Air Fryer Onion Pakoda | Healthy No Fry Onion Pakoda

Onion Pakoda are onion fritters made with onion, gram flour (besan) and spices and are a very popular Indian snack. They are traditionally deep fried but this air fryer version of onion pakoda turns out just as good! These are crunchy, so flavorful and make a delightful snack with a cup of chai!

-1 large red onion sliced, around 250 grams
- 3/4 teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1/2 cup besan, 60 grams
- 1 tablespoon rice flour, 12 grams
- 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 1 to 2 green chili, chopped
- 1/4 teaspoon ajwain carom seeds
- 1/4 teaspoon turmeric
- 1/4 teaspoon red chili powder
- 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder
- pinch garam masala
- 1 teaspoon oil (5 ml), I used avocado oil
- water around 4 tablespoons, as needed

Method

Take 1 large red onion (around 250 grams) and slice into thin slices. They don't need to be super thin but they shouldn't be thick. Transfer the slices into a large bowl and separate them while doing so.

Add 3/4 teaspoon of salt and using your hand massage the onion slices. Don't smash them whole doing so, just massage gently for 2 minutes. This helps in releasing moisture from the onions.

Cover the bowl with a plate and let it sit for 10 minutes for the onions to release moisture. While the onions are resting, heat a pan on medium heat. Then add 1/2 cup besan to it and dry roast the besan for around 4 minutes until it's fragrant. You want to get rid of that raw smell and taste of besan. Remove pan from heat and transfer besan to another plate. This step is optional and you can use besan straightaway but I recommend roasting the besan for better flavor.

After 10 minutes, remove the plate. The onions would have released moisture by now. To the bowl now add the roasted besan along with- 1 tablespoon rice flour, 3 tablespoons chopped cilantro,1 to 2 chopped green chili, 1/4 teaspoon ajwain, 1/4 teaspoon turmeric, 1/4 teaspoon red chili powder, 1/2 teaspoon coriander powder and pinch garam masala.

Also, add 1 teaspoon oil. I have used avocado oil here, you can use any oil of choice. This helps in keeping pakoda soft from the inside.
Start adding water little by little so that all the onion slices get well coated with the spices and seasonings.

You don't want a thin batter, it should be thick. You can need anywhere around 3 to 5 tablespoons water (start with 3 and then add more as needed).

Pre-heat your air fryer according to manufacturer's instructions. Then spray with a non-stick spray so that the pakodas don't stick to the plate.
Hold some of the batter in your hands and then drop on the air fryer plate.

You can make bigger or smaller pakodas. You would get around 7 to 8 big pakodas from this batter, more if you make these smaller. You may spray them with oil spray at this point (optional). Air fry at 340 F degrees for 10 minutes.

Then open the air fryer, spray the pakodas with oil spray again. You must spray with oil at this point. Now, air fry at 400 F degrees for 4 to 5 minutes until golden brown and crisp. Serve them hot with chutney!

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