Sabudana Vada (Sago pearl patties) in Air Fryer is a great recipe find. It's a great starter and appetizer choice for get-togethers and occasions. The best part? You can indulge in this delicious snack guilt-free, with just a light brush of oil.
While deep-fried sabudana vada is a favorite for many, its high oil content makes it off-limits for health and calorie-conscious individuals. Even a shallow fry can soak up quite a bit of oil.
Ta-da! The Air Fryer is here to save the day, making it the perfect tool to create and enjoy this delicious snack guilt-free. With just a light brush of oil optional, of course, there's no sacrificing flavor compared to the traditional fried version.
I had the Air-fryer version of Sabudana Vada when I visited a friend during a fasting period. It was amazing to see how easy and mess-free the entire cooking process was. The simplicity and convenience truly impressed me.
The taste was just as good, if not better, with the added crispiness. The Air Fryer had been on my 'to-buy' list for a while, but I hesitated, unsure if I'd use it often enough. I didn't want another appliance cluttering up the counter. But after this experience, I knew it was worth the investment.
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Ingredients for the Sabudana Vada
- Sago Pearls or Sabudana Vada soaked in just about little water for 4 hours and drained off all the water.
- Potatoes - Mashed and Cooled.
- Peanuts - de-skinned, roasted and powdered.
- Spices and condiments - garam masala, cumin.
- Green chilies finely chopped - Use as tolerated.
- Ginger finely chopped into tiny bits.
- Juice of a lemon.
- Salt as needed.
How to make Sabudana Vada in Air Fryer?
The ingredients for Sabudana vada are the same whether you make it air-fried, deep-fried, or shallow-fried. The main ingredients are mashed potatoes, soaked Sabudana or Sago pearls, finely cut ginger and green chilies, roasted and powdered peanuts, and spices like cumin and authentic garam masala.
The Sago pearls are washed and soaked in just about enough water for four to six hours. To make the patty, you can boil and mash potatoes ahead of time so they are completely cooled. Roast and grind the skinless peanuts to a powdered consistency. There are no hard and fast rules on the ingredients other than the main ones mentioned above and you can alter them as you like.
Patty for the Sabudana Vada
After 4 hours, the Sabudana is usually soaked well and can be easily mashed with your fingers. Drain off the water and squeeze out as much water as possible. Add the mashed potatoes and spices. You can use your hands to combine them so they come together as a big dough mass.
Make small balls and flatten them into the shape of a patty. Arrange them on a plate, cover them with a thin cling wrap film, and refrigerate for about 2 to 3 hours. Refrigeration is not a must but will help hold up the shape.
Airfrying the Sabudana Vada
Preheat the air fryer for about 10 minutes at 390 degrees F. The temperature also depends on the type of air fryer being used. Between 390 degrees and 395 degrees F has always worked okay for me.
When pre-heating is completed, pull out the air fryer basket and line it with baking paper or air fryer liner. Arrange the patties on the air-fryer lined with liner and brush them with a little oil if you like (optional).
Air-fry for 10 mins, flip them, and repeat the air-frying for another 10 mins. Alternatively, you can also choose the "turn" option to set a reminder at the 10-minute mark and set the time for a total of 20 minutes.
Crispy Sabudana Vadas are perfectly done and ready to be served. The accompaniments that go with this vada are mint chutney or tomato ketchup.
Step by Step process to make the Sabudana Vada
- Step 1: Combine all the ingredients for making the vada in a bowl.
- Step 2: Mix all the ingredients
- Step 3: Make small patties and refrigerate if possible.
- Step 4: Air fry it for 10 minutes at 390 (395) deg F, fli,p and air fry for another 10 minutes.
- Step 5: Transfer to a serving bowl.
- Step 6: Crispy Sabudana Vada is ready to be enjoyed.
Tips for Sabudana Vada in Air Fryer
- Wash and soak the sago pearls in just about enough water. About four to six hours is good. On pressing the sago pearls between your fingers they should mash well.
- Drain the water well and remove any excess water so the patties can be shaped easily.
- Use de-skinned groundnuts if possible to roast and powder as it can save some time.
- Boil and mash potatoes ahead of time so they are completely cooled.
