Air fryer : Onion Pakoda

 Air fried spicy snacks is my newest passion in cooking. After I started airfrying (since 4 years or more), I started loving air-fried items better than deep fried ones. When it comes to airfrying , one has to develop a mindset to appreciate this taste too, as our tastebuds are used to deep fried items only. So the first step is to prepare some easy recipes like French fries in air fryer , sweet potato fries and we will slowly get used to this. There are a lot of airfryer recipes in the internet. I formulate my own, to suit our taste.  My hubby loves this very much, and many a days he will demand this quick snack along with tea:) . Try this and fall in love with oil-less  spicy snacks.

Ingredients:
Red onion - 2 (big) (250 gms)
besan flour - 1/2 cup
rice flour - 2 tbsp
salt - 1 tsp (to taste)
olive oil (or any cooking oil) - 1 tbsp
red chili powder - 1/2 tsp
asafetida (hing) - 1/4 tsp
garam masala (optional) - 1/2 tsp

Method:
Preheat the airfryer to 375 F.
Peel and slice the onion into long pieces. Put it in a mixing bowl.
Add all the other items and mix well. Sprinkle very little water (handful) and mix well.
The mix should not be watery.
Spread this pakora mix in the airfryer basket (not necessarily a single layer).
I do this quantity in 2 batches.
Start heating and bake for 20 minutes. Every 5 minutes take the basket out and shake well and repeat cooking again. Depending upon the airfryer , onion size and water content in the recipe, the pakora will get ready within 15-20 mins. Don’t let it char.
Take out and enjoy.

For bigger batch:
When it comes to party, I wouldn’t suggest airfried items, as this gets longer time to cook and also, deep frying is always associated with party foods.
But if you are planning for 'meal prep' kind of idea, then make this onion pakora in advance (say a day before) , put them in zip lock covers and keep refrigerated.
Before serving do the airfrying for 5 mins at 350 F or spread on a baking sheet and bake for 10 minutes (until crispy) at 350F in regular oven.
Serve hot.

Serving suggestions:
Serve as evening snack with tomato ketchup and hot tea.

Pakora / Fritters

I think a pakoda does not need any intro for a typical Indian. But for those who do not know about it... A pakoda is a deep fried fritter made out of besan flour and onion:)
Back in India they sell this crispy pakoras even in small sweet stalls. They make so many varieties of pakoda like cashew pakoda, mint pakoda,Keerai(greens)pakoda,bitter gourd pakoda, onion pakoda and an ordinary pakoda. During winter or rainy seasons ,they place the hot stove in the front portion and fry it as per our order. I am sure nobody can resist buying these tempting hot fritters on their way back home after a busy day:)
Nowadays I make this as a side dish whenever I run out of vegetables.
I am narrating the basic procedure for an 'ordinary pakoda'. You can make innumerable varieties out of it.
Lets beat this chill weather by this hot pakoda:)


Ingredients:
Besan flour - 1 cup
Rice flour - 1/4 cup
Red onion - 1 (big)
green chilli - 3
ginger - 2 inch
salt - to taste
curry leaves- 1 brig
cilantro - 1/4 bunch
mint leaf - a handful
red chilli powder - 1 tsp
curry (garam) masala powder - 1 tsp
oil - to deep fry (250 ml)

Method:
Chop the onion into thin slices.
Finely chop the green chilli, ginger, cilantro and mint leaves.
Mix the chopped veggies with the besan flour and rice flour.Add chilli powder, salt and garam masala powder.
Try to knead the flour without adding water.
Heat 2 tbsp oil and add it to the mixture. (optional). This makes the pakoda more crispy. Instead of oil we can add a few drops of water also.
The dough consistency should not be like chapathi dough. It should be like a mixture of moistened flour with veggies.
Heat oil in a kadai. Drop small pieces of mixture in to the hot oil and fry to get crispy fritters.
Take them out and place over paper towels to remove excess oil.
Crispy pakoda is ready!

Serving suggestions:
Serve hot as an evening snack or as side dish with any variety-rice.
Goes fine with curd rice or sambar rice.