Onion Bhajis (Indian Takeaway Style)

Make your own crispy, spicy starter dish with this Indian takeaway style onion bhajis recipe. Perfect with mint sauce or pink pakora sauce.

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Onion bhajis combined with mint sauce or pakora sauce are utterly delicious, and they’re also very easy to make at home. Sliced onions, spices and gram flour combine to make a delightfully savoury and crunchy starter or snack.

Ingredients For Indian Takeaway Style Onion Bhajis

The main ingredient for onion bhajis is, of course, onion. Finely sliced , the onion is mixed with aromatic spices, coated in a flour mix and deep fried to golden, crispy perfection.

• Onions: Large spanish onions are sweet and perfect for this recipe.
• Spices: Cumin, Coriander, Turmeric, Garam Masala, Chilli Powder, Methi Leaves.
• Other Ingredients: Sea Salt, Fresh Lemon Juice, Fresh Coriander Leaves & Stems, Gram Flour, Rice Flour or Plain Flour, Bicarbonate of Soda, Water.

How To Make Onion Bhajis

If you’ve ever made vegetable pakora, you’ll notice lots of similarities with this recipe. Sliced onions, garlic, ginger, sea salt, lemon juice and fresh coriander are mixed and set aside to rest. During this time, salt encourages water from the onions, which reduces the amount of added water needed in the bhaji mix. This then leads to a fuller flavour in the finished onion bhajis.

Step 1: Bhaji Mix

In a large bowl, add 1 large onion, peeled, halved and sliced, 1/2 teaspoon garlic ginger paste, 1 teaspoon coriander seeds, 1/2 teaspoon cumin powder, 1/2 teaspoon garam masala, 1/2 teaspoon Kashmiri red chilli powder, 1/4 teaspoon turmeric, 1/2 teaspoon dried fenugreek leaves (methi), 1/2 teaspoon sea salt, 1 small handful fresh coriander leaves and 1 teaspoon fresh lemon juice or lemon dressing in a large bowl. Mix well and set aside for 1 hour.

Step 2: Fry Bhajis

Heat oil for deep frying for deep frying to about 160c/320f. If using a deep fat fryer with a basket, remove the basket before heating oil. Add 75 grams gram flour (chickpea flour), 1/8 teaspoon bicarbonate of soda and 1 tablespoon rice flour and mix thoroughly, adding 1-2 tablespoons water and more gram flour as necessary until mixture thickens slightly and slides slowly off of a spoon.

Using two spoons, carefully drop bhaji mix into hot oil, 1 heaped tablespoon at a time (mix should be enough for 4-6 bhajis depending on size). Fry bhajis for about 5 minutes, turning occasionally until just beginning to colour. Use a slotted spoon to remove bhajis from oil and set aside on a plate to cool completely. At this stage bhajis can be finished immediately, or set aside to cool completely and finish later.

Step 3: Serve

Season bhajis with sea salt and serve.

Indian Takeaway Style Onion Bhajis FAQ

What Are Onion Bhajis?
Onion bhajis are a delicious crispy Indian vegetable snack or starter dish. Made with sliced onions and spices including cumin, coriander and garam masala, it’s a crunchy savoury delight that is delicious eaten with chutneys and salad.

What kind of flour are onion bhajis made with?
Bhajis (and pakoras) are typically made of gram flour (chickpea flour), with plain wheat flour or rice flour added to ensure bhajis are crispy and crunchy after frying.

What Can I Serve With Onion Bhajis?
Bhajis are great with dips like mint sauce, pink pakora sauce or kebab sauce. They’re a great way to begin an Indian takeaway style feast along with poppadoms, spiced onions and your favourite curry and rice dishes.

What’s The Difference Between Bhajis and Pakoras?
Not very much! On Scottish Indian takeaway menus at least, the primary difference is in size and vegetable content. Onion bhajis are typically fairly large and contain just onion, spices and flours, whereas pakoras include potato and spinach. Bhajis are often served with a cooling mint sauce, where vegetable pakora is typically served with the famous pink pakora sauce.

Do you like this Indian restaurant style onion bhajis recipe? If so, buying a copy of my book might appeal to you! In The Indian Takeaway Secret you can find a host of restaurant and takeaway style recipes that you can make at home. You’ll learn how to make fish pakora, spiced onions, chapatis, pilau rice and more! You can buy The Indian Takeaway Secret in paperback or kindle form here.

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