When it comes to South Indian cuisine, one dish that stands out for its taste and crunchiness is Medu Vada. These savoury fried lentil doughnuts are a popular snack or breakfast item in India. While the traditional Medu Vada is undeniably delicious, it's also known for being deep-fried and calorie-heavy. But what if we told you that you can enjoy the same incredible flavours without excessive oil consumption? That would be a dream come true, right? That's why, we have brought this amazing recipe to you, which makes crispy medu vada without deep frying it!
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Traditionally, medu vada is made from urad dal (black gram lentils) and spices. The batter is beautifully seasoned with ingredients like green chillies, ginger, curry leaves, and cumin seeds. Then the batter is shaped into donut-like rings and deep-fried. The result is a delightful snack that pairs wonderfully with coconut chutney or sambar. The only downside? The calorie count can be a bit intimidating.
Enter, low-cal healthy medu vada!
Now, let's talk about how we can make Medu Vada healthier without compromising on taste. The traditional way of preparing Medu Vada involves deep-frying, which adds a significant amount of calories. But fear not, for we have a healthier alternative - air frying! Yes, you can fry your Medu Vada in an air fryer to achieve that lovely crunch without the excess oil. You can also enhance the nutrition of your Medu Vada by incorporating ingredients like grated carrots, finely chopped spinach, or soaked and blended oats. Another important thing to do is to keep an eye on the size of your Medu Vada. smaller vadas not only have fewer calories but also cook more evenly in the air fryer.
Finally, pair your low-calorie Medu Vada with nutritious sides such as mint chutney, yogurt, or a tangy tomato dip. These condiments add flavour without packing extra calories.
Also Read: 7 Healthy South Indian Breakfast Recipes That Will Make Your Mornings Better
Medu vada can be paired with sambhar and chutneys. Image Credit: iStock
How To Make Healthy Medu Vada I Low-Cal Medu Vada Recipe:
Rinse and soak urad dal in water for about 4-5 hours or better still, overnight. After draining the water, grind the dal to make batter. Add salt and spices like green chillies, curry leaves and more. Take small portions from the batter and shape them into vadas with a hole in the centre. Then brush them with oil - this will help give the vadas that irresistible crunch. And just air fry them to golden perfection.
Click here for the step-by-step recipe for healthy medu vada.
Pair with the side of your choice and enjoy a delicious and healthy South Indian meal.