These aromatic baked vegetable pakoras combine fragrant garam masala and earthy turmeric with gram (chickpea) flour to create fritters with the vegetables. They’re also vegan and gluten-free and only 39 calories each! You only need 6 ingredients and 25 minutes.
This recipe was originally posted 06 April 2016
Updated 11 October 2018
Cauliflower Pakoras
These aromatic cauliflower and spinach pakoras combine fragrant garam masala and earthy turmeric with gram (chickpea) flour to create fritters with the vegetables.
The traditional Indian snacks are normally deep fried, but these ones are baked, so they are a healthier version of the vegan, gluten-free snack or side dish.
Vegetable Pakora FAQs
- How many calories are in pakora? These vegetable pakoras have just 39 calories each!
- Can I cook the pakora in an airfryer? Yes! Add spoonfuls to the basket and cook according to manufacturer instructions.
- How can I make pakora healther? By following this recipe for baked vegetable pakora – they’re baked, not fried.
- Can I freeze baked pakora? These pakoras can be frozen in a bag or container for up to 1 month. If freezing a large batch, place baking paper between layers.
How to serve vegetable pakoras?
They are as lovely dipped in a cooling cucumber and mint raita or sweet mango chutney, as they are eaten on their own or alongside a curry like my popular Red Lentil Dahl alongside Easy Naan Bread.
They’re also great alongside my Whole Cauliflower and Sweet Potato Curry, which uses up all of the cauliflower – including the leaves. For something a little different, if you have leftover cauliflower, you could try roasting in my Miso-Roasted Cauliflower.
Adapting Vegetable Pakora Recipe
Pakoras are fantastically adaptable, so you could add in other vegetables such as frozen peas, aubergine, onions or grated carrot.
Make them spicier with added finely chopped chilli peppers, chilli powder or dried chilli flakes.
They are not only a quick and healthy snack, but a great way to reduce waste by using up vegetables.
Get the Vegetable Pakoras Recipe
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Vegetable Pakoras
Ingredients
- 100 g (¾ cup) gram flour (chickpea flour)
- ½ tsp baking powder
- ½ tsp ground turmeric
- ½ tsp garam masala
- ½ tsp salt
- ½ tsp ground pepper
- 50-120 ml (¼ - ½ cup) water
- 250 g (2 cups cauliflower), roughly chopped
- 50 g (1 cup) spinach, chopped
Instructions
- Preheat oven to 220C/425F. Lightly grease a baking sheet or muffin tin with cooking oil.
- In a large bowl, whisk the flour, baking powder, turmeric, garam masala salt and pepper. Slowly whisk in the water, adding only enough to make a thick paste.
- Add the chopped cauliflower and spinach to the batter and mix thoroughly.
- Drop tablespoonfuls of the mixture onto a baking sheet, or spoon into muffin cups. Cook for 10 minutes then flip and cook for 7-10 minutes on the other side or until golden. Watch frequently so they don’t burn.
Recipe Tips
Nutrition Information
Thanks for checking out my recipe! I love hearing from my readers. You all allow me to do what I love and write this UK food blog, sharing vegetarian and vegan recipes, vegetable cake recipes and also easy vegan desserts.
Kate x
Amna
If I’m making a large batch, should I freeze them after baking or before?
Thanks!
Kate Hackworthy
Hi Amna, It would be best to freeze them after they’ve been baked and cooled. I hope you enjoy the recipe!
Linda
Oh, this was the perfect side to our curry. I love the fact that they’re baked and also kicked them up a notch with a little more spice. Great healthy treat to have on hand.
Justine Howell
WAs looking for something new to try to make with my kids and this is perfect! Looks amazing.
Marjory
These are absolutely stunning! I love that they are baked and you don’t have to deal with messy oil!
Lauren
I can’t believe these are only 39 calories each! I’ve been wanting to experiment with chickpea flour and I will definitely be trying these!
Jill
I have never heard of pakoras but they sound tasty and healthy!
Chris
So yummy looking! I know this sounds like a crazy question, but does it matter whether using baby spinach or not? I want mine to come out with that nice green colour
Julia
My mom would make something like this when I was a kid but with different spices. These are definitely more flavorful though 🙂 Delish!
Claudia Lamascolo
I love that these are baked. I try and bake just about eveyrthing or air fry now. Its a change a way of healthy foods for our future looks great!
Becca Talbot
These sound delicious! I really like pakoras – when I visited India back in 2016 with my grandma we did an Indian cookery lesson and learnt how to make them there ☺ x
Marisa Franca @ All Our Way
We love to try new cuisines and their recipes. This sounds delicious — guess we’re off to a new adventure and I’m glad they are baked instead of fried.
fabfood4all
I love that these are baked and not deep fried, must try them as my family would love these:-)
peter @feedyoursoultoo
Love this idea. Love working with cauliflower. It is the perfect vehicle to absorb the wonderful spices in your reicpe.
Kristen
I just got some turmeric and am looking for ways to use it! Thank-You!
Ali @ Home & Plate
I’ve never had Pakoras but they look great. Wish you lived closer so I would just pop over to give them a try. Looks delish!
Mark, Compass & Fork
I love pakoras. I often order them at my local Indian restaurant. However, I have not tried cauliflower and spinach. It looks lovely and I will be trying this.
Charlotte
You make these seem so easy to make! I love the colour pop of the spices on the spoon too 🙂 a beautiful post as always lovely.
Rhiannon at VegBurge
These look so amazing. I am bookmarking this for next time I make a curry!
Hannah - Budding Smiles
These look utterly delicious! I adore pakoras and actually haven’t had an Indian meal in ages so I feel one coming on!xx
unicornsinthekitchen
Anything with turmeric and spinach makes me drool! great recipe for a simple weeknight dinner or light lunch! Thanks!
annalisanuttall
That look and taste amazing – i might have to try this. xx
Sara- The Organic Dietitian
Cauliflower has quickly become one of my favorite vegetables to cook with. Another great recipe to add to my rotation.
yourcooktoria
I’ve never tried anything like it, but these pakoras look so tasty. I am saving this recipe for later!
Tracy | Baking Mischief
I’ve never tried pakoras before. They look delicious! I love that they are so packed full of different flavors and baked instead of deep fried (though I’m sure deep fried is delicious too 😉 ).