Air Fryer Frozen Medu Vada

Ingredients

• 300 g frozen medu vada (about 8 rings), straight from the freezer
• Sambar, to serve (optional)
• Coconut chutney, to serve (optional)
• Oil spray

Steps

1. Take the medu vada straight from frozen - don't thaw, or the doughnut-like rings lose their shape and stick to the basket.
2. Preheat the air fryer to 200°C for 3 minutes.
3. Spray the vadas generously on both sides - the urad dal batter is dense and needs a good coating of oil to crisp rather than dry out.
4. Arrange in a single layer, leaving the centre holes clear so hot air can circulate through the ring shape.
5. Air fry for 6 minutes, then flip each one over carefully with a spatula.
6. Air fry a further 5-6 minutes (about 12 minutes total) until deep golden and crisp on the outside, fluffy inside.
7. Serve immediately with hot sambar and coconut chutney, while the outside is still crisp.

Tip: Don't crowd the basket - medu vada are already dense, and if the rings touch, the sides that are pressed together stay pale and soft instead of crisping up.

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Nutrition (per serving)

Estimated from standard ingredient data — actual values vary by brand and exact quantities used.