Gluten-Free Masal Vada

Crispy, golden, and irresistibly flavorful, these Gluten-Free Masal Vadas are the ultimate South Indian snack that everyone can enjoy. Made with protein-rich chana dal and a medley of aromatic ingredients like grated ginger, fennel seeds, curry leaves, and asafoetida, this traditional recipe gets a gluten-free twist without compromising on its classic crunch or spiced goodness. Perfectly spiced with a hint of green chili and red chili powder, these deep-fried lentil fritters are quick to prepare with just 20 minutes of active cooking time. Serve them piping hot with coconut chutney, or savor their crunchy texture as a standalone treat at tea time. Whether you're gluten-free or simply looking to explore authentic Indian flavors, this masal vada recipe is a must-try!

Nutriscore Rating: 58/100

Prep Time:20 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:40 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Chana dal
• 1 medium, finely chopped Onion
• 2 finely chopped Green chili
• 1 inch piece, grated Ginger
• 10 leaves, chopped Curry leaves
• 2 tablespoons, chopped Coriander leaves
• 1 teaspoon Fennel seeds
• 1 teaspoon, or to taste Salt
• 1 teaspoon Red chili powder
• 0.25 teaspoon Asafoetida (hing)
• 2 cups, for deep frying Oil

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the chana dal thoroughly in water at least three times. Soak the dal in water for about 2 hours.

Step 2

Drain the soaked chana dal and retain about 2 tablespoons separately. Transfer the rest to a blender or food processor.

Step 3

Coarsely grind the chana dal without adding any water. The mixture should be thick, not pasty.

Step 4

Transfer the ground dal to a mixing bowl and add the reserved whole chana dal.

Step 5

Add finely chopped onion, green chili, grated ginger, chopped curry leaves, chopped coriander leaves, fennel seeds, salt, red chili powder, and asafoetida to the bowl.

Step 6

Mix everything well to form a cohesive dough. If the mixture feels too dry, sprinkle a little water. The consistency should be firm but moldable.

Step 7

Heat oil in a deep frying pan over medium heat.

Step 8

While the oil is heating, take a small portion of the mixture (about the size of a golf ball) and flatten it between your palms to form a disc.

Step 9

Carefully drop a few vadas into the hot oil. Do not overcrowd the pan. Fry them on medium heat until they are golden brown and crisp, flipping occasionally.

Step 10

Once cooked, remove the vadas using a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels to remove excess oil.

Step 11

Repeat the frying process with the remaining mixture.

Step 12

Serve the gluten-free masal vada hot with coconut chutney or enjoy them as is.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	863.5 grams (863.5g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4390

Total Fat 454.30g	582%
Saturated Fat 29.90g	150%
Polyunsaturated Fat NaNg
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2428mg	106%
Total Carbohydrate 78.30g	28%
Dietary Fiber 21.70g	78%
Total Sugars 17.10g
Protein 22.00g	44%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 192mg	15%
Iron 8mg	43%
Potassium 2034mg	43%

*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: 91.1%

Protein: 2.0%

Carbs: 7.0%