure you have all the necessary ingredients ready.
Here’s what you’ll need:
- Onions: You’ll need to finely slice 2 onions. They should be thin enough to cook through in the air fryer.
- Gram flour: Take 1 cup of gram flour (besan) in a bowl. This is the key ingredient that binds the onion bhajis together.
- Spices: Add 1 teaspoon of ground cumin, 1 teaspoon of ground coriander, 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder, and a pinch of chili powder to the gram flour. These spices will give the bhajis their delicious flavor.
- Herbs: Chop a handful of fresh coriander leaves and add them to the gram flour mixture. This will add a fresh and aromatic taste to the bhajis.
- Water: Gradually add water to the gram flour mixture and whisk until you get a smooth batter. The batter should have a thick consistency but still be pourable.
- Salt: Season the batter with salt to taste.
Once you have all the ingredients ready, you can move on to the next step of making the onion bhajis in the air fryer.
Making the Batter
To make the batter for onion bhajis in the air fryer, you will need the following ingredients:
Ingredients:
| 1 cup chickpea flour | 1 teaspoon ground cumin | 1 teaspoon ground coriander |
| 1/2 teaspoon turmeric | 1/2 teaspoon chili powder | 1/2 teaspoon salt |
| 1/2 cup chopped onion | 1/4 cup chopped fresh cilantro | 1/4 cup water, or as needed |
In a large mixing bowl, combine the chickpea flour, ground cumin, ground coriander, turmeric, chili powder, and salt. Mix well to ensure that the spices are evenly distributed throughout the flour.
Add the chopped onion and fresh cilantro to the flour mixture, and mix until they are well-coated with the flour.
Gradually add water to the mixture, stirring continuously, until a thick batter forms. The batter should be thick enough to coat the onions, but still pourable. Add more water if needed.
Once the batter is ready, let it rest for about 10 minutes. This will allow the flavors to meld together and the batter to thicken slightly.
While the batter is resting, preheat your air fryer to 180°C (360°F).
After the resting time, give the batter a final stir before using it to coat the onion slices.
Continue with the remaining steps of the recipe to complete your delicious onion bhajis in the air fryer.
Cooking in the Air Fryer
Using an air fryer is a great way to cook food quickly and easily, while still enjoying the crispiness and delicious flavors that come with deep frying. Here are some tips for cooking in an air fryer:
1. Preheat the air fryer: Just like with an oven, it’s important to preheat your air fryer before cooking. This will ensure that your food cooks evenly and is crispy on the outside.
2. Use less oil: One of the advantages of using an air fryer is that you can use significantly less oil compared to traditional deep frying. Instead of submerging your food in oil, simply brush or spray a small amount of oil on the food or the air fryer basket.
3. Flip the food: To ensure even cooking, it’s a good idea to flip your food halfway through the cooking process. This will help both sides of the food to get crispy and browned.
4. Don’t overcrowd the basket: It’s important not to overcrowd the air fryer basket, as this can prevent the hot air from circulating properly. Leave enough space between the pieces of food to allow for proper air circulation.
5. Use parchment paper or aluminum foil: If you’re cooking something that tends to stick, like breaded items or delicate fish, you can line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or aluminum foil. This will prevent the food from sticking and make cleanup easier.
6. Adjust cooking time and temperature: Each air fryer is different, so it may take some trial and error to find the perfect cooking time and temperature for your specific model. Start with the recommended settings in your recipe and adjust as needed.
With these tips in mind, you can enjoy delicious and crispy foods cooked in the air fryer. From onion bhajis to french fries, the possibilities are endless!
Tips and Tricks
Here are some tips and tricks to help you make the perfect onion bhajis in an air fryer:
1. Use the Right Type of Onion
For the best results, use yellow onions or red onions. These onions are sweeter and have a milder flavor compared to white onions, making them perfect for bhajis.
2. Slice the Onions Thinly
Thinly slice the onions to ensure they cook evenly and become crispy in the air fryer. You can use a mandoline slicer or a sharp knife to achieve thin slices.
3. Preheat the Air Fryer
Preheating the air fryer helps to ensure even and consistent cooking of the bhajis. Set the air fryer to the recommended temperature and allow it to preheat fully before adding the bhajis.
4. Coat the Bhajis with Flour Mixture
Coat the sliced onions with a mixture of chickpea flour, rice flour, and spices before air frying. This helps to create a crispy outer layer on the bhajis.
5. Shake the Basket
Shake the air fryer basket once or twice during cooking to ensure that the onion bhajis cook evenly. This helps to prevent any clumping or sticking together.
6. Cook in Batches
Avoid overcrowding the air fryer basket. Cook the bhajis in small batches to ensure they cook properly and become crispy.
7. Serve Immediately
Onion bhajis are best served immediately after cooking while they are still crispy. Serve with your favorite dipping sauce or chutney.
Follow these tips and tricks to make delicious onion bhajis in the air fryer every time!
FAQ
What is an air fryer?
An air fryer is a type of kitchen appliance that uses hot air circulation to cook food, giving it a crispy texture similar to deep frying but with less oil.
Can I make onion bhajis in an air fryer?
Yes, you can make onion bhajis in an air fryer. It is a healthier alternative to deep frying as it requires less oil.
