Ulli vada is an authentic, tea time delicacy in Kerala. This Ulli vada recipe is easy to make with readily available ingredients.

Estimated reading time: 7 minutes

Ulli vada is an authentic, tea time delicacy in Kerala. This ulli vada recipe is easy to make with readily available ingredients.

How to make ulli vada

Ulli vada thattukada style:

Table of contents

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Ullivada preparation reminds me of the local teashops in Kerala. In these tea shops, they serve fresh tea and local snacks like parippu vada, pazham pori, onion pakoda etc.. The boiling vessel that constantly sprays aromatic steam, the open frying pan, the aroma of freshly fried local snacks, the easy camaraderie… that’s is a different experience! Links for how to make chutney is given below.

How to prepare Ulli vada?

Nadan ullivada (onion vada) recipe is easy with basic ingredients with gram flour, rice flour, chopped onions, chopped ginger, asafoetida,  curry leaves, coriander leaves, turmeric powder, green chillies, fennel seeds and baking soda, made into a thick batter and deep-fried. The above Ulli vada video, clearly explains how to make ullivada Kerala style.

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How to thicken a onion (savala vada) batter?

Add little Rava (sooji). Mix well together with vada batter and rest for 10 minutes. This helps the batter the right consistency and for a crispy ullivada. If the vada batter is too runny, you won’t be able to take and shape it with your fingers.

How to make ulli vada

How to make ulli vada
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Ulli vada ingredients:

  • 4 tbsp – gram flour (basen)
  • 1 tbsp – rice flour
  • 4 – red onion sliced
  • 1 tbsp – chopped ginger
  • 2 pinch – asafoetida
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • fennel seeds – 1/2 tsp
  • 1/2 tsp ajowan seeds
  • curry leaves (chopped) 1 sprig
  • 1 – tbsp coriander leaves chopped
  • 1 – green chilli chopped
  • black salt – to taste
  • 1/2 tsp – baking soda
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How to make Ulli vada:

Time needed: 35 minutes

Method to make

  1. Step

    Slice the onionslicing the onion for ulli vada

  2. Step

    In a bowl mix sliced onions, chopped ginger, asafoetida, turmeric powder, curry leaves, coriander leaves, green chillies, fennel seeds, ajwain seeds and black salt.mixing the ingredients for ulli vada

  3. Step

    Keep the mix aside for half an hour.

  4. Step

    The salt makes the onion lose water and makes the water for the batter.

  5. Step

    Mix gram flour, rice flour and baking soda.Mix gram flour, rice flour and baking soda

  6. Step

    Sieve the mix.

  7. Step

    Add gradually into the onion mix to form a thick batter.add flour mixture into the onion masala to form a thick batter

  8. Step

    If the batter is too thick add a bit more water to get the right consistency.if the batter is too thick add bit more of water

  9. Step

    Heat refined oil in a pan.

  10. Step

    On medium heat deep fry small portions of onion batter.on a medium heat deep fry small portions of ulli vada

  11. Step

    Once the fritters are golden brown in colour take them out from the oil.when the fritters are golden brown take them out from oil

  12. Step

    Your crispy Vada is ready.

  13. Step

    Serve hot with green chutney.Ulli vada is ready

Tips for vada cooking:

* The salt makes onion loose water and makes the water.

* Sifting flour breaks up lumps and also incorporates air in between flour particles, allowing it to absorb liquid more evenly and mixing with other ingredients.

More similar kerala snacks:

How to make ulli vada
How to make ulli vada
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5 from 6 votes

How to make Ulli Vada | Onion vada recipe

Ulli vada is an authentic, tea time delicacy in Kerala. This Ulli vada recipe is easy to make with readily available ingredients.
Course Snack
Cuisine kerala cuisine
Keyword Onion pakoda,, onion vada,, Ulli vada,
Prep Time 15 minutes
Cook Time 20 minutes
Total Time 35 minutes
Servings 4
Calories 15kcal
Author Sumith Babu

Ingredients

  • 4 gram flour basen
  • 1 rice flour
  • 4 nos red onion
  • 1 tsp ginger chopped
  • 2 pinch asafoteda
  • 1/2 tsp turmeric powder
  • 1 curry leaves sprig
  • 1 coriander leaves chopped
  • 1 green chilli chopped
  • 1/2 tsp fennel seeds
  • 1/2 tsp ajowain seeds
  • 1/2 tsp baking soda
  • black salt to taste

Instructions

Instructions to make Ulli vada

  • Slice the onions
  • In a bowl mix sliced onions, chopped ginger, asafoiteda, turmeric powder, curry leaves, coriander leaves, green chillies, fennel seeds, ajowan seeds and black salt.
  • Keep the mix aside for half an hour.
  • The salt makes onion loose water and makes the water for the batter.
  • Mix gram flour, rice flour and baking soda.
  • Seive the mix.
  • Add gradually into the onion mix to form a thick batter.
  • If the batter is too thick add bit more water to get the right consistincy.

For frying

  • Heat refined oil in a pan.
  • On a medium heat deep fry small portions of onion batter.
  • Once the fritters are golden brown in colour take out from the oil.
  • Your crispy Ulli Vada is ready.
  • Serve hot with green chutney.

Video

Notes

* The salt makes onion loose water and makes the water.
* Sifting flour breaks up lumps and also incorporates air in between flour particles, allowing it to absorb liquid more evenly and mixing with other ingredients in Ulli vada.
*Ulli vada calories are given below

Nutrition

Calories: 15kcal | Carbohydrates: 3g | Protein: 1g | Fat: 1g | Saturated Fat: 1g | Sodium: 176mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 34IU | Vitamin C: 6mg | Calcium: 6mg | Iron: 1mg

FAQ:

How to make a crispy Ulli vada?

To make crispy Ulli vada, make sure you get the oil temperature right. Medium to hot will be perfect for vadas. If the oil is too hot, the vadas will be undercooked inside.

How can we remove excess oil from Ulli vada?

We can remove the excess oil by placing the vadas on a tissue paper.

Can you freeze Ulli vada?

Ulli vada can be frozen for up to 2 months. Deep fry half did and keep in the freezer. When you are ready to serve, keep out from the freezer and defrost in the fridge the day before. Deep-fry again and cook it to full. and serve hot.