How To Make Pakoras in an Air Fryer With Different Variations?

Craving some delicious pakoras but don’t want to fire up the deep-fryer? Why not try making them in an air fryer instead?

This is a healthy, easy, and delicious way to enjoy crispy pakoras without any of the guilt. Here’s how to make pakoras in an air fryer with some spicy variations and tips on reheating them.

How To Make Pakoras in an Air Fryer?

Here’s a step-by-step guide on how to make pakoras in an air fryer:

1. Ingredients Needed 

To make these delicious pakoras you will need the following ingredients: 

• 2 cups chickpea flour (or besan) 

• ½ teaspoon baking powder 

• 2 finely chopped green chilies 

• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds (optional) 

• 2 tablespoons olive oil or ghee for extra flavor (optional)  

• ½ teaspoon salt or to taste 

• ½ cup of water, more or less as needed for desired consistency  

2. Instructions for Making Pakoras in an Air Fryer    

1. Begin by mixing the chickpea flour, baking powder, cumin seeds, salt, and green chilies together in a bowl.

2. Gradually add water while stirring until it forms a thick paste-like batter. You may need more or less water depending on desired consistency.

3. If you would like a little extra flavor, add some melted butter or ghee at this point. Stir until everything is evenly incorporated.  

4. Heat your air fryer to 375°F and lightly grease it with cooking spray or oil.

5. Take small portions of your batter and shape them into balls with your hands before dropping them into the air fryer basket.

6. Make sure to leave enough space between each ball so they can crisp up even when cooked.  

7. Cook for about 8 minutes until golden brown and crispy on the outside and fluffy on the inside. Serve hot with ketchup or chutney for dipping! Enjoy!  

Variations of Air Fryer Pakoras:

Let’s explore the different variations of air fryer pakoras and find out why they are so popular! 

1. Onion Pakora:

Onion pakora is one of the most popular varieties of pakora. It is also known as “Pyaaz Pakora” in India.

This dish has countless variations, depending on the region where it is being prepared. It is usually served as a side dish or an appetizer before meals. The onions are sliced thin and coated in gram flour batter before being deep-fried until crispy.

This makes for a delicious snack that can be enjoyed at any time! 

2. Potato Pakora:

Potato pakora has become a family favorite in many households due to its simplicity and flavor.

It consists of potato discs that have been coated in the same batter used for onion pakora and then deep-fried until golden brown.

Kids tend to love this variation because it tastes great when paired with ketchup or chutney! 

3. Cauliflower (Gobi) Pakora:

Cauliflower floret pakoras make for a great wintertime snack when you want something warm and comforting.

The cauliflower florets are dipped in the gram flour batter before being deep-fried until golden brown and crispy on the outside.

Serve these with some hot chai or coffee for an enjoyable treat! 

4. Mix-Veg Pakora:

Mix-veg pakoras allow you to get creative with your ingredients!

You can use any combination of vegetables such as onions, eggplant, carrot, cabbage, cauliflower, bell peppers, bottle gourd (lauki), baby corn, spinach, kale, green chili, etc., chopped up into small pieces before coating them in the batter mixture and air frying them until crisp!

This makes for a healthy snack that can be enjoyed guilt-free! 

How Long does it Take to Fry Pakoras in an Air Fryer?

It typically takes about 8 minutes to fry pakoras in an air fryer.

The time may vary slightly depending on the size of your pakoras and the temperature of your air fryer.

Always keep a close eye on them while they’re cooking so they don’t get too dark.

How to Reheat Pakoras in an Air Fryer?

Here’s how to reheat pakoras in an air fryer:

• Start by preheating your air fryer to 400°F (204°C).

• Once preheated, lightly spray the basket with oil or cooking spray and add your pakoras to an even layer.

• Be sure not to crowd them too much—otherwise, they won’t get evenly heated.

• Pop the basket into the air fryer and set the timer for 7 minutes.

• After 7 minutes, give your pakoras a gentle stir before setting the timer for another 5 minutes.

Keep an eye on them so they don’t burn! When finished, remove from the air fryer and let cool before serving with chutney or ketchup as desired. 

Air Fryer Temperature for Pakora:

When making pakoras in an air fryer, you’ll want to set your appliance to 375°F (190°C) and cook your creations for 10–15 minutes, depending on size.

