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    Home » Lunch and Dinner Recipes

    Dahi Bhalla | Dahi Vada | How To Make Dahi Vada

    Published: Oct 19, 2016 · Modified: Mar 10, 2022 by Kushi · This post may contain affiliate links.

    Jump to Recipe Print Recipe

    Dahi Bhalla or Dahi Vada is a popular and delicious Indian snack recipe where vadas or lentil fritters are soaked in lightly sweetened thick yogurt and then garnished with chutney, sev, coriander leaves, pomegranate and spices.

    dahi bhalla, dahi vada, how to make #indianchaat #dahichaat #dahibaray #dahivada #dahibhalle #chaat

    We can't get enough of chats. I can have it anytime of the day and I am sure it's the same for all you. But this chaat is something special to me. I never used to like yogurt or yogurt-based dish until my husband made me eat this chat here in the US. I loved it so much, that I slowly began incorporating it in my diet. Now eat yogurt in any form. If you love yogurt then you should not miss trying out this recipe.

    This chat is not only beautiful with a lot of colors but it also bursts with an amazing combination of flavors. But it definitely takes some time in making. First, you have to soak, grind, and deep fry the vadas. These deep-fried vadas are soaked in water for few minutes to make them moist and spongy and then soaked in chilled sweetened yogurt for at least 30 minutes before serving. These Dahi Bhallas taste best when served chilled.

    While you are here, do check out my other chat recipes like vada pav, dabeli, masala puri, sev puri, papdi chat, aloo tikki chat or ragda pattice. Also, follow me for more interesting recipes coming up for Diwali and don't forget to check out my post on easy recipes for Holi.

    dahi bhalla, dahi vada, how to make #indianchaat #dahichaat #dahibaray #dahivada #dahibhalle #chaat

    Few important tips to make perfect and soft dahi bhalla (dahi bhalle) or dahi vada

    • To make soft and airy vadas my parents and in-laws generally prepare the batter in a wet-grinder. Wet-grinders ensure that the batter is well aerated and smooth. If you have a wet grinder then its well and good, but if you are like me and only have a simple mixer/blender then blend the soaked lentils to a smooth paste. Next, using an electric beater beat it for at least 5 minutes. This whisking/beating action will aerate the dough and will help you prepare perfectly soft and delicious vadas.
    • For the better result always see that the ratio of moong dal to urad dal is 1:1.
    • Never add too much water while grinding. Add in tablespoon increment as needed to form thick paste.
    • Always make a habit of frying vada or bhalla on medium flame. Low flame will absorb excess oil. HIgh flame will bron fast but remian uncooked from inside.
    • Also see that your yogurt is fresh (not sour), thick and creamy even before you soak the vadas. I have not mentioned the ingredient amounts for garnish.
    • You can vary this as per your taste but do not miss anything mentioned in the list 🙂

    Preparation time  30 minutes
    Rest time : 4 hour
    Serves : 22 dahi vadas or bhallas

    Ingredients for Dahi Bhalla | Dahi Vada | Soft Dahi Bhalle

    For the vada :

    Moong dal / Split green gram - ½ cup
    Urad dal / Split black gram without skin - ½ cup
    Green chilies finely chopped - 1 or 2
    Ginger grated - ½ tbsp
    Asafoetida / Hing - small pinch
    Salt - to taste
    Vegetable Oil - for frying

    For preparing the Dahi

    Thick yogurt / Curd - 3 cups
    Sugar - 5 tsp
    Salt - ¼ tsp

    For the garnish (Sprinkle as per your taste but do not miss any 🙂 )

    Sev
    Mint chutney
    Dates chutney 
    Coriander leaves / Cilantro Chopped
    Cumin seed powder
    Black salt
    Red chile powder
    Chat Masala
    Pomegranate

    dahi bhalla, dahi vada, how to make #indianchaat #dahichaat #dahibaray #dahivada #dahibhalle #chaat

