Air Fryer Onion Bhaji (Printable)

Golden, spiced onion fritters made crisp and flavorful with aromatic Indian seasonings and air frying.

# What You Need:

→ Vegetables

01 - 2 large onions, thinly sliced
02 - 2 green chilies, finely chopped (optional)
03 - 2 tablespoons fresh cilantro, chopped

→ Dry Ingredients

04 - 1 cup gram flour (besan/chickpea flour)
05 - 2 tablespoons rice flour
06 - 1 teaspoon ground cumin
07 - 1 teaspoon ground coriander
08 - 1/2 teaspoon turmeric
09 - 1/2 teaspoon chili powder
10 - 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
11 - 3/4 teaspoon salt
12 - 1/4 teaspoon black pepper

→ Wet Ingredients

13 - 2-3 tablespoons water, as needed
14 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice

→ To Finish

15 - Cooking spray oil (canola or sunflower)

# How-To:

01 - Place the sliced onions, green chilies, and cilantro in a large mixing bowl.
02 - Add gram flour, rice flour, cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili powder, baking powder, salt, and black pepper to the bowl. Toss everything together so the onions are well coated in the flour and spices.
03 - Add lemon juice and 2 tablespoons of water. Mix with your hands to form a thick batter that just holds together. Add more water, a teaspoon at a time, only if needed.
04 - Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (180°C) for 3 minutes.
05 - Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil.
06 - Scoop heaped tablespoons of the mixture and shape gently into rough patties or clumps. Arrange in the basket in a single layer, without overcrowding.
07 - Lightly spray the tops with oil. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, turning once and spraying again, until golden and crisp.
08 - Serve hot with chutney or yogurt dip.

# Expert Hacks:

01 -
  • A healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried onion fritters.
  • Simple to prepare in just 30 minutes using basic pantry staples.
  • Naturally vegan and gluten-free, making it a crowd-pleasing snack.
  • Features a perfectly spiced, aromatic flavor profile with a satisfying crunch.
02 -
  • Slice the onions very thinly to maximize the surface area for a crispier result.
  • Be cautious when adding water; the batter should be thick enough to just coat the onions without being runny.
  • Ensure you check spice and flour labels to maintain the gluten-free nature of the dish if necessary.
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