Crispy Spiced Potato Fritters
Delight in the crispy, piping hot goodness of these Spiced Potato Fritters, also known as Batata Vada. This savory Indian snack features boiled potatoes mixed with fragrant spices and herbs, shaped into luscious balls, and coated in a seasoned chickpea batter. Deep-fried to a golden perfection, these fritters are sure to excite your taste buds. Serve them with your favorite condiments like tangy ketchup or a zesty chutney for an irresistible treat any time of the day!
N/A
Servings
N/A
Calories
12
Ingredients
Ingredients
oil
1 tablespoon (for frying)
green chilies
4 (chopped fine)
garlic
4 cloves (crushed)
potatoes
4 large (peeled, cubed, and boiled)
turmeric powder
1/2 teaspoon (divided)
salt
to taste
coriander leaves (cilantro)
4 tablespoons (chopped)
gram flour (chickpea flour)
2 cups
red chili powder
1 teaspoon
bicarbonate of soda
1 pinch
asafoetida powder
1 pinch
oil
for deep frying
Instructions
1
1. Begin by heating 1 tablespoon of oil in a pan over medium heat. Add the finely chopped green chilies and crushed garlic. Sauté these for about 2 minutes, or until the raw aroma of garlic dissipates. Take care to keep the garlic light in color.
2
2. Next, stir in the boiled potato cubes, half of the turmeric powder, and salt to taste. Gently mash half of the potato cubes with the back of a ladle while mixing everything thoroughly. Continue to cook on medium heat for about 4 minutes.
3
3. Once done, remove the mixture from heat and allow it to cool. Once cooled, fold in the chopped coriander leaves until well combined.
4
4. Shape the potato mixture into lemon-sized balls and set them aside.
5
5. For the batter, combine the gram flour, remaining turmeric powder, red chili powder, bicarbonate of soda, asafoetida powder, and salt in a bowl. Gradually add water until a thick, smooth batter forms.
6
6. Heat sufficient oil in a deep frying pan over medium flame. When the oil is hot, dip each potato ball into the chickpea batter to coat it evenly.
7
7. Carefully place the coated balls in the hot oil in batches. Fry them until they turn light golden brown, ensuring they do not stick to each other.
8
8. Once fried, remove the fritters from the oil and place them on a paper towel to drain excess oil. Serve hot with ketchup or your favorite chutney.
Nutrition Information
Frequently Asked Questions
Frequently Asked Questions
What are Crispy Spiced Potato Fritters?
They are a savory Indian snack, also known as Batata Vada, consisting of spiced potato balls coated in a chickpea flour batter and deep-fried.
What is the alternative name for this dish?
These fritters are commonly known as Batata Vada in Indian cuisine.
What type of cuisine does this recipe belong to?
This recipe is a classic example of Indian cuisine.
Is this recipe suitable for vegetarians?
Yes, these spiced potato fritters are entirely vegetarian.
How many ingredients are needed for this recipe?
There are 12 ingredients required, including the oil for frying.
How should the garlic be prepared?
The 4 cloves of garlic should be crushed before being sautéed.
How long should I sauté the garlic and chilies?
Sauté them for about 2 minutes over medium heat until the raw aroma of garlic is gone.
What should I be careful of when sautéing garlic?
Take care to keep the garlic light in color and do not let it brown too much or burn.
How do I prepare the potatoes for the filling?
The potatoes should be peeled, cubed, and boiled before they are added to the spice mixture.
What is the purpose of mashing half the potato cubes?
Gently mashing half of the potatoes with a ladle helps bind the mixture so it can be shaped into balls.
How much turmeric is used in the potato mixture?
The recipe uses half of the total 1/2 teaspoon of turmeric powder for the potato filling.
When should the coriander leaves be added?
The chopped coriander leaves should be folded into the potato mixture after it has cooled down.
What size should the potato balls be shaped into?
The potato mixture should be shaped into lemon-sized balls.
What is gram flour?
Gram flour is another term for chickpea flour, which serves as the base for the fritter batter.
What spices are included in the chickpea batter?
The batter includes turmeric powder, red chili powder, asafoetida powder, and salt.
Why is bicarbonate of soda added to the batter?
A pinch of bicarbonate of soda helps the batter become light and crispy during the deep-frying process.
What is asafoetida powder?
Asafoetida is a pungent spice used in Indian cooking to enhance flavor and aid digestion.
How do I achieve the right batter consistency?
Gradually add water to the dry ingredients and mix until a thick, smooth batter forms.
What type of frying method is used?
This recipe uses deep frying to achieve a golden, crispy exterior.
How do I coat the potato balls for frying?
Dip each potato ball individually into the thick chickpea batter to ensure it is coated evenly.
What temperature should the oil be for frying?
The oil should be heated over a medium flame until hot before adding the fritters.
Can I fry all the fritters at once?
It is best to fry them in batches to prevent them from sticking to each other.
How do I know when the fritters are finished cooking?
The fritters are ready when they turn a light golden brown color.
What is the best way to remove excess oil after frying?
Place the fried fritters on a paper towel immediately after removing them from the oil to drain.
How should I serve the potato fritters?
Serve them hot with condiments like tangy ketchup or a zesty chutney.
Can these be served as an appetizer?
Yes, they are excellent served as an appetizer or a savory snack.
Is the batter gluten-free?
Since it uses gram flour (chickpea flour), the batter is naturally gluten-free, provided other ingredients are certified.
How many green chilies are used?
The recipe calls for 4 finely chopped green chilies.
What is the total cooking time for the potato mixture?
The potato mixture is sautéed for approximately 6 minutes in total (2 for garlic/chilies and 4 for potatoes).
Can I make these fritters ahead of time?
While best served fresh and hot, you can prepare the potato balls in advance and fry them just before serving.