Last Updated on May 19, 2020 by Chef Mireille
Bhindi Pakora
Indian Gluten Free Okra Fritters are the perfect party snack that everyone will love. This no slime okra option will become a fave even for the usual okra haters.
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If you are an Indian food fan, you’ve probably had pakora at some time. Whether you have made them yourself or ordered them from your favorite Indian restaurant, pakora are one of the most popular Indian savory snacks.
They can be made from just about anything. Although vegetable pakoras are the most popular, you may also want to check out Fish Pakora, Chicken Pakora and Pondicherry Shrimp Pakora – Erral Masala Vadai. Onion Pakoras are probably the most popular and these Bhindi Pakora are my own creation and probably one of the more unique varieties. This is one version you most likely with never see on an Indian restaurant menu.
However, if you are an okra lover, I am sure you are going to just love these!
A few weeks ago I whipped up a big batch of pakoras including Aloo Bonda (Potato Pakora) and Balekai Podi (Plantain Pakora). Now that people are quarantined at home and always about grazing for food, whip up a big batch of pakora and it is a great snack to have around.
How do you reheat pakora?
The best way to reheat pakora is in an oven or toaster oven for about 15 minutes. UNDER NO CIRCUMSTANCES, reheat them in the microwave. The batter will turn wimpy. You need the dry heat of the oven for them to maintain their crispy exterior.
Slime Free Okra
Many people complain about okra. Some don’t like the slime of okra. However, I think that is one of the best characteristics of okra. It helps thicken things like NOLA Gumbo – the classic New Orleans stew.
Over the years, I have learned a few slime free okra recipes to convert some of my okra slime hating friends and family. This is one of them.
Since the okra is cooked whole, no slime escapes. Bhindi Pakora – Indian Gluten Free Okra Fritters is the perfect recipes to make for your okra slime hating friends and family.
Pakora Batter
All recipes can and should be made to personal tastes. There are often many different ways to make the same recipe.
I don’t like thick batters, so I make pakoras with a very thin batter. However, if you prefer more traditional pakoras with thicker batters, simply use a little less water in the chickpea batter to get a thicker batter.
Now that you got everyone to give okra a chance since they love these Indian Bhindi Pakora, here are some more okra recipes to give a try!
Okra Recipes
- Shrimp & Okra Gumbo
- Fried Okra in Tomato Bread Sauce
- Fried Okra Salad
- Kerala Okra Curry
- Jharkhand Okra Masala
- Omani Bamia Stew
- Cou Cou – Caribbean Polenta
- Chickpea Okra Ground Provision Soup
- Plantain Peanut Soup
- Okra Shorba
All you need is some chutney and Bhindi Pakora – Indian Gluten Free Okra Fritters are perfect for munching!
Bhindi Pakora – Indian Gluten Free Okra Fritters
Ingredients
- 1 cup chickpea flour besan
- 2 teaspoons ginger garlic paste
- 2 teaspoons dhana-jeera powder or 1 teaspoon ground cumin and 1 teaspoon ground coriander
- 1 teaspoon red chile powder cayenne pepper
- 1 teaspoon salt
- 2/3 cup water
- 8 oz. okra
- oil for frying
Instructions
- Combine flour with the ginger garlic paste and dhana jeera powder.
- Add chili pepper and salt. Mix to combine.
- Add water, a little at a time to form a batter. Use less water to form a thicker batter, as desired.
- Make sure you use okra that is firm, whole and intact without any cuts. Put okra into the batter and toss until all the okra is well coated with the batter.
- Heat enough oil for deep frying.
- Take okra pieces out of the batter, one at a time and place in the hot oil.
- Fry for 3-4 minutes, tossing frequently, until the pakoras are golden brown on both sides.
- Remove from the oil and drain on paper towels to absorb excess oil.
- Serve with your favorite chutney.
Nutrition
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Nice bhindi pakodas. Looks lovely fried whole. Reminds me of the green chilli pakodas that Andhra (a state in India) is famous for
That's a really nice way to enjoy fresh okra.
This is interesting as I have never seen a pakoda of this sort :)I shall take your word for it on the taste part but I guess the uncooked okra is not my thing 🙁 Also I had a doubt, does the okra gets cooked at all, or just the batter gets color?
the okra is NOT raw. it stays firm, but it does get cooked in the hot oil.
So yummy and a very different dish with okra!! nicely done mireille!!
Sowmya
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This is totally new to me…the pakoda looks awesome and very tempting.
The pakoda masti is really making my mouth water! Too many yummy dishes, Mireille :)). LOVE these!
Reminds me of chilli pakoda. Never thoght of using okra in pakora form.Looks very srispy Mir…
Gosh I never thought of making pakoras with bhindi..trust me..:)..such a cool idea, why not! I will try it next time..
Wow.. pakodas with okra is so unique and interesting.. Looks delicious.
I absolutely love okra.will try this for sure 🙂
Interesting .. never thought of making pakoras with bhindi. Very innovative
not the usual choice of veggie, but it is so good. YOu should definitely give it a try!
Bhindi Pakoda looks scrumptious. I tried these a few years back . It is a regular affair at my place now.
Me too – it has now become my favorite type of pakora
WoW pakodas with bhindi looks and sounds so interesting. They looks so crispy, we used to make in a different way and we call it kurkuri bhindi(crispy okra). I’ll try this version someday. Thanks for this beautiful share!
now i’ll have to also check out kurkuri but I am sure you are going to love thie Bhindi Pakora when you try it!
I fry okra in different ways but never thought of making a pakoda with it. Innovative one, must try it sometime. It makes a good snack with tea.
yes its the perfect tea time savory. a DELICIOUS fried snack to have any time!
That’s an interesting way to enjoy okra.. here at some Chinese restaurants they make fried okra, tempura style but they cut the okra into thin strips. Will have to try this awesome recipe when I next fry some bhajias.
by leaving the okra whole, you can ensure there is no slime.
I make shallow fry okra and add little flour to it. never tried like pakora. Next time going to try this crispy okra fries. Too tempting
I like the idea of calling them okra fries 🙂 – truly that’s what they look like!
I make various different types of pakoda but never tried bhindi or okra pakoda. Next time I am adding this to my pakoda list. They are tempting.
I am sure they are going to be a family fave. They are the most popular variety of pakora that I make!
Looks awesome Mir. These pakoda look like green chilli pakoda. I am sure they taste awesome
yes they do – If you have never tried pakora with okra, you definitely should the next time you are whipping up some pakora!
I thought I had seen it all, but these okra “fries” are so so so good ! Could be a great entree for any party for sure
yes – okra fries are a great party appetizer!