Onion Bhajis (Kanda Bhaji Recipe) (2024)

By: Sarah NevinsPosted: 2/5/16

Crispy, light, savoury and absolutely moreish – these Crispy Onion Bhajis are a must make! Thinly sliced onions are mixed and coated in a chickpea flour batter then dropped into a frying pan of hot oil and cooked until crisp.

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Originally posted 5 February, 2016. Updated pictures post and recipe 14 September, 2021 with new photos, tips and simplified recipe.

What are Onion Bhajis?

onion bhajis = onion fritters

They’re thinly sliced onions coated in a simple, spiced batter then fried until golden and crisp.

Depending on the region in India, you might find onion bhajis referred to as a number of different names including: onion pakora, kanda bhajia, kanda bhaji, and pyaz ke pakode to name a few.

onion bhajis Ingredients

Spices and fresh ingredients often vary slightly from recipe to recipe but the main ingredients usually remain the same. This onion bhaji recipe is made up of:

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  • Onions – I used a couple of white onions here but you can also use red onions and yellow onion.
  • Gram Flour – Gram flour is often sold under a variety of different names. If you can’t find gram flour look for chickpea flour, besan flour and/or garbanzo bean flour.
  • Baking Powder – A small amount of baking powder helps to create an ultra crispy exterior crust by forming tiny air bubbles across the surface of the fritter. This is what helps to makes these onion bhajis more light and crispy than crunchy.
    • Since this recipe includes lemon juice, you can substitute baking soda (bicarbonate of soda) here if necessary.
  • Dried Spices – A little salt, ground cumin, and turmeric powder is all you need as far as dried spices go. Feel free to spruce up the batter with additional herbs and spices if desired.
    • Other popular kanda bhaji spices include: garam masala, curry powder, chili powder and garlic powder.
  • Fresh Aromatics – You’ll need 1-2 green chillies and fresh cilantro (coriander leaves). Finely chop and add to the batter.
  • Lemon Juice – A teaspoon of lemon adds a slight, but bright pop of flavour.
  • Water – Mix in about 5-6 tablespoons. You just need enough water to transform the mixture into a thick batter.
  • Oil for Frying – Ideally you want to use an oil with a high smoke point. The higher the smoke point the more suitable it is for frying (vegetable, peanut, rapeseed, etc). Avocado oil (though pricey) has a high smoke point making it a decent, healthier option for frying.

How to Make Onion Bhajis

Altogether the process is quite simple.

  1. Whisk together the dry ingredients in a large mixing bowl.
  2. Add the fresh and wet ingredients (except the onion). Mix into a thick pancake-like batter.
  3. Add the onions and coat in batter.
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FYI: Ideal Frying Temperature

If the oil is too hot, the bhajis will burn. If it’s too cold, the bhajis will take longer to cook and end up soggy.

Ideal frying temperature is between 350°F-365°F (177°C – 185°C).

Use a cooking thermometer for them most accurate temperature read.

If you don’t have a cooking thermometer you can gauge temperature with a wooden spoon. Stick the end of a wooden spoon in your oil – if you see lots of little bubbles form around the spoon and float to the surface you’re in the right region. If the bubbles pop up fast and aggressive, lower your temperature.

Fry Until Golden and Crisp

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  • Place a wire rack over large baking sheet and set aside.
  • Warm a large pan with oil over a medium heat.
  • Carefully drop a couple tablespoons of the mixture in to the hot oil to fry.
    • Cook about 3-4 fritters at a time.
    • Leave space between each bhajis so you don’t over crowd the pan.
  • Fry a few minutes on each side. The edges of the bhajis should be golden brown and crisp
  • Use a slotted spoon to remove the fritters from the oil then place on the wire rack to let the excess oil drip off.
  • Repeat this process until all of the batter has been fried.
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Final Tips & Questions

Can I make onion bhajis in advance or save leftovers for later?

  • If you want them crispy, fresh is best. That being said, – you can absolutely make these ahead of time or finish at a later day.
    • In an air fryer: Reheat in an air fry for about 4-5 minutes. This is a great method for keeping things nice and crispy.
    • Under a medium grill: Reheat for about 5 minutes (flip halfway through). This is another great option to maintain that crisp factor.
    • Microwave: This will warm the bhajis back up, but they won’t be crispy this way.

