Crispy Onion Pakoda Fried in Groundnut Oil

There's hardly anyone in India who would not choose a golden plate of onion pakoda (or kanda bhaji) as their favorite Indian evening snack. Onion pakora, or bhaji, is a very popular snack made with thin slices of onions, besan (or chickpea flour), and spices. It is deep-fried until crispy and golden.

It is the go-to choice for rainy-day afternoons, family get-togethers, and even sudden weekend meetups with friends. The delicate Indian snack tends to absorb a large amount of oil. To avoid this, you would need a proper cooking medium that can bear very high heat.

The use of groundnut oil is very popular for frying in India, mainly because of its very high smoke point. It immediately creates a crisp layer on the surface of the onions, which prevents the oil from greasing the insides while locking the flavors inside. Let's check how this delicious snack can be prepared easily.

Why is Groundnut Oil Perfect for Frying Pakodas?

If you are still relying on processed vegetable oils for deep frying, you are missing a lot of crunchy texture and flavor. Here are a few reasons why pure groundnut oil can be the best for onion pakoda.

• Groundnut oil has a higher smoke point. It ensures the perfect frying temperature without the oil burning the ingredients.
• Groundnut oil is mild but natural in taste. It complements the sweet, slightly burnt flavor of fried onions well.
• It creates a crunchy coating of besan around the onions, which is light and dry. This keeps the pakodas non-greasy too.
• Cold pressed groundnut oil is rich in monounsaturated fats and has a high concentration of natural Vitamin E, which is a good antioxidant compound. That is why this oil is considered a healthy cooking oil.

List of Ingredients You Need for Onion Pakoda

Here are the ingredients you need to prepare the best-ever crispy tea-time snack: onion pakoda.

• 3 large onions (very thinly sliced)
• Groundnut oil for deep frying
• 1 cup besan (gram flour/chickpea flour)
• 2 tablespoons rice flour (our secret weapon for long-lasting crunch)
• 2 green chilies (finely chopped)
• 10-12 curry leaves (roughly torn)
• 1/2 teaspoon carom seeds (ajwain, gently crushed between your palms)
• 1/2 teaspoon red chilli powder
• 1/4 teaspoon turmeric powder (haldi)
• A pinch of asafoetida (hing)
• 2 tablespoons hot groundnut oil (added directly to the batter)
• Salt to taste
• Fresh coriander leaves (finely chopped)

Step-Wise Process for Onion Pakoda in Groundnut Oil

Follow the steps given below to prepare the pakodas.

1. Take very thin slices of onion and put them in a mixing bowl. Toss with salt, raw green chilies, and finely chopped coriander leaves. In this way, the flavors will be evenly distributed. Mix well and keep it aside for 10 minutes to release the liquid naturally from the onions.
2. Next, add some ajwain, red chili powder, turmeric, hing, and curry leaves to the onions. Add besan and rice flour through a fine strainer into the mixture. Mix very lightly with your hands so the dry flour gets stuck onto the wet slices, almost like a dry layer.
3. Pour in a little warm peanut oil from your frying pan, about 2 tablespoons. Then quickly mix everything.
4. Now, take a frying pan or kadai. Take a decent amount of peanut oil and keep it heated until you get a good smell from the oil. You can check if the oil is ready to fry by adding one slice of onion to it. If it starts to sizzle instantly, the oil is ready.
5. Now, take a small ball-sized mix of onion and drop that in the hot oil gently. One by one, you can add 7 to 8 pieces at a time to the pan. Once every pakora is golden brown in color, you can take them out and serve them hot with ketchup.

Discover how peanut oil can contribute to bone health and overall wellness in our detailed article: How Groundnut Oil Supports Bone Health.

Expert Tips for the Best Crunch Level of Onion Pakodas

1. Avoid the Water: A common mistake is creating a very wet liquid-type batter. For the authentic crispy street-style pakodas, the binding of flour should depend solely on the salted onions.
2. Rice Flour Wonder: Never skip the rice flour; it dries up the moisture and forms an ultra-light, delicate crust that remains crisp for several hours.
3. Avoid Overcrowding: Always fry onion pakodas in small batches to keep the pakodas very crispy and properly fried. Overloading the pan with the onions reduces the oil temperature and causes the pakodas to soak up more oil.
4. Sizzle Check: Check the sound of the pan sizzling carefully. If it becomes quieter, that is a sign that your onion pakodas are almost ready to be taken from the pan.

If you want to know how to identify pure groundnut oil in the market, check out our detailed guide: How to Identify Pure Groundnut Oil in the Market.

What are the Benefits of Groundnut Oil?

There are multiple benefits of peanut oil if you add it to your daily diet. Here are the benefits you can enjoy from it.

1. This oil can remain in its original molecular structure even at high frying temperatures. That means it helps reduce the production of harmful free radicals.
2. Groundnut oil contains large amounts of heart-friendly Mnounsaturated and Polyunsaturated Fats. These components are very helpful in maintaining a healthy level of blood cholesterol.
3. It also has natural phytosterols that can reduce the absorption of cholesterol in the Gastrointestinal Tract.
4. Besides, it is a great source of Vitamin E, which keeps your skin healthy and gives an extra boost to your immune system.

How Can You Serve Onion Pakoda?

Once your pakodas are completely ready, you can enjoy a piping-hot snack in different ways. Here's how you can serve these.

1. You can enjoy a freshly prepared cup of tea, brewed with ginger, cardamom, and milk.
2. Green coriander chutney is another option to pair it up with onion pakoras.
3. Sweet tamarind-date chutney is also a great way to pair with your onion pakodas to make your taste buds very happy.

If you love South Indian breakfasts, don’t miss our Masala Dosa Recipe with Groundnut Oil for a crispy, flavorful, and authentic restaurant-style experience—read the full recipe here.

So, are you ready to prepare one of the best authentic Indian snacks to upgrade your evening time? We can assure you that once you enjoy it properly, your choice will be locked on onion pakodas for almost every evening.

If you are planning to add it to your evening snack list, make sure to fry it in groundnut oil to get the utmost benefits of the oil. Do not wait anymore. Start preparing the authentic onion pakodas and enjoy them with family and friends.