- Refrigerate the patties for a while if possible so they hold shape well.
- Remember not to pre-heat the basket with the liner alone to prevent it from burning as it can fly up to the heating coil on the top and burn during pre-heating. This happens if nothing is kept on the liner to weigh it down. You can also use the liner after pre-heating so the weight of the vadas will hold the liner down.
- Use the Turn option so you can flip the vadas and ensure they are getting cooked as desired.
Hope you enjoy reading this recipe. If you love sago pearls, you may also love the sago pearls khichdi, which tastes very delicious. Some other appetizers that taste great and that can be served along are sweet dahi vada, Chana dal Vada, Gobi manghurian, and beetroot veggie cutlets, do check it out!
Recipe FAQs
The leftover air-fried vadas can be reheated in the Air Fryer for 5 minutes at 375 degrees F or baked at 375°F for 5 minutes in an oven to restore the crispiness.
Refrigerate the patties before air frying and make sure to minimize moisture when shaping the patties.
Use the Turn option on the air-fryer so you can flip the vadas mid-way and ensure they are getting cooked as desired.
Use minimal moisture to help the patties hold their shape, then refrigerate them. Brush lightly with oil, and preheat the air fryer for perfectly crisp vadas.
Related Recipes
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Sabudana Vada in Air Fryer
Ingredients
- 2 cups sago pearls soaked for 4 hours
- 3 medium potatoes boiled and mashed
- 1 cup peanuts roasted , peeled and powdered
- ½ tsp garam masala
- ¼ cup coriander leaves finely chopped
- 1 tbsp ginger finely chopped
- 1 tsp salt
- 1 small lemon juice squeezed
- 1 tsp cumin seeds
- 3 green chillies finely chopped
Instructions
- Wash and Soak Sabudana in water for about 4 hours in just about enough water
- Boil and mash potatoes and let it cool
- Roast peanuts, de-skin (or use skinless) powder it and add it to the mashed potatoes.
- Add the rest of the ingredients along with spices.
- Mash them all together to form a nice dough.
- Make small balls and flatten them into small patties.
- Cover with cling wrap and refrigerate (optional).
- Pre-heat the air-fryer for about 5mins for 390 deg or 395 deg (can vary depending on your airfryer)
- Line the air-fryer basket with a baking paper and transfer the patties.
- You can brush them with a little oil and air-fry for about 10 minutes at 390 (395) degrees F .
- Flip them , agin brush with oil if you like and air-fry for another 10 minutes
- You can also set the total air fry time to 20 minutes and choose the "turn" option to set a reminder to flip at the 10 minute mark .
- Transfer them to a serving platter .Serve with mint chutney , ketchup or any other sauce that you like.
Video
Notes
- Wash and soak the sago pearls in just about enough water. About four to six hours is good. On pressing the sago pearls between your fingers they should mash well.
- Drain the water well and remove any excess water so the patties can be shaped easily.
- Use de-skinned groundnuts if possible to roast and powder as it can save some time.
- Boil and mash potatoes ahead of time so they are completely cooled.
- Refrigerate the patties for a while if possible so they hold shape well.
- Remember not to pre-heat the basket with the liner alone to prevent it from burning as it can fly up to the heating coil on the top and burn during pre-heating. This happens if nothing is kept on the liner to weigh it down. You can also use the liner after pre-heating so the weight of the vadas will hold the liner down.
- Use the Turn option so you can flip the vadas and ensure they are getting cooked as desired.
This came out as expected!
These turned out great
I love Sabu Dana. I never tried making it in air fryer. But will try out your recipe.
Finally something delicious I can make with my sago pearls!
OMG these were delicious! Didn't last very long with the family!
I have never tried to make this recipe! It looks easy and delicious. I can't wait to make this at home.
I have tried this at home and my kids love this! A perfect appetizer for any given occasion! We all love this, thanks for sharing!
This was my first time making this and it turned out amazing. The whole family enjoyed it.
Crispy and delish!
I love that these can be made in the air fryer so that less oil is used - and they taste even better than deep-fried!
I made these in the air fryer and they were so crispy, delicious and flavorful!! YUM!