Freeze for Later

  • Cook then cool completely on a wire rack.
  • Line a baking sheet (one that can fit in the freezer) with parchment paper. Spread the bhajis across the baking sheet in an even layer. Place in the freezer for 2-3 hours until the firm up.
  • Transfer the frozen/partially frozen bhajis to an airtight container or freezer safe bag and freeze up to one month.
  • Thaw and reheat: Thaw the onion bhajis by placing them in fridge overnight then reheat in the oven at 400°F/205°C for 5-6 minutes. Flip the bhajis over halfway through reheating.
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Enjoy as delicious side or starter to your favourite homemade Indian food or simply as a naturally gluten free and vegan snack.

Did you make this? Be sure to leave a review below and tag me on Facebook, Instagram, or Pinterest!

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Recipe

Yield:12 -14 bhajisPrep Time: 10 minutes Cook Time: 15 minutes Total Time: 25 minutes

Rate

Crispy Onion Bhajis make the perfect naturally gluten free and vegan snack or starter. Light, crispy, and completely moreish!

Ingredients

  • 2 large onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup (100 g) gram flour/chickpea flour
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1-2 green chillies, finely chopped
  • 2 tablespoons freshly chopped cilantro
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 5-6 tablespoons (75-90 ml)water
  • oil for frying

Need help converting to weights? Check out my cups to grams Conversion Guide.

Instructions

  1. In a large mixing bowl whisk together the flour, baking powder, salt, cumin and turmeric until combined.
  2. Add the chili, cilantro, lemon juice and water. Mix into thick batter.
  3. Add the sliced onions to the bowl. Mix well until all of the onions are fully coated in batter. I find this step is easiest and most thoroughly done with hands.
  4. Heat a large skillet or wok over medium heat. Add enough oil so that you've got about an inch covering the bottom of the pan.
  5. When the oil is hot, carefully drop spoonfuls of the batter into the hot oil. Cook about 3-4 bhajis at a time (too many will crowd the pan and make it difficult for them to crisp up). Fry for about a minute on each side and then flip the bhajis to get the other side until golden.
  6. Remove each bhaji with a slotted spoon and transfer to a wire rack to drain the excess oil. Continue until all of you batter in gone.
  7. Serve these hot on their own or with a cucumber mint raita and enjoy!

Notes

  • Red, white, yellow and/or brown onions all work.
  • Ideal oil temperature for frying is between 350°F-365°F/177°-185°C.
  • You can quickly and easily slice your onions with a spiralizer or mandolin slicer if desired.

Nutrition Information

Yield: 12

Serving Size:

1 bhajiCalories: 51Saturated Fat: 1gSodium: 212mgCarbohydrates: 7gFiber: 1gSugar: 2gProtein: 2g

This website provides approximate nutrition information for convenience and as a courtesy only. Nutrition data is gathered primarily from the USDA Food Composition Database, whenever available, or otherwise other online calculators.

© A Saucy Kitchen, Sarah Nevins

Course: Appetizers & DipsCuisine:Indian

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About Sarah Nevins

Hi, I'm Sarah! Welcome to my little gluten free corner of the internet. I like eating vegetables, but sometimes I get distracted by cookies...

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Reader Interactions

Leave a Review!

  1. Melissa Parker says

    Can the chickpea flour be substituted for all purpose flour?

    Reply

    • Sarah Nevins says

      Hi Melissa! I haven’t tried them without gram flour, but I know I have seen other recipes that use all purpose flour. You might have to adjust the amount of flour or water you use though. I recommend adding the same amount flour – if the batter is too dry, add an extra 1-2 tablespoons flour. If it looks too wet, add an extra tablespoon of flour until you get a thick enough batter. Hope this helps!

      Reply

Older Comments

Onion Bhajis (Kanda Bhaji Recipe) (2024)

FAQs

What is an onion bhaji made of? ›

Finely sliced onion smothered in a simple, fragrantly spiced batter and fried to crispy perfection. This recipe uses gram flour – which is a flour made from chickpeas. This means they're also naturally gluten free!

