Description
Air Fryer Onion Bhajis are a crispy, flavorful Indian snack made with thinly sliced onions, gram flour, and a blend of aromatic spices. Cooked in an air fryer, these golden bhajis offer a healthier alternative to traditional deep-fried versions while maintaining an irresistible crunch. Perfect as an appetizer or comforting snack, they’re quick to prepare and packed with authentic taste.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 large onions, thinly sliced
- 1 cup gram flour (besan)
- 1 teaspoon ground cumin
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1/2 teaspoon chili powder (adjust to taste)
- 1/2 teaspoon salt
- 1/4 teaspoon baking soda
- 2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander leaves
- 1–2 green chilies, finely chopped (optional)
- Water, as needed to make thick batter
- Oil spray, for air frying
Optional Variations
- 1/4 cup grated carrots, spinach, or peas (for vegetable mix)
- 1 tablespoon flaxseed meal (for extra binding and vegan boost)
- 1/4 cup shredded cheese like cheddar or paneer (for cheesy twist)
Instructions
- Prepare the Onions: Thinly slice your onions and place them in a large mixing bowl. The finer the slices, the better the texture, so take your time to get them just right.
- Mix the Dry Ingredients: In a separate bowl, whisk together gram flour, ground cumin, coriander, turmeric, chili powder, salt, and baking soda. This spice blend is the heart of your bhajis’ flavor.
- Combine and Bind: Add the dry mixture to the onions, toss in finely chopped coriander and green chilies (if using), then slowly add water, mixing until you get a thick batter that holds together.
- Form the Bhajis: Using your hands or a spoon, shape small portions of the batter into irregular-sized balls or patties, making sure they are compact enough to hold but not too dense.
- Preheat and Air Fry: Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F). Lightly spray the bhajis with oil and place them in the basket, leaving space between each for air circulation. Cook for around 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through until golden and crisp.
Notes
- Even Slicing: Uniform onion slices ensure bhajis cook evenly and hold together better.
- Don’t Overdo Water: Add just enough water to bind the batter; too much makes the bhajis soggy.
- Oil Spray is Key: Spraying oil rather than brushing saves calories but still crisps nicely in the air fryer.
- Preheat the Air Fryer: This helps the bhajis cook evenly and develop a crispy crust quickly.
- Batch Cooking: Avoid overcrowding the air fryer to keep bhajis crispy by allowing proper air flow.
- Prep Time: 15 minutes
- Cook Time: 15 minutes
- Category: Appetizers
- Method: Air Frying
- Cuisine: Indian
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 3 bhajis
- Calories: 150 kcal
- Sugar: 3 g
- Sodium: 300 mg
- Fat: 5 g
- Saturated Fat: 1 g
- Unsaturated Fat: 3 g
- Trans Fat: 0 g
- Carbohydrates: 23 g
- Fiber: 5 g
- Protein: 5 g
- Cholesterol: 0 mg
Keywords: onion bhajis, air fryer snacks, Indian appetizers, gluten free, vegan snacks, crispy bhajis