    How to make perfect, best and soft Dahi Bhalla or Dahi Vada at home

    Making of vada batter
    • Wash and soak urad dal and moon dal in water for 4 hours or overnight.
    • Drain the water completely and grind it by adding not more than 5 to 6 tablespoon of water to form a smooth and thick paste. You cannot make vadas if the batter is runny.
    • Transfer this to bowl and using a beater beat it (for about 5 minutes) to form a light and fluffy batter. This is done so that your vadas are airy and soft.
    • To this add green chilies, ginger, asafoetida, salt and mix well.
    Deep fry and then soak the vadas
    • Heat oil in heavy bottomed pan for frying on medium flame.
    • Once the oil is hot, take a lemon sized portion of the batter between your fingers (you can use two spoons instead of fingers) and drop it in oil. Add 6 to 7 vadas at time depending on the size of your pan.
    • Fry them till they are crispy and golden brown on all the sides (approx 4-6 minutes). Transfer it to a plate lined with paper towel to absorb any excess oil. Repeat the process for remaining batter.
    • Meanwhile put the fried vadas in warm water and let it soak anywhere between 5 to 15 minutes.
    Making of Dahi Vada or Dahi Bhalla
    • In a wide bowl, add yogurt, sugar, salt with little water and beat it using whisk till it is creamy.
    • Squeeze the vadas between your palm to remove excess water. Be careful and do not break them. Then soak them in creamy yogurt mix prepare above, and keep it in refrigerator till your are ready to serve.
    • See that vadas are completely covered in yogurt. This can be kept in refrigerator for at least 3 days.
    Dahi Vada or Dahi Bhalla Chaat
    • Whenever you are ready to serve, place one or two vadas in a serving bowl, top it with several scoopfuls of creamy flavored yogurt mix.
    • Garnish it with all the ingredients mentioned in the list as per your taste. But make sure you add all the garnish
    • Dahi Bhallas or Dahi Vada is ready. Serve and enjoy.

    dahi bhalla, dahi vada, how to make #indianchaat #dahichaat #dahibaray #dahivada #dahibhalle #chaat

    Tip:
    • You can vary the amount of sugar in the yogurt as per your taste.
    • If your yogurt is too watery, then transfer the yogurt to a clean sterilized kitchen towel and hang it 30 minutes to an hour, to let excess water to drain off.
    • Vary all the spices as desired.
    • To check if the oil is hot, drop few drops of batter and check if it sizzles and comes up.
    • If the oil is cold, vadas will absorb excess oil. If it is too hot, vadas will turn brown. Best practice is to fry between medium and medium high flame.
    • You can also use 2 tablespoon of apple butter instead of the dates chutney. To 2 tablespoon of apple butter I added ¼ cup of water and mixed well, and then to this I added ¼ teaspoon of chilli powder, ½ teaspoon of chat masala and pinch of black salt.
    • In coastal Karnataka, only urad dal is used to prepare dahi vada. So you can make the vada using only urad dal if desired.
    Detailed step by step recipe for Soft Dahi Bhalla or Dahi Vada

    Recipe card

    dahi bhalla, dahi vada, how to make #indianchaat #dahichaat #dahibaray #dahivada #dahibhalle #chaat

    Dahi Bhalla | Dahi Vada | How To Make Dahi Vada | Soft Dahi Bhalle

    Kushi
    Dahi Bhalla or Dahi Vada is a popular and delicious Indian snack recipe where vadas or lentil fritters are soaked in lightly sweetened thick yogurt and then garnished with chutney, sev, coriander leaves, pomegranate and spices.
    5 from 18 votes
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 30 minutes mins
    Resting Time 4 hours hrs
    Total Time 4 hours hrs 30 minutes mins
    Course Appetizer, snacks
    Cuisine Andhra Pradesh, Delhi, gujarati, Karnataka, north indian, South Indian, Tamil Nadu, uttar pradesh
    Servings 22 dahi vadas
    Calories 73 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    For the Vada

    • ½ cup Moong dal or Split green gram
    • ½ cup Urad dal or Split black gram without skin
    • 1 or 2 Green chilies , finely chopped
    • ½ tablespoon Ginger , grated
    • Asafoetida or Hing, small pinch
    • Salt , to taste
    • Vegetable oil , for frying

    For Preparing the Dahi

    • 3 cups Yogurt or Curds
    • 5 teaspoon Sugar
    • ¼ teaspoon Salt

    For The Garnish (Sprinkle As Per Your Taste But Do Not Miss Any 🙂 )

    • Sev or Kara boondi
    • Mint chutney
    • Dates chutney or Imli chutney
    • Cilantro or Coriander leaves, Chopped
    • Cumin seed powder
    • Black salt
    • Red chile powder
    • Chat Masala
    • Pomegranate or Grated carrots

    Instructions
     

    How To Make Perfect, Best and Soft Dahi Bhalla Or Dahi Vada At Home

      Making Of Vada Batter

      • Wash and soak urad dal and moon dal in water for 4 hours or overnight.
        ½ cup Moong dal, ½ cup Urad dal
      • Drain the water completely and grind it by adding not more than 5 to 6 tablespoon of water to form a smooth and thick paste. You cannot make vadas if the batter is runny.
      • Transfer this to bowl and using a beater beat it (for about 5 minutes) to form a light and fluffy batter. This is done so that your vadas are airy and soft.
      • To this add green chilies, ginger, asafoetida, salt and mix well.
        1 or 2 Green chilies, ½ tablespoon Ginger, Asafoetida, Salt

