Masala Vada South Indian
Masala Vada, a popular South Indian snack, is a flavourful and aromatic fritter made from a mixture of soaked and ground chana dal (split chickpeas), blended with spices, herbs, and deep-fried to crispy perfection. These spice-infused, crunchy and wholesome lentil fritters, are simply irresistible.
Servings: 10 pieces
Calories: 366kcal
Ingredients
- 1 cup Chana Dal
Dry Grind:
- 1- inch cinnamon stick
- ¾ tsp cumin seeds
- 1 tsp fennel seeds
- 2 whole dry red chillies
For Masala Vada:
- 1 small onion finely chopped
- 1 green chilli finely chopped
- 1 tbsp. mint leaves chopped
- 2 sprigs curry leaves chopped
- 1 tsp ginger garlic paste
- ¼ tsp turmeric
- 1 ¼ tsp salt
- Oil for deep frying
Instructions
- For Masala Vada Recipe, wash the chana dal well. Transfer it into a bowl and add enough water to immerse the dal. Soak the dal for about 2 hours.
- Meanwhile, chop the onion, green chilli, mint and curry leaves. Keep aside.
- Dry grind cinnamon, fennel seeds, red chilies and cumin seeds to a coarse powder. Transfer the powder into a small bowl and set aside.
- After 2 hours, drain the soaked chana dal. Remove a handful of dal and transfer the rest into the same mixie jar.
- Grind the dal coarsely without adding water. The mixture should be slightly coarse, not completely smooth.
- Transfer the ground dal into a mixing bowl. Mix in the handful of soaked chana dal that was kept aside.
- Add chopped onion, green chilies, mint leaves, curry leaves, ginger-garlic paste, salt and turmeric. Add the ground masala and mix well to combine all the ingredients evenly.
- Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat.
- Take a small portion of the dal mixture and shape it into a round flat vada using your hands or a spoon.
- Carefully slide the shaped vadas into the hot oil and fry them in batches.
- Fry the vadas until they turn golden brown and crispy on both sides, flipping occasionally for even frying.
- Once done, remove the fried vadas using a slotted spoon and drain excess oil on paper towels.
- Serve hot and crispy Chana Dal Vadas with coconut chutney.