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    Whisk Affair » Recipes » Indian » Chaat/ Street Food » Dahi Vada (Punjabi Style Dahi Bhalla)

    Published: Feb 20, 2019 | Last Updated On: May 3, 2020 by Neha Mathur

    Dahi Vada (Punjabi Style Dahi Bhalla)

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    Dahi Vada or Dahi Bhalle are fried lentil dumplings, topped with curd, variety of chutney and spices. It's a famous Indian Chaat recipes and a very popular street food. Learn to make super soft Dahi Vada at home using this Step By Step Recipe. #Indian #Snack #Holi

    Dahi Vada, Dahi Bhalla or Dahi Bara are fried lentil dumplings, topped with curd, variety of chutney and spices. It’s a famous Indian Chaat recipe and very popular street food. Learn to make super soft Punjabi Dahi Bhalla at home.

    Side shot of dahi vada served ina plate along with holi colours.

    There is something about Chaat recipes, that you just can’t say no to any of them!

    I have not come across a single Chaat recipe that I don’t like.

    Be it a Bhel Puri, Dahi Papdi or even an Aloo Chaat, each and every chaat has its own uniqueness in terms of taste and flavour. 

    There are a variety of Chaats depending upon which region it belongs to, but there is one Chaat recipe that is made in almost every Indian household.

    It is DAHI VADA or DAHI BHALLA. 

    Soft lentil dumplings topped with sweet and spicy chutneys, curd and some everyday spices, this dish absolutely has my heart.

    This popular dish is always on my menu during festivals, especially during Holi and Diwali. 

    The best part about it, you can make them a day before and keep ready!

    And therefore they make an apt snack to serve to your guests and everyone loves relishing it too.

    It is also popular street food and you will find many street-side stalls selling it in different parts of North India, especially Delhi. 

    Here are some more Chaat Recipes, to satisfy your cravings – Samosa Chaat, Chana Chaat, White Matar Chaat, Bhel Puri, Dahi Puri and Ragda Patties. 

    So, next time you have a festive meal coming up, make sure to include this Dahi Bhalla in your menu. I assure you, your plates will be wiped clean!

    What is Dahi Vada?

    It is fried lentil dumplings, topped with curd, variety of chutneys and spices.

    It’s famous Indian Chaat recipes and very popular street food.

    These soft as cloud Dahi Bara and that chilled creamy curd on top, this description itself is good enough to make me drool. Don’t you think?

    I like to top my Dahi Bhalla with green Coriander Mint Green Chutney, Tamarind Chutney, Dahi Bhalla Masala, Roasted Cumin Powder, and Red Chilli Powder.

    You can skip the chutney and just sprinkle some spices on top.

    Just experiment with the topping and see which fits your taste the best.

    Some people make the Dahi Bara using only Urad dal but some use a mix of Urad and Moong dal.

    The vada with moong dal is lighter for the stomach.

    Also, there is some difference in how the vada is made in North Indian and South India. I will explain it below. So do read it.

    Ingredients

    Vada is the only thing that takes a little effort and time in this recipe.

    For Vada, you will need to soak Urad Dal, Ginger, Green Chilli and Salt.

    I have used only Urad Dal, But you can even use Moong Dal. Just take an equal amount of both the Dals to make the Vada. 

    Once your Vada is done, you will need whisked yogurt.

    Add in a little sugar and salt in the whisked yogurt, it adds a nice sweet-salty taste to it, that goes very well with the Vadas. 

    Top it with Sweet Tamarind Chutney, Mint Coriander Chutney and everyday spices such as cumin powder, red chilli powder and salt.

    You can make the chutneys beforehand and store in the fridge for about 4 to 5 days in an airtight container. 

    I also make Dahi Vada Masala at home to sprinkle on top.

    It is easy to make, the recipe is given below. This is optional, you can skip adding it too. 

    How long can you store the Vadas?

    If you want to use the vadas later, just keep them in the refrigerator for 2-3 days.

    Before using, dip them in soaking water for 20-25 minutes and then top them with curd.

    Pro Tips by Neha

    To make soft Dahi Bhalla recipe with a soft centre, the trick is to whip the lentil paste until it is very light and fluffy.

    After grinding the lentils to a fine paste in a grinder, whisk it using your hands for 2-3 minutes.

    Add a little baking soda while whisking it. Then take a bowl filled with water and drop a small ball of the batter in it.

    If the drop immediately starts to float on top, the batter is ready to fry.

    A pro tip to whisk your dahi bhalla batter is to use an electric mixer to whisk the batter until it light and fluffy.

    It saves a lot of muscle work and the batter is soft as a cloud.

    After experimenting this trick on my Indian Style Coffee Recipe, I now use it for anything that needs good whisking.

    Another tip to check if the Dahi Bara batter is whisked properly, you can turn the bowl in which you are whisking the batter upside down and the batter should not fall down.

    This is a little tricky because if the batter is not whisked well, it will fall down and you will have a lot to clean up 🙂

    While frying the Dahi Bhalla, fry them on medium heat and as soon as you drop them in oil, keep pouring oil over them using a ladle to seal the air inside.

