Updated: by Corina Blum · This post may contain affiliate links · This blog generates income via ads · 29 Comments
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This easy onion bhajis recipe is the perfect side dish or appetiser for an Indian dinner at home. Simple and quick to make and so crispy too. Perfect with a squeeze of lemon!
If you've ever wondered how to make onion bhajis like the ones from a takeaway then you've come to the right place. In fact, these are even better. Crispy, light and incredibly addictive!
For a long time I had planned to make onion bhajis. I love Indian food and we almost always get them with a takeaway. However, for a long time, I'd never actually made onion bhajis myself. I think it's because of the deep frying. I rarely deep fry because let's face it, it's not the healthiest way to cook.
But, I don't want to discourage you. A homemade curry can be such a healthy meal that a little fried food on the side is not going to do any harm, especially not when it's something as deliciously tasty and crispy as these homemade bhajis!
Also, these are full of onions and the hidden veg inside these delicious little onion bhajis is a great way of getting picky eaters to eat a few more vegetables. Just as it is in my spicy pea pakoras and my cauliflower pakoras!
Onion bhajis as good as from a Takeaway!
I was really pleased with just how delicious this onion bhaji recipe turned out to be! They tasted just like I expect onion bhajis to taste. That may sound a bit weird. After all, wasn't I trying to create an onion bhaji recipe?
Yes, but sometimes whenyou try to recreate something you know really well, it doesn't quite match up to how you were expecting. Even if it still tastes good!
Not so with this onion bhajis recipe! They were just how I wanted them to be. You might have noticed in the recipe that these onion bhajis contain cashew nuts. That's something I came across in a couple of recipes and I do like the slight nuttiness they add.
Can you adapt these onion bhajis?
Oh yes! You can just vary the spicing. Why not add some extra ground spices such as cumin and turmeric?
I find that with one chilli pepper they aren't very hot so you can add more. And if you are serving them to people who don't like chilli heat you can miss the fresh chillies out. Alternatively, if you want a chilli kick with your onion bhajis you can just serve a hot pickle or chutney on the side.
If you want to adapt the recipe more drastically you could add some other vegetables as well as the onions. How about some grated carrot?
You can vary the onion element by using a mixture of different types of onions or alliums. How about adding leeks, red onions and spring onions?
Can you reheat onion bhajis?
If you don't eat all of these bhajis when they are freshly made just store them in the refrigerator for up to three days. When you want to eat them just pop them in a hot oven for 5 minutes to heat up. They will have gone a bit soft in the fridge but reheating in the oven will help them to crisp up again.
If you have an air fryer you can also reheat them in that. It will make them deliciously crispy again.
You can also reheat them in the microwave but they won't be crispy.
Can you freeze onion bhajis?
Yes, if you prepare these in bulk you can freeze a batch for later. They'll keep well in the freezer for up to 3 months.
To freeze, put them in a single layer on a baking tray and once they are frozen, put them in an airtight container. You can cook them from frozen and they will take about 8 minutes at 180C.
More Indian Recipes
If you like Indian food then do check out my recipe collection of easy homemade curries. You might also like my easy spicy recipes for midweek meals collection!
- Tomato, Cucumber and Onion Raita
- Spicy Dry Curried Okra and an Indian Cookery Class
- Butternut Squash and Chickpea Curry - Gluten Free
- Chicken Tikka Masala - The Top Homemade Takeaway
Recipe
Onion Bhajis
Corina Blum
This easy onion bhajis recipe is the perfect choice to make next time you're making an Indian dinner at home. Simple and quick to make and great with a squeeze of lemon!
4.50 from 8 votes
Print Recipe Pin Recipe
Prep Time 10 minutes mins
Cook Time 8 minutes mins
Total Time 18 minutes mins
Course Appetizer, Side Dish
Cuisine Indian
Servings 6
Calories 45 kcal
Ingredients
- 1 large onion sliced
- 1 green chilli pepper thinly sliced
- 8 g ginger grated
- 10 dry curry leaves crushed ( or a few fresh ones, sliced)
- ¼ teaspoon chilli powder
- Pinch salt
- 10 cashew nuts chopped
- 4 tablespoon gram flour (chickpea flour)
- Pinch bicarbonate of soda (baking soda)
- 1 lemon optional (to serve)
Instructions
Put the onions, green chillies, ginger, curry leaves, chilli powder and salt into a bowl and mix together. Leave to stand for a few minutes.
Add the cashew nuts and sift in the flour and bicarbonate of soda. Add a small amount of water at a time, mixing it in until a thick batter is formed.
Heat oil in a saucepan. Take a spoon and carefully drop spoonfuls of the batter into the oil. Deep fry until they are golden and crispy on the outside.
Serve with a wedge of lemon to squeeze over them.
Notes
Nutritional information is approximate and a guideline only.
