View source for Bhaji/en

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{{Short description|Deep-fried fritters served as fast food in India, Pakistan and the Caribbean}}
{{see also|Pakora}}
{{Infobox prepared food
| name             = Bajji
| image            = Stuffed mirchi bajji (16164286908).jpg
| image_size       = 250px
| caption          = Stuffed mirchi (chilli) bajji served in an [[Indian restaurant]]
| alternate_name   = Bhaji, bajji, onion bhaji, bhajia (Gujarati)
| country          = [[India]], [[Pakistan]], [[Nepal]] and [[Bangladesh]]
| region           =[[Indian subcontinent]]
| type             = [[Fritter]]
| served           = hot
| main_ingredient  = [[Gram flour]], [[vegetable]]s
| variations       = 
| calories         = 
| other            = 
| similar_dish     = [[Pakora]] and other fritters made from wheat or corn flour
}}

A '''bhaji''' or '''bajji''' is a type of [[fritter]] originating in the [[Indian subcontinent]]. It is made from spicy hot vegetables, commonly [[onion]], and has several variants. It is a popular snack food in [[India]] and is also very popular in [[Pakistan]]. It can be found for sale in street-side stalls, especially in ''[[tapri]]s'' (on streets) and ''[[dhaba]]s'' (on highways). It is also a common starter or side dish in [[Anglo-Indian cuisine]] across the [[United Kingdom]]. 

The [[Guinness World Record]] for the largest onion bhaji is held by one weighing {{convert|175.48|kg|lboz|frac=4}} made by [[Oli Khan]] and Team of Surma Takeaway [[Stevenage]] on 4 February 2020.

== Regional varieties ==
Outside Southern and Western India, such preparations are often known as ''[[pakora]]''. Its variations include the [[Mirchi Bada|chili bajji]], potato bajji, onion bajji, plantain bajji and the bread bajji (or [[bread pakora]]). Another version is called bonda (in south India), vada (in Maharashtra) and gota (in Gujarat). Bonda has potato or mixed-vegetable filling while gota is made with green fenugreek leaves.

== Cultural significance ==
Bhajis are a component of traditional [[Punjabi cuisine|Punjabi]], [[Gujarati cuisine|Gujarati]], [[Maharashtrian cuisine|Marathi]], [[Tamil cuisine|Tamil]], [[Karnataka cuisine|Kannada]], [[Kerala cuisine|Kerala]], and [[Telugu cuisine]]s served on special occasions and at festivals. They are generally served with a cup of [[coffee]], [[tea]], or a traditional serving of ''yameen''. Banana peppers are used for making mirchi bhajji.

Onion bhajis are often eaten as a starter in [[Anglo-Indian cuisine|Anglo-Indian]] restaurants before the main course, along with ''[[Papadum|poppadoms]]'' and other Indian snacks. They may be served with a side of salad and a slice of lemon, or with mango chutney, and are traditionally made to a mild taste.

== Gallery ==
<gallery>
File:Banana Peppers.jpg|[[Banana pepper]] used in mirchi bhaji
File:A closeup of Bajji.JPG|A close-up of bajji
File:The Bajji maker.jpg|Preparation of bajjis in [[South India]]
File:Bajji's ;) (5549256969).jpg|A variant: aloo bajji
File:Onion bajji picture.JPG|Onion bajji 

File:कांदा भजी.jpg|Kanda bhaji
</gallery>

==External links==
{{portal|Food}}
*{{Commonscat-inline|Bhaji}}

{{Indian Dishes}}
{{Doughnuts}}
[[Category:Appetizers]]
[[Category:Indian snack foods]]
[[Category:Pakistani snack foods]]
[[Category:Fritters]]
[[Category:Tamil cuisine]]
[[Category:Onion-based foods]]
{{二次利用|date= 22 July 2025, at 04:04}}