Air Fryer Medu Vada: A Healthy, Tasty Treat?

Medu vada is a savoury deep-fried doughnut that is a popular breakfast food in South India. It is made by grinding soaked lentils into a paste, mixing it with herbs and spices, and then deep-frying it. However, medu vada can also be made in an air fryer, which is a healthier alternative as it uses less oil. The texture and taste of air-fried medu vada are slightly different from the traditional deep-fried version, but it is still a delicious and healthy snack option.

Characteristics	Values
Time taken to make	10-20 minutes
Temperature	170-200°C (340-390°F)
Preheat time	3-5 minutes
Soaking time	4-8 hours
Type of air fryer	Any with a flat non-stick surface and removable drip trays
Oil	Avocado oil spray, ghee, or similar
Batter consistency	Thick, not watery

How to make the batter

To make the batter for medu vada in an air fryer, start by washing the urad dal. Then, soak the dal in water for 4-6 hours. If you are short on time, you can soak it for 3-4 hours, but be aware that this will affect the texture.

After soaking, drain the water and blend the dal in a blender. Add a little water if needed, but be careful not to make the batter too watery. The consistency should be smooth and thick. If the batter is too watery, you can add some rice flour to fix it.

Once the batter is ready, add the salt and any optional seasonings you may want, such as cumin seeds, finely chopped onions, crushed pepper, sliced green chillies, chopped ginger, curry leaves, or cilantro. Mix well with a whisk or your palm, vigorously mixing in one direction for at least 2-3 minutes to make the batter fluffy and airy.

If you want to test if the batter is ready, drop a small ball of batter into a glass of water. If it floats, then your batter is ready.

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How to shape the vadas

Shaping the vadas is a simple process, but it can take some practice to get them looking perfect. Here is a step-by-step guide:

Firstly, dip your fingers in water (without letting the water drip). Take a small portion of the batter with your fingers and roll it into a ball. Then, flatten the ball slightly with your thumb and make a hole in the centre. If the batter is sticking to your fingers, dip your thumb in water. If you are new to making medu vada, try the second method below.

Before sliding the vada into the oil, ensure it is hot enough. To check, drop a small portion of batter into the oil. If the batter rises without browning too much, the oil is the right temperature.

The second method involves placing the ball of batter onto a greased sheet or some greased parchment paper. Flatten it slightly and make a hole in the centre. Once the oil is hot enough, dip your fingers in water and lift the side or corner of the sheet with your left hand. Transfer the vada onto your fingers (right hand) and face your palm towards the oil. Drop the vada into the oil by gently shaking your fingers.

Fry the vadas on a medium flame until they are golden and crisp. If you prefer them darker, fry them on a slightly higher flame for the last 2 minutes.

Shape and fry the vadas in batches until all the batter is used.

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Air fryer temperature and timing

The temperature and timing for cooking medu vada in an air fryer vary depending on the shape of the vada and the type of air fryer being used. However, there are some general guidelines that can be followed.

Firstly, it is important to preheat the air fryer. Most recipes suggest preheating for around 5 minutes, but some suggest a shorter or longer time, ranging from 3 to 10 minutes. The ideal temperature for preheating seems to be around 170-180°C (340-360°F).

Once the air fryer is preheated, it's time to cook the medu vada. The cooking time can range from 8 to 20 minutes, depending on the recipe. Some recipes call for flipping the vadas halfway through the cooking process, while others suggest brushing or spraying them with oil once or twice during cooking.

It's important to note that the temperature may need to be increased towards the end of the cooking process to achieve a darker golden brown colour and a crunchy texture. This can be done by increasing the temperature to 200°C (390°F) for the last 2-3 minutes of cooking.

Preheat the air fryer to 170°C (340°F) and cook the vadas for a total of 13-14 minutes.
Preheat the air fryer to 180°C (360°F) and cook the vadas for 8 minutes, then flip them and cook for another 8 minutes. Increase the temperature to 200°C (390°F) and cook for an additional 2-3 minutes.
Preheat the air fryer to 360°F and cook the vadas for 10-15 minutes, turning them over halfway through.
Preheat the air fryer to 200°C (390°F) and cook the vadas for 10-15 minutes, turning them over every 5 minutes and brushing with oil each time.

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Deep-frying method

Medu vada is a savoury deep-fried doughnut that is a popular breakfast or snack option in South India. It is typically made by deep-frying fermented black gram split lentils (urad dal) that have been soaked and ground into a batter. The deep-frying method for medu vada is as follows:

Firstly, soak the urad dal in water for around 4-6 hours. Drain the water and blend the lentils with minimal water added, until a thick batter is formed. Add a little water if necessary, but the consistency should not be too watery. You can add rice flour to the batter if it becomes too watery.

Next, add your desired spices and herbs to the batter. This could include chopped ginger, green chillies, curry leaves, cumin seeds, black pepper, asafoetida, and salt. Beat the mixture until it becomes light and fluffy. You can also add a pinch of baking soda to make the vadas softer.

Now, apply some water to your palms, take a large spoonful of the batter, and shape it into a donut with a hole in the centre. Gently slide the vada into hot oil and deep fry until golden brown, repeating this process for the remaining batter. Serve hot with coconut chutney, sambar, or tomato pachadi.

Tips for deep-frying medu vada:

The trick to perfect vadas is to soak and grind the urad dal correctly.
Do not add too much water while grinding the dal, only add small amounts as needed.
Aerate your batter by beating it well to ensure fluffy and soft vadas.
You can use a donut mould to achieve a nice round shape for your vadas.
If you prefer a less oily dish, steam the vadas in an idli steamer for 5 minutes before deep-frying.

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Other air fryer recipes

There are many different recipes you can try in an air fryer. Here are some ideas for breakfast, appetisers and snacks, side dishes, main dishes, and desserts.

Breakfast