Air Fryer Onion Pakora

Discover the crispy goodness of Air Fryer Onion Pakora, a delicious Indian-style fritter, made with a few simple ingredients. The air fryer pakoras are amazing, serve with your favorite curry sauce, for an amazing side dish!

If you love Indian food, you will absolutely love these. There is nothing better than homemade pakodas. The air fryer does an amazing job at making a simple onion pakoda recipe.

If you love easy air fryer recipes, try my recipe for Air Fryer Stuffed Grape Leaves (Dolmas), Air Fryer Loaded Potato Chips, Air Fryer Salt and Vinegar Potato Chips, or Air Fryer Sweet Potato Chips.

What Is A Pakoda?

A pakoda, also known as bhaji or fritter, is a popular Indian snack where you coat veggies, meat or fish in a seasoned chickpea flour batter and deep fry till crispy. Potatoes, onions, spinach and cauliflower are common ingredients that add different flavors and textures.

The batter is spiced with cumin, turmeric and chili powder to give it extra zing. Pakodas are best enjoyed as a tea time snack or appetizer with chutneys or sauces to dip into. ​

Ingredients

• Flour: For traditional Indian Pakora, use either Gram Flour, Rice Flour, Chickpea Flour,  or Besan Flour.
• Onions: Use red onions, white onions, or yellow onions
• Seasonings and Spices: Ajwain or Carom Seeds, Hing or Asafoetida, Red Chili Powder or Laal Mirch Powder, Turmeric Powder or Haldi Powder
• Oil: Use olive oil, extra virgin olive oil, or avocado oil
• Serving: Fresh Coriander Leaves, Chopped Green Chillies, and Kosher Salt

​How To Make Onion Pakoda

Step One: Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees F for 3-5 minutes. Or use the preset button on your air fryer basket. 

​Step Two: In the meanwhile, take a bowl, add all onion pakoras ingredients, and mix well. Slowly add a tablespoon of water at a time until you get the correct consistency of the sticky batter. Add about 1 teaspoon oil to the mixture, which will help the batter crisp up. 

​Step Three: Line your preheated air fryer basket with parchment paper, spray with non-stick cooking spray, or brush with olive oil. Slowly add the pakora batter into the air fryer basket, single layer, leaving plenty of space around the batter. Set the cooking time for 10-15 minutes at 400 degrees F, and frequently check on the vegetable pakoras as they cook up. Brush with olive oil during the cooking process so they crisp up. Flip the pakoras halfway during the cooking process.  Remove when the edges of the pakoras start to crisp up and turn golden brown.

​Step Four: Serve with your favorite green chutney. 

Air Fryer Onion Pakora Recipe Tips

• Preheat the Air Fryer: Preheat the air fryer for 3-5 minutes before placing the onion pakoras in the basket.
• Don’t Overcrowd the Basket: Place the onion pakoras in a single layer in the air fryer basket without overcrowding it.
• Spray the Pakoras with Cooking Oil: Lightly spray them with cooking oil before placing the onion pakoras in the air fryer.
• Flip the Pakoras: Flip the onion pakoras halfway through the cooking time to ensure both sides become crispy and golden brown.
• Check the Pakoras Regularly: Check the onion pakoras regularly to avoid overcooking.
• Serve Fresh and Hot: Serve the onion pakoras immediately after cooking while they are still hot and crispy.

How To Store

• Storing: If you have leftover pakoras, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 3-4 days.
• Freezing: If you want to store pakoras longer, you can freeze them. To freeze pakoras, allow them to cool completely and then place them in a single layer on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper. Freeze them for 1-2 hours, or until they are completely frozen, and then transfer them to a freezer-safe container or ziplock bag. Frozen pakoras can be stored in the freezer for up to 2 months.
• Reheating: To reheat frozen pakoras, preheat the air fryer to 350°F (180°C) and cook them for 10-12 minutes or until they are heated through and crispy. You can also reheat them in the oven at 350°F (180°C) for 15-20 minutes. Make sure to reheat them until they are piping hot to ensure they are safe to eat.

Air Fryer Onion Pakora Recipe Faqs

What are onion pakoras? Onion pakoras are Indian fritters made from thinly sliced onions coated in a seasoned chickpea flour batter and deep-fried until crispy. In this recipe, they are made healthier by cooking them in an air fryer.

Can I use other vegetables in my pakoras? Absolutely! You can add other vegetables like potatoes, spinach, or cauliflower to the batter for a mixed vegetable pakora.

Do I need to soak the onions before making pakoras? No, soaking is not necessary. Simply slice the onions and mix them with the batter. The moisture from the onions will help bind the mixture together.

How can I make the pakoras crispier? For extra crispiness, ensure your air fryer is preheated before adding the pakoras. You can also lightly spray the pakoras with oil before cooking.

Can I make onion pakoras ahead of time? While they are best served fresh, you can prepare the batter and refrigerate it for a few hours before cooking. Just give the mixture a good stir before using.

How should I store leftover pakoras? Store any leftover pakoras in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat, pop them back in the air fryer for a few minutes to regain their crispiness.

What dipping sauces pair well with onion pakoras? Onion pakoras are delicious with mint chutney, tamarind chutney, or even yogurt sauce for a cooling contrast.

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