Indian food is full of taste.Be it eggless,vegan or gluten-free.You can get any number of allergies and still have something yummy at breakfast.Anyone who says they cant find anything too eat has not found correct variety of Indian food.People think its only spicy curries.But the list is so huge even within a state.Every house has its special recipe,a special spice mix and special tradition.There is so much variety.Unfortunately,people stop at lassi or samosa or at some meat biryanis.If we continued to research history of Indian food,you would probably find a huge pile of recipes never heard of.No wonder,our civilization survived for centuries. Batata vada or aloo bada is one yummy snack. Basically it is batata bhaji rolled into balls with a besan/ chickpea flour coating. Perfect to fill your tummy while you are on the go.
What is batata vada?
Most people who know Maharashtra, know Vada pav. Batata vada is the integral part of this snack where aloo bada is served with ladi pav. We usually have it for breakfast. It is a special recipe which has many fans. My dad loves it and so does my son. You can find it all across Mumbai and Maharashtra. Batata meaning potato and vada, a fried lentil donuts. Soft potato filling inside crispy besan or chickpea cover, makes it a double delight. It can be made extra spicy when served with lehsun chutney or garlic chutney powder. Add a pav or bun to it and you have a vada pav ready. Serve it with sambhar and you have a bonda sambar ready. Just serve it as is and it is a heaven for all those who love fried carbs. Trust me I had rather eat this than a boring burger!
Here, we have added sweet potatoes to original all potato recipe. Sweet potato gives it a beautiful color and also makes it less spicy for kids.
Amazed ,how to make ladi pav at home? Click here to see the recipe.
How to make batata vada?
For the traditional method/Frying in wok:
- Mix boiled potato with spices, mix all ingredients.
2.Shape them into balls with your palms.
3.Make a thin batter with besan, spices and salt.
4.Roll them individually in besan/chickpea flour.
5. Dip them in besan batter. Repeat for all.
6.Heat oil in a wok and start frying the vada on medium flame.
7. Fry them until golden brown , Serve with chutney or ketchup
Air-fried batata vada
When you miss your vada pav, you will go any lengths to make it. Fast forward 2021 and the season of lockdowns and quarantines. No going to gym to burn those extra calories, not much exercise either. How do I binge on my fast food then?
Here comes the solution.. Air fyer!
Below is the recipe of an Air-fried batata vada tasting just as good as the fried ones when served as vada pav. How do you make aloo bada in air fryer? Scroll down for details.
How to make air-fried batata vada?
The steps to make the filling and besan batter remain the same as above.
Once they are ready, dip the vada in batter. Place the vada on a grill and plate underneath it. This way,you can remove the excess batter.
In an air-fryer, cook the vada for 7 mins at 200 degree C.
Brush oil on the vada using a pastry brush.
Cook for 10-12 mins at 180 degree C.
Serve hot with garlic chutney powder, green chillies and warm pav buns.
Read the recipe of aloo bonda :
Batata vada
Equipment
- wok
- or air-fryer
- steamer/pressure cooker
Ingredients
- ½ cup besan or chickpea flour
- Pinch of baking soda
- ¼ tsp turmeric powder
- ¼ tsp red chilli powder
- Water to make chickpea paste
- 1 tbsp rice flour optional
- Salt as per taste
For filling
- 1 cup boiled potatoes
- 1 cup boiled sweet potato
- 1 small piece ginger
- 2 green chillies
- Pinch of turmeric
- Few sprigs curry leaves
For frying:
- Oil
Instructions
For filling
- Steam or boil the potatoes until soft.They should not be mushy.
- Mash them and add ginger, chillies,curry leaves,salt,red chilli powder,turmeric to create a filling.
- Make small balls out of the mixture and keep it aside.
For covering
- Keep aside 2 tbsp besan with salt,roll over the vada
- Add water to wet chickpea flour mix and make a paste out of it.If the paste is too thin, you can add 1 tbsp rice flour or some more chickpea flour.
- Add soda,salt,turmeric powder,red chilli powder.
For frying (traditional way)
- Heat oil in a wok.
- Once paste is ready,dip the potato balls in it
- On a medium-high flame, fry until golden brown in hot oil.
- Serve hot with tomato sauce, mint chutney or garlic chutney powder.
For Air-fryer version
- Once paste is ready, dip the potato balls in it. Remove any additional batter.
- Now brush oil over the vada.
- Cook for 10-12 mins at 180 degree C
- Serve hot with tomato ketchup, mint chutney or garlic chutney powder and pav with some fried green chillies.
Batata vada song
Most people have heard of the ketchup song but did you know? There is also a song on this recipe.. Yes it is actually very catchy..It shows a good comparison between the dish and in being in love.
Eat sing and enjoy!
How many types of Vada are there?
There are many types of Vada in India. See our favorites below.
Click here to see more starter recipes.
Also, click here to see more recipe videos.
Please share your inputs..