Ulli Vada, also known as onion vada or onion fritters, is a simple and popular evening snack in Kerala. Made with sliced onions, gram flour (besan), and a few basic spices, it’s crisp, tasty, and goes perfectly with a hot cup of tea-especially on rainy days.
The recipe is straightforward. Thinly sliced onions are mixed with green chillies, curry leaves, salt, and turmeric. Then gram flour and rice flour are added to bind the onions. A little water is sprinkled, just enough to bring the mixture together-this is what gives Ulli Vada its crispy texture.
Small portions of the mix are dropped into hot oil and deep-fried until golden and crisp. The result is a crunchy outside and soft, slightly sweet onion flavour inside.
Ulli Vada is best served hot, with coconut chutney or just plain as it is. You’ll find it in tea shops and roadside stalls across Kerala, usually stacked in steel trays next to parippu vada and pazham pori.
It’s a quick snack that doesn’t need many ingredients, but brings a lot of flavour. Whether it’s for guests, an evening break, or just a sudden craving-Ulli Vada is always a good idea.
Kerala Ulli Vada
Ingredients
Instructions
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Ulli Vada or Onion Bajji is a popular teatime snack. Original pakoda is made with Basen flour (gram flour) but You can replace it with Whole wheat powder
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First of all , Slice the Onion and keep it aside
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Next,In a pan heat oil for deep frying
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Now we will make the batter. In a bowl add Basen flour/ wheat flour, add Rice powder, Turmeric powder, Chilly powder, Asafoetida powder, salt and enough water
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Mix well and make a batter.
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Next pick some onion and dip it in the batter. Make sure the Onion is covered well with the batter .
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Finally, Carefully dip the Onion in to the hot oil, deep fry to golden brown colour
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Ulli Vada is ready. Serve hot with sauce or tea