These baked onion bhaji slices are my delicious, wholesome alternative to traditional deep-fried onion bhajis. Made with red onions, chickpea flour, fresh ginger and garam masala, they are naturally vegan and gluten-free. They bake into a firm, savoury slice that holds together beautifully and tastes gorgeous served either hot or cold.

An onion bhaji is traditionally a fritter made by coating onions in a spiced batter and frying them. So strictly speaking, I am not making traditional bhajis at all, haha. I am actually making a baked chickpea flour and onion slice.

However, I use many of the familiar ingredients and flavours that you would expect in an onion bhaji, so I am happily keeping the name. Think of it as my playful, oven-baked interpretation.

These baked onion bhaji slices are an excellent option for anyone who wants all of that gorgeous spiced onion flavour without deep-frying everything in oodles of oil. Not only are they wonderfully wholesome, you’ll be happy to know that they are de-e-e-licious too!

Baked onion bhaji slices that hold together beautifully

One of my favourite things about this recipe is how well the slices hold together. Chickpea flour works its wonderful binding magic as it bakes, creating a firm slice that can be picked up and eaten easily.

Serve your baked onion bhaji slices hot as a starter with mango chutney, tahini sauce or another favourite dip. They are equally delicious cold, which makes them ideal for lunch boxes, picnics, hiking food or as an accompaniment to salad.

They will keep well in the fridge for two or three days. Allow them to cool before placing them in a covered container, then enjoy them cold or gently warm them through again.

Red onions create the gorgeous purple effect you can see in my photographs. If you don’t have red onions, ordinary white or brown onions will work perfectly well. You can even use leeks for a slightly different but equally delicious version.

What flour do I use for baked onion bhaji slices? Chickpea or gram flour…

I use chickpea flour for these baked onion bhaji slices. This is the flour traditionally used for bhajis and pakora in Indian and Pakistani cuisine. It also appears in many other foods around the world, including French socca and Italian farinata.

Chickpea flour is made from finely ground dried chickpeas. It is naturally gluten-free and has an excellent ability to bind ingredients together once mixed with liquid and thoroughly cooked. This is what allows my baked onion bhaji slice to become firm without using eggs or gluten.

You may also see chickpea flour labelled as gram flour, besan or garbanzo bean flour. There can be small differences in the variety of chickpea used or how finely it has been ground, but for this recipe I use them interchangeably. Simply choose whichever suitable version is easiest for you to find.

If you would like more inspiration, I have gathered all of my favourite vegan and gluten-free chickpea flour recipes here, including farinata, wraps, frittatas, pakora, bhajis and burgers.

What spices do I use for baked onion bhajis? Garam masala and fresh ginger…

I use garam masala, which is widely available in supermarkets, health food shops and Indian food shops. Garam masala is an aromatic blend of warming spices. The exact combination varies between different regions and brands, so every blend tastes a little different.

If you already have a favourite garam masala, then use that. Otherwise, simply see what is available and choose the one that feels right. You can also substitute a mild curry powder blend if you prefer.

Fresh ginger also makes an appearance in this recipe. I use it because it brings a lovely freshness and warmth that balances beautifully with the onions and garam masala.

I use fresh ginger almost daily in my kitchen. If you have some left over, you might find my guide on how to store fresh ginger in the fridge, freezer or at room temperature helpful.

Garam masala is an amazing blend of aromatic, warming spices

Are these baked onion bhaji slices vegan and gluten-free?

Yes. The ingredients in this recipe are entirely plant-based and chickpea flour is naturally gluten-free. If you need to avoid even small traces of gluten, check the flour packet to make sure it has not been processed alongside wheat or other gluten-containing grains.

I have been creating plant-based and gluten-free food for over 30 years, and chickpea flour remains one of my favourite ingredients. It is simple, nourishing and has a wonderful ability to transform vegetables and spices into something firm, satisfying and incredibly tasty.

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Baked Onion Bhaji Slices - gluten-free vegan recipe

Yield: 8 slices

Prep Time: 10 minutes

Cook Time: 20 minutes

Total Time: 30 minutes

Baked onion bhaji slices made with chickpea flour or gram flour. Using a blend of warming aromatic spices and gently sautéed onion, this slice holds together to perfection. Naturally vegan, gluten-free and full of high protein goodness.

4.7 Stars (12 Reviews)

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Ingredients

• 4 medium sized red onions
• 150g chickpea flour
• 1 heaped teaspoon fresh ginger
• 1/2 teaspoon sea salt
• 1 heaped tablespoon onion powder
• 2 teaspoons garam masala powder
• 1 tablespoon dried parsley
• 100ml water

Instructions

1. Sautee the onion in a little oil for a few minutes.
2. Weigh the chickpea flour and put in a mixing bowl.
3. Peel and finely grate the ginger and add along with all the other dried ingredients to the mixing bowl.
4. Add the onion.
5. Add the water and then mix together thoroughly.
6. Put in a parchment paper lined baking dish or tin (I am using one that is 8 inch diameter - round).
7. Bake at 200C (400F) for about 20 minutes.
8. Slice immediately and enjoy hot or slice and enjoy cold later or over the next two or three days.

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If you like this recipe, then I am sure you’ll LOVE my Baked Pakora Recipe. It is another delicious, naturally gluten-free recipe made with vegetables, warming spices and chickpea flour. Check it out here…