Crispy Sabudana Vada are fritters made with sago, potato and peanuts! These fried vadas are great for snacking or to serve as an appetizer. These are vegan and especially made during the fasting festival of Navratri.
1/2cupsabudanarinsed and soaked in 1/2 cup water overnight
2mediumpotatoesboiled & mashed, 1 cup boiled & mashed potatoes
1/4cuppeanutsroasted, skin remove and then crushed
2tablespoonscilantrochopped
1-2green chilieschopped, adjust to taste
2teaspoonslemon juice
1/2teaspoonsaltadjust to taste, use sendha namak if making these for fast
oilto fry the vadas, I used canola oil
Instructions
Rinse the sabudana under running water until water turns clear. Then soak it in 1/2 cup of water for 4 to 5 hours or overnight. Then drain using a colander (there won't be any water since sabudana will absorb all of it but still drain it). When done, sabudana will be soft and break easily when pressed between fingers.
Transfer the soaked saubdana to a large bowl and add the boiled and mashed potatoes, roasted peanuts, chopped cilantro, chopped green chilies, lemon juice and salt.
Mix everything together using a spatula or your hands. Then divide the mixture into 9 to 10 equal parts. Shape each part into a round shape and then flatten between your palms to shape into vadas. I got 9 vadas out of this mixture, each weighing approximate 50 grams and 2 inches in diameter.
Heat oil in a kadai or wok on medium heat. Add vadas carefully into the hot oil. Make sure oil isn't very hot or very cold, it should be medium heat.
Fry the vadas on medium heat until golden brown and crispy from both sides. Drain on paper towel. Serve hot with chutney or ketchup.
Air Fryer Instructions
To air fry, preheat your air fryer according to manufacturer's instructions. Shape the vadas thinner than what you would if you were air frying them. Spray with a cooking oil and then air fry at 380 F degrees for 15 minutes. The timing may vary depending on thickness of vada and the air fryer you are using.
Notes
In case, your vadas are breaking in the oil, you may add some kuttu flour (buckwheat flour) or regular flour or cornstarch to bind them. I did not add any, the potatoes were perfect enough for binding.
You can add more spices to these vadas if you are not making them for fasting.
Sweet potatoes can also be used in this recipe in place of potatoes.