Onion fritters, known as Kyet Thun Kyaw, are a delightful snack that brings together the sweetness of onions and the savory flavors of spices. These crispy treats are perfect for any occasion, whether you're hosting a party or just craving a quick bite. The combination of chickpea flour and turmeric powder gives these fritters a unique taste and texture that will leave you wanting more.
If you're not familiar with chickpea flour, it might not be a staple in your pantry. This flour, also known as gram flour or besan, is made from ground chickpeas and is commonly used in Indian and Middle Eastern cuisines. You can find it in the international or health food aisle of most supermarkets. Turmeric powder and chili powder are also essential for this recipe, adding color and a hint of spice.

Ingredients For Onion Fritters (Kyet Thun Kyaw)
Onions: Thinly sliced to ensure they cook evenly and become crispy.
Chickpea flour: Provides the base for the batter, giving the fritters a nutty flavor and a light, crispy texture.
Turmeric powder: Adds a warm, earthy flavor and a vibrant yellow color to the batter.
Chili powder: Brings a bit of heat and depth to the fritters.
Salt: Enhances the overall flavor of the fritters.
Water: Used to create a smooth batter that coats the onions evenly.
Oil: Necessary for frying the fritters to a golden brown and crispy perfection.
Technique Tip for Making Onion Fritters
When preparing onion fritters, ensure that the onions are sliced uniformly thin. This helps them cook evenly and achieve a consistent crispiness. Additionally, when mixing the batter, gradually adding the water is crucial to avoid lumps and achieve a smooth consistency. Fry the fritters in batches to prevent overcrowding the pan, which can lower the oil temperature and result in soggy fritters.
Suggested Side Dishes
Alternative Ingredients
onions - Substitute with shallots: Shallots have a milder and sweeter flavor compared to onions, which can provide a more delicate taste to the fritters.
onions - Substitute with leeks: Leeks offer a subtle onion-like flavor and can add a unique texture to the fritters.
chickpea flour - Substitute with all-purpose flour: All-purpose flour can be used as a binding agent, though it may lack the nutty flavor of chickpea flour.
chickpea flour - Substitute with rice flour: Rice flour can provide a crispy texture to the fritters, similar to chickpea flour.
turmeric powder - Substitute with curry powder: Curry powder contains turmeric and other spices, adding a complex flavor profile.
turmeric powder - Substitute with saffron: Saffron can provide a similar color and a unique, slightly sweet flavor.
chili powder - Substitute with paprika: Paprika offers a milder heat and a sweet, smoky flavor.
chili powder - Substitute with cayenne pepper: Cayenne pepper can provide a similar level of heat but with a slightly different flavor profile.
salt - Substitute with soy sauce: Soy sauce can add saltiness along with a depth of umami flavor.
salt - Substitute with sea salt: Sea salt can provide a cleaner, more distinct salty flavor.
water - Substitute with milk: Milk can add a richer flavor and help in binding the ingredients better.
water - Substitute with vegetable broth: Vegetable broth can add an extra layer of flavor to the fritters.
oil - Substitute with ghee: Ghee can provide a richer, buttery flavor to the fritters.
oil - Substitute with coconut oil: Coconut oil can add a subtle coconut flavor and is great for frying.
Other Alternative Recipes Similar to This
How To Store / Freeze This Recipe
- Allow the onion fritters to cool completely before storing. This prevents condensation, which can make them soggy.
- Place the cooled fritters in an airtight container. If stacking, separate layers with parchment paper to avoid sticking.
- Store the container in the refrigerator for up to 3 days. Reheat in an oven at 350°F (175°C) for 10-15 minutes to regain crispiness.
- For freezing, arrange the fritters in a single layer on a baking sheet and freeze until solid. This prevents them from clumping together.
- Once frozen, transfer the fritters to a freezer-safe bag or container. Label with the date and store for up to 2 months.
- Reheat frozen fritters directly from the freezer in an oven at 375°F (190°C) for 15-20 minutes, or until heated through and crispy.
- Avoid microwaving as it can make the fritters lose their crisp texture.
How To Reheat Leftovers
Oven Method:
- Preheat your oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the onion fritters on a baking sheet lined with parchment paper.
- Lightly spray or brush the fritters with a bit of oil to help them crisp up.
- Bake for about 10-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are heated through and crispy.
Air Fryer Method:
- Preheat your air fryer to 350°F (175°C).
- Arrange the onion fritters in a single layer in the air fryer basket.
- Air fry for 5-7 minutes, shaking the basket halfway through, until they are hot and crispy.
Stovetop Method:
- Heat a non-stick skillet over medium heat.
- Add a small amount of oil to the skillet.
- Place the onion fritters in the skillet and cook for 2-3 minutes on each side, until they are heated through and crispy.
Microwave Method:
- Place the onion fritters on a microwave-safe plate.
- Cover them with a damp paper towel to prevent them from drying out.
- Microwave on high for 1-2 minutes, checking halfway through to ensure they are heated evenly. Note: This method may not retain the crispiness as well as other methods.
Toaster Oven Method:
- Preheat your toaster oven to 350°F (175°C).
- Place the onion fritters on the toaster oven tray.
- Toast for 5-10 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are hot and crispy.
Best Tools for Making Onion Fritters
Mixing bowl: A large bowl used to combine the chickpea flour, spices, and water to create a smooth batter.
Whisk: A tool used to mix the dry ingredients with water until the batter is smooth.
Knife: Used to thinly slice the onions.
Cutting board: A surface to safely slice the onions.
Frying pan: A pan used to heat the oil and fry the fritters.
Slotted spoon: A spoon with slots or holes to remove the fritters from the hot oil, allowing the excess oil to drain.
Paper towels: Used to drain the excess oil from the fritters after frying.
Measuring cups: Used to measure the ingredients accurately, such as the chickpea flour and water.
Measuring spoons: Used to measure the spices and salt accurately.
How to Save Time on Making This Recipe
Prepare ingredients in advance: Slice the onions and measure out the chickpea flour and spices ahead of time to streamline the cooking process.
Use a food processor: Quickly slice the onions using a food processor to save time on manual slicing.
Preheat the oil: Start heating the oil while you mix the batter, so it's ready for frying as soon as the batter is done.
Batch frying: Fry multiple fritters at once to reduce overall cooking time.
Use a large pan: A larger frying pan allows you to cook more fritters simultaneously.

Onion Fritters (Kyet Thun Kyaw) Recipe
Ingredients
Main Ingredients
- 2 cups Onions, thinly sliced
- 1 cup Chickpea flour
- 1 teaspoon Turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon Chili powder
- 1 teaspoon Salt
- 0.5 cup Water
- 2 cups Oil for frying
Instructions
- 1. In a mixing bowl, combine chickpea flour, turmeric powder, chili powder, and salt.
- 2. Gradually add water to the dry ingredients, mixing until you get a smooth batter.
- 3. Add the thinly sliced onions to the batter and mix well to coat them evenly.
- 4. Heat oil in a frying pan over medium heat.
- 5. Drop spoonfuls of the onion batter into the hot oil and fry until golden brown and crispy.
- 6. Remove the fritters with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
- 7. Serve hot with your favorite dipping sauce.
Nutritional Value
Keywords
Suggested Main Courses and Desserts for This Recipe
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