Understanding Your Nutrition Diet: How many calories are in 2 potato pakora?

November 3, 2025 •

4 min read

The calorie count for two potato pakora can vary dramatically, sometimes by hundreds of calories, depending entirely on the preparation method. A deep-fried version absorbs a significant amount of oil, while an air-fried alternative can be a much lighter, more nutritious snack within a balanced nutrition diet.

Quick Summary

The calorie count for two potato pakoras is highly dependent on preparation, with deep frying adding substantial fat and calories due to oil absorption. Factors like pakora size, batter, and oil temperature influence the final total. Healthier options, such as air frying or baking, significantly reduce the calorie load, making this a more diet-friendly snack.

Key Points

Calorie Count Varies: The number of calories in two potato pakoras depends heavily on their size and cooking method, with deep-frying significantly increasing the total.
Choose Your Cooking Method Wisely: Air frying or baking are the most effective ways to drastically reduce the fat and calorie content compared to traditional deep-frying.
Understand Portion Control: Being mindful of the size and number of pakoras consumed is crucial for managing your calorie intake.
Add Nutritional Value: Mix in extra vegetables like spinach or grated carrots to boost the fiber and vitamins in your pakora, making it a more wholesome snack.
Consider the Batter: A lighter batter, potentially using carbonated water or a bit of baking soda, can help reduce oil absorption during frying.
Serve with Healthier Dips: Opt for low-calorie chutneys, like a mint-coriander blend, instead of high-sugar or high-fat sauces.

The Calorie Breakdown of Potato Pakora

Potato pakoras, also known as aloo pakoda or potato bhajji, are a popular Indian street food made from thinly sliced potatoes dipped in a spiced chickpea flour (besan) batter and deep-fried. The final calorie count is not a fixed number but rather a variable influenced by several key factors. While the raw potato itself is relatively low in calories and rich in potassium and Vitamin C, the deep-frying process drastically increases the fat and calorie content.

To estimate how many calories are in 2 potato pakora, we need to consider the standard preparation and serving size. A single, medium-sized deep-fried potato pakora, weighing approximately 30-40 grams, can contain anywhere from 100 to 200 calories or more. This wide range is a direct result of varying oil absorption, which depends on the batter's thickness and the oil's temperature. For two such pakoras, a conservative estimate would place the calorie count between 200 and 400 calories. However, a heavier, larger serving from a restaurant or street vendor could easily exceed this, with some sources suggesting a single serving of multiple pakoras can contain nearly 500 calories.

Factors Influencing Calorie Count

Cooking Method: Deep frying causes the food to absorb oil, replacing moisture with fat and calories. In contrast, air frying uses hot air to achieve a crispy texture with a fraction of the oil, dramatically reducing the fat content.
Size and Weight: A smaller, bite-sized pakora naturally has fewer calories than a large, thick-cut one. A typical home-cooked pakora is often smaller than a restaurant serving.
Batter Ingredients: While chickpea flour is a good source of protein and fiber, the inclusion of other flours like rice flour or cornstarch can alter the absorption rate and overall nutritional profile.
Oil Type: The type of oil used for frying (e.g., vegetable, peanut, or canola oil) has a small impact on calories, but a greater impact on the type of fat consumed. Healthier oils like those rich in monounsaturated fats are often recommended.

The Nutrition Profile of Pakora Ingredients

Beyond just calories, it's helpful to consider the nutritional value of a potato pakora's core components:

Chickpea Flour (Besan): The main ingredient in the batter, besan is a good source of protein and dietary fiber. It is naturally gluten-free and provides a nutty flavor. The soluble fiber in besan can also help lower cholesterol levels.
Potatoes: These vegetables are a source of carbohydrates, potassium, and vitamin C. When boiled or baked with the skin on, they provide dietary fiber, but their nutritional benefits are often overshadowed by the high-calorie nature of deep frying.
Spices: Cumin, coriander, turmeric, and other spices add flavor and offer potential health benefits due to their anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties.

