Vada Pav Recipe – Spicy Indian Street Food

Vada Pav Recipe

Vada Pav is a popular street food from Mumbai, India, known as the Indian version of a burger. It consists of a spicy potato fritter (vada) served in a soft bun (pav) with tangy and spicy chutneys. It’s the perfect blend of flavors and textures—crispy, spicy, and comforting all at once. This easy recipe allows you to recreate the taste of authentic vada pav at home.

Ingredients

For the Vada

• 4 large potatoes, boiled and mashed
• 2 tablespoons oil
• 1 teaspoon mustard seeds
• 10-12 curry leaves
• 2 green chilies, chopped
• 1/2 teaspoon turmeric powder
• Salt, to taste
• 1 cup gram flour (besan)
• 1/2 teaspoon baking soda
• Water, as needed
• Oil, for frying

For the Pav and Chutneys

• 8 pav buns
• Green chutney (made with cilantro, mint, and green chilies)
• Sweet tamarind chutney
• Dry garlic chutney

Instructions

To Make the Vada

1. In a pan, heat 2 tablespoons of oil over medium heat. Add mustard seeds and let them splutter. Add curry leaves and chopped green chilies, and sauté for a minute.
2. Add the turmeric powder and mashed potatoes. Season with salt and mix well. Cook for 2-3 minutes, then let it cool. Shape the mixture into small balls.
3. In a separate bowl, mix gram flour, baking soda, and a pinch of salt. Add water gradually to make a smooth batter.
4. Heat oil in a deep frying pan. Dip each potato ball in the gram flour batter, ensuring it is coated well, and carefully drop into the hot oil. Fry until golden brown and crispy. Drain on paper towels.

To Assemble the Vada Pav

1. Slice the pav buns in half and lightly toast them on a skillet.
2. Spread green chutney and tamarind chutney on the inside of each bun. Place a fried vada inside each bun and sprinkle with dry garlic chutney.
3. Serve hot with green chilies on the side.

Tips

For extra spice, add more green chilies to the potato mixture. Serve the vada pav with fried green chilies for a truly authentic experience. You can also prepare the chutneys ahead of time to save on prep time.

FAQs

• Can I make vada pav in advance? Yes, you can prepare the potato mixture and fry the vadas in advance. Reheat them in an oven before serving.
• Can I make vada pav gluten-free? Yes, use gluten-free buns to make this dish gluten-free.
• How do I store leftover vadas? Store leftover vadas in an airtight container in the refrigerator for up to 2 days. Reheat in an oven or air fryer before serving.
• What other chutneys can I use? You can use any chutney you like, but green chutney and tamarind chutney are traditional for vada pav.

Conclusion

Vada Pav is a quintessential Indian street food that brings together a delightful combination of flavors and textures. With spicy potato fritters, tangy chutneys, and soft buns, this dish is perfect for those who love bold, spicy flavors. Give this recipe a try and bring the taste of Mumbai street food into your home!