Indian Onion Bhaji (Healthy Recipe) - Elavegan (2025)

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5 from 7 votes

Enjoy crispy, light, flavorful homemade Indian onion bhaji with just one tablespoon of oil per 4 fritters! Combining thinly sliced onions with a spiced chickpea flour batter and pan-fried until crispy, these onion fritters are gluten-free, egg-free, vegan, and a healthy appetizer, snack, or side!

Indian Onion Bhaji (Healthy Recipe) - Elavegan (1)

There’s nothing quite like a portion of onion bhaji to complete an Indian meal. Unfortunately, after one too many portions of grease-laden onion fritters when eating out/getting takeout that led to tummy upset, I started thinking I’d have to give them up. I assumed I couldn’t recreate their special crispy, crunchy, tender, delicious magic without a deep fryer. I’ve never been so pleased to say how wrong I was.

In fact, this healthy onion bhaji recipe is just as moreish and comforting as the original Indian fried onion fritter, with a tender middle and crisp outside, but made with just ONE tablespoon of oil per four bhajis. Plus, they’re super budget-friendly, ready in under 30 minutes, and addictive—ready to enjoy with vegan raita, chutney, or alongside curry and naan!

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What Is Onion Bhaji?

First up, a bhaji is a type of Indian fritter made from vegetables and are enjoyed as a snack or appetizer from street carts and restaurants. Indian onion bhaji (referred to as onion pakora, kanda bhaji, etc., depending on the region) combines finely sliced onion smothered with a flavorful spiced chickpea flour batter made with chili and fresh herbs, then deep-fried until tender in the middle and crisp on the outside.

For this bhaji recipe, though, I’ve ditched the deep fryer for a skillet, so you can enjoy onion fritters that are just as flavorful and have the perfect crispy texture but with a tiny fraction of the oil. Plus, you can freeze them to reheat later, so I highly recommend making a double (or even triple) batch!

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The Ingredients

All you need are 8 simple, inexpensive ingredients to make these amazing onion fritters.

  • Onion: You can use red, white or yellow onions for this onion bhaji recipe, but the latter are slightly sweeter.
  • Chickpea flour: (or flour labeled gram flour, besan flour, or garbanzo bean flour) This will help bind and create a naturally gluten-free batter for the onion bhaji while providing a ton of nutty, savory, slightly earthy flavor.
  • Nutritional yeast: (Optional) To add a nutty, cheesy, umami flavor depth.
  • Spices: I use ground cumin, turmeric, and salt to season the Indian fritters.
  • Water: You need just enough to make up the batter.
  • Lime juice: (or lemon juice) The acidity helps to add ‘brightness’.
  • Chili: I use green chillies, finely chopped. Feel free to adjust the amount.
  • Fresh parsley: Alternatively, use cilantro.
  • Oil: I like to use coconut oil, but other neutral cooking oils (like avocado oil or vegetable oil) also work.

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What Other Spices Could I Add To Onion Bhaji?

Depending on the region and between restaurants and families, there are plenty of different ways to season the onion pakora in India. Other popular spice additions to this onion bhajis recipe include:

  • Chilli powder or chili flakes (for extra heat)
  • Ground coriander
  • Garlic and/or ginger (fresh or ground)
  • Curry leaves
  • Garam masala
  • Fenugreek
  • Carom seeds

Please read the recipe card below for the full ingredients list, measurements, complete recipe method, and nutritional information.

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How to Make Onion Bhajis?

  • First, peel and then use a sharp knife or mandoline to slice the onions into thin strips and set them aside.
  • In a medium/ large mixing bowl, combine all the remaining ingredients (except the oil) and whisk into a medium-thick batter.

If the batter is too thick, add a little more water, one teaspoon at a time.

  • Stir in the sliced onion (I used my hands), mixing well until they’re fully and evenly coated in batter.

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  • Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat with at least one tablespoon of coconut oil. Once hot, use tongs to drop small portions of the battered onions into the pan (I cooked 4 fritters at a time).
  • Cook the onion bhaji for about 2-4 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Repeat with the remaining onion mixture and enjoy!

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What to Serve with Onion Bhajis?

If you plan to enjoy them as a snack or appetizer, then a mango chutney or yogurt-based dip, like Indian raita (which is yogurt and cucumber based), is definitely my preferred way to go.

Make more of an Indian feast with options like:

  • Naan bread
  • Roti or paratha
  • Basmati rice OR quinoa
  • Curry—like thisRed Lentil Dahl, Eggplant Chickpea Curry, or Potato Curry
  • Indian chai (tea)

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Storage Instructions

Store: While these onion bhaji have the best texture when freshly cooked, you can store any cooled leftovers in an airtight container in the fridge for around 3 days.

