Onion Bhajis Recipe

Onion Bhajis with thinly sliced onions encased in a spiced, crispy chickpea batter. Aromas of cumin and turmeric blend with fresh cilantro and bright lemon notes. Warm, crunchy, and aromatic.

June Arthurs
June 24, 2025
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Onion Bhajis

Ingredients

  • 2 large onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup (100 g) gram flour (chickpea flour)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 green chili, finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons freshly chopped cilantro
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 6-7 tablespoons (90-105 ml) water
  • Oil for frying

Prepare the Batter

In a large mixing bowl, combine the gram flour, baking powder, salt, cumin, and turmeric.

Whisk these ingredients together until they are thoroughly mixed.

Add the chopped chili, cilantro, lemon juice, and water to the flour mixture.

Mix until you achieve a thick batter consistency.

Coat the Onions

Add the thinly sliced onions to the batter.

Using your hands, thoroughly mix until all the onion slices are completely coated with the batter.

Fry the Bhajis

Heat a large skillet or wok over medium heat.

Pour enough oil into the pan to cover about one inch of the bottom.

Once the oil is hot, carefully drop spoonfuls of the batter into the oil.

Fry 3-4 bhajis at a time to prevent overcrowding.

Cook each bhaji for about one minute on each side, or until they turn golden and crispy.

Flip as necessary to ensure even cooking.

Drain and Serve

Using a slotted spoon, remove the bhajis from the oil and transfer them to a wire rack to drain any excess oil.

Continue frying bhajis until all the batter has been used.

Serve the bhajis hot, either on their own or with cucumber mint raita for dipping.

Enjoy!

Onion Bhajis

Onion Bhajis with thinly sliced onions encased in a spiced, crispy chickpea batter. Aromas of cumin and turmeric blend with fresh cilantro and bright lemon notes. Warm, crunchy, and aromatic.
prep time15 minutes
cook time20 minutes
total time35 minutes
Onion Bhajis
Print Recipe

Ingredients

  • 2 large onions, thinly sliced
  • 1 cup 100 g gram flour (chickpea flour)
  • 1/2 teaspoon baking powder
  • 1 teaspoon salt
  • 1 teaspoon ground cumin
  • 1/2 teaspoon ground turmeric
  • 1 green chili, finely chopped
  • 3 tablespoons freshly chopped cilantro
  • 1 teaspoon lemon juice
  • 6-7 tablespoons 90-105 ml water
  • Oil for frying

Instructions

  • Combine gram flour, baking powder, salt, cumin, and turmeric in a large bowl.
  • Whisk until thoroughly mixed.
  • Add chopped chili, cilantro, lemon juice, and water to the flour mixture.
  • Mix until a thick batter forms.
  • Add thinly sliced onions to the batter.
  • Mix by hand until onions are fully coated.
  • Heat one inch of oil in a skillet over medium heat.
  • Drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil.
  • Fry 3-4 bhajis at a time, cooking each side for about one minute until golden and crispy.
  • Flip as needed for even cooking.
  • Remove bhajis with a slotted spoon and drain on a wire rack.
  • Serve hot with cucumber mint raita. Enjoy!