That’s right! Baked Onion Pakodas. Tastes the same, but with so much lesser oil. Crispy on the outside, soft and spongy on the inside. If you had deep-fried it, it would have been crispy all over, but if a small texture change is the price of healthy, I’d gladly pay it thrice over. Made with chickpea flour and rice flour, this is Vegan + Gluten-free! Yaay!

While it’s a popular snack all over India, in my house (and in several others, I hope) this is also a perfect last minute side for rice and sambar at lunch. On days when you are either out of vegetables or out of time, this pakoda (or Pakora in the North)  comes together in 5 minutes. Just slice some onions (although you can add other vegetables too! I love cabbage and bell peppers), stir it with the flours and seasoning, drop it in oil and lunch is served!

Even now, when I am not in the mood to make a vegetable side to a meal, this is my go-to fix. Even better now, because it’s baked and  I don’t even have to stand over the stove deep-frying them. With steamy rice and spicy sambar, this is just the perfect ticket to culinary heaven!

But you must know, nothing deep-fried will ever be as good baked. This one isn’t an exception to that rule either, but it’s very close to the real deal, and I can live with it. And if I can, anyone can, because I am one of those very finicky people! But if you do miss the crispy insides, then once in a while, a little deep-frying won’t set the devils loose! But until you give in to the temptation, these will keep you sated pretty well!

And you know something else? In the name of ‘testing’ – because I only post recipes that I’ve tested and tried at least a bunch of times – I’ve been making these everyday for the past couple of days!  And I am still not tired of it, so I’m going to eat this batch (after shooting, ofc!) as well before my husband gets home and asks for his share! Pakodas and tea makes me evil! 🙂

And why wouldn’t I make these so many times? 1. They are DELICIOUS! and 2. Super easy!

Just throw all the ingredients into a bowl.

Get your hands in there and mix it up!

Scoop onto a baking tray, making sure you don’t pack them in tightly. I poke a few holes with my little finger to get the air going in. and BAKE!

It’s been 10 minutes and I can already smell the pakodas! While it’s in the oven, be sure to brew yourself a nice cuppa chai! BTW, aren’t these chalkboard mugs super cute??

When you make these (which I really think you SHOULD!), be sure to SHARE YOUR PHOTOS with me through Facebook, Instagram or Twitter. I’d love to see what you cook from here and will share it with pride on my social media feeds.