But before you dive headfirst into frying away, you may want to consider these tips to get the best results out of your air fryer. 

Deep Fried Pakora vs Air Fryer Pakora

We’ll explore both cooking methods and try to answer these questions. 

1. Deep Fried Pakora 

The traditional method for making pakora is deep frying.

With this technique, the entire fritter is submerged in hot oil until it is cooked through and golden brown. This results in a crispy texture that many people love but also means that the fritter absorbs a considerable amount of oil.

The downside of deep frying is that it can add a lot of fat and calories to your dish, which can be unhealthy if consumed too often. 

2. Air Fryer Pakora 

An increasingly popular alternative to deep frying is using an air fryer.

An air fryer works by circulating hot air around the food at high speeds, resulting in a crispy texture without all the excess oil used in deep frying. This method also requires less time than traditional deep frying and can result in fewer calories absorbed into your dish.

However, some people argue that air fryers do not quite capture the same flavor as traditional deep-fried pakoras due to their lack of oil content.  

Why Are My Air Fryer Pakoras Not Crispy?

Read on to learn how to make delicious, crunchy air fryer pakoras. 

1. Choose the Right Oil 

When you cook pakoras in an air fryer, it’s important to use the right kind of oil. The best oil for this is one with a high smoke point like avocado or peanut oil.

This type of oil won’t break down at high temperatures and will help create a nice, crispy coating on your pakora pieces. If you don’t have any high smoke-point oils on hand, vegetable oil works too. 

2. Think About Extenders 

An extender is something added to your ingredients that will help absorb moisture and make your pakoras crispier.

Common extenders used in Indian cooking are besan (chickpea flour) or rava (semolina).

Adding just a tablespoon of either of these ingredients can go a long way toward creating the perfect texture for your air fryer pakoras. 

3. Know Your Temperature Settings 

Finally, it’s important to know the temperature settings on your air fryer before starting to cook your pakoras. You want the temperature setting to be pretty hot so that when the food hits it, it gets crispy quickly without burning.

A good rule of thumb is 400°F (204°C). You may need to adjust this slightly depending on how powerful your air fryer is, so experiment with different settings until you get the crispiness you desire!  

Tips & Notes:

1. Check the Batter:

The batter needs to be thick and not runny. We need just enough moisture in the batter to achieve crispy pakoras. The pakoras will not be as crispy if there is too much water.

Adding lemon juice to the batter (that’s how my mom taught me) balances out the taste of the flour and spices.

2. Don’t Overcrowd:

To minimize overcrowding and uneven cooking, air fry only a few pakoras at a time.

3. Preheating the Air Fryer:

Preheat your air fryer for at least 5 minutes before adding the pakoras. This will ensure that the optimal cooking temperature is maintained throughout the cooking process.

4. Adjusting Temperature Throughout Cooking Time:

To ensure even cooking and crispiness throughout, you can adjust the temperature slightly every few minutes while they’re baking.

For example, if they’re starting to look brown after 8 minutes, lower it down to 350°F (177°C). Then raise it back up again after another couple of minutes if needed. 

5. Note About Size:

Since larger pieces take longer to cook than smaller ones, be sure to cut them into equal sizes so they all get cooked evenly and thoroughly.

6. Check doneness with a Thermometer:

If you’re unsure if they’re done or not, use an instant-read thermometer like a digital food thermometer or an oven thermometer—pakoras should reach 165°F (74°C). 

7. Finishing Touches:

Once they’ve reached their desired level of doneness, turn off your air fryer and let them sit for a few minutes before serving for maximum crispiness!   

Conclusion:

When it comes down to it, it really depends on what kind of experience you are looking for when it comes to your pakoras! An air fryer would be best for you if you prefer crispiness with less fat content.

On the other hand, if flavor is more important then go with the traditional deep-fried version! Ultimately though, either cooking method will provide delicious results so don’t be afraid to experiment and see which one you like best!

Making tasty, crunchy pakoras in an air fryer doesn’t have to be difficult!

Just remember these three tips: choose an oil with a high smoke point; consider adding some kind of extender; and know what temperature setting works best for your machine. With these tips in mind, you’ll be able to make perfect air fryer pakoras every time!