Making medu vada with an instant ready mix saves the soaking and grinding needed for homemade urad dal batter. I used MTR ready mix for this batch, piped the batter into rings and steamed them before air frying. The method worked well in my kitchen test.
The key is a thick, pipeable batter: steam the rings for 10 minutes without oil, then preheat the air fryer at 170°C (338°F) for 5 minutes and air fry at 170°C (338°F) for 12 minutes, flipping twice and brushing lightly with oil. I used up to 1 tablespoon of oil in total.
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Why Make This in the Air Fryer?
Unlike traditional deep-fried medu vada, this method uses a light oil brushing after steaming. The steam-first step sets the piped rings so they are easier to move and flip during air frying.
If you want to make the batter from soaked and ground urad dal, see my homemade medu vada recipe. This post is specifically for packaged instant medu vada mix.
Ingredients
Instant medu vada mix: I used MTR. Other brands may have different water requirements.
Water: To make a thick, pipeable batter.
Red onion: Finely chopped.
Green chillies: Adjust to taste.
Curry leaves: Finely chopped.
Ginger: For seasoning.
Black pepper: For seasoning.
Oil: For brushing after steaming and again during air frying.
The 1½ cups dry mix to 1 cup water ratio was tested with MTR only; other brands may need adjustments. The batter should hold a piped ring without spreading. If it spreads while piping, check the batter consistency before shaping the remaining rings; it should be thick rather than runny.
Step-by-Step Instructions
Step 1: Add the instant mix
Add 1½ cups of MTR instant medu vada mix to a bowl.
Step 2: Mix the batter and seasonings
Add 1 cup water and mix to a thick, pipeable batter. Mix in ¼ cup finely chopped red onion, green chillies, curry leaves, ginger and black pepper.
Step 3: Pipe the vada rings
Transfer the batter to a piping bag and pipe rings onto perforated parchment paper on a steaming tray. Keep a hole in the centre.
Step 4: Steam without oil
Steam the shaped vadas for 10 minutes. No oil is needed for steaming.
Step 5: Preheat and brush with oil
Preheat the air fryer to 170°C (338°F) for 5 minutes. Then place the steamed vadas in the air fryer on suitable perforated parchment paper and brush lightly with oil.
Step 6: Air fry
Air fry at 170°C (338°F) for 12 minutes in total. Flip twice within those 12 minutes and brush once more with oil during cooking.
Step 7: Check the browning
Look for a golden-brown surface and check that the centres are cooked through.
Step 8: Remove and serve
Remove the cooked vadas using tongs and serve with coconut chutney or sambar.
Variations
Less spicy: Use fewer chillies and less black pepper.
Extra onion: You can adjust the onion, but avoid making the batter too loose to pipe.
Another ready mix: Follow the packet's water guidance. The timing here has only been tested with MTR.
Substitutions
If curry leaves are unavailable, you can omit them. A sturdy food-safe piping bag with an opening large enough for the chopped onion and herbs works for shaping the rings.
Recipe Card
Instant Medu Vada Mix in Air Fryer (Steam-First Method)
Ingredients
- 1 ½ cups MTR instant medu vada ready mix
- 1 cup water
- ¼ cup red onion finely chopped
- 1 small green chilli finely chopped
- 4-5 curry leaves chopped
- 1 small piece ginger finely chopped
- 4-5 black peppercorns crushed
- up to 1 tablespoon oil for brushing during air frying only
Instructions
- Mix the ready mix and water into a thick, pipeable batter.
- Add the chopped onion, green chilli, curry leaves, ginger and crushed peppercorns.
- Pipe into rings on perforated parchment paper over a steaming tray.
- Steam for 10 minutes without oil.
- Preheat the air fryer to 170°C (338°F) for 5 minutes.
- Transfer to the air fryer and lightly brush with oil.
- Air fry at 170°C (338°F) for 12 minutes total, flipping twice within those 12 minutes and brushing once more with oil. Use up to 1 tablespoon oil across both brushings.
- Remove when cooked through and serve.
Notes
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes. This version steams the shaped vadas for 10 minutes, then air fries at 170°C (338°F) for 12 minutes with a little oil brushed on.
Steaming helps the piped batter set and hold its shape for flipping during air frying.
You can try another brand, but follow its water instructions and keep the batter thick enough to pipe. The quantities and cooking time here were kitchen-tested using MTR.
Similar Recipes
Explore more Indian air fryer recipes.
Conclusion
For this instant mix version, keeping the batter thick, steaming the rings without oil, and brushing lightly during air frying gave me a good result. It is a useful alternative when you want to prepare packaged medu vada mix without deep frying.
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