Joyful Eating at Parker: Onion Bhajis

Parker Jewish Institute is proud of our culinary team. We encourage all Parker members – whether a patient, resident, visitor or employee – to eat a well-balanced, nutritional diet.

Today, we are sharing a recipe for Onion Bhajis, a popular Indian crispy fritter made from sliced onions, chickpea flour and spices. This snack is robust in antioxidants, protein and prebiotic fiber. The onions are an excellent source of quercetin, which can help reduce inflammation and oxidative stress. The chickpea flour adds plant-based protein and essential amino acids, supporting muscle health and overall wellness. Though rich in nutrients, Onion Bhajis are also fried, and therefore best enjoyed in moderation, as they are relatively high in calories and fat.  

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Onion Bhajis

Crisp Onion Fritters (Cuisine Indian)

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Ingredients

• 2 large onions, thinly sliced

• 1 cup dried roasted chickpea flour (besan)

• 1 teaspoon red chili powder

• 1 teaspoon turmeric powder

• 1 tablespoon coriander powder

• 1 teaspoon cumin seeds

• 3 to 4 green chilies, chopped

• 1/2 cup fresh coriander leaves, chopped

• Red bell pepper juliennes

• 1-inch piece of ginger, chopped

• Salt to taste

• 5 to 6 tablespoons of water

• Oil for deep frying

• Chaat masala (for garnish)

• Fresh cilantro leaves (for garnish)

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Method

1. Place sliced onions in a large bowl. Add salt.

2. Add the green chilies, fresh coriander, ginger, red bell pepper juliennes, red chili, turmeric, coriander and cumin to the sliced onions and gently mix well.

3. Add the chickpea flour to the onion mixture and gently mix well to incorporate ingredients.

4. Add water to the mixture and combine to form a soft batter.

5. Heat oil in a deep fryer to 350°F. If a deep fryer is not available, fill a small wok halfway with oil and heat to the same temperature for frying.

6. Portion small dollops of spiced onion batter with your fingers and gently drop dollops into the hot oil, frying in small batches.

7. Once the onion fritters float to the surface, gently stir them to ensure they cook evenly on all sides.

8. Remove the cooked fritters from the oil and allow the oil to return to 350°F.

9.  Double-fry the fritters to an even golden color.

10. Remove the onion fritters and sprinkle with chaat masala.

11.  Arrange fritters on a clean plate, garnish with cilantro leaves and serve hot.