Perfect when you’re craving for a snack that’s crispy and flavorful, and healthy at the same time- these air fried lentil fritters, paired with the tamarind chutney are sure to take your taste buds on a ride.
Interested already? Wait up! Before you jump right into the recipe, here’s all you need to know about making it the right way.
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Ingredients For the Recipe
You’ll need two sets of ingredients to make the air fried lentil fritters with the tamarind chutney.
- Besan: 1 cup
- Onions (sliced): ½ cup
- Green chilies (chopped): 1 tbsp
- Ginger garlic paste: 1 tbsp
- Turmeric powder: ½ tsp
- Red chili powder: 1 tsp
- Coriander powder: 1 tsp
- Cumin powder: ½ tsp
- Garam masala powder: ½ tsp
- Mint leaves (chopped): ¼ cup
- Red lentil or Masoor Dal (boiled): ½ cup
- Salt: 1 tsp
- Water (optional): As required
For the Tamarind Mint chutney
- Mint leaves: A bunch
- Tamarind; 2 tbsps
- Green chilies: 3-5
- Salt: 2 tsps or as per taste
How to Make the Air Fried Lentil Fritters and Tamarind Chutney
Once you have all your ingredients ready, here’s what you need to do to make the pakoras and the chutney.
Pre-heat the air fryer at 400°F for 5 minutes.
In a mixing bowl, add all the ingredients for the pakoras and mix well.
Add water little by little as required to make a thick paste. If the dal has water, do not add any extra water.
Spray the air fryer basket with oil.
Next, take a lump of the prepared mixture and place it in the air fryer basket. Continue making as many lumps as you can. Make sure to not make them too large otherwise they won’t get cooked at the center.
Spray a bit of oil on them, and cook them at 400°F for 10-15 minutes.
You can flip them once in between and brush some oil so that they are cooked well.
For the tamarind chutney, blend everything together in a blender. Adjust salt and tamarind if required.
Serve red lentil pakoras hot with tamarind chutney and tea and enjoy it as a delicious snack.
Frequently Asked Questions
While air frying the fritters is the fool proof, easiest way to make them nice and crispy, you can also add a teaspoon of rice flour into the mixture to lend the fritters an extra crunch factor.
And of course, don’t forget to compensate by reducing the amount of besan (chickpea flour) you’re adding in. 
Red lentils are one of the easiest lentils to work with, and are super versatile too, which makes them the perfect choice for these fritters. If you really want to try the recipe out with other lentils, you can do that too.
You can also use a combination of two or more lentils and try out different variations.
You can! The tamarind chutney can be prepared weeks in advance- all you need to do is refrigerate it in a glass jar until you’re ready to use it. The lentils can also be boiled for upto a day ahead, and then eventually combined with the rest of the ingredients until they are ready to be turned into fritters. 
Tips & Tricks to Make the Air Fried Lentil Fritters
Think you’re ready to try out the recipe? Take note of these additional hacks and tricks to make the most of the recipe.
- You can add so much more to the batter for the fritters than just these ingredients- grated zucchini, carrots, potatoes or even sweet potatoes are all great choices.
- If the batter for the fritters has turned too runny, you can gradually add a bit more chickpea flour into it along with the spices and seasonings, until you achieve the right texture.
- To make the fritters healthier, you can also add some chopped spinach or kale.
- Adding half a teaspoon of curry powder into the fritter mixture can really help elevate their flavor.
- Make sure you air fry and reheat any leftover fritters that you might have. Microwaving them will cause them to become soggy and soft.
- Your leftover air fried lentil fritters can be a splendid topping for your salads or can be tucked into a pita along with some pickled veggies and sauces to be turned into a quick wrap.
Serving Ideas & Suggestions
A plate full of crispy and crunchy fritters are incomplete without a chutney or a dip on the side, and these air fried lentil fritters taste perfect when paired with the tamarind chutney or the classic spicy coriander chutney.
If you’re in the mood to keep it light and subtle, a yogurt based dip or just some tomato ketchup can work wonderfully too.
Loved making these delicious fritters? Here are some more insanely delicious recipes that need just a few ingredients and your air fryer.
- Crispy Stuffed Okra
- Air Fried Fenugreek Pakoras with Green Chutney
- Spicy Sweet Potato Chips with Chili Mayo Dip
📖 Recipe
Air Fried Lentil Fritters with Tamarind Chutney
Ingredients
Ingredients for Air Fried Lentil Fritters
- 1 cup Besan
- ½ cup Onions , (sliced)
- 1 tablespoon Green chilies , (chopped)
- 1 tablespoon Ginger garlic paste
- ½ teaspoon Turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon Red chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Coriander powder
- ½ teaspoon Cumin powder
- ½ teaspoon Garam masala powder
- ¼ cup Mint leaves , (chopped)
- ½ cup Red lentil or Masoor Dal, (boiled)
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 1 cup Water , (optional)
Ingredients for the Tamarind Mint chutney
- 1 bunch Mint leaves
- 2 tablespoon Tamarind
- 3-5 pcs Green chilies
- 2 teaspoon Salt
Instructions
- Pre-heat the air fryer at 400°F for 5 minutes.
- In a mixing bowl, add all the ingredients for the pakodas and mix well.
- Add water little by little as required to make a thick paste. If the dal has water, do not add any extra water.
- Spray the air fryer basket with oil.
- Next, take a lump of the prepared mixture and place it in the air fryer basket. Continue making as many lumps as you can. Make sure to not make them too large otherwise they won’t get cooked at the center.
- Spray a bit of oil on them, and cook them at 400°F for 10-15 minutes.
- You can flip them once in between and brush some oil so that they are cooked well.
- For the tamarind chutney, blend everything together in a blender. Adjust salt and tamarind if required.
- Serve red lentil pakodas hot with tamarind chutney and tea and enjoy it as a delicious snack.
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