Yes - you can make crispy onion bhajis in the air fryer! You just need a couple of extra tricks to get the texture similar to the deep-fried version.
I serve them with Indian mint sauce and tamarind sauce for an Indian restaurant/takeaway style meal.
This is my answer to those sudden onion bhaji cravings when you want all the flavour without standing over a pan of hot oil. Onion bhajis are usually deep fried, but this version keeps things lighter while still hitting all the flavours and textures.
The onions soften just enough and the edges turn golden and crisp. It took a bit of testing to get that balance right in the air fryer - you don’t want them dry, you don’t want them soggy.
I serve them as a starter alongside a basket of homemade poppadoms and dips such as these poppadom dips.
To create a full Indian takeaway style meal, go for paneer jalfrezi, fluffy takeaway style pilau rice and soft and chewy garlic and coriander naan.
Finish up with mango lassi or masala chai.
Ingredients notes
Be sure to check out the full recipe and exact ingredient list below in the recipe card.
Onions - I have used white onions but you can also use red onion too.
Gram flour - aka besan flour or chickpea flour is the main ingredient for the batter.
Rice flour - a small amount of rice flour makes these onion bhajis super crispy. This is a technique I use in my Maru Bhajiya recipe (crispy potato bhajiya)
Spices - red chilli powder, turmeric powder, ground coriander, cumin seeds and garam masala
Green chilies - optional but I do recommend you use it for an authentic taste.
Ginger-garlic paste - fresh, frozen or bottled works fine.
Bi-carbonate of soda - added just before air frying
Coriander - fresh cilantro leaves finely chopped
Oil - I like to use a cooking oil spray for ease but you can use any flavourless oil.
Optional
Chaat masala or lemon juice or amchoor powder to sprinkle on top. This gives that classic Indian starter taste.
Step by Step Method
Firstly, prepare your onions.
Using a sharp knife, slice onions thinly.
In a large bowl, add the onions with coriander, chillies, red chilli powder, turmeric, ground coriander, cumin seeds, salt and garam masala.
Mix well using a spoon or your fingers.
Let the onions sit for 2-3 minutes. Then add gram flour and rice flour.
Combine the onions and flour together using a spoon or fingers.
Now add very little water (just a tablespoon each time) and make a very thick batter or paste.
The consistency should be like a thick wall paper paste rather than a pancake batter.
Add soda and combine really well with the mixture. Leave it aside.
Whislt you are preparing the baaji mixture, preheat the air fryer.
Preheat the air fryer at 171C or 340C for 3 minutes.
Spray cooking oil in the basket, then spoon the mixture using a fork. Keep the space in between and do not overcrowd the basket.
Once again spray the cooking oil on the uncooked onion bhaji.
Air fry them on 171C/340F for 8 minutes.
Halway through the time remove the basket for the air fryer unit, turn the bhajis using a kitchen tong and spray little cooking oil.
Air fry them until fully cooked and light golden brown.
Storage
Air Fryer Onion Bhaji are best eaten immediately after cooking to enjoy them at their crispiest.
However, you can store the onion bhaji in an airtight container and keep in the fridge for 2 days.
To reheat onion bhaji in the air fryer - air fry for 5 minutes at 180C.
You can also place them in the oven to revive them or in the microwave.
I do not recommend freezing onion bhaji as they will loose their texture however you can do so.
As always if you make this recipe, be sure to leave me a comment, rate this recipe and tag me on Instagram @jcookingodyssey or #jcookingodyssey. I love seeing all your photos of my recipe recreations!
Don’t forget to follow me on social media using the buttons below – I can't wait to see you all there!
📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Onion Bhaji
Equipment
- 1 Air fryer
- 1 Knife or mandoline
- 1 Chopping board
Ingredients
- 2 medium onion or 1 large
- 1 cup gram flour fine variety
- ¼ cup rice flour
- 2 small green chili optional ( chopped)
- 2 tablespoon coriander cilantro chopped
- 1 teaspoon ginger paste
- 1 teaspoon garlic paste
- 1 tesspoon salt or per taste
- ⅛ teaspoon bi carbonate of soda or big pinch
- 1 tablespoon oil spray
Spice Powders
- 1 teaspoon red chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- ¼ teaspoon garam masala
Optional
- ½ teaspoon chaat masala or lemon juice or amchoor powder
Instructions
- First peel 2 medium onion then cut into lengthwise.
