Bhaji facts for kids

Quick facts for kids
Bhaji

Stuffed mirchi (chili) bhaji served in an Indian restaurant.
Alternative names	Bhaji, bajji, Onion Bhaji
Type	Fritter
Place of origin	Indian subcontinent
Region or state	Eastern India South India Western India Pakistan Trinidad and Tobago
Serving temperature	hot
Main ingredients	Gram flour, vegetables
Similar dishes	Pakora and other fritters made from wheat or corn flour

A bhaji is a yummy, crispy snack from the Indian subcontinent. It's like a small, fried patty, often made with spicy vegetables, especially onion. Bhajis are super popular in India, Pakistan, and Trinidad and Tobago. You can often find them sold at small shops on streets or along highways. They are also a common appetizer in Anglo-Indian cuisine (Indian food made popular in the UK).

Did you know there's a world record for the biggest onion bhaji? It weighed an amazing 175.48 kilograms (about 386 pounds)! It was made by Oli Khan and his team in Stevenage, UK, on February 4, 2020.

Different Kinds of Bhaji

Outside of Southern and Western India, these fried snacks are often called pakora. There are many different kinds of bhaji, depending on the vegetables used.

Popular Bhaji Varieties

• Chili Bhaji: Made with chili peppers.
• Potato Bhaji: Uses slices of potato.
• Onion Bhaji: A classic made with sliced onions.
• Plantain Bhaji: Uses plantains, which are like large bananas.
• Bread Bhaji: Made with slices of bread.

Other Similar Snacks

In some parts of India, similar fried snacks have different names:

• Bonda: In South India, this is a round snack often filled with potato or mixed vegetables.
• Vada: In Maharashtra, this is another type of savory fried snack.
• Gota: In Gujarat, this is a snack made with green fenugreek leaves.

Bhaji in Culture

Bhajis are an important part of many traditional meals in India and Pakistan. They are often served during special events and festivals.

How Bhajis are Enjoyed

People usually eat bhajis hot with a cup of coffee or tea. In Anglo-Indian restaurants, onion bhajis are often served as a starter before the main meal. They might come with poppadoms (thin, crispy flatbreads) and other Indian snacks. Sometimes, they are served with a side salad, a slice of lemon, or sweet mango chutney.

Gallery

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  Banana pepper used in mirchi bhaji

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  A close-up of bajji

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  Preparation of bajjis in South India

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  A variant: aloo bajji

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  Onion bajji

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  Kanda Bhaji

See also

In Spanish: Bhujia para niños