Why are my onion bhajis falling apart? ›

The best fix is to make sure your onion is as finely sliced as possible – the finer the mixture, the better it will bind. If your bhajis are still falling apart in the oven, we'd recommend trying a muffin tray lined with low calorie cooking spray to separate the mixture into 12 individual moulds.

Do you eat onion bhajis hot or cold? ›

You can eat it cold or reheat in the oven. To this day all the pies are still handmade on the original premises in Shelf, Halifax, West Yorkshire and use the finest ingredients.

What is the difference between pakora and onion bhaji? ›

They are technically the same. It could be a bhaji, bhajji, or pakora, depending on the region where it is made. In the west, it is known as bhaji; in the south, it is called pakodi; and in north India, it is known as pakoras.

What do you call bhaji in English? ›

borrowed from Hindi, Marathi or Gujarati bhājī "fried greens, greens, vegetables," going back to Middle Indo-Aryan (Prakrit) bhajjiā- "fried vegetables," derivative of bhajjia- "fried," going back to Sanskrit bharjita-, verbal adjective from the root of bhṛjjati "(he/she) roasts"

What country is onion bhaji from? ›

A bhaji/bajji is a type of fritter originating from the Indian subcontinent. It is made from spicy hot vegetables, commonly onion, and has several variants. It is a popular snack food in India and is also very popular in Pakistan.

Are onion bhajis fattening? ›

Of course, it's the frying that makes the batter so crispy, but cooking in refined oil not only increases the fat content but the molecular make up of the fats change when used at such a high heat. This is not good for What is good for our bodies, however, are the onions.

Can you eat onion bhajis the next day? ›

No, it is generally not safe to eat Indian food or any perishable food left out overnight. Leaving food at room temperature for an extended period allows bacteria and other pathogens to multiply, leading to potential foodborne illnesses.

What is the difference between bhaji and pakora? ›

It can mean different things dependent on whether you are in North or South India. Pakora is a Punjabi word, and refers to vegetables, meat or fish deep fried in a spicy batter. Bhajis can refer to deep fried vegetables as well as other vegetarian dishes.

Can you eat onion bhajis raw? ›

Onion bhajis can be good. When the batter is light and delicate and they are fried in super hot and clean oil, then put on paper towels to drain a little of the oil and finally eaten still hot. But they are not exactly healthy. These raw onion bhajis are a great alternative.

Can you freeze homemade onion bhajis? ›

Yes you can! This recipe can be frozen, but please remember to do the following; Freeze it as soon as it is cold enough. Use a container or bag that is suitable for freezing.

What is a fancy name for pakora? ›

The pakora is known also under other spellings including pikora, pakoda, pakodi and regional names such as bhaji, bhajiya, bora, ponako, and chop.

Is vegetable bhaji same as onion bhaji? ›

Vegetable bhajis are a variation on the more familiar onion bhajis. Onion bhajis are commonly served in British Indian restaurants, but you can now find them on the shelves in the supermarket too, although homemade are always much nicer.

How healthy are onion bhajis? ›

It also contains fiber, manganese, nutrient B6, potassium, copper. Onion bhajia are very low in calories one more valid justification is to eat it as a guide to weight loss, likewise known to assist with killing microbes that might cause colds and other nasties throughout the cold weather months.

Do onion bhajis contain flour? ›

Traditional onion bhaji recipes call for gram flour (chickpea flour), but I realise most of us don't have that lying about at home (if you do, great job!). So I created this no-gram flour recipe using just plain flour so you can whip up a batch of onion bhajis with pantry ingredients.

Is bhaji and spinach the same? ›

Take, for example, the varieties of spinach (bhaji) that can be found around this island. Maybe today being Saturday, you can cook up a delectable meal of rice and bhaji, but not just any bhaji, poi bhaji, also known as Malabar spinach or Chinese spinach.

Why is it called onion bhaji? ›

'Bhaji' is spelt in as may ways as there are menu writers, and is taken to mean a fritter of a battered, deep-fried foodstuff. Onion bhajis (and other fritters) originate from the Karnataka region of southwest India where they originated as a snack, often eaten with a cup pf tea.

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