Eggplant Pizza Pakora: A Fusion Snack Delight

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If you love pizza and pakoras, then this Eggplant Pizza Pakora is going to blow your mind. It’s a fun fusion snack that combines the crispiness of pakoras with the cheesy, saucy goodness of pizza.

This pakora is made with sliced eggplants layered with cheese and salsa. Shallow fried to perfection, it can be your next tea-time treat. This pakora is guaranteed to be a hit with both kids and adults. Whether you’re after a fun snack or a creative twist on crispy eggplant fritters, this recipe offers the perfect bite.

Why To Make It?

Quick Tea-Time Snack: It is easy to make and goes perfectly with your evening tea.
Creative: It’s not just your regular eggplant pakora, the pizza twist makes it exciting, especially for children who run away from eggplants.
Fun Party option: You can absolutely include it as an appetizer for hosting a gathering.
Vegetarian Delight: Packed with vegetables and cheese, it’s a great way to enjoy veggies in a fun way.

Ingredients

Ground flour (Besan): This will be used as batter for pizza pakoras
Rice flour: This will be mixed in the batter for giving an extra crunch in the pakoras.
Red chili flakes: For a little heat in the batter and seasoning.
Mixed herbs: Adds Italian flavors that mimic pizza seasoning.
Water: To adjust the batter consistency.
Eggplant: Acts as the “base” for the pakora, to layer other other ingredients.
Capsicum (bell pepper): For a fresh, crunchy topping.
Homemade onion tomato salsa: Adds a saucy, tangy flavor, just like pizza sauce.
Mozzarella cheese: Melts beautifully inside the pakora, giving you that pizza-like experience.
Oil: For shallow frying the pakoras to crispy perfection.
Ketchup or favorite sauce: For dipping and serving on the side.

See recipe card for quantities.

Instructions

Prepare the Batter: In a mixing bowl, combine ground flour, rice flour, salt, red chili flakes, and mixed herbs. Add water gradually and whisk until you have a smooth, pancake-like batter.

Slice the Vegetables: Thinly slice the eggplant and capsicum into roundels.

Assemble the Pakora: Take one eggplant slice and add a spoonful of onion tomato salsa. Place a capsicum slice on top and sprinkle some red chili flakes, herbs, and mozzarella cheese. Top it with another eggplant slice to form a sandwich.

Dip in Batter: Carefully dip the eggplant “pizza” sandwich into the batter, ensuring it’s fully coated.

Shallow Fry: Heat oil in a frying pan over medium-low heat. Shallow fry the eggplant pizza pakoras and cook evenly on both sides until golden brown and crispy. Ensure the cheese inside is melted.

Serve: Slice the pakoras in half and serve hot with ketchup or your favorite dipping sauce.

Substitutions

You can swap eggplant with zucchini or large slices of potatoes if you’re not a fan of eggplant.
If you prefer a spicier flavor, replace the mozzarella cheese with a spicy cheese blend like pepper jack.
You can use store-bought pizza sauce instead of homemade salsa to save time.
If you’re avoiding deep frying, you can air-fry the pakoras instead of shallow frying them in oil.

Variations

Add sliced jalapeños for an extra spicy kick.
Use pepperoni or olives as toppings for a more pizza-like experience.
Instead of eggplant, make these pakoras with thick slices of paneer for a vegetarian protein boost.
Add a layer of garlic butter to the eggplant slices for a garlicky flavor.
Make mini eggplant pizza bites by using smaller slices and serving them as appetizers.

Storage

Storing: If you have leftovers, store them in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 1 day.

Reheating: Reheat the pakoras in a preheated oven or air fryer at 350°F (175°C) for 5-7 minutes until crispy again.

How to serve

Serve these eggplant pizza pakoras hot with a side of ketchup, marinara, or your favorite dipping sauce. They make a fun and unique snack for tea-time or even as a party appetizer.

FAQ

Can I bake instead of fry these pakoras?

Yes, you can bake them at 375°F (190°C) for about 20 minutes, flipping halfway through.

What’s the best eggplant to use for this recipe?

Choose a large, firm eggplant with fewer seeds for the best texture.

Can I make these pakoras ahead of time?

Yes, you can assemble the eggplant “pizzas” and refrigerate them. Coat them in batter and fry just before serving.

How do I prevent eggplant from becoming soggy?

Lightly salt the eggplant slices and let them sit for 10 minutes. This will draw out excess moisture.

What other sauces can I serve with these pakoras?

Replace paneer with tofu and ghee with oil to make this recipe vegan-friendly.

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