Kitchen Recipe Collection
Ulundu Vadai (Medu Vada)
Crispy-on-the-outside, fluffy-on-the-inside savory urad lentil doughnuts, deep-fried to golden perfection — a beloved Sri Lankan Tamil breakfast snack served with coconut chutney and sambar.
- Prep
- 20 min
- Cook
- 25 min
- Total
- 45 min
- Servings
- 4
- Difficulty
- medium
- Cuisine
- sri lankan
Ingredients
Scaled for 4 servings
- urad lentils
- green chilies
- ginger
- curry leaves
- black pepper
- salt
- oil for frying
- coconut chutney
- sambar
Equipment
- Wet grinder or blender
- Deep frying pan
- Slotted spoon
Instructions
- 1
Soak Lentils
Soak urad lentils in water for 4–6 hours. Drain completely.
- 2
Grind Batter
Grind the soaked lentils with very little water into a thick, fluffy, smooth paste. It should be stiff enough to hold its shape. Add finely chopped green chilies, ginger, curry leaves, black pepper, and salt. Mix well.
- 3
Heat Oil
Heat oil in a deep pan to 175°C (350°F).
- 4
Shape Vadai
Wet your hand with water. Take a ball of batter, flatten it on your palm, and poke a hole in the center with your thumb to create the donut shape.
- 5
Fry
Gently slide the vadai into the hot oil. Fry in batches for 3–4 minutes, flipping once, until deeply golden-brown and crispy all over.
- 6
Drain & Serve
Drain on paper towels. Serve hot with coconut chutney and sambar.
Cooking Tips
- The batter must be very thick and fluffy. If it is too thin, the vadai will absorb too much oil and become dense.
- The best test: drop a tiny ball of batter into water — it should float immediately. If it sinks, grind more.
- Wetting your hands before each vadai prevents sticking and makes shaping much easier.
Variations
- Sambar Vadai: Soak freshly fried vadai in warm sambar for 10 minutes for a soft, flavor-soaked version.
- Dahi Vadai: Soak the fried vadai in sweetened yogurt and top with chutneys and sev.
Chef's Notes & Storage
- The texture of the ground batter is the single most important factor — it must be light, thick, and airy, not dense or watery.
- Storage: Best eaten fresh. Can be reheated in an air fryer or oven for 5 minutes at 180°C to regain crispiness.
Nutrition Estimate
280 calories · 12g protein · 32g carbs · 13g fat · 4g fiber per serving
