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Vada is a typical South Indian delicacy that can be enjoyed as an evening snack to pair with a hot cup of chai or can be served with a bowl of sambar to make a wholesome meal. But since vadas are usually deep-fried to give them their crispy texture, they are loaded with calories and fats.
However, that does not have to be the case. If you love to munch a serving of vadas, especially in the monsoon season, you don’t have to give them up. There are many ways which can help you make the crispy vadas healthier so that you can enjoy them guilt-free, and that too, without compromising taste.
Air Fry
To cut the most of the extra calories, you can change the method of frying. While deep-frying can add to the level of unhealthy fats, air frying takes out most of the oil content while making sure that you get the same level of crispiness as your favourite vadas. If you are trying to lose weight, you must definitely shift from deep-frying to vadas to air-frying them.
Use Whole Grains
If you want to make your crispy vadas healthier, you can choose whole grains instead of processed and refined grains. To make the vadas rich in fibre, vitamins, minerals, and antioxidants, you can use ingredients like whole wheat, ragi flour, quinoa, oats, and so on.
Add Lentils
Another way to make the South Indian vada healthier is by increasing its protein content. You can easily do so by mixing ground lentils like urad dal or chana dal into the flour before making a batter. Alternatively, you can also use cooked or leftover dal to make the batter and indulge in vadas guilt-free.
Include Vegetables
While making the crispy vadas, you don’t have to stick to the staple ingredients like flour, oil, and spices. Being a versatile snack, you can mix assorted vegetables like chopped carrots, onions, tomatoes, spinach, and green peas and increase the nutritional value of the snack.
Pair With Healthy Toppings
Lastly, once you have made the vadas in the healthiest way and added the best ingredients, it’s time to pair the crispy fritters with nutrient-rich toppings or servings. One of the best ways to make vadas indulgent and healthy is by serving them with a bowl of sambar made with lentils and vegetables. You can also garnish the vadas with coriander leaves and mustard seeds or pair them with yoghurt or chutneys to make them healthier.
