Kale Pakora (Crispy Chickpea Flour Fritters) Gluten-free

Baked Kale Pakora. Pakoras or Pakoda are fried Crispy Indian fritters which are served for snacking. Use other greens such as spinach for Spinach Pakora or chard for variation. Gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, and vegan. Jump to Recipe

Pakoras are a frequent snack especially around the festive season. People visit friends and family with a collection of sweets and snacks, hang out and eat fresh pakoras and drink masala chai!

Festivities begin on Dhanteras (the day of forture), where people clean up the house, set up lamps and lights and buy something new(new metal to bring good luck) for the house, to invite positivity, prosperity and happiness. Today is Choti (small) Diwali (day of knowledge), tomorrow will be Diwali (day of light), which is celebrated with lamps and amazing food to celebrate the victory of good over various kinds of evil.

This Pakora uses a few ingredients, is simple and baked. Bake till just about crisp and like pakoras or bake longer for crispier kale chips like result. serve with chutneys or dips of choice.

You can use this same method to make vegetable pakora (chop the veggies small and use less amount so that you have enough batter), or with onions(use thinly sliced onions). Bake them or fry them! Another veggie pakora which is simpler as you chop everything in the food processor can be found here. Lets make this kale pakora!

Ingredients for Kale Pakora

• Chickpea flour. I use garbanzo bean flour here for a thicker batter. If using besan, add 2 to 4 tbsp more besan.
• Rice flour adds a nice crunch. Use fin semolina to substitute
• salt, cumin seeds, turmeric and cayenne for flavor
• baking powder for a lighter pakora
• green or red chili, ginger for additional flavor
• water to make the batter
• one bunch of curly kale or other greens of choice

How to make Kale Pakora

Measure out, and place ingredients onto your work space. Remove stems from the kale by pulling between your fingers, or by using a knife. Chop the kale into small pieces.

Place all dry ingredients into a bowl

Whisk all dry ingredients together with the half cup of water until it is a creamy, light batter.

The batter should not be too flowy. Add the kale to the batter, and mix and rub the batter on/between the leaves

Spread on parchment lined sheet, and bake at 425 degrees for 18-30 minutes, depending on the size of the kale, and how crisp you’d like it to be. Reduce temp to 375 degrees after 22 minutes and move the dish around for even baking. Serve with green chutney, or tamarind chutney!

I like to crisp these up so they are more  like kale chips. So I bake them longer. Check one at 22 mins and see if you want them crispier.

More Savory Indian Snacks!

• Baked Papdi- spiced crackers
• Moong Dal Samosa
• Savory trail Mix – Quinoa Chivda
• Potato Rice crackers – Namak Paare GF
• Samosa pinwheels
• Bhel with Sweet Potatoes – Puffed Rice Street Snack
• Mung Dal Pakoras
• Roasted Masala Chickpeas

Print Recipe

4.75 from 4 votes

Kale Pakora (Crispy Chickpea Flour Fritters)

Baked Kale Pakora. Pakoras or Pakoda are fried Crispy Indian fritters which are served for snacking. Use other greens such as spinach for Spinach Pakora or chard for variation. Gluten-free, soy-free, nut-free, and Vegan.

Prep Time15 mins

Cook Time25 mins

Total Time40 mins

Course: Appetizer, Snack

Cuisine: Indian

Keyword: kale pakoda, spinach pakora

Servings: 4

Calories: 142.89kcal

Author: Vegan Richa

Ingredients

• 1 cup (120 g) chickpea flour (garbanzo bean flour. If using besan, add 2 to 4 tbsp more for thicker batter consistency)
• 3 tbsp rice flour (or use fine semolina. Semolina is not gluten-free)
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1/2 tsp cumin seeds , or other spices of choice such as carom seeds, mustard seeds, sesame seeds
• 1/2 tsp turmeric
• 1/3 tsp cayenne
• 1 tsp oil optional)
• 1/2 cup (118.29 ml) water
• 1/4 tsp baking powder
• 1 red or green chili , finely chopped
• 1 tsp minced ginger
• 6 curry leaves, finely chopped (optional)
• 1 bunch of curly kale 5 to 6 medium stems , 3+ cups packed after chopping

Instructions

• Remove stems from the kale by pulling between your fingers, or by using a knife. Chop into small pieces. Preheat the oven to 425 deg F (218 C). Line a baking sheet or dish with parchment.
• Make the batter: Add all the dry ingredients into a bowl and mix. Add oil if using and water and whisk to make a thick smooth batter. If the batter is too thin/watery, add more chickpea flour a few tsp at a time and whisk in. If too thick, add water (1-2 tbsp). You want the batter to be thick and close to pasty so that it sticks well to the leaves.
• Add the kale to the batter, and mix and rub the batter on/between the leaves
• Spread on parchment lined sheet, and bake at 425 degrees for a total of 18-28 minutes. Bake time depends on the size of the kale, and how crisp you'd like it to be. Reduce temp to 375 degrees F (190 C) after 22 minutes. Move the dish around for even baking.
• Sprinkle some chaat masala or cayenne(red chili powder) Serve with green chutney, or tamarind chutney!

  Store: on the counter for the day.

Nutrition

Nutrition Facts

Kale Pakora (Crispy Chickpea Flour Fritters)

Amount Per Serving

Calories 142.89 Calories from Fat 24

% Daily Value*

Fat 2.62g4%

Saturated Fat 0.28g2%

Sodium 331.25mg14%

Potassium 525.78mg15%

Carbohydrates 26.57g9%

Fiber 3.38g14%

Sugar 3.27g4%

Protein 9.26g19%

Vitamin A 5019.98IU100%

Vitamin C 60.3mg73%

Calcium 99.7mg10%

Iron 2.36mg13%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.