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Crispy Moong Dal Pakodas Snack! Moong Dal Pakodas: cook these crispy, golden lentil fritters in your air fryer. A healthy, flavorful Indian snack ready in minut

Crispy Moong Dal Pakodas Snack!

Moong Dal Pakodas: cook these crispy, golden lentil fritters in your air fryer. A healthy, flavorful Indian snack ready in minutes.
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Prep Time 3 hours 5 minutes
Cook Time 15 minutes
Total Time 3 hours 20 minutes
Servings: 4
Course: Snack
Cuisine: Indian
Calories: 180
Ingredients Method Video Notes

Ingredients
  

  • ½ cup yellow split moong dal
  • 1 - inch piece fresh ginger (roughly chopped)
  • 1 to 2 green chilies (roughly chopped)
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds
  • ¾ teaspoon kosher salt
  • ¼ teaspoon turmeric
  • ¼ cup red onion (finely diced)
  • ¼ cup cilantro (finely chopped (leaves and tender stems))

Method
 

  1. Rinse the moong dal under cold water until the water runs mostly clear. Place in a bowl with 1 cup water and soak for 3 to 4 hours. Drain completely and discard all the soaking water.
  2. Preheat the air fryer to 360°F.
  3. Add the drained dal, ginger, green chilies, and cumin seeds to the small jar of a high-speed blender. Pulse to a thick, coarse batter. The texture should be grainy, not smooth. Add 1 tablespoon of water only if needed to get the batter moving. Do not over-blend.
  4. Transfer the batter to a bowl. Add salt, turmeric, red onion, and cilantro. Mix well to combine.
  5. Spray the air fryer tray with cooking spray or use a parchment paper liner. Make small bite sized balls of batter and place them in the airfryer basket, slightly apart. Lightly spray the tops of the pakoras with oil.
  6. Air fry at 360°F for 8 minutes. Open the air fryer and shake the basket. Spray with a little more oil.
  7. Cook for an additional 4 to 7 minutes until the pakoras are golden brown and crispy. Check at 4 minutes as air fryers vary. Serve immediately.
  8. For an optional spicy kick, you can serve with a side of green chili chutney.

Video

Notes

- Don't over-blend the dal: a coarse, grainy texture is key for crispy moong dal pakodas. If the batter is too smooth, they will be dense.
- For a uniform cook, ensure your pakodas are roughly the same size. I’ve found that using a small cookie scoop helps maintain consistency.
- To achieve maximum crispiness, make sure not to overcrowd the air fryer basket. Cook in batches if necessary, allowing air to circulate around each pakoda.
- Leftover moong dal pakodas can be stored in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in the air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 3-5 minutes until crispy again.
Nutrition information is an estimate, calculated automatically. Values vary with brands, substitutions and portion sizes.