Nutrition
Calories: 45kcalCarbohydrates: 6gProtein: 1gFat: 1gSodium: 31mgPotassium: 85mgFiber: 1gSugar: 1gVitamin A: 95IUVitamin C: 37.5mgCalcium: 13mgIron: 0.5mg
Keyword onion bhajis
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Places I'm sharing these Easy Onion Bhajis
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About Corina Blum
Corina Blum loves easy healthy recipes that taste great and often involve spices. She's a big fan of air frying and loves developping recipes inspired by global flavours. As well as a food content creator shes also a busy mum of two children.
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Comments
Ramya
I have tried this Onion Bhaji and it came out so yummy. Thanks for the tips. Much appreciated. My boyfriend loves that.Reply
Corina Blum
Thank you for letting me know Ramya! I'm so pleased your boyfriend liked the recipe.
Reply
Vanessa
What sauce is best to serve with the onion bhajis?
Reply
Corina Blum
Hi Vanessa, I like to serve them with a squeeze of lemon and a yogurt dipping sauce. A simple cucumber raita is good or you could try my recipe for tomato, cucumber and onion raita.
Reply
Glo
Hi Corina. I recently got an
Air fryer. Would it be OK to air fry bhajis ? and if so, any idea at what temp & how long ?Reply
Corina Blum
Hi, yes bhajis would work in the air fryer. I haven't experimented with them in it to be completely sure but I would suggest 8 minutes at 180C. Put them on a layer of baking paper and flip them over half way through.
Nyra Jones
Hi Can I make these with GF flour instead of rice flour. Also can you freeze them . thankyou in advance
Reply
Corina Blum
Hi Nyra, these are made from gram flour which is made from chickpeas and so are naturally gluten free. You can make them in advance and freeze them. When you want to eat them, just pop them straight in the oven at about 180C for about 5 minutes so they defrost and crisp up again.
Midge @ Peachicks' Bakery
You really can't beat a lovely homemade bhaji and these look lovely!Reply
Corina Blum
Thanks Midge!
Reply
Mayuri Patel
Yummy, haven't made onion bhajis in a long time. I love your idea of adding chopped cashew nuts and curry leaves. Awesome flavors.Reply
Corina Blum
Thanks Mayuri! The cashew nuts do add a lovely texture to the onion bhajis.
Reply
Jhuls
I am sure I would love these as I love onions. 😀 These would make a perfect appetizer or snack. Thank you for sharing, Corina. x
Reply
Corina Blum
Thanks Jhuls! I'm sure you would love them - they are incredibly moreish! x
Reply
Recipes Made Easy
Love onion Bhajis and these look so good Corina. If I made them I would probably scoff the lot!
Reply
Corina Blum
Haha! It is hard not to! I would definitely advise anyone to make a double batch when they do make these!
Reply
Michelle Frank | Flipped-Out Food
I can honestly say that these are unlike anything I have eaten before—let alone cooked. But I can practically taste the crunch from these gorgeous photos. And if I can use them to get my kids to eat more veggies? WIN. Thanks for linking up with #cookblogshare!
Reply
Corina Blum
We almost always get them if we're being lazy and ordering an Indian takeaway but actually they are so easy to make that I'll also make them at home more from now on too! And yes, they are a great way to get kids to eat their veggies. Well, one of mine did! Little Miss Spice loved them but Master Spice wouldn't try them even though he's the one who normally likes onions!
Reply
All That I'm Eating
These have come out just the perfect colour, they look SO good. Would love to give them a try!
Reply
Corina Blum
Thanks so much! I have to admit I was really pleased with how they turned out so do let me know if you try them.
Reply
Monika
These look fabulous, I adore onion bajhis. By the way, apparently deep frying is not as unhealthy as we might think, as long as the oil is very hot it doesn't get inside the food. Read it somewhere.
Reply
Corina Blum
I'll have to remember that and not apologise for deep frying in future! I'm so pleased you like them though.
Reply
joyinthearts
Can you please excplain:
What is the difference between Onion pakoras & Onion Bhajis? Thank you for your WONDERFUL site!Reply
Corina
I think pakoras is the general name for this type of fried snack. You can make pakoras with lots of different vegtables. When they are made with onion they are usually called onion bhajis.
Reply
Katerina
I have never made or seen these onion bhajis. They look so delectable!
Reply
Jacqueline @How to be a Gourmand
I love onion bhaji and I would never have known you add cashew nuts to the recipe. Doubly delicious!
Reply
Shelley C
Oooh - those look super interesting and super tasty. What a great choice!
Reply
Rebekah
Those sound so interesting! I haven't tried much Indian food, but I bet I would really like these.
Reply
Gluten Free A-Z
So glad to have this recipe. I love Indian food too, but never have a clue how to make it.. These onion Bahjis look amazing. Thanks
Reply
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