Description
These crispy and flavorful Vegetable Pakora with Kale are made with fresh kale, aromatic Indian spices, and a gluten-free chickpea flour batter. Fried to golden perfection, they make an irresistible appetizer, snack, or side dish.
Ingredients
- 4 cups packed kale, stems removed and leaves cut into 1–2-inch pieces
- 1 cup chickpea flour (gram or besan flour)
- 2 teaspoons salt
- 2 teaspoons ground cumin
- 1½ teaspoons ground Kashmiri chile (or 1 tsp paprika + ½ tsp cayenne)
- 1 teaspoon garlic powder
- 1 teaspoon onion powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- 1 teaspoon ground ginger
- ½ teaspoon ground turmeric
- 2 egg whites
- ⅓ cup fresh lemon juice
- Water, as needed to adjust batter consistency
- Oil for frying (peanut oil recommended)
Instructions
- Remove stems from the kale and cut the leaves into 1–2 inch pieces. Pack tightly into measuring cups.
- In a large mixing bowl, combine chickpea flour, salt, cumin, Kashmiri chile (or paprika and cayenne), garlic powder, onion powder, garam masala, ground ginger, and turmeric. Mix well.
- Add egg whites and lemon juice to the dry ingredients. Stir, adding water a little at a time, until a thick batter forms.
- Mix the chopped kale into the batter, coating all the pieces evenly.
- Heat 1½ to 2 inches of oil in a deep saucepan over medium heat to 350–360°F (use a thermometer for accuracy).
- Line a plate with paper towels and set aside.
- Working in small batches, drop the coated kale into the hot oil. Use a spider skimmer to flip each piece right away to prevent sticking.
- Fry for 2–3 minutes until golden brown. Transfer to the prepared plate to drain excess oil.
- Repeat with remaining kale. Serve warm with dipping sauces.
Notes
- Serve with Raita or Green Chutney for authentic flavor.
- Store leftovers in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2–3 days.
- Reheat in the oven at 350°F for 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway through for crispiness.
Nutrition
- Serving Size: 1 serving
- Calories: 180
- Sugar: 2g
- Sodium: 580mg
- Fat: 10g
- Saturated Fat: 1.5g
- Unsaturated Fat: 7g
- Trans Fat: 0g
- Carbohydrates: 16g
- Fiber: 3g
- Protein: 5g
- Cholesterol: 0mg
