Appe pan sabudana vada

Jump to Recipe

Sabudana vada or tapioca pearls fritter is a very popular Maharshtrian snack. In Marathi, tapioca pearls are called sabudana and fritters are called vadas. Originating from India’s western state, Maharashtra, these fritters are popular nation wide. It is a light and an extremely enjoyable snack, that makes for a delicious tea-time accompaniment. Traditionally, the vadas are deep fried. However, I decided to take a healthier route, and made the appe pan sabudana vada. The advantage of the appe pan is, you will, barely need a teaspoon of oil in each groove to “fry” the vadas.  The appe pan sabudana vadas, besides being healthy, look really cute and have an incredible texture. The crunchy, crusty exterior and a soft flavouful interior, makes them a huge favourite with anybody who eats them.

Appe pan, for the uninitiated, is a mould with generally, six to 12 hemispherical grooves. This pan is used to make a South Indian breakfast item, called appe or paddus, and hence the name. But, the pan is so versatile that, you could make a lot of other things, like these vadas, in it. It is a great kitchen equipment to have, especially for making healthier fritter versions.

Also the grooves give the fritters (or anything else that you make), a very adorable shape. The small spheres, for example, of the sabudana vadas here, are extremely pleasing to the eyes.

Some of my other quick and easy healthy Indian snacks recipes: 

Baked mini dal samosas

Appe pan dahi vadas

Sabudana vada

The recipe for these vadas is an easy and quick one. You will, however, need to soak the tapioca pearls overnight or for at least six hours before you can proceed to cook with them. So, whenever you are planning to make the appe pan sabudana vada, just soak the pearls the previous night. And this is about the only pre-preparation, you will need to do.

The fritters are very lightly flavoured. The only spice you need, is cumin seeds, apart from fresh coriander and green chillis – that lend the vadas some mild heat. But, the star ingredient here, is roasted peanuts. Yes, the sabudana vadas, also have crushed roasted peanuts in them, that imparts a fabulous texture and lovely sweet taste. I know of some recipes that also ask you to  add sugar in them. But for me, the peanuts in there, are enough.

You can team up your appe pan sabudana vadas with a sweetened yoghurt, by the side. That is how it is served in eateries in Mumbai, from where I come. I, however, am more of a savoury kinda girl so, I don’t pair the vadas with the dahi. But if you have not tried it yet, I suggest give it a shot. It is a wonderful combination and a widely liked one as well.

So here goes, my recipe of the appe pan sabudana vadas. This vegan snack recipe is loved by the young and adults, alike, and moreover it is not deep fried. Let me know, if you do try this one out.

Eat hearty!