Who else grew up with the delicious smell of something deep-fried filling the kitchen on a rainy day? For me, it was always these Crispy Onion Fritters, or pakoras (Indian vegetable fritters). They’re golden, crunchy, and just spicy enough to keep you coming back for more. Whether you’re looking for the perfect tea-time snack, an easy appetizer for guests, or just something to nibble on during movie night, these fritters have you covered.

This recipe is super simple but packed with flavor. It brings together the earthy taste of gram flour, the sharpness of onions, and the warm spices of Indian cuisine. And guess what? You don’t need any fancy tools or exotic ingredients. If you’ve got a couple of onions and some pantry staples, you’re already halfway there. Let’s dive into this crispy, savory goodness!

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Crispy golden brown onion fritters stacked on a plate, served with green chutney.

Key Ingredients in Crispy Onion Fritters

Onions (2 large) – The star of the show! Thinly sliced onions bring sweetness and texture. The thinner you slice, the crispier the results.
Gram flour (1 cup) – Also known as besan, this is the base of the batter. It gives fritters their signature nutty flavor.
Rice flour (1/4 cup) – The secret to extra crispiness! It helps keep the fritters light and crunchy.
Ginger-garlic paste – Adds a bold, aromatic punch.
Red chili powder, turmeric, ajwain – These spices elevate the fritters with warmth, color, and that unmistakable Indian flair.
Fresh coriander leaves – Bright, herby flavor that freshens up the bite.
Salt and oil – Essential seasoning and for deep frying.

How to Make Crispy Onion Fritters

Prep your onions: Thinly slice two large onions and separate the layers using your hands. This step helps them coat better in the batter.
Mix the dry ingredients: In a bowl, combine gram flour, rice flour, ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric, ajwain, and salt.
Make the batter: Slowly add water to the dry mix until you get a thick, spoon-coating consistency.
Combine with onions: Toss the onion slices and chopped coriander into the batter. Mix until all the onions are well coated.
Heat your oil: Use a neutral oil like vegetable oil. Heat it in a deep pan until moderately hot.
Fry in batches: Drop spoonfuls of the onion batter into the hot oil. Don’t overcrowd the pan! Fry until golden brown (about 3–4 minutes per batch).
Drain and serve: Use a slotted spoon to remove the fritters and place them on paper towels. Serve hot!

Variations

Add a chopped green chili for extra heat.
Toss in spinach leaves for a spinach-onion pakora combo.
Try adding shredded cabbage or grated carrots to the mix.
Use chickpea flour for a slightly different flavor if you’re out of gram flour.

Pairings

These fritters are just begging to be dipped in something good! Try them with:

Mint chutney or tamarind sauce for an authentic touch.
Yogurt dip with lemon and garlic for a creamy contrast.
A hot cup of masala chai – this is a must if you’re making them on a rainy day.

Serving Suggestions

Serve these as:

An appetizer at your next get-together.
A snack for family game night.
A side dish for any Indian meal (they pair beautifully with dal and rice).

Common Mistakes to Avoid

❌ Slicing the onions too thick – thick slices stay soft instead of getting crispy.
❌ Adding too much water – the batter should be thick to coat the onions well.
❌ Overcrowding the pan – this drops the oil temperature and makes fritters soggy.
❌ Using cold oil – if the oil isn’t hot enough, the fritters absorb too much oil.

Tips and Tricks

✅ Use a mandoline slicer for evenly thin onion slices.
✅ Add a pinch of baking soda for lighter, puffier fritters.
✅ Test the oil temperature by dropping a bit of batter—it should rise quickly.
✅ Keep the heat medium-high for that perfect golden crisp.

Final Thoughts

These Crispy Onion Fritters are pure comfort food. Whether you’re enjoying them with family or serving them at a party, they’re always a hit. Simple to make, incredibly flavorful, and endlessly customizable—what’s not to love?

Crispy Onion Fritters That’ll Blow Your Snack Game Away

Bellina Groschen

Golden and crispy onion fritters, perfect as a side dish or a snack. (Pakoras – Indian vegetable fritters)

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Prep Time 15

Cook Time 20

Course Side Dish

Cuisine Indian

Servings 4 servings

Calories 180 kcal

Ingredients

2 large onions thinly sliced
1 cup gram flour besan
1/4 cup rice flour
1 teaspoon ginger-garlic paste
1/2 teaspoon red chili powder adjust to taste
1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder
1/4 teaspoon ajwain carom seeds
2 tablespoons chopped fresh coriander leaves
Salt to taste
Vegetable oil for deep frying

Instructions

In a large bowl, separate the onion slices with your fingers.
In another bowl, whisk together the gram flour, rice flour, ginger-garlic paste, red chili powder, turmeric powder, ajwain, and salt.
Gradually add water to the dry ingredients, mixing well to form a thick, smooth batter. The batter should coat the back of a spoon.
Add the sliced onions and chopped coriander leaves to the batter and mix gently until the onions are well coated.
Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan or skillet over medium-high heat.
Drop small spoonfuls of the onion batter into the hot oil. Fry in batches, ensuring not to overcrowd the pan.
Fry until the fritters are golden brown and crispy on all sides. This should take about 3-4 minutes per batch.
Remove the fritters with a slotted spoon and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil. Serve hot.

Notes

- You can store leftovers in an airtight container and reheat in an air fryer for best results.

- Make sure your batter isn’t too runny; you want it to just cling to the onions.

- Ajwain adds a lovely warmth and aids digestion—don’t skip it!

- Use fresh oil for frying if you want that clean, crisp flavor.

- The fritters taste best fresh, but you can keep them warm in the oven at 200°F.

Nutritional Information (per serving)

Calories: 180

Carbohydrates: 20g

Protein: 4g

Fat: 9g

Fiber: 3g

Sugar: 3g

Sodium: 220mg

The nutritional information provided for this recipe is an estimate and may vary based on specific ingredients used, portion sizes, and preparation methods.

Keyword onion fritters, pakora, side dish, vegetarian, snack, crispy