How do you take a great snack like cabbage pakoras and modify it to make it healthier with no deep frying and more pleasing to your taste buds?
You prepare the all-new air fryer pakora with the cabbage recipe I have shared here!
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This air fryer pakora is prepared with shredded cabbage and gram flour and comes out as the best, crispy pakora you've ever tasted!
With no high flame deep frying involved, it is much healthier than the traditional style of cabbage or onion pakoda.
And the best way to enjoy the seasonal cabbage harvest without guilt.
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Why this recipe works
This cabbage fritters in the air fryer recipe are one of the most popular snacks you can try with cabbage. It's simple, quick, and tasty.
I grew up eating deep-fried versions or crispy pakoras. Now I am making air fryer pakora for my family and enjoy cabbages more than ever before 🙂
It has chickpea flour as the main ingredient. So there's a decent amount of protein from the snack.
This recipe is inspired by the air fryer onion pakora recipe that was very popular among my readers.
The recipe is easy, the cooking time is short, it uses little oil, and the results are excellent.
The pakora comes out crispy and soft on the inside with just a light oil spray instead of a deep fry.
It's the perfect tea-time snack or appetizer for any occasion. Serve it with chutney or tomato ketchup, and you're good!
It's also an excellent option for a side dish for other main course entrees.
Ingredients note
- Besan flour: Chickpea flour, also known as besan, is a staple in Indian cuisine. It's made from ground chickpeas and is used to make many different dishes, such as pakoras, dhoklas, and more. Look for air-sealed bags when you buy a new pack.
- Rice flour: I've used rice flour to make this recipe gluten-free and to make them crispy.
- Cabbage: I've used green cabbage in this recipe, but you can use the purple kind too.
- Onion: I used thinly sliced yellow onions for this recipe. You can also use red onion if you prefer a sweet note from the onions.
- Cilantro: Cilantro is a common ingredient in Indian cuisine. It's used to add flavor and freshness to dishes.
- Spices: I've used salt, red chili powder, turmeric, and garam masala in this recipe. Feel free to adjust the seasonings to your liking. Substituting red chili powder with green chilies is a good option if you do not have red chili powder.
See the recipe card for a list of ingredients and quantities, plus recipe instructions. You can find the recipe card at the bottom of this post.
Instructions
Chop the cabbage into thin strips and slice the onions.
Mix all the ingredients except oil in a large bowl and let it sit for _ minutes.
Add oil and squeeze them with your hands so that the cabbage and onions release excess water.
The mixture would have a dry and thick batter consistency now. If required, add 1-2 tablespoons of water so that the batter comes together.
Preheat your air fryer(380 degrees). Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or a baking sheet.
Add bite-sized pakora batter to the basket, making sure not to overcrowd it, and spray or brush oil on top.
Air fry at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy. (check the pakoras every 5 minutes and spray a little oil if needed)
Serve air fryer pakora warm with chutney or ketchup. Enjoy!
Serving suggestion
As I mentioned, serve this air fryer pakora with chutney and masala chai.
Use these pakoras in the recipe for Punjabi kadhi pakora. I am going to share the recipe soon.
Serve the pakora along with curries, rasam, and dal tadka. This will be great as a side dish and a replacement for chips.
Recipe FAQ
Yes, you can make this recipe without cabbage. Simply substitute the cabbage for another vegetable, such as potatoes, carrots, or broccoli.
There are a few reasons why your pakoras might not be crispy.
First, add rice flour to the batter for extra crispiness.
Second, chop the vegetables and onions very thin.
Adjust the temperature and time depending on the size and capacity of your air fryer.
Remove the pakora from the air fryer and let it cool on a wire rack. Then place it in an air-tight container.
Tips and variations
Chop the cabbage and onions very thin for crispier pakoras.
Add rice flour to the batter for extra crispiness.
Air fry at 380 F for 15 minutes. If needed, add two more minutes to get the crispness.
Add turmeric powder, cumin powder, cumin seeds, or ajwain seeds to the batter for extra flavor.
Add chopped curry leaves to the batter for extra flavor.
Add any choice of vegetables to the batter and make it your vegetable pakora.
Instead of red chili powder, you can use chopped green chili for a spicier version.
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📖 Recipe
Air Fryer Cabbage Pakora
Equipment
Process Shot
Check above for step-by-step pictures (most of my recipes include pictures)
Ingredients
- 2½ cup cabbage thinly chopped
- 1½ cup onions sliced
- 1 cup besan flour
- ¼ cup rice flour
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- ½ teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder
- 1 tablespoon corn oil
- 1 tablespoon cilantro chopped
- ¼ teaspoon garam masala powder
Instructions
- Chop the cabbage into thin strips.
- Mix all the ingredients in a large bowl and let it sit for 5 minutes.2½ cup cabbage thinly chopped, 1½ cup onions sliced, 1 cup besan flour, ¼ cup rice flour, 1 teaspoon Salt, ½ teaspoon Kashmiri red chili powder, ¼ teaspoon garam masala powder, 1 tablespoon cilantro chopped
- Add oil and squeeze them with your hands so that the cabbage and onions release excess water.1 tablespoon corn oil
- The mixture would have a dry and thick batter consistency now. If required, add 1-2 tablespoons of water so that the batter comes together.
- Preheat your air fryer. Line the air fryer basket with parchment paper or a baking sheet.
- Add bite-sized pakora batter to the basket, making sure not to overcrowd it, and spray or brush oil on top.
- Air fry at 380 degrees Fahrenheit for 15 minutes or until golden brown and crispy.
- Serve air fryer pakora warm with chutney or ketchup. Enjoy!
Notes
- Chop the cabbage and onions very thin for crispier pakoras.
- Add rice flour to the batter for extra crispiness.
- Air fry at 380 F for 15 minutes. If needed, add two more minutes to get the crispness.
- Add turmeric powder, cumin powder, cumin seeds, or ajwain seeds to the batter for extra flavor.
- Add chopped curry leaves to the batter for extra flavor.
- Add any choice of your vegetables to the batter and make it your own vegetable pakora.
- Instead of red chili powder, you can use chopped green chili for a spicier version.
YOUR OWN NOTES
Nutrition
Nutritional information is an estimation only.
This recipe was originally posted in 2016, Updated with the pictures and air fryer method in 2022.
Sally M
How would I bake these in a normal oven (time &temp) ?
Uma Raghupathi
Hi Sally, You can bake at 380F for 25 minutes or until it's crispy.
Marie-Pierre Breton
I love pakoras! These look fun with the added cabbage. And now I can eat tons since they are air fried! Healthy and yummy!
Lauren Vavala
Sounds so yummy! I love discovering new food like this!