Description
Indian Onion Bhaji is a crispy, savory snack made from thinly sliced onions coated in a spiced chickpea flour batter and deep-fried to golden perfection. This popular Indian street food combines aromatic spices like cumin and turmeric with the crunch of fresh onions, making it a delicious appetizer or tea-time treat.
Ingredients
Scale
Main Ingredients
- 2 medium onions (thinly sliced)
- 1 cup chickpea flour
- 3/4 tsp ground cumin
- 3/4 tsp salt
- 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
- 1 green hot chili pepper (finely chopped)
- 1/2 cup water
- 3 Tbsp oil (for frying)
Optional Ingredients
- 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast
- 1 tsp lime juice
- Fresh herbs (such as cilantro or parsley)
Instructions
- Slice Onions: Thinly slice the onions using a sharp knife or mandoline to ensure even cooking and a delicate texture.
- Prepare Batter: In a mixing bowl, combine chickpea flour, ground cumin, salt, ground turmeric, and any optional ingredients like nutritional yeast or fresh herbs. Gradually whisk in water to create a medium-thick batter that will coat the onions well.
- Mix Onions into Batter: Fold the sliced onions into the batter thoroughly, ensuring every slice is fully coated to achieve a crispy outer layer when fried.
- Heat Oil: Heat 3 tablespoons of oil in a large skillet over medium heat. The oil should be hot enough to sizzle the batter on contact, but not smoking.
- Fry Bhajis: Carefully drop small portions of the batter-coated onions into the hot oil. Fry them for about 2 to 4 minutes on each side, turning gently to get an even golden brown and crispy texture.
- Drain and Serve: Once cooked, remove the bhajis with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil. Serve hot with chutney or your favorite dipping sauce.
Notes
- Ensure the oil is at the right temperature before frying; too low will make bhajis soggy and oily, too high will burn them quickly.
- Thinly slicing the onions is key for even cooking and the right crispy texture.
- Optional ingredients like nutritional yeast and lime juice add extra flavor but can be omitted if unavailable.
- Serve bhajis immediately for the best crispy texture as they tend to soften upon standing.
- Leftover bhajis can be reheated in an oven or air fryer to regain crispiness.