    To make fabulous Dahi Vada, soak them in lukewarm water.

    Soaking in water makes the dahi bade super soft and aids in soaking up some of the flavours from the curd.

    Just press them lightly to remove excess water before putting them in the serving plate and topping with curd.

    You can also add moong dal in the Dahi Bada but I prefer to use only Urad dal to make this lovely street food.

    Dahi Vada Masala

    Dry roast 1 tablespoon Coriander Seeds, 1 tablespoon Cumin Seeds, 8-10 Dry Red Chillies, 1 teaspoon Black Peppercorns, 2 inch Cinnamon and 2-3 Black cardamom until slightly browned and fragrant.

    Cool and grind to make a smooth powder.

    Sprinkle a little bit of Dahi Vada Masala over your Vada and store the remaining in an airtight container.

    You can also sprinkle this masala over raita.

    South Indian Style Dahi Vada

    To make South Indian Style Dahi Vada, make the batter for the vada in the same manner as mentioned below.

    While shaping the vada, just make a hole in the centre of the vada and then fry as mentioned.

    Soak the fried vadas in hot milk.

    For the curd mixture, whisk the curd until smooth. Add ginger and green chilli paste, chopped coriander, salt and sugar and whisk well.

    Take out the vada in serving plate and top with curd mixture.

    Make a tempering of vegetable oil, curry leaves, urad dal and hing and pour it over the Vadas.

    Bread Dahi Vada

    I have a fabulous recipe to make Dahi Bhalla using bread slices.

    They taste just like the dal ones but are much easier to make. Click here to get the recipe of Bread Ke Dahi Vade.

    Dahi Bhalla using Moong Dal

    Moong dal is easier to digest than urad dal.

    By replacing half of the urad dal with moong dal, you can make these vada in a similar manner but they are much lighter and easier to digest.

    Do try and let me know 🙂

    You might also like

    Papdi Chaat

    Aloo Chaat

    Dal Makhani

    Jaljeera

    Step By Step Recipe

    Wash the dal and soak in 3-4 cups of water for 4-5 hours.

    washed Urad Dal in a bowl.

    Soaked urad dal in a bowl

    Drain the water and add the dal in a blender along with ginger, green chilli and salt.

    Water drained from the soaked dal.

    Blend the dal to make a thick paste. Add just add 2-3 teaspoon of water while grinding the dal.

    Soaled dal along with ginger nad green chilli added in the blender.

    dal ground to a very fine paste in the jar of a blender

    Use your hands and whisk the dal for 4-5 minutes until it is very light. Cover the bowl and keep aside for 15 minutes. Add the baking soda and whisk for another minute.

    Baking soda added to whisked Ground dal

    Take a bowl filled with water and drop a small drop of batter in it. If the batter immediately starts to float on top of the water, the batter is ready. If not, then whisk it some more.

    Batter floating on top of water in a bowl

    Heat oil for frying in a pan.

    Oil heating in a pan

    Wet your hands with water and take out a small portion of the batter in your palms. Shape it into a flat round vada.

    dal batter shaped into a vada

    Drop the vada in hot oil. Simmer the heat to medium-low and fry all the vadas until they are golden brown.

    Dahi Vada dropped in hot oil

    Drain on a plate. 

    Fried dahi vada on a plate

    Add the fried vada in soaking water and let them soak for 15 minutes. Press the vada lightly between your palm and arrange them in the serving plate.

    Soaked dahi vada on the serving plate

    Top with whisked curd.

    dahi vada topped with curd

    Top with coriander mint chutney and tamarind chutney.  Sprinkle dahi vada masala, red chilli powder, roasted cumin powder, salt and fresh coriander. Chill for a few hours in the refrigerator. Serve chilled.

    Dahi Vada topped with chutney

    Loved this recipe?Click here to leave a review and give us a five star rating ★★★★★
    Dahi Vada or Dahi Bhalle are fried lentil dumplings, topped with curd, variety of chutney and spices. It's a famous Indian Chaat recipes and a very popular street food.

    Dahi Vada Recipe

    It is fried lentil dumplings, topped with curd, variety of chutney and spices. It's a famous Indian Chaat recipes and a very popular street food. 
    4 from 17 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Snack
    Cuisine: Indian
    Prep Time: 5 minutes
    Cook Time: 30 minutes
    Total Time: 35 minutes
    Servings: 8 people
    Calories: 137kcal
    Author: Neha Mathur

    Ingredients 

    For the Vada

    • 1 cup Urad Dal
    • 1 teaspoon Ginger (Chopped)
    • 1 teaspoon Green Chilli (Chopped)
    • 1 pinch Baking Soda
    • Oil for frying

