Crispy, Crunchy, and Healthy: Air Fryer Pakoras are the Ultimate Snack!
Craving some crispy pakoras but worried about the amount of oil used in traditional frying? Fear not, because we’ve got the perfect recipe for you – Air Fryer Pakora! These delicious snacks are a staple in South Asian cuisine, and they are perfect for a tea-time snack or a side dish. But the best part? You can indulge in them without the guilt of consuming too much oil! Yes, you heard it right – this recipe uses an air fryer to cook the pakoras to a golden brown and crispy texture, with a lot less oil than the traditional deep-frying method. So let’s make some crispy, delicious Air Fryer Pakoras that will make your taste buds dance with joy!

Unlike the traditional deep frying method, this easy recipe uses an air fryer to cook the pakoras with less oil, resulting in a crispy and delicious snack that is free of excess oil. The main ingredients for the pakora batter are gram flour, rice flour, carrom seeds, turmeric powder, red chili powder, coriander powder, cumin seeds, and salt. These delicious beauties are then served with green chutney, mint chutney, coriander chutney, or tamarind chutney, along with tomato ketchup and masala chai.
Air fryer pakora is a popular Indian appetizer that has gained popularity in recent years due to its health benefits and convenience. It is a perfect snack to enjoy with family and friends, especially during celebrations and gatherings. The history of air fryer pakora is closely linked to the traditional recipe for pakora, which has been a part of South Asian cuisine for centuries. Pakora has been a popular snack for generations. However, the traditional pakora is high in calories and fat due to deep frying. Over time, the air fryer has become increasingly popular for its health benefits, as it allows people to enjoy their favorite fried foods with less oil. The air fryer pakora recipe is a perfect example of this trend, as it allows people to enjoy the crispy texture and delicious flavor of traditional pakora without the excess oil.
Ingredients List For Air Fryer Pakora

Onions
You need two large onions. The onions add a sweet and savory flavor to the pakoras and also provide a soft, slightly chewy texture.
Flour
You need gram flour and rice flour to make the pakora batter. The gram flour provides a nutty and earthy flavor, while the rice flour adds a light and crispy texture to the pakoras.
Spices
For this recipe you need salt, carom seeds, turmeric powder, tsp coriander powder and red chili powder. The combination of these spices provides a delicious and aromatic flavor to the pakoras. The salt enhances the overall flavor, while the carom seeds add a slightly bitter and pungent flavor. The turmeric powder adds a warm and earthy flavor, and the coriander and red chili powders add a spicy and herbaceous flavor.
Herbs
Green chilies and coriander leaves provide a fresh and vibrant flavor to the pakoras. The green chilies also add a spicy kick, while the coriander leaves provide a mild and refreshing taste.
Oil
You need oil for the batter and for greasing the air fryer basket, which adds a rich and slightly greasy flavor to the pakoras. Additionally, the oil helps to bind the ingredients together and creates a crispy and crunchy texture.
Steps By Step Recipe For Air Fryer Pakora
First, in a large bowl, add sliced onion and 1 tsp salt. Mix well and set aside for 10 minutes.

After 10 minutes, add besan, rice flour, red chilli powder, turmeric powder, cumin powder, coriander powder, and baking soda to the bowl.

Then mix well to form a thick batter. If the batter is too thick, add water gradually to make a smooth and sticky batter.

Leave the batter aside for 5 minutes to rest.

Next, preheat the air fryer for 5 minutes at 180 degrees.

After that, grease the air fryer basket with oil.

Then arrange the pakora batter in the air fryer basket. Brush some oil on top of the pakoras.

Air fry the pakoras at 180 degrees for 10 minutes, flipping them after 5 minutes.

After 10 minutes, increase the temperature to 200 degrees and air fry the pakoras for another 5 minutes to get them crispy and golden brown.

Once done, remove the pakoras from the air fryer and transfer them to a serving plate.

Finally, serve hot with green and red chutney.
Enjoy your delicious air fryer pakoras!
Serving Suggestions For Air Fryer Pakora
Air fryer pakoras are a popular Indian snack that can be enjoyed at any time of the day. To serve them, start by arranging the hot and crispy pakoras on a serving plate. Next, garnish them with fresh coriander leaves and also sprinkle some chaat masala for an extra burst of flavor. You can also serve them with a side of tangy onion or tamarind chutney, spicy green chutney, or cool yogurt dip. To further enhance the flavor, pair the pakoras with a cup of hot chai or coffee for a cozy and satisfying snack. If you’re hosting a party or get-together, consider serving these pakoras as appetizers alongside other Indian finger foods like fried idli made with homemade batter. Make sure to enjoy the crispy, flavorful pakoras while they’re still hot and fresh!
Storage Instructions
To ensure the freshness of air fryer pakoras, it’s important to store them properly. Once the pakoras have cooled down to room temperature, transfer them to an airtight container or a Ziploc bag. To prevent moisture buildup, place a paper towel at the bottom of the container or bag. Seal the container or bag tightly and store it in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. When you’re ready to enjoy them again, reheat the pakoras in the air fryer for 2-3 minutes at 180 degrees to regain their crispy texture. Avoid reheating them in the microwave as it can make them soggy. With these simple steps, you can easily store air fryer pakoras and enjoy them whenever you want.
FAQs
Yes, you can make pakoras in an air fryer. In fact, air fryer pakoras are a healthier and easier alternative to deep-fried pakoras. They are crispy and delicious, with a fraction of the oil.
There are many air fryer recipes for pakoras, including onion pakoras, spinach pakoras, and potato pakoras. All of these recipes can be found online with a quick search.
Air fryer onion pakora is a popular Indian appetizer made with sliced onions and a blend of spices. The mixture is shaped into small balls and then air fried until crispy and golden.
Yes, air fry pakoras are healthier than traditional fried pakoras because they require much less oil. They are still crispy and delicious, but with fewer calories and less fat.
Some popular Indian appetizers include samosas, pakoras, tandoori chicken, and chaat. These dishes are commonly served at parties and gatherings and are enjoyed throughout South Asia.
Yes, you can make pakoras in a frying pan. However, this method requires more oil and is not as healthy as air frying. To make pakoras in a frying pan, you will need to heat oil in a deep frying pan and fry the pakoras until they are crispy and golden.

Hi! I’m Ravi Kumar.
I am a husband, father of 4, board certified neurosurgeon, and a lover of South Indian Food!
I created PaattisKitchen.com to memorialize the most delicious foods on earth. South Indian food is easy to make and hard to mess up. So pull up your sleeves, and come with me as we explore the vibrant spices, colors, aromas, and flavors of South Indian culinary tradition.