Onions form the staple in Indian kitchens and perhaps the secret ingredient of rich flavours behind many dishes. Imagine the spread at tea time without the tangy and spicy hit that onions bring to pakoras, kachoris, or salads! Finely sliced or caramelised, onions add that oomph to even the modest ingredients and give sweetness, spice, and crunch to the snacks people go crazy about. Onions can turn out to be the hero of a comforting snack that can be crunched into crisps on some rainy afternoon or made with just a bunch of spices in the festive season. If you're looking for some quick flavour options to whip up at home, onions can be fashioned into a variety of scrumptious Indian snacks beyond the regular fare. Whether you want them crisp or spicy, onion snacks never fail to hit the mark. Here are six onion-based snacks that you can easily prepare in your kitchen.
Onion Pakoras
A classic snack throughout India, onion pakoras are the perfect combination of crispiness and spiciness. Thinly sliced onions mixed with gram flour and spices such as cumin, ajwain (carom seeds) and chilli powder. The mixture is deep-fried to golden perfection, giving you a crunchy snack, which is great for those rainy days or festive get-togethers. To this add the extra zing with some green chutney or tamarind sauce. Enjoy it hot, the crumbly fritters accompanied by a steamy cup of chai.
Onion Kachori
The flaky, deep-fried kachori with a traditional stuffing of lentils or spiced potatoes, but onions can make a fabulous filling too. Onion kachori or pyaaz ki kachori is a speciality from Rajasthan. The dough is stuffed with spiced onion mixture, flavoured with coriander, fennel seeds, and a hint of ginger, and fried until crisp.
Onion Uttapam
Uttapam is a South Indian breakfast, essentially a thick dosa, more like a pancake. Though there are many varieties, one of the most commonly known is onion uttapam. A batter of fermented rice and lentils is spread on a hot griddle, and topped with finely chopped onions, chillies, and coriander. As the onions caramelise during cooking, they lend a sweet crunch to the top. This snack is not only healthy but also very delightful and goes really great with a lot of coconut chutney or sambar.
Onion Rings
The classic Western snack takes an Indian twist with this Indian version onion rings that are spiced with an array of Indian flavours. Onion rings, in this case, are dipped in gram flour batter seasoned with turmeric, red chilli powder, and garam masala and deep-fried till golden and crispy.The Indian spices added to the onion rings lend a different twist to them. Onion rings have always topped the favourite list, especially at teatime or as party snacks. Serve hot with ketchup or a tangy chutney for that added punch of flavour.
Onion Paratha
A flatbread stuffed with a spicy mixture of onions; onion parathas are rather filling. The stuffing includes tiny choppings of onions, green chillies, coriander leaves, and simple spices like cumin powder, red chilli powder, and garam masala. Onion parathas are a rich and flavoured snack which can be relished with yoghurt or pickle, done with layers of dough applied with loads of ghee or butter for much desired crunchy interiors and richly buttery taste. These parathas are suitable for being served both in breakfast and brunch.
Onion Chutney
This is not a snack in itself but goes down really very well with a number of dishes especially dosas and idlis with vadas. The chutney is prepared by frying onions along with tamarind, red chillies, mustard seeds, curry leaves, and a variety of spices. Its pungent, sharp flavour adds a delight to the most plain of snacks and makes an unmissable item on any Indian snack plate. Glaze over pakoras or brush over a paratha for an added layer of flavour.