Anyone who has visited southern India would be all too familiar with the dal vada. The ever-popular fritters, made with a mixture of lentils, spices, and herbs, are a popular snack that is served across the southern half of the subcontinent, from tea stalls to restaurants. While the traditional recipe is a classic, there are several creative and nutritious variations that are worth trying if you want to take your love for dal vada to the next level.
From adding vegetables like carrots and spinach to incorporating unique flavors like cheese and coconut, these inventive recipes offer a unique twist on the classic dal vada. With a blend of different spices and herbs, these variations not only offer a burst of flavor but also pack a punch of nutrition, making them a perfect snack for those who want to indulge in a guilt-free treat.
Whether you are looking for a quick snack or planning to entertain guests, these dal vada recipes are sure to impress. So, if you are ready to take your love for dal vada to the next level, try out these creative and nutritious variations and explore the world of delicious possibilities!
Beetroot Dal Vada
Beetroot dal vada is a healthy and colorful variation of the classic dal vada. To make this recipe, soak chana dal and urad dal for a few hours, and then grind the mixture into a smooth batter. Add grated beetroot, finely chopped onions, ginger, green chilies, and a pinch of hing to the batter and mix well. Add salt to taste and a little bit of water if needed to make the batter slightly thin. Heat oil in a pan, and shape the batter into small patties before deep-frying them until golden brown. Serve hot with mint chutney.
Taste: earthy and flavorful
Total Time: 4 hours
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Calories per serving: 150
Moong Dal Vada
Moong dal vada is a delicious and healthy variation of the classic dal vada that is made with moong dal instead of chana dal. To make this recipe, soak moong dal for a few hours, and then grind it into a smooth batter. Add the finely chopped onions, ginger, curry leaves, and green chilies to the batter and mix well. Add salt to taste and a little bit of water if needed to make the batter slightly thin. Heat oil in a pan and shape the batter into small patties before deep-frying them until golden brown. Serve hot with coconut chutney.
Taste: light and refreshing
Total Time: 4 hours
Prep Time: 10 minutes
Calories per serving: 120
Cheese Dal Vada
Cheese dal vada is a unique and delicious variation of the classic dal vada that features the creamy goodness of cheese. To make this recipe, soak chana dal for a few hours, and then grind it into a smooth batter. Add the finely chopped onions, salt, ginger, green chilies, and grated cheese to the batter and mix well. Heat oil in a pan and shape the batter into small patties before deep-frying them until golden brown. Serve hot with tomato ketchup.
Taste: cheesy and indulgent
Total Time: 4 hours
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Calories per serving: 200
Palak Dal Vada
Palak dal vada is a healthy and nutritious variation of the classic dal vada that is packed with the goodness of spinach. To make this recipe, soak chana dal for a few hours, and then grind it into a smooth batter. Add the finely chopped spinach, salt, onions, green chilies, ginger, and a pinch of hing to the batter and mix well. Heat oil in a pan and shape the batter into small patties before deep-frying them until golden brown. Serve hot with coriander chutney.
Taste: fresh and wholesome
Total Time: 4 hours
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Calories per serving: 140
Masala Dal Vada
Masala dal vada is a popular South Indian street food that is crispy on the outside and soft and spicy on the inside. To make this dish, soak chana dal and urad dal for a few hours, and then grind them coarsely in a blender. Add chopped onions, curry leaves, green chilies, ginger, coriander leaves, and salt to the mixture and mix well. Make small balls out of the mixture and flatten them into vadas. Deep-fry the vadas in hot oil until golden brown and crispy. Serve hot with coconut chutney or tomato ketchup.
Taste: spicy and crispy
Total Time: 4 hours
Prep Time: 15 minutes
Calories per serving: 140
Dal Makhani Vada
Dal makhani vada is a fusion dish that combines the flavors of dal makhani and dal vada. To make this dish, soak urad dal and rajma for a few hours, and then cook them in a pressure cooker with water, salt, and spices until soft. Mash the dal with a potato masher and add bread crumbs, chopped onions, salt, coriander leaves, and green chilies to the mixture. Mix well, and make small balls out of the mixture. Flatten the balls into vadas and deep fry them in hot oil until golden brown and crispy. Serve hot with mint chutney or yogurt dip.
Taste: creamy and flavorful
Total Time: 5 hours
Prep Time: 30 minutes
Calories per serving: 180
Paneer Dal Vada
Paneer dal vada is a creamy and indulgent variation of the classic dal vada, perfect for a party or a special occasion. To prepare this dish, crumble 200 grams of paneer and add it to a cup of soaked and ground chana dal. Add chopped onions, ginger, garlic, cumin seeds, green chilies, coriander leaves, garam masala, and salt to the mixture and mix well. Shape the mixture into small balls and then flatten them into discs. Fry the discs until golden brown and crispy. Serve hot with mint chutney for a decadent and delicious snack.
Taste: Creamy and indulgent
Total Time: 4 hours
Prep Time: 20 minutes
Calories per serving: 180
Dal vada is a versatile and delicious snack that can be reinvented in many creative and nutritious ways. From the spicy and flavorful masala dal vada to the creamy and indulgent paneer dal vada, each variation offers a distinct taste and texture that will satisfy your cravings. Whether you prefer the healthy and refreshing palak dal vada or the classic and crunchy Mysore dal vada, there is a dal vada recipe for every taste and occasion. So, go ahead and try these innovative and delicious recipes and add a new twist to your snack time. With their rich flavors and nutritious ingredients, these dal vada variations are sure to become your new favorite snack.