Pakora is a fried snack originally from India. You can find it across South Asia especially in India, Bangladesh, and Pakistan. It is traditionally a deep-fried fritter. Flour is used for coating the veggies and then they are generally deep-fried in oil. This recipe makes a vegan healthier version, using an air-fryer that requires far less oil but provides the same crispy delicious outcome.
1large zucchiniapprox. 1 3/4 cups, cut into matchsticks
1medium onionapprox. 3/4 cups, thinly sliced
1/2tspcumin seeds
1/4tspground coriander
1/4tspturmeric
1/4tspred chili powder
saltto taste
1/2cupsplit mung beans
1/2cupsplit pigeon peas
2tbspwholegrain oats
1/2tspbaking soda
1tbspneutral oil
1/2 - 3/4cupwater
neutral oil spray
Instructions
Add the zucchini and onion to a large mixing bowl. Add cumin, coriander, turmeric, red chili powder, and salt to taste. Toss to coat the vegetables in the spices and salt. Cover and set aside for 10 minutes.
Add the mung beans and pigeon peas to a food processor and process into a fine lentil flour. Transfer the lentil flour to a separate bowl.
Add the whole grain oats to the food processor and process into a fine oat flour. Transfer to the bowl containing lentil flour.
To the same bowl, add baking soda. Combine to form a uniform dry mixture.
To the dry mixture, add 1 tbsp neutral oil and water (in 1 tbsp increments) until you achieve a consistency that is thicker than pancake batter but thinner than cookie dough.*
Transfer the batter to the mixing bowl containing zucchini and onion. Mix until all the vegetables are coated.
Select the air fry function on your air fryer and preheat to 400 degrees Fahrenheit. Once heated spray the entire base of the air fryer basket with oil.
Use a small ladle to transfer ~2tbsp scoops of the battered zucchini and onion to the air fryer. Spray the tops of the vegetables with more oil and air fry for 8 - 10 minutes, until crispy and golden brown.
Serve with ketchup or your favorite chutney!
Notes
NOTES:
Batter
When I was preparing this batter, I used approximately 1/2 cup water to reach the desired level of thickness.--