      Deep Fry And Then Soak The Vadas

      • Heat oil in heavy bottomed pan for frying on medium flame.
        Vegetable oil
      • Once the oil is hot, take a lemon sized portion of the batter between your fingers (you can use two spoons instead of fingers) and drop it in oil. Add 6 to 7 vadas at time depending on the size of your pan.
      • Fry them till they are crispy and golden brown on all the sides (approx 4-6 minutes). Transfer it to a plate lined with paper towel to absorb any excess oil. Repeat the process for remaining batter.
      • Meanwhile put the fried vadas in bowl of warm water and let it soak anywhere between 5 to 15 minutes.

      Making Of Dahi Vada Or Dahi Bhalla

      • In a wide bowl, add yogurt, sugar, salt with little water and beat it using whisk till it is creamy.
        3 cups Yogurt, 5 teaspoon Sugar, ¼ teaspoon Salt
      • Squeeze the vadas between your palm to remove excess water. Be careful and do not break them. Then soak them in creamy yogurt mix prepare above, and keep it in refrigerator till your are ready to serve.
      • See that vadas are completely covered in yogurt. This can be kept in refrigerator for at least 3 days.

      Dahi Vada Or Dahi Bhalla Chaat

      • Whenever you are ready to serve, place one or two vadas in a serving bowl, top it with several scoopfuls of creamy flavored yogurt mix (from above).
      • Garnish it with all the ingredients mentioned in the For the Garnish list (above) as per your taste. But make sure you add all the garnish.
        Sev, Mint chutney, Dates chutney, Cilantro, Cumin seed powder, Black salt, Red chile powder, Chat Masala, Pomegranate
      • Dahi Bhallas or Dahi Vada is ready. Serve and enjoy.

      Notes

      • You can vary the amount of sugar in the yogurt as per your taste.
      • If your yogurt is too watery, then transfer the yogurt to a clean, sterilized kitchen towel and hang it 30 minutes to an hour, to let excess water to drain off.
      • Vary all the spices as desired.
      • To check if the oil is hot, drop a few drops of batter and check if it sizzles and comes up.
      • If the oil is cold, vadas will absorb excess oil. If it is too hot, vadas will turn brown. The best practice is to fry between medium and medium-high flame.
      • You can also use 2 tablespoon of apple butter instead of the dates chutney. To 2 tablespoon of apple butter I added ¼ cup of water and mixed well, and then to this I added ¼ teaspoon of chili powder, ½ teaspoon of chat masala, and a pinch of black salt.
      • In coastal Karnataka, only urad dal is used to prepare Dahi vada. So you can make the vada using only urad dal if desired.
      • Also, to make it south Indian style, you can garnish with kara boondi and grated carrots.
      • You can check the recipes here for Sev, Mint chutney, Dates chutney.

      Nutrition

      Calories: 73kcalCarbohydrates: 9gProtein: 5gFat: 2gSaturated Fat: 0.3gPolyunsaturated Fat: 1gMonounsaturated Fat: 0.4gTrans Fat: 0.01gCholesterol: 1mgSodium: 160mgPotassium: 46mgFiber: 2gSugar: 3gVitamin A: 58IUVitamin C: 1mgCalcium: 37mgIron: 1mg
      Tried this recipe?Let us know how it was!

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      How to make soft and best dahi bhalla or dahi vada at home

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      Reader Interactions

      Comments

      1. Tracy

        March 12, 2022 at 1:33 am

        5 stars
        So beautiful!! Delicious and a great presentation. My family was so impressed!

        Reply
      2. Claudia Lamascolo

        March 12, 2022 at 6:59 am

        5 stars
        this really looks scrumptious I am off to the market to get ingredients and eat this for lunch! Thanks for the recipe!

        Reply
      3. Tavo

        March 12, 2022 at 8:15 am

        5 stars
        I love moong dal recipes and this one is a true winner! So yummy!

        Reply
      4. Kechi

        March 12, 2022 at 8:53 am

        5 stars
        This looks and sounds absolutely beautiful! I love all the textures to this dish; YUM!

        Reply
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      5 from 18 votes (1 rating without comment)

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      Hi, I'm Sridevi! I am a Software Engineer by qualification, a full-time Food Blogger by passion, a self-published Author, and a happy person two kids (monsters) ago.

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