Onion Bhaji Recipe (Crispy Indian Onion Fritters)
Crispy onion bhaji are delicious Indian onion fritters made with sliced onions, besan, rice flour, and aromatic spices. Easy to make at home, these golden, crunchy bhajis are perfect for tea time, parties, or as an appetizer served with green chutney.
Equipment
Ingredients
- 2 large onions (yellow or brown), thinly sliced
- ¾ cup besan (chickpea flour)
- 2 tablespoons rice flour
- 1 teaspoon grated ginger
- 1 green chili, finely chopped
- 2 tablespoons chopped cilantro
- 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- ½ teaspoon ground cumin
- ½ teaspoon red chili powder
- ¼ teaspoon turmeric
- ½ teaspoon ajwain (carom seeds)
- ¾ teaspoon salt or to taste
- 2–4 tablespoons water as needed
- 1.5-2 cups mustard oil for deep-frying
Instructions
- Thinly slice the onions and place them in a large bowl.
- Add ginger, green chili, cilantro, spices, ajwain, and salt. Mix well.
- Add besan and rice flour. Toss to coat the onions evenly.
- Add water gradually until the flour lightly coats the onions and the mixture holds together. Avoid making the batter runny.
- Heat oil in a deep pan over medium heat. Once the oil is hot, carefully take 1 tablespoon of hot oil and add it to the onion bhaji batter.
- To check if the frying oil is ready, drop a small amount of batter into it. It should sizzle and gradually rise to the surface.
- Drop small portions of the onion mixture into the hot oil, working in batches.
- Fry for 3-5 minutes, turning as needed, until golden brown and crispy.
- Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on a wire rack or paper towels.
- Serve hot with green chutney or tamarind chutney.
Notes
- Crispy bhajis: Add 1 tablespoon of hot oil to the batter before frying for extra crispiness.
- Batter consistency: Add water gradually. The mixture should be thick enough to coat the onions without becoming runny.
- Frying: Fry in small batches over medium heat until golden brown and crispy.
- Make ahead: Yes, you can prepare onion bhajis ahead of time. Keep onion bhajis warm at 200°F (in oven or air fryer) for up to 30 minutes. Place them on a wire rack over a baking sheet to help them stay crispy.
- Reheating: Reheat in a 350°F oven for 8-10 minutes or in an air fryer at 350°F for 3-5 minutes until hot and crispy.
- Serving: Serve hot with green chutney, tamarind chutney, or a cup of masala chai.
Nutrition
Nutrition Facts
Onion Bhaji Recipe (Crispy Indian Onion Fritters)
Amount per Serving
Calories
122
% Daily Value*
Fat
34
g
52
%
Saturated Fat
4
g
25
%
Polyunsaturated Fat
7
g
Monounsaturated Fat
20
g
Sodium
198
mg
9
%
Potassium
129
mg
4
%
Carbohydrates
10
g
3
%
Fiber
2
g
8
%
Sugar
2
g
2
%
Protein
3
g
6
%
Vitamin A
41
IU
1
%
Vitamin C
3
mg
4
%
Calcium
14
mg
1
%
Iron
1
mg
6
%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Disclaimer
Nutrition values are my best estimates. If you rely on them for your diet, use your preferred nutrition calculator.
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