Freeze: Spread them across a baking sheet to flash freeze, then transfer them to a freezer-safe Ziplock for up to 2 months. Defrost them in the fridge overnight before reheating.

Reheat: For the best texture results, I recommend reheating the Indian fritters back in a skillet with a little oil. You could also reheat them in the oven or air fry them at 350F/175C until hot and crispy (about 10-15 minutes in the oven and 4-7 minutes in the air fryer).

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FAQs

Are onion bhajis vegan?

Traditionally, yes, they usually are, as the recipe combines onion, chickpea/gram flour, spices, and sometimes lemon juice. Some versions use eggs, but this recipe is gluten-free, egg-free, and vegan.

Can you eat cold onion bhajis?

Absolutely. They’re fully cooked and so safe to enjoy, cold or warm, though cold pakora/ bhaji won’t be crispy.

What can I use instead of gram flour for bhaji/pakora?

Technically, you could use regular all-purpose flour or a gluten-free all-purpose flour blend (the amount of water needed for the batter will vary). However, note that the chickpea flour adds a lot of flavor to the fritters, too, so they won’t taste the same and will probably need more spices.

Can I add other vegetables?

Feel free to substitute some onion for thinly shredded carrot or potato. Zucchini may also work but must be squeezed first to remove excess liquid. You could also add finely chopped spinach.

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Recipe Notes and Tips

  • Slice the onion thinly: So that it cooks in the brief cooking time. A mandoline slicer helps make it easy to cut thin, even slices.
  • For lighter, crispier bhaji: I’ve heard replacing a spoonful or two of chickpea flour with corn flour can make them light and super crispy.
  • Use fresh gram flour: It can become bitter if it’s old.
  • Tweak the flavors: You can tweak the levels of all the spices/ chili used. Cook a test bhaji to test if you want to increase any of the spices/chili.

More Vegan Fritters and Patties

  • Pajeon: Korean Scallion Pancakes
  • Cauliflower Fritters
  • Red Lentil Patties
  • Millet fritters with a creamy sauce
  • Air Fryer Falafel

If you try this easy, healthy homemade onion bhaji recipe, I’d love a comment and★★★★★recipe ratingbelow. Also, please don’t forget totag me in re-creations on Instagram or Facebookwith@elavegan and #elavegan—I love seeing them.

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Indian Onion Bhaji

Author: Michaela Vais

Enjoy crispy, light, flavorful homemade Indian onion bhaji with just one tablespoon of oil per 4 fritters! Combining thinly sliced onions with a spiced chickpea flour batter and pan-fried until crispy, these onion fritters are gluten-free, egg-free, vegan, and a healthy appetizer, snack, or side dish!

5 from 7 votes

Print Recipe Pin Recipe

Course Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine Indian

Servings 12

Calories 80 kcal

Ingredients

  • 2 medium (300 g) onions sliced
  • 1 cup (100 g) chickpea flour
  • 1 Tbsp nutritional yeast (optional)
  • 3/4 tsp ground cumin
  • 3/4 tsp salt
  • 1/2 tsp ground turmeric
  • 1/2 cup (120 ml) water
  • 1 tsp lime juice (or lemon juice)
  • 1 green hot chili pepper finely chopped
  • 1 Tbsp parsley chopped (or cilantro)
  • 3 Tbsp oil for frying (I used coconut)

Instructions

  • You can watch the video in the post for visual instructions.

    First, peel and then use a sharp knife or mandoline to slice the onions into thin strips and set them aside.

  • In a medium/ large mixing bowl, combine all the remaining ingredients (except the oil) and whisk into a medium-thick batter. If the batter is too thick, add a little more water, one teaspoon at a time.

  • Stir in the sliced onion (I used my hands), mixing well until they’re fully and evenly coated in batter.

  • Meanwhile, heat a large skillet over medium heat with at least one tablespoon of coconut oil. Once hot, use tongs to drop small portions of the battered onions into the pan (I cooked 4 fritters at a time).

  • Cook the onion bhaji for about 2-4 minutes per side until golden and crispy. Repeat with the remaining onion mixture and enjoy!

Notes

  • Serve the onion bhajis immediately with a dip of choice - I recommend this cucumber raita!

