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Crispy, savory lentil fritters packed with the goodness of fresh drumstick leaves. This popular South Indian tea-time snack is wonderfully aromatic with fennel seeds and spices, perfect with a cup of chai.
For 4 servings
Soak the Dal
Grind the Vada Batter
Prepare the Vada Mixture
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Crispy, savory lentil fritters packed with the goodness of fresh drumstick leaves. This popular South Indian tea-time snack is wonderfully aromatic with fennel seeds and spices, perfect with a cup of chai.
This south_indian recipe takes 45 minutes to prepare and yields 4 servings. At 444.94 calories per serving with 16.22g of protein, it's a moderately challenging recipe perfect for snack or appetizer.
Shape and Fry the Vadas
Serve
If murungai keerai is unavailable, you can substitute it with finely chopped spinach (palak), fenugreek leaves (methi), or dill leaves.
For a different texture, you can use a mix of chana dal and toor dal (split pigeon peas) in equal proportions.
For a lower-oil version, shape the mixture into small balls and cook them in a preheated appe or paniyaram pan with a few drops of oil in each cavity until golden and crisp.
Add 2 tablespoons of finely chopped cilantro or mint leaves to the mixture for a fresh, herby flavor.
Chana dal is an excellent source of plant-based protein, which is essential for muscle building, tissue repair, and overall body function.
Murungai keerai (drumstick leaves) are a nutritional powerhouse, exceptionally rich in iron, calcium, Vitamin A, and Vitamin C, which support bone health, vision, and immunity.
The combination of lentils and greens provides a significant amount of dietary fiber, which aids in digestion, promotes gut health, and helps in maintaining stable blood sugar levels.
Drumstick leaves contain powerful antioxidants like quercetin and chlorogenic acid, which help combat oxidative stress and inflammation in the body.
While the core ingredients like chana dal and murungai keerai are very nutritious (rich in protein, fiber, vitamins, and minerals), the dish is deep-fried, which adds significant calories and fat. It's best enjoyed in moderation as a treat. For a healthier version, try making them in an appe pan or an air fryer.
A single Murungai Keerai Vadai contains approximately 70-90 calories, depending on its size and the amount of oil absorbed during frying. A serving of 4 vadas would be around 280-360 calories.
Oily vadas are usually caused by two things: 1) The batter was too thin or had too much moisture. Ensure you drain the dal very well. 2) The oil was not hot enough when you added the vadas. Frying at a lower temperature causes the vadas to absorb more oil.
Yes, you can. Preheat your air fryer to 180°C (350°F). Shape the vadas, brush them lightly with oil, and place them in the air fryer basket in a single layer. Air fry for 12-15 minutes, flipping halfway through, until they are golden brown and crisp.
If you can't find fresh drumstick leaves, you can use other greens like finely chopped spinach, fenugreek leaves (methi), or even dill leaves. The flavor profile will change, but the vadas will still be delicious.
Store leftover vadas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. To reheat and restore their crispiness, place them in a preheated oven or an air fryer at 180°C (350°F) for 5-7 minutes.