I love using baby spinach in many recipes, from hara bhara kebab and palak rice to spinach tofu parcels and a simple palak paneer. This air fryer spinach pakora is another easy way to use baby spinach when you want a warm, crisp Indian snack without deep frying.
These palak pakoras came out superb in the very first attempt. The mixture is made with onion, baby spinach, red lentil flour, besan and simple spices. The air fryer keeps them lighter than the deep-fried version, while still giving you crisp edges and a soft, flavourful centre. Do try making it, you may be surprised how good it is.
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How to make palak pakora in air fryer?
Why make spinach pakora in air fryer?
Air fryer spinach pakora works well because the hot air helps dry the outside while cooking the spinach and onion mixture inside. You need only a little oil, there is no deep-frying mess, and the pakoras can be cooked in one basket. They turn lightly crisp around the edges and stay soft inside, making them a convenient snack with tea, chutney or ketchup.
Equipment
- Grinder, optional
- Mixing bowl
- Air fryer
- Oil spray
Ingredients
- Onion
- Baby spinach
- Red lentil flour
- Chickpea flour or besan
- Oil
- Salt
- Dried mango powder or amchur
- Red chilli powder
- Grated ginger
- Water
- Baking soda
Pro tip: I grind red lentils in a spice grinder to make fresh red lentil flour. It gives the pakora mixture better body and works well with besan.
Instructions
Step 1: Mix onion and spices
Step 2: Add baby spinach
Step 3: Add flours and oil
Step 4: Shape the pakoras
Step 5: Air fry the pakoras
Step 6: Cook until crisp
Variations
You can make these air fryer palak pakoras milder by reducing the red chilli powder. For a stronger snack-style flavour, add chopped green chilli, coriander leaves or a pinch of ajwain. If you want more onion flavour, add a little extra onion but keep the batter thick so the mixture does not spread in the air fryer.
For a chaat-style version, serve the pakoras with yogurt, chutney and sev. You can also try air fryer palak patta chaat if you like crisp spinach leaves with chutney and toppings.
Substitutions
If you do not have red lentil flour, use extra besan. The texture may be slightly different, but the pakoras will still cook well. You can also use finely chopped regular spinach instead of baby spinach. Amchur can be replaced with a little chaat masala after cooking, but reduce the salt if your chaat masala is salty. Baking soda is optional, but a tiny amount helps lighten the pakora texture.
Related recipes
air fryer spinach pakora recipe
Equipment
- Grinder optional
- Mixing bowl
- Air fryer
- oil spray
Ingredients
- 1 cup chopped onion
- 1.5 cups chopped baby spinach
- ½ cup red lentil flour
- ¼ cup chickpea flour or besan
- 1 tablespoon oil
- 1 teaspoon salt adjust to taste
- ½ tablespoon dried mango powder or amchur
- ½ tablespoon red chilli powder
- 1 tablespoon grated ginger
- 2 to 3 tablespoons water
- ⅛ teaspoon baking soda
Instructions
- Add chopped onion, ginger, salt, red chilli powder and dried mango powder to a mixing bowl. Mix well.
- Add chopped baby spinach and combine it with the onion mixture. Let it rest for 10 minutes so the spinach and onion release a little moisture.
- Add red lentil flour, besan and oil. Mix until the mixture becomes thick and sticky.
- Mix baking soda with 2 to 3 tablespoons water. Add only as much as needed to bring the pakora mixture together. Do not make a runny batter.
- Preheat the air fryer at 180°C for 5 minutes.
- Line the basket with perforated parchment paper if needed. Shape small pakora portions and place them in a single layer.
- Air fry at 180°C for about 20 minutes. Spray lightly with oil once in between.
- Cook until the pakoras are firm, crisp on the outside and lightly golden around the edges.
- Serve hot with green chutney, tamarind chutney or ketchup
Video
FAQs
Yes, spinach pakora cooks well in the air fryer when the mixture is thick and the basket is preheated. Add a little oil to the mixture and spray once during cooking for a better crisp texture.
Air fryer pakoras can turn soft if the batter has too much water, the basket is overcrowded or the air fryer is not preheated. Keep the mixture thick, cook in a single layer and add a few extra minutes if needed.
Fresh baby spinach works best because it has less excess water. Frozen spinach can be used only if it is thawed and squeezed very well. Too much moisture will make the pakora mixture loose.
Yes, you can replace red lentil flour with more besan. The pakoras will still cook, but red lentil flour gives a slightly firmer texture and helps balance the spinach mixture.
Conclusion
Air fryer spinach pakora is a simple way to enjoy palak pakora with less oil and less mess. Keep the batter thick, rest the spinach and onion mixture, and cook the pakoras in a single layer until crisp. Serve them hot as a snack, starter or tea-time recipe with your favourite chutney.
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