Air Fryer Onion Bhaji (Printable version)

Golden, spiced onion fritters cooked to crisp perfection with aromatic Indian seasonings.

# What You'll Need:

→ 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 to 3 tablespoons water as needed
14 - 1 tablespoon lemon juice

→ Finishing

15 - Spray oil such as canola or sunflower oil

# 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 the 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 - Set air fryer to 350°F and preheat for 3 minutes.
04 - Lightly spray the air fryer basket with oil to prevent sticking.
05 - Scoop heaped tablespoons of the batter mixture and gently shape into rough patties or clumps. Arrange in the air fryer basket in a single layer without overcrowding.
06 - Lightly spray the tops with oil. Air fry for 12 to 15 minutes, turning once halfway through and spraying again, until golden and crisp.
07 - Transfer to a serving plate and serve hot with chutney or yogurt dip.

# Expert Advice:

01 -
  • The air fryer does all the heavy lifting, delivering that crispy-on-the-outside, tender-inside texture without the deep-fry mess or lingering oil smell in your kitchen.
  • These come together in under thirty minutes total, which means you can have an impressive Indian appetizer ready faster than delivery would arrive.
  • They're naturally vegan and can be gluten-free, so they work for almost anyone you're cooking for, without feeling like a compromise dish.
02 -
  • Don't skip the preheating step or crowd the air fryer basket; these two mistakes will give you steamed or unevenly cooked bhaji instead of the golden, crispy version you're after.
  • The batter should be thick and hold together when squeezed, not wet; adding water slowly is key because the onions release moisture as they sit, so you may not need as much as you think.
03 -
  • A light hand with the oil spray is your secret weapon; too much and they become greasy, too little and they won't crisp, so practice the gentle mist motion until it feels instinctive.
  • Don't be afraid to squeeze the batter mixture in your hand before scooping—it should hold together firmly, almost like a thick paste, and this tells you the moisture content is right.
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