Masala Vada

Crispy, golden, and bursting with bold flavors, Masala Vada is a beloved South Indian snack that perfectly blends tradition with irresistible taste. Made from protein-packed chana dal (split chickpeas) and spiced with aromatic fennel seeds, curry leaves, and a hint of ginger, these savory fritters are as nutritious as they are delicious. What sets Masala Vada apart is its satisfying crunch, achieved by grinding the dal to a coarse texture and frying the vadas to perfection. Ideal for tea-time snacks or festive gatherings, this recipe is quick to prepare and pairs beautifully with coconut chutney or ketchup. Whether you’re craving something spicy or need a crowd-pleasing appetizer, Masala Vada is sure to be a hit!

Nutriscore Rating: 63/100

Prep Time:30 mins

Cook Time:20 mins

Total Time:50 mins

Servings: 4

Ingredients

• 1 cup Chana Dal (split chickpeas)
• 1 medium Onion
• 2 pieces Green Chillies
• 1 inch Ginger
• 10 leaves Curry Leaves
• 1 teaspoon Fennel Seeds
• 1 pinch Asafoetida
• 1 teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
• 1 teaspoon Salt
• 1 tablespoon Rice Flour
• 2 tablespoons Coriander Leaves
• 2 cups Oil
• 2 tablespoons Water

Directions

Step 1

Rinse the chana dal thoroughly, then soak it in water for about 2 hours.

Step 2

After soaking, drain the chana dal thoroughly.

Step 3

In a blender, coarsely grind the chana dal. Do not add water; it's important to maintain a slightly coarse texture.

Step 4

Chop the onion, green chillies, ginger, curry leaves, and coriander leaves finely.

Step 5

In a mixing bowl, combine the ground chana dal with chopped onion, green chillies, ginger, curry leaves, fennel seeds, asafoetida, red chilli powder, salt, rice flour, and coriander leaves.

Step 6

Mix the ingredients well, adding about 1 to 2 tablespoons of water, if needed, to form a thick batter.

Step 7

Heat oil in a deep pan over medium heat for frying.

Step 8

Take small portions of the mixture and shape them into small, flat discs approximately 2 inches in diameter with your hands.

Step 9

Carefully slide the shaped vadas into the hot oil. Fry them in batches and avoid overcrowding the pan.

Step 10

Fry the vadas until they turn golden brown and crisp on both sides, about 5 minutes per batch.

Step 11

Remove the vadas using a slotted spoon and drain them on a paper towel to remove excess oil.

Step 12

Serve the masala vadas hot with chutney or ketchup.

Nutrition Facts

Serving size	882.9 grams (882.9g)

Amount per serving	% Daily Value*
Calories	4827

Total Fat 461.00g	591%
Saturated Fat 30.50g	153%
Polyunsaturated Fat 0.00g
Cholesterol 0mg	0%
Sodium 2424mg	105%
Total Carbohydrate 152.20g	55%
Dietary Fiber 39.10g	140%
Total Sugars 30.60g
Protein 42.30g	85%

Vitamin D 0IU	0%
Calcium 209mg	16%
Iron 12mg	64%
Potassium 2321mg	49%

*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: 84.2%

Protein: 3.4%

Carbs: 12.4%