Air Fryer Onion Bhaji (Printer View)

Golden onion fritters balanced with Indian spices, cooked using an air frying method for crispiness.

# Components:

→ 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 fresh lemon juice

→ To Finish

15 - Cooking spray oil (canola or sunflower)

# Method:

01 - Place sliced onions, green chilies, and fresh 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.
03 - Toss all ingredients together ensuring onions are evenly coated with flour and spices.
04 - Add lemon juice and 2 tablespoons water, then mix with your hands to form a thick batter that holds together. Add additional water one teaspoon at a time if needed.
05 - Set air fryer to 350°F (180°C) and preheat for 3 minutes.
06 - Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil.
07 - Scoop heaped tablespoons of batter mixture and gently shape into rough patties or clumps. Arrange in air fryer basket in a single layer without overcrowding.
08 - Lightly spray tops with oil, then air fry for 12-15 minutes, turning once halfway through and spraying again, until golden and crisp.
09 - Transfer to serving plate and serve hot with mint chutney, tamarind sauce, or yogurt dip.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • They're ready in under 30 minutes with zero deep-frying mess or lingering oil smell in your kitchen.
  • The air fryer makes them impossibly crispy outside while keeping the onions tender, and you'll use way less oil than traditional methods.
  • Vegan and gluten-free without tasting like you compromised on flavor or texture, which honestly feels like magic.
02 -
  • Don't overload the air fryer basket; they need space around them to crisp properly, so make two batches if you have to instead of stacking them.
  • The mixture seems dry at first, but that's correct; once you start cooking, the onions release moisture that creates steam, and that's what keeps the inside tender while the outside crisps.
03 -
  • Don't add all the water at once; onions release liquid as you mix, and a slightly drier batter crisps up better than one that's too wet.
  • Turn the bhaji only once during cooking; too much flipping breaks them apart and prevents them from crisping evenly on both sides.
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