Sabudana Vada is a traditional Maharashtrian snack made from tapioca pearls (sago), potatoes, peanuts, herbs and spices. These sago fritters are delectable! This is vegan, gluten-free, and simple fasting recipe.
Rinse sabudana well until water turns clear. Soak it in 1/2 cup water overnight (or at least 6 hours). In the morning, the sabudana would have absorbed all water. Press one sabudana ball between your fingers, and it should crush easily. If there is any water, which most likely there should not be, drain in a colander.
Grate boiled potatoes in a large bowl. Transfer the saubdana to the bowl. Add crushed roasted peanuts, cilantro, green chilies and salt. You may also add ginger or lime juice if you like.
Divide the mixture into 13-15 equal parts, make round balls and then flatten them a bit.
Stovetop Frying Method
Heat oil on medium-high heat in a kadai or wok. Make sure the oil is hot by dropping a single sabudana ball. It should quickly float to the top.
Now add 3-5 vadas to the oil depending on the size of the kadhai, don't overcrowd the kadai. Fry vadas until golden brown and crisp from both sides. Transfer to a plate covered with paper towel to drain any excess oil.
Serve sabudana vada with chutney, ketchup or anything that you like.
Air Fryer Method
Spray some oil in the air fryer basket. Place vada's in a single layer leaving space between each. Brush or spray some oil on top of the Vada's.
Air fry for about 16-18 minutes at 390°F. Flip the vada's at about the 10 minute mark.
Once vadas are crispy and golden brown, serve them hot with ketchup or green chutney.
Appe Pan Method
On medium low heat, heat the appe / paniyaram / aebleskiver pan. To each round section, add a few drops of oil.
Place the small sago balls and cook for 2-3 minutes over medium-low heat.
Each ball should be turned over and add a few more oil drops.
Once more, cook them under cover for 3–4 minutes more, or until crisp and golden brown.
Serve these Sago fritters hot with mint chutney or ketchup.
Video
Notes
Make sure the oil is medium-hot. If the oil is too hot, they may brown quickly and have a burnt taste.
Sabudana or potatoes should be moisture-free as this could cause the vadas to break.
If you want to make the sabudana potato mixture ahead of time, then also shape them into vada's before storing them in the refrigerator. Otherwise, they can be harder to shape as the mixture can have more moisture.