Tea Kadai Masal Vadai | Street Style Masala Vadai Recipe |Gluten Free and Vegan Snack Recipe

Hi Supermoms,

If you have visited South India, you will be familiar with this popular street food- Masal Vadai or the Masala Vadai. These are super tasty tea time snack made using the Bengal Gram/Channa Dal and it is impossible to resist them . 

The addition of garlic, onion, ginger and fennel seeds takes this vadai to a different level. They are quite easy to make at home . All you need to remember is to drain the excess water completely from the soaked channa dal/Bengal gram before you grind them. This ensures that your vadai absorbs less oil and also turns out super crispy. 

You can watch the recipe video below:

These are perfect party starters and pairs so well with fresh coconut chutney. This recipe is sure to get you loads of compliments. 

Do try and share your family feedback with me. 

Tea Kadai Masal Vadai : 

Preparation time : 2 hours ( to soak the dal)

Cooking time : 20 minutes

Makes : Approximately 25 medium size masala vadai

1 cup =250 ml cup

Ingredients :

1 cup channa dal/bengal gram

1-2 dry red chilli

1 green chilli

3/4 teaspoon fennel seeds/saunf

4 garlic cloves (with skin)

1” ginger piece

1 sprig curry leaves (roughly torn)

1 onion ( finely chopped)

Handful of coriander leaves (finely chopped)

Salt to taste

Oil to fry 

Method :

1. Soak the channa dal along with dry red chilli. 

2. Set aside 2 tablespoons of the soaked dal and grind the remaining into a coarse vadai batter.

3. Pound garlic, green chilli, fennel seeds and ginger coarsely in a mortar and pestle. 

4. Add the ground batter to a wide bowl.

5. Now add the pounded ingredients, chopped onion, curry leaves and coriander leaves.

6. Add salt and mix well.

7. Heat oil in a kadai/small wok .

8. When the oil is hot, take a small portion of the vadai batter and flatten it on your palm and slide them gently into the oil.

9. Flip and cook the vadai till they are uniformly brown on all sides.

10. Drain them in a kitchen towel. Repeat the same method for the entire batch. 

Your delicious Masala Vadai is now ready! Serve them as is or with coconut chutney . Yum!!

Happy Cooking!

With love,

Masterchefmom