Air Fryer Onion Bhaji

Who knew that Air Fryer Onion Bhaji would taste just as good as the original deep-fried version! With this easy recipe, you can make perfect onion bhajis in the air fryer – healthier and less mess! This delicious Indian appetizer is vegan and gluten-free.

Serve with Indian Mint Sauce and Tamarind Sauce for an Indian restaurant/takeaway style meal.

Onion bhajis are an Indian appetizer made by deep-frying onion slices that are coated in a spiced batter. The batter is typically made from chickpea flour and a medley of Indian spices.

Sometimes, onion bhaji are made with plain flour although this is not the authentic recipe.

The battered onion mixture is then deep-fried until crispy and golden brown. Onion Bhaji are served as an appetizer or snack and are accompanied by onion bhaji dipping sauces.

Onion Bhajis are particularly popular in British Indian restaurants and takeaways.

They’re also known around the world as Indian Onion Fritters, Onion Bajji, Onion Pakoda, Kanda bhajiya or Pyaz ke Pakode.

Easy Air Fryer Onion Bhaji

Making onion bhajis in an air fryer is a healthier and more convenient option, while still producing crispy and delicious results.

The technique is same if you want to make onion bhaji air fryer method.

In air fryer bajji and the original recipe all the ingredients are added to a bowl and simply mixed together.

Air fryer onion pakora can be a healthier and easier alternative to traditional deep-fried onion bhajis. Here are some reasons why you may want to consider making onion bhajis in an air fryer:

Why you will love this air fryer version

Suitable for vegans and vegetarians

Gluten-free recipe – the batter is made from gluten-free flour

Healthy air fryer onion bhaji – virtually little to no oil is needed and this is a no-fry recipe. These onion bhaji are keto friendly.

Suitable for those calorie counting or on diets such as slimming world and weight watchers – this is an estimate and can vary between brands of ingredients. I advise you calculate this based on the ingredients you use

Easy Onion Bhaji recipe – no need to even make a separate batter and no need to worry about measuring hot oil

Budget-friendly – these simple ingredients and inexpensive and can be bought in bulk.

Eggless batter – no need for egg to bind the batter – chickpea flour and rice flour does a wonderful job at this

Consistent – Air fryers provide consistent results compared with hot oil, ensuring that your onion bhajis are evenly cooked and crispy on the outside.

Convenience – Air fryers are easy to use and require minimal cleanup. You don’t need to worry about disposing of used oil or dealing with the mess that comes with deep-frying.

Air fryers can be used to cook a wide range of foods, making them a versatile kitchen appliance. You can use an air fryer to cook other appetizers such as Air Fryer Breaded Mushrooms or Air Fryer Sliced Potatoes.

Ingredients for Air Fryer Onion Bhaji

Onions – I have used white onions but you can also use red onion too or use half of both.

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)

Optional – plain flour – not that plain flour air fryer onion bhaji are not gluten-free

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

How to make Onion Bhaji in Air Fryer

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.

Tips

Slice the onions finely for maximum crisp and maximum flavour!

The combination of rice flour and chickpea batter helps to crisp up the batter and perfect nutty flavour.

Do not make a runny batter otherwise the mixture will not hold its shape in the air fryer. Aim for a thick paste.

Allow the onions to sit in the batter – the salt will draw out moisture

If your air fryer is small and you need to air fryer in batches air, divide the onion mixture in to half. Add half the soda into this mixture and air fry. Then when you are ready for the next batch, add the other half of the soda.

Ensure to preheat the air fryer to mimic the hot oil

Be generous when spraying/brushing on oil for better results – you still use a lot less oil compared with deep-frying!

You can even add a little extra oil to the batter for even more crispiness

Do not overcrowd the air fryer basket to allow for better hot air circulation and even cooking

You may want to flip the onion bhajis half way through for even cooking both sides. Spray a little extra oil at this stage.

They are best served immediately while they are still hot and crispy.

Frozen onion bhaji in air fryer

You can easily air fry frozen onion bhajis bought from the shop or homemade ones that you froze for later.

Cook from frozen for the best results. The air fry time may vary depending on the size of your onion bhaji and air fryer model.

I recommend starting at 180C or 360 F for 6-7 minutes. Do not air fry too long to begin with but rather keep checking by opening the air fryer basket.

The onion bhajis should be piping hot though.

Serving Suggestions

Air Fryer Onion Bhajis are best served 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, takeaway style pilau rice and garlic and coriander naan.

Peshwari Naan is my personal favourite!

Finish up with Mango Lassi or Masala Chai.

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.

Freeze onion bhaji in freezer bags and reheat from frozen in the air fryer – see the recipe above.

More Easy Air Fryer Indian Recipes

Banana Chips (plantain chips)

Masala Mogo Chips (yucca/cassava)

Mogo Chips 65

Punjabi Samosa Puffs

Tandoori Paneer Tarte au Soleil

Rose and Pistachio Puff Pastry Cream Cones

Air fryer Frozen Samosas

Indian Masala Chips

Sutarfeni

Funfetti Nankhatai

Dry Fruit Masala Kachori

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!

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