Raw Banana Fritters
This is one of my favorite snacks and a go-to side dish with curd rice and dal rice! We call this raw banana bhajji or pakora. Made with simple ingredients, whenever I have curd rice, I definitely demand pakoras—and this one is my absolute favorite. These crispy, golden raw banana fritters are coated in a flavorful besan batter, making them perfect for tea time or a delicious crunch alongside your meals.
Recipe Overview
- ⏱ Prep Time: 10 minutes
- 🔥 Cook Time: 15 minutes
- ⌛ Total Time: 25 minutes
- 🍽 Course: Snack / Side Dish
- 🌍 Cuisine: Indian
No of servings:
Ingredients
- 1 raw banana (plantain)
- 1 cup besan (gram flour)
- 0.5 tsp turmeric powder
- 1 tsp red chili powder
- 0.5 tsp cumin powder
- 0.5 tsp cumin seeds
- 0.25 tsp baking powder
- A pinch of baking soda
- Salt, to taste
- Water, as needed
- Oil, for deep frying
Method
- Peel the raw banana (you can also use unpeeled raw bananas if you like) and slice it into thin rounds or long strips.
- In a bowl, mix the besan, turmeric powder, red chili powder, cumin powder, cumin seeds, baking powder, baking soda, and salt.
- Gradually add water to make a smooth, medium-thick batter that coats the back of a spoon.
- Heat oil in a deep pan over medium heat.
- Dip each banana slice into the batter, ensuring it is coated well on all sides.
- Gently drop into hot oil and fry until golden brown and crispy. (If you want, you can also double-coat with batter and fry—I do this sometimes for extra bulk, and it turns out so good!).
- Drain on paper towels and serve hot with tomato ketchup, green chutney, or as a side dish with curd rice like me!
💡 Tips & Tricks
- Double-Coating Option: Dipping the banana slice back into the batter for a second coating creates a thicker, puffier exterior crust that holds extra crunch.
- Batter Consistency: Keep the batter medium-thick—if it is too runny, it won't cling to the raw banana slices; if it's too thick, the inside won't cook evenly.
- Hot Oil Test: Drop a tiny drop of batter into the oil; if it rises immediately to the surface without burning, the oil is at the right frying temperature.
Nutritional Info (Per Serving)
- Calories: ~220 kcal
- Protein: ~6 g
- Carbohydrates: ~32 g
- Fat: ~8 g
- Fiber: ~5 g
Nutritional values are approximate and calculated based on 2 servings per raw banana.
Raw Banana Fritters (Aratikaya Bajji / Raw Banana Pakora) are a traditional Indian tea-time delicacy and side dish. Crisp on the outside with soft, tender plantain on the inside, they turn simple curd rice or afternoon tea into a comforting feast!