Spinach Pakora Air Fryer are crisp and delicious fritters made with spinach leaves, gram flour, onions, and spices. They make a great snack or appetizer and are perfect for winters and monsoons.
This recipe is easy to follow and requires minimal ingredients. It also uses the air fryer instead of the traditional deep fried method, making it healthier and more convenient.
1. How to make spinach pakora in an air fryer
The traditional Indian dish pakora is deep fried, but these air fryer spinach pakoras are just as delicious and much healthier. In this recipe, whole spinach leaves are dipped in a spiced gram flour batter and then fried until crisp. The result is a delicious snack that goes perfectly with a cup of tea and some green chutney.
This air fryer spinach pakoda recipe is easy to make and requires few ingredients. The key to making crispy pakoras is using high-quality gram flour (besan). Store bought besan goes rancid quickly and tastes bitter, so always taste test your gram flour before use. You can also add rice flour or fine semolina to the mixture to make the pakodas extra crispy.
Once the mixture is prepared, heat oil in a pan or kadai until medium hot. Carefully drop the pakodas into the oil and cook until golden brown. Remove from the pan with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Repeat with the remaining pakodas.
This simple spinach pakora recipe is vegan and gluten-free, but it is not suitable for a strict vegetarian diet. If you are a vegetarian, you can substitute the onion and ginger garlic paste with the same amount of water. You can also add crumbled paneer or tofu for a protein-rich twist on this popular Indian snack.
2. What are the ingredients for spinach pakora
Pakoras are little vegetable fritters fried in a spiced chickpea flour batter. They are commonly made with onions, cauliflower, spinach, potatoes or eggplants. This recipe for palak pakoda uses fresh or frozen spinach and onion. The batter is flavored with spices and herbs that complement the mild flavors of spinach. The resulting fritters are crispy and delicious. They go great with mint chutney, tomato ketchup or sriracha.
To make this dish, begin by rinsing the spinach leaves in a colander to remove any excess water. Then chop the leaves into small pieces. In a mixing bowl, add the chopped spinach, 1.5 cups besan (gram flour), 1 teaspoon red chili powder, 3/4 teaspoon carom seeds (ajwain), 2 teaspoon white sesame seeds, 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder, 1/4 teaspoon garam masala powder, and a generous pinch of asafoetida (hing). Add salt to taste and mix well.
Heat oil in a deep pan or wok to 180°C. Working in batches, drop spoonfuls of the spinach batter mixture into the hot oil and fry until golden brown on all sides. Drain on paper towels and serve with a sprinkling of chaat masala. Enjoy! This dish is also very tasty if served with a mango or cilantro-mint chutney.
3. Can you use frozen spinach for pakora in an air fryer
If you’re looking for a healthy alternative to deep-fried snacks, try these spinach pakoras in an air fryer. These crispy fritters are full of flavor and make a delicious snack or appetizer. They’re also great for dipping in yogurt chutney.
To make this recipe, combine gram flour and chopped spinach in a bowl. Add water and mix until the batter is smooth. Then add the rest of the ingredients and stir until combined. Add more water if needed to reach the right consistency. The batter should be thick like dough, not runny or it won’t be able to form the pakoras.
Once the batter is ready, heat oil in an air fryer or a pan until it’s hot. Dip each spinach leaf into the batter and coat evenly. Then carefully drop each vegetable into the hot oil and cook until golden brown and crisp. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
This recipe is vegan, but you can replace the corn starch with rice flour for a gluten-free version. You can also add more vegetables to the batter or use different spices. For example, you could try using zucchini, potatoes, or sweet potato. Zucchini is a good option because it’s easy to julienne or grate with a box grater and squeeze out the excess liquid. You can also add spices like red chili powder, garam masala, and cumin to give the pakoras a unique taste.
4. Is it healthier to cook spinach pakora in an air fryer
A healthier alternative to deep-fried pakoras, these air fried spinach pakoras are crispy and delicious. They’re also full of nutrients like potassium, vitamin C, and calcium. Plus, they’re low in calories and fat, making them the perfect snack for a healthy diet.
To make these air fryer spinach pakoras, first heat up oil in a kadai or pan until medium hot. Next, add the potatoes and spinach leaves to the batter, and mix well. Once the batter is evenly coated, place a few spinach leaves into the oil and cook until they’re golden and crisp. Repeat the process with the remaining leaves until all the batter is used up.
Once the pakoras are cooked, drain them and transfer them to a paper towel to absorb any excess oil. Then, serve them with a dipping sauce of your choice. To store the pakoras, make sure to put them in an airtight container or Ziploc bag and refrigerate them. If you’d like, you can reheat the pakoras in the air fryer for about 5 minutes to restore their crunchiness. Enjoy!
5. Does air frying affect the taste of spinach pakora
Palak Pakora is a classic dish that can be prepared in several ways. Traditionally, the dish is made with potatoes (aloo in Hindi), but the recipe can be altered by replacing them with different vegetables to create new variations. For example, if you don’t have potatoes on hand, try substituting them with sliced onions or spinach. The onion adds sweetness to the dish, which balances out the metallic flavors of the spinach.
To make the batter, mix chickpea flour (besan) with water and spices. The besan provides a crispy texture to the pakora, while the spices give it a unique flavor. The besan is also a good source of protein, fiber, and iron. Rice flour is an optional ingredient that helps to make the batter more light and fluffy.
To test the consistency of the batter, dip a piece of potato in it. The batter should be thick enough that the potato is completely covered, but not so thick that it drips off. Once the batter is ready, mix in the chopped spinach and onions.
6. How long should you air fry spinach pakora
Palak pakora or spinach fritters are a delicious and healthy snack that can be enjoyed as a tea time snack or appetizer. They are made with a batter of chickpea flour and spices, and they are crispy on the outside and soft on the inside. They are also easy to make and can be enjoyed with a variety of dipping sauces. This recipe is a healthy version of traditional deep fried pakoras, which are usually served as appetizers at parties and events.
The key to making a good pakora is to add the ingredients in small increments and mix them well after each addition. This will help prevent the batter from becoming too watery and ruining the texture of the finished pakoras. It is also important to use a preheated air fryer because the hot oil will help the vegetable pakoras cook evenly.
Once the batter is ready, place a few tablespoons of vegetable oil in the preheated air fryer. Using a spoon or an ice cream scoop, carefully drop small patties into the oil and fry them for 5 minutes on each side. Make sure to turn the patties periodically to ensure even cooking. Once cooked, remove the pakodas from the air fryer and serve them with a green chutney or tamarind chutney.
7. Can you make gluten-free spinach pakora in an air fryer
Pakora is a popular snack in India and can be made using a variety of ingredients. It is a good source of protein, fiber, and vitamins. It is also low in calories and fat. Traditionally, it is deep fried, but you can make a healthier version in an air fryer. This recipe for gluten-free spinach pakora will give you the same crispy texture as a traditional pakora without the extra fat.
To make this recipe, you will need spinach leaves, potatoes, chickpea flour (besan), onion, ginger, garlic, green chilies, salt, and water. Wash the spinach and chop it finely. Add the chopped spinach to a mixing bowl along with the potatoes and spices. Stir well until all the ingredients are combined. Then, gradually add the water until the batter reaches a thick consistency.
Lightly coat the air fryer basket with cooking oil spray or use a brush to apply a thin layer of olive oil. Spoon the mixture into the air fryer basket, leaving a 1/2 inch of space between each pakora. Cook in the air fryer for 10 minutes at 350 degrees and then turn and cook for another 6-7 minutes until golden and crispy. Serve the palak pakoras with chutney or ketchup and enjoy with a cup of masala chai!