Crispy Onion Bhaji, also known as Onion Pakora or Onion Fritters, is a popular Indian snack that is enjoyed for its crispy texture and savory flavor. It is made by combining thinly sliced onions with a spiced chickpea flour batter and deep-frying until golden brown and crispy.
The onions used in the bhajis are typically sliced very thinly, allowing them to cook quickly and evenly. The thin slices of onion become tender and slightly caramelized during the frying process, imparting a delicate sweetness to the dish. The onions also provide a pleasant crunch to every bite.
The batter used to coat the onions is made from chickpea flour (besan), which adds a nutty and earthy flavor to the bhajis. The chickpea flour batter is seasoned with various spices such as cumin, coriander, turmeric, and chili powder, which give the bhajis their distinctive taste. These spices add a delightful aromatic quality and a mild heat to the dish, but you can adjust the amount of chili powder to suit your preferred level of spiciness.
When the thinly sliced onions are mixed with the spiced batter, they become coated and well-seasoned. The batter helps bind the onions together and creates a crispy exterior during frying. As the bhajis fry in hot oil, the batter turns golden brown and develops a wonderfully crispy texture while retaining the softness of the cooked onions within.
Onion Bhajis are typically served hot as an appetizer or snack. They are often enjoyed with various chutneys or sauces, such as mint chutney, tamarind chutney, or even ketchup, which provide a tangy and contrasting flavor to the crispy bhajis.
With their combination of crispy texture, savory flavor, and aromatic spices, Onion Bhajis have become a beloved snack not only in India but also in many other parts of the world. They are a wonderful addition to any gathering or as a tasty treat to enjoy on their own.
I didn’t have chickpea flour, so I substituted with regular all purpose flour and it still turned out great. So let’s get to it!
Watch How To Make It
Crispy Onion Bhaji
Ingredients
- 1 yellow onion
- 1 red onion
- 1 cup all purpose flour
- 1 tbsp corn flour
- 1 tbsp dried coriander leaf
- 1 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp curry powder
- 1 tsp coriander powder
- 1 tsp salt
- water as needed
Instructions
- Thinly slice yellow and red onions and add them to a large mixing bowl.
- Combine all purpose flour, corn flour, dried coriander leaf, turmeric powder, curry powder, coriander powder and salt. Mix everything together until the onions are well coated with the flour mixture.
- Gradually add a little water at a time to the onion mixture and mix well to form a thick batter. The batter should be thick enough to coat the onions, but not too runny. Make sure all the onions are well coated with the batter.
- Heat oil in a deep frying pan or a wok over medium-high heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully drop a spoonful of the onion mixture into the oil. Pro Tip: Fry a few bhajis at a time, but do not overcrowd the pan so that the oil is hot enough before adding a new batch of bhaji. If the oil is not hot enough, the bhajis may absorb excess oil and become greasy.
- Fry the bhajis for about 3-4 minutes on each side, or until they turn golden brown and crispy. Remove them from the oil and place them on a drying rack to drain any excess oil and serve!
- Optional Step: Serve the onion bhajis hot with your favourite chutney, such as mint chutney or tamarind chutney. They are best enjoyed immediately while they are still crispy.