Air fry Palak , Onion Pakora
Course: Appetizers, SidesCuisine: IndianDifficulty: Easy15 small size
servings15
minutes20
minutesFew foods carry the kind of soul-warming nostalgia that pakoras do. Across India, these crispy, spiced fritters have graced street food carts, family kitchens, and roadside dhabas for generations. Pakoras are synonymous with the monsoon season — the kind of snack you reach for when rain is hammering the windows and a cup of chai is already brewing on the stove.
This air fryer version is a game-changer. You get the same deeply spiced, shattering crunch on the outside and a soft, steamy interior — without the liters of oil, the splatter, or the lingering smell – ready in under 30 minutes! No frying. Eat guilt free and enjoy any time. Simple and tasty.
Ingredients
2 cups palak (spinach) – washed, dried and finely chopped
1 small onion – finely chipped
2 green chilies – finely chopped (adjust as per taste)
1 cup besan (gram flour)
1 tbsp rice flour/ corn flour ( optional, for extra crisp)
1 tsp ajwain (carom seeds)
1 tsp red chili powder (adjust as per taste)
½ tsp turmeric powder
1 tsp garam masala
Salt to taste
Oil for brushing or spray
Directions
- In a bowl, add besan, palak, onion, rice flour, green chilies and spices
- Mix well and let it rest for a few minutes since spinach and onions will release water. Add extra water (little at a time) to make a thick batter( pakora – style). Mix very well.
- Keep aside for 15 minutes.
- Preheat air fryer @ 190 C or 375 F
- Lightly grease the air fryer or put on parchment paper. Mix pakora mix, shape pakora with a spoon or hand and put in an air fryer. Keep space in between and do not over crowd.
- Bake for 5-7 minutes, then apply oil on top with a brush or spray.
- Bake for 5-7 minutes or until golden brown.
- Flip pakoras, apply oil on reverse side and bake for another 5-7 minutes
- Serve with green chutney, imli chutney and masala chai
- Note: Skip onion if you want something only palak pakoras,
- Add grated lauki/ ghiya/ dudhi (opo squash) or zucchini for extra softness
- You can try different pakoras, just replace spinach and onion with cauliflower or eggplant or potatoes etc.
- Batter needs to be thick else it will spread thin inside air fryer