- In a big mixing bowl add chopped onion along with 2 small green chili, 2 tablespoon coriander, 1 teaspoon ginger paste, 1 teaspoon garlic paste, 1 teaspoon red chili powder, ¼ teaspoon turmeric powder, 1 teaspoon ground coriander, 1 teaspoon cumin seeds, ¼ teaspoon garam masala and ½ teaspoon chaat masala (if using)
- Mix well using a spoon or your fingers.
- Season with 1 tesspoon salt, mix well.
- Let the onions sweat for 2-3 minutes.
- Now add gram flour and rice flour, mix well.
- Make thick batter by adding just a 2-3 tablespoons of water. ( do not add all the water same time) The mixture should be like a thick wall paper paste and not pancake batter.
- Give it a good mix.
- Preheat your air fryer on 171C or 340F for 3 minutes.
- Meanwhile add ⅛ teaspoon bi carbonate of soda into the onion pakora mixture and mix very well.
- Spray oil in air fryer basket.
- Now using a fork take small amount (about 1 tablespoon) onion mixture, and drop it in to the oiled air fryer basket.
- Keep some space between the pakora mixture.
- Push the air fryer basket in the air fryer unit.
- Air fryer onion bhaji for 8 minutes on 171C/340F.
- Half way turn the bhajis using a kitchen tong, spray some oil again and air fry onion bhajis until done or light golden brown.
Video
Notes
Nutrition
PLEASE NOTE: Nutritional values are estimated by a computer and may vary based on ingredients and portion sizes. For personalised dietary advice, please consult a qualified healthcare professional.
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Vera says
Could I make half then store the batter in the fridge for another night, adding the soda just before air frying?
Hayley Dhanecha says
Hello Vera
Yes, you can do that. Let us know how you get on with the recipe.
Thank you
Hayley x
Jale says
I can’t wait to try this in my air fryer! they look so delicious and easy to make.
Hazel says
I tried onion bhaji in the air fryer using your recipe and my guests couldn’t believe they were cooked in the air fryer. Very tasty!
Hayley says
@Hazel, Brilliant 🙂 So happy to hear that.
Nippa says
Great recipe! Love these!
Hayley says
@Nippa, thank you! Enjoy 🙂 x
Cathleen says
I love using my air fryer during the warmer months, so I am so excited to try making this soon! Thank you so much for sharing 🙂
Hayley says
@Cathleen, thanks a lot!
Laura says
Never though of making bhaji in the air-fryer. Tried your recipe and they were so good! Really glad I found this recipe as we love bhaji but never wanted to deep-fry them.
Hayley says
@Laura, glad you liked our recipe and enjoyed it. Do let us know if you have tried any other recipe of ours 🙂
Debbie says
This Air Fryer Onion Bhaji is amazing and just as good as the fried version. I love to utilize my air fryer and this is something I will be making again.
Hayley says
@Debbie, thanks a lot 🙂
Dennis says
This looks delicious! I'm going to pick up the ingredients so I can make it this week.
Hayley says
@Dennis, let us know how you like it.
Tristin says
These sound incredible! I can't wait to try them out in my air fryer. So much healthier than deep frying them.
Hayley says
@Tristin, thank you!
Jacqueline Debono says
I love onion bahjis and always order them in restaurants. I have never made them at home as I don't like deep frying foods. However, making them in the airfryer sounds perfect. On my to make list!
Hayley says
@Jacqueline Debono, let us know if you make it 🙂
Ann says
I have not had onion bhaji before, but it sounds delicious! Thanks for the recipe share - excited to try it out!
Hayley says
@Ann, thank you! You'll enjoy these 🙂
Jenny says
We love Indian food and don’t mind deep frying now and then. However, the air fryer onion Bhaji recipe takes any trepidation out of the decision process. This crispy/onion flavored appetizer is a winner!
Hayley says
@Jenny, Thank you 🙂
Megan says
LOVE these bhajis! So much better cooked in the air fryer than oil. they are crunchy flavorsome and just around awesome. Thanks for another great way to use my air fryer.
Hayley says
@Megan, Thank you so much for stopping by 🙂
Sharon says
I really like it when I can make healthier versions of my favorite fried food in my air fryer and this onion bhaji will be another I add to my growing list of must-have air fryer recipes.
Hayley says
@Sharon, you'll enjoy making these delicious treats in your air fryer, I am sure 🙂