Air Fryer Onion Bhaji (Print Version)

Crispy, spiced onion fritters cooked in the air fryer for a light, flavorful snack with Indian flavors.

# Components:

→ Vegetables

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

→ Dry Ingredients

04 - 1 cup gram 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 to 3 tablespoons water
14 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice

→ To Finish

15 - Spray oil such as canola or sunflower

# Directions:

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

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • You get that addictive street food crunch without the deep-fried guilt weighing on your stomach.
  • The whole thing comes together in under 30 minutes, which means you can satisfy a snack craving without the fuss of heating oil.
  • It's naturally vegan and gluten-free, so you can hand these to almost anyone and watch them disappear.
02 -
  • The most common mistake is adding too much water; the onions release moisture as they sit, and a wetter batter will steam rather than crisp up in the air fryer.
  • If your bhaji aren't crisping up enough, it's usually because you didn't oil the basket or spray the tops; the oil is what creates that golden, crispy exterior.
03 -
  • Don't skip the baking powder; it's what gives these fritters their characteristic light, crispy texture that sets them apart from a heavy onion cake.
  • If your batter seems too thick after sitting for a minute or two, resist the urge to add more water, because the onions are naturally releasing their liquid.
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