These crispy fritters are the best tea time snacks. Their crunchy edges and soft centers make them more addictive, so don't hesitate to take another masala vadai off the plate and enjoy!
Course: Appetizer
Cuisine: Indian
Servings: 25pieces
Ingredients
2cupschanna dhal
6clovesgarlic
2inchginger
6red chilies(adjust to taste)
20curry leaves
2tspfennel seeds
¼tspasafetida(also known as hing or perungayam)
¼tspturmeric powder
½cuponion(chopped)
2tbspcilantro
3-4tbspwater(for grinding)
oil(for deep frying)
salt to taste
Instructions
Wash and soak channa dhal in a mixing bowl for 2-3 hours.
Add ginger, garlic, fennel seeds, red chilies, and curry leaves to a blender jar.
Grind the ingredients into a coarse mixture.
Set aside 2 tbsp of channa dhal and add the rest to the blender jar. Add 1-2 tbsp water, as needed, and grind into a coarse mixture.
Add the ground mixture into a mixing bowl.
Mix in 2 tbsp of channa dhal that was set aside, chopped onions, cilantro, asafetida, turmeric powder, and salt.
Once mixed, roll into even sized balls.
Heat oil in a frying pan. Once hot, flatten the balls into small discs and carefully place in hot oil.
Once one side is cooked and turns golden brown, flip the vadai and let the other side cook as well. Remove from oil once both sides are golden brown.
Place the vadai on a plate lined with paper towel to absorb any excess oil