Nutrition Facts

Indian Onion Bhaji

Serving Size

1 bhaji

Amount per Serving

Calories

80

% Daily Value*

Fat

4

g

6

%

Sodium

153

mg

6

%

Potassium

131

mg

4

%

Carbohydrates

8

g

3

%

Fiber

2

g

8

%

Sugar

2

g

2

%

Protein

3

g

6

%

Vitamin A

34

IU

1

%

Vitamin C

2

mg

2

%

Calcium

11

mg

1

%

Iron

1

mg

6

%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

Nutrition information is an estimate and has been calculated automatically

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Indian Onion Bhaji (Healthy Recipe) - Elavegan (2025)

FAQs

Are onion bhajis healthy for weight loss? ›

There are 59 calories in each of our slimming friendly Onion Bhajis. This means it falls into our Everyday Light recipe category. This recipe is perfect if you're following a calorie controlled diet, and fits well with any one of the major diet plans such as Weight Watchers.

How many calories are in an Indian onion bhaji? ›

Calories in Indian, Onion Bhaji
DescriptionServing SizeskCal
Calories in Indian, Onion BhajiBhaji230
100g270
2 Bhajis459

What is the difference between onion bhaji and onion pakora? ›

Onion Bhaji vs Pakora? They are technically the same. It could be a bhaji, bhajji, or pakora, depending on the region where it is made. In the west, it is known as bhaji; in the south, it is called pakodi; and in north India, it is known as pakoras.

Why are my onion bhajis falling apart? ›

The best fix is to make sure your onion is as finely sliced as possible – the finer the mixture, the better it will bind. If your bhajis are still falling apart in the oven, we'd recommend trying a muffin tray lined with low calorie cooking spray to separate the mixture into 12 individual moulds.

Does onion burn belly fat? ›

Onions, especially the red ones, contain a flavnoid called quercetin, which is known to promote metabolism and help prevent the buildup of fat.

Are onion bhajis high in cholesterol? ›

The first reason to eat onion bhajia is heart wellbeing, onions are known to support HDL cholesterol and lower LDL cholesterol which means you're more averse to getting blood clusters that may assist with bringing down circulatory strain moreover.

Are onion bhajis high in carbs? ›

Tesco Indian Onion Bhajis (1 bhaji) contains 10g total carbs, 7.8g net carbs, 7.6g fat, 2.7g protein, and 114 calories.

Is boiled rice healthier than pilau? ›

FOOD FACT: Pilau rice is fried in oil, so swap for boiled rice and save around 300 calories per portion. If you can't live without rice with your curry, choose boiled rice over pilau varieties and share it between two of you.

What is onion bhaji called in English? ›

Kanda Bhaji are fried onion fritters. These crisp fritters are prepared mainly with onion and gram flour (besan). They make for a good tea time snack served with a side of green chutney or tomato ketchup. Onion bhaji is a popular street food snack in Maharashtra.

Do you eat onion bhajis hot or cold? ›

You can eat it cold or reheat in the oven. To this day all the pies are still handmade on the original premises in Shelf, Halifax, West Yorkshire and use the finest ingredients. See Our Story | The Crusty Pie Company for more information about our small, family business.

Can you freeze onion bhajis? ›

You can freeze onion bhajis. Once they have cooled completely, you can store them in an airtight container or freezer-safe bag and freeze them for up to 3 months. To reheat the frozen onion bhajis, you can bake them in a preheated oven at 180°C for 10-12 minutes or until they are heated through and crispy again.

Are onion bhajis healthy? ›

Combining thinly sliced onions with a spiced chickpea flour batter and pan-fried until crispy, these onion fritters are gluten-free, egg-free, vegan, and a healthy appetizer, snack, or side! There's nothing quite like a portion of onion bhaji to complete an Indian meal.

What consistency should bhaji batter be? ›

The consistency should be smooth and similar to double cream. 3. Add the chopped coriander, fenugreek leaves, potatoes and onion, mix well, making sure that all the potatoes and onions are covered in the batter. Cover and leave to stand for 30 mins.

How to eat onion bhaji? ›

You can keep cooked batches warm in a warm oven (approx. 130C/250F (fan)) whilst cooking the remaining bhajis. Once all of the onion bhajis are cooked, place in a serving bowl and sprinkle with fresh coriander. Serve with sweet and sour or sweet chilli sauce.

Is onion good or bad for weight loss? ›

The soluble fibre in onions can help an individual feel fuller for longer and consume fewer calories, which will further help in weight loss. Onion contains a flavonoid called Quercetin, which is known to promote metabolism and help prevent the buildup of fat.

Can we eat bhaji in diet? ›

According to nutrition coach Ruchi Sharmma, your beloved pav bhaji can be had in your weight loss diet provided you turn it in to a healthy meal. For the unversed, pav bhaji is a popular Indian street food which is a tasty, crispy meal prepared with lots of vegetables and butter.

Is onion and tomato good for weight loss? ›

Onions are rich in soluble fibre that helps in keeping your gut healthy and helps in effective weight loss. Onions act like strong probiotic food, that can aid quick weight loss when eaten raw. Here are two ideal ways to consume onions to lose weight.

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