Comparison of Cooking Methods for Pakora

Choosing a different cooking method is the most effective way to reduce the calorie and fat content of pakoras. Here is a comparison of common methods:


Feature	Deep-Fried Pakora	Shallow-Fried Pakora	Air-Fried / Baked Pakora
Estimated Calories (per 2 medium pieces)	200-400+ kcal	150-300+ kcal	80-150 kcal
Fat Content	High	Moderate	Low
Oil Absorption	Significant	Moderate	Minimal
Texture	Crispy and golden brown on all sides	Crispy on the outside, softer inside	Dry, crunchy, and less greasy
Nutritional Impact	Higher in unhealthy fats (saturated/trans fats if using low-quality oil).	Reduced fat content compared to deep-frying.	Significantly lower in fat, preserving more of the nutritional value of the ingredients.
Preparation Effort	Requires a lot of oil and attention to temperature.	Less oil needed, requires flipping halfway through.	Easiest method, requires little to no oil and minimal effort.

Making Healthier Pakoras at Home

For those who love pakoras but are watching their calorie intake, several modifications can make them a healthier treat:

Opt for an Air Fryer: This is one of the best ways to achieve a crispy texture without submerging the pakoras in oil.
Use Less Oil: When pan-frying or shallow-frying, use a non-stick pan with a minimal amount of oil.
Incorporate More Vegetables: Mix grated potatoes with other vegetables like carrots, spinach, or cauliflower to increase the fiber and nutrient content and reduce the relative calorie load.
Control Portion Size: Making smaller, bite-sized pakoras can help with portion control, allowing you to enjoy the flavor with fewer calories.
Add Baking Soda to the Batter: A small amount of baking soda or using a carbonated liquid can help create a lighter batter that absorbs less oil during frying.
Drain Excess Oil: After frying, always place pakoras on a wire rack or paper towels to allow excess oil to drain off.
Serve with Healthier Accompaniments: Pair your pakoras with a homemade mint-coriander chutney instead of high-sugar sauces or condiments.

Conclusion: Pakora in a Balanced Diet

While traditionally prepared potato pakora is a calorie-dense snack, it is not something you must eliminate from a healthy nutrition diet. By understanding the factors that influence its calorie content and making conscious choices about preparation, you can enjoy it in moderation. The key lies in shifting from deep-frying to healthier methods like air frying or baking and being mindful of portion sizes. A homemade, air-fried potato pakora can be a satisfying, flavor-packed snack that aligns with a healthy lifestyle, providing the comfort of this classic Indian fritter with a fraction of the guilt.

Learn more about healthy cooking methods from reliable sources.

Frequently Asked Questions

Traditionally, deep-fried potato pakora is high in calories and fat, making it less healthy than baked or air-fried alternatives. However, healthier cooking methods and mindful portion control can make it a moderate part of a balanced diet.

To reduce greasiness, use a thicker batter, ensure your frying oil is at the correct temperature (around 350-375°F or 175-190°C), and drain the cooked pakoras on a wire rack instead of paper towels.

The difference is substantial. A pair of deep-fried pakoras can have 200-400+ calories, while the same portion air-fried might range from 80-150 calories, as minimal oil is used.

Besan, or chickpea flour, is a key ingredient in pakora batter. It is a nutritious and healthy ingredient, providing a good source of protein and dietary fiber, which aids digestion and promotes a feeling of fullness.

For frying, choose an oil with a high smoke point and good oxidative resistance, such as canola, peanut, or avocado oil. However, the healthiest option remains reducing the amount of oil used by baking or air frying.

Yes, but in moderation and with healthier preparation. By air frying or baking your pakoras and managing your portion size, you can incorporate this snack into a weight loss diet without derailing your progress.

You can increase the fiber content by adding more high-fiber vegetables to the batter, such as grated carrots, spinach, or finely chopped cauliflower.