    For soaking water

    • ¼ teaspoon Hing
    • 1 litre Water
    • 1 teaspoon Salt

    For curd

    • 3 cups Curd (Whisked)
    • 1 teaspoon Sugar
    • ½ teaspoon Salt

    For Topping

    • ¼ cup Coriander Mint Chutney
    • ¼ cup Tamarind Chutney
    • 1 teaspoon Dahi Vada Masala
    • ½ teaspoon Red Chilli Powder
    • ½ teaspoon Roasted Cumin Powder
    • Salt to taste
    • 2 tablespoon Fresh Coriander (Chopped)
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    Instructions

    For vada

    • Wash the dal and soak in 3-4 cups of water for 4-5 hours.
    • Drain the water and add the dal in a blender along with ginger, green chilli and salt.
    • Blend the dal to make a thick paste. Just add 2-3 teaspoon of water while grinding the dal.
    • Use your hands and whisk the dal for 4-5 minutes until it is very light.
    • Cover the bowl and keep aside for 15 minutes.
    • Add the baking soda and whisk for another minute.
    • Take a bowl filled with water and drop small drop of batter in it.
    • If the batter immediately starts to float on top of the water, the batter is ready.
    • If not, then whisk it some more.
    • Heat oil for frying in a pan.
    • Wet your hands with water and take out small portion of the batter in your palms. Shape it into a flat round vada.
    • Drop the vada in hot oil. Simmer the heat to medium low and fry all the vadas until they are golden brown.
    • Drain on a plate.

    For the soaking water

    • Mix all the ingredients in a bowl and keep aside.

    For curd

    • Whisk the curd with sugar and salt and keep aside

    Assembly

    • Add the fried vada in soaking water and let them soak for 15 minutes.
    • Press the vada between your palm lightly and arrange them in the serving plate.
    • Top with whisked curd.
    • Top with coriander mint chutney and tamarind chutney.
    • Sprinkle dahi vada masala, red chilli powder, roasted cumin powder, salt and fresh coriander.
    • Chill for a few hours in refrigerator.
    • Serve chilled.

    Notes

    You can stuff the dahi vada with a mixture of cashew nuts, coconut, raisins and ginger. Just chop these ingredients and keep a little in the centre of the batter and cover it up with more batter.
    Do not add more water while grinding the dal. It will become difficult to shape it into vadas. 
    Fry the vadas on medium low heat otherwise they will not cook in the centre.
    If you want to use the vadas later, just keep them in refrigerator for 2-3 days. Before using, dip them in soaking water for 20-25 minutes and then top with curd. 
    To make soft dahi vada recipe with soft centre, the trick is to whip the lentil paste until it is very light and fluffy. After grinding the lentils to a fine paste in a grinder, whisk it using your hands for 2-3 minutes.
    Add a little baking soda while whisking it. Then take a bowl filled with water and drop a small ball of the batter in it. If the drop immediately starts to float on top, the batter is ready to fry.
    A pro tip to whisk your dahi vada batter is to use electric mixer to whisk the batter until it light and fluffy. It saves a lot of muscle work and the batter is soft as cloud. After experimenting this trick on my Indian style Coffee Recipe, I now use it  for anything that needs a good whisking.
    Another tip to check if the Dahi Vada batter is whisked properly, you can turn the bowl in which your are whisking the batter upside down and the batter should not fall down. This is a little tricky because if the batter is not whisked well, it will fall down and you will have a lot to clean up 🙂
    While frying the dahi bada, fry them on medium heat and as soon as you drop them in oil, keep pouring oil over them using a ladle to seal the air inside.
    Double frying the vada also makes them crunchy from outside and soft from inside.
    Assemble the dahi vada 2-3 hours before serving. It allows the flavours to soak in the vadas. Just top with more chutney and spices at the time of serving and  you are good to go.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 137kcal | Carbohydrates: 15g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 2g | Sodium: 512mg | Potassium: 180mg | Fiber: 5g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 55IU | Vitamin C: 1.2mg | Calcium: 45mg | Iron: 3mg
    Pin this recipe for later use!I LOVE to see your creations so pin and mention @WhiskAffair!
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    More Chaat/ Street Food Recipes

    • Kolkata Street Style Jhal Muri (Spicy Puffed Rice)
    • Sweet and Sour Tamarind Chutney (Imli Chutney)
    • Homemade Dabeli Masala
    • Tater Tots Chaat

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      Recipe Rating




    1. Sherbano

      April 28, 2020 at 6:07 pm

      5 stars
      Tried this recipe today with half moong and half urad daal and the bhallas came out super light and delicious! I will definitely be recommending this recipe to family and friends and making it again! Thanks Neha!

      Reply
      • Neha Mathur

        May 03, 2020 at 10:40 am

        Happy to hear!

        Reply
    2. Sherbano

      May 17, 2020 at 2:30 pm

      Hi Neha,
      I tried this recipe again today and I whisked the batter for quite a long time but it didn’t rise in water. Anyway I ran out of time so had to fry them anyway.

      Could you tell me what I did wrong ?

      Looking forward to hear from you.

      Reply
      • Neha Mathur

        May 18, 2020 at 4:57 am

        It could be possible that your batter was too thick.

        Reply

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