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Crispy air-fried onion bhaji fritters stacked with lemon wedges
TrendyTadka Editorial

Crispy Air Fryer Onion Bhaji (Zero Deep-Frying Shortcut)

Crispy Air Fryer Onion Bhaji delivers the addictive, lacy crunch of British-Indian pub appetizers without the messy pot of bubbling frying oil. Thinly shaved yellow onions are seasoned with toasted cumin, ajwain, turmeric, and tossed in chickpea flour, then air-fried until golden, blistered, and crunchy.
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Prep Time 10 minutes
Cook Time 10 minutes
Total Time 20 minutes
Servings: 4 servings (12 fritters) servings
Course: Dinner
Cuisine: Indian-American
Calories: 160
Ingredients Method

Ingredients
  

Onions & Seasoning
  • 2 large yellow onions peeled, halved, and sliced thinly (about 4 cups)
  • 1 tsp kosher salt
  • 1 green chili serrano or jalapeño, seeded and minced
  • 1 tbsp fresh ginger finely grated
  • 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1/2 tsp Kashmiri chili powder
  • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds lightly crushed
  • 1/4 tsp ajwain carom seeds or dried thyme
  • 1 tbsp fresh lemon juice
Flour Binder & Oil
  • 3/4 cup chickpea flour besan / garbanzo bean flour
  • 2 tbsp rice flour or cornstarch the secret for extra shatter-crunch
  • Avocado oil spray or vegetable oil spray
  • Chaat masala for dusting
  • Tamarind chutney or mint chutney for serving

Method
 

Instructions
  1. In a large mixing bowl, combine the thinly sliced onions and 1 tsp kosher salt. Using your hands, squeeze and massage the onions firmly for 2 minutes until they soften and release their natural liquid. Let sit for 5 minutes.
  2. Add the minced green chili, grated ginger, turmeric, Kashmiri chili powder, crushed cumin seeds, ajwain seeds, and fresh lemon juice to the onions. Toss thoroughly to distribute aromatics.
  3. Sprinkle the chickpea flour and rice flour over the onions. Toss with your fingers until every onion strand is coated in a sticky, shaggy glaze. Do NOT add water; the onion's natural juice is all you need.
  4. Preheat your air fryer to 375°F (190°C) for 3 minutes. Lightly coat the air fryer basket grate with oil spray.
  5. Using tongs or your fingers, shape the coated onions into 6 loose, airy 2-inch clusters (about 2 tablespoons each). Do not press into dense balls—keep them loose and lacy.
  6. Arrange the 6 clusters in a single layer in the air fryer basket with at least 1 inch of space between them. Generously spray the tops with oil spray.
  7. Air fry at 375°F (190°C) for 6 minutes. Flip each bhaji, spray lightly with oil, and air fry for an additional 4 to 5 minutes until deep golden-brown and crispy on all sides.
  8. Transfer to a wire cooling rack and repeat with the remaining 6 fritters.
  9. Dust hot bhajis with a pinch of chaat masala and serve immediately with sweet tamarind chutney or cool mint yogurt.