Vegan Chicken Pakora

Crispy, flavorful, and completely plant-based, this Vegan Chicken Pakora is a mouthwatering twist on the classic Indian snack. Made with protein-packed textured vegetable protein (TVP) chunks coated in a seasoned batter of chickpea flour, rice flour, and aromatic spices like garam masala, turmeric, and cumin, this recipe delivers all the bold flavors you love—without the meat. Fresh spinach and coriander leaves add a burst of color and nutrition, while a splash of lemon juice enhances the zesty profile. Each bite is deep-fried to golden perfection, offering a satisfying crunch that pairs beautifully with your favorite chutneys or dipping sauces. Ready in just 35 minutes, this vegan appetizer is perfect for parties, teatime, or any occasion that calls for indulgent yet wholesome comfort food.

Nutriscore Rating: 65/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:15 mins

Total Time:35 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Textured vegetable protein (TVP) chunks
• 1 cup Hot water
• 1 cup Chickpea flour (besan)
• 0.25 cup Rice flour
• 2 tablespoons Cornstarch
• 1 teaspoon Garam masala
• 0.5 teaspoon Turmeric powder
• 1 teaspoon Cumin powder
• 0.5 teaspoon Chili powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 teaspoon Garlic paste
• 1 teaspoon Ginger paste
• 0.5 cup Fresh spinach leaves, finely chopped
• 0.25 cup Fresh coriander leaves, chopped
• 1 tablespoon Lemon juice
• 0.5 cup Water
• 2 cups Vegetable oil (for deep frying)

Directions

Step 1

Place the TVP chunks in a bowl and pour 1 cup of hot water over them. Let them soak for about 10 minutes until rehydrated and soften.

Step 2

In a large bowl, combine chickpea flour, rice flour, cornstarch, garam masala, turmeric powder, cumin powder, chili powder, and salt. Mix well.

Step 3

Add garlic paste, ginger paste, finely chopped spinach leaves, chopped coriander leaves, and lemon juice to the flour mixture. Stir to combine.

Step 4

Drain the TVP chunks and squeeze out any excess water. Add them to the flour mixture.

Step 5

Gradually add 0.5 cup of water to the dry ingredients, mixing until you achieve a thick, smooth batter. The batter should coat the TVP chunks well. Adjust the water quantity if needed.

Step 6

Heat vegetable oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat. To check if the oil is ready, drop a small amount of batter into the oil; it should immediately sizzle and rise to the surface.

Step 7

Carefully drop spoonfuls of the coated TVP chunks into the hot oil, ensuring they don’t overcrowd the pan.

Step 8

Fry the pakoras, turning occasionally, until they are golden brown and crispy on all sides. This should take approximately 5-6 minutes per batch.

Step 9

Use a slotted spoon to remove the pakoras from the oil, and place them on a paper towel-lined plate to drain excess oil.

Step 10

Serve hot with your choice of chutney or dipping sauce.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	(1314.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	5562.8

Total Fat 485.8g	0%
Saturated Fat 67.7g	0%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.0g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2844.5mg	0%
Total Carbohydrate 186.8g	0%
Dietary Fiber 42.2g	0%
Total Sugars 27.1g
Protein 124.7g	0%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 538.9mg	0%
Iron 30.4mg	0%
Potassium 4983.6mg	0%

*The % Daily Value tells you how much a nutrient in a serving of food contributes to a daily diet. 2,000 calories a day is used for general nutrition advice.

Source of Calories

Fat: 77.8%

Protein: 8.9%

Carbs: 13.3%