Kobichi Vadi or Steamed and Fried Cabbage Fritters is an Indian vegan recipe with cabbage. This traditional Maharashtrian snack is delicious and healthy! Steamed cakes take about 15 minutes to make and fried ones can also be served at parties!
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What Is Kobichi Vadi
If you love traditional Maharashtrian snacks, chances are you've heard of Kothimbir Vadi. But have you tried its lesser-known cousin-Kobichi Vadi? These savory cabbage cakes are just as delicious and packed with flavor, making them a perfect tea-time snack or party appetizer.
In Marathi, kobi means cabbage and vadi means cake or cutlet. So, Kobichi Vadi literally translates to "cabbage cakes." It's a steamed and pan-fried delicacy made with shredded cabbage, gram flour (besan), spices, and herbs. The process is quite similar to Kothimbir Vadi, which is made with cilantro instead of cabbage.
These vadis are soft on the inside, crisp on the outside, and full of bold flavors thanks to ginger, garlic, green chilies, and spices like ajwain, turmeric, and sesame seeds. The cabbage adds a wonderful texture and mild sweetness that balances the spice.
Cabbage might be one of the most underrated vegetables, but in my kitchen, it gets plenty of love! I use it in everything from Mushroom Kalan to Moong Dal Toast, and today I'm spotlighting another traditional recipe where cabbage truly shines-Kobichi Vadi.
Why Make It
- 🕒 Quick and easy vegan savory snack
- 🌱 Naturally low in calories when steamed, baked, or shallow-fried
- 🍽️ One batch makes multiple pieces-perfect for meal prep or serving a crowd
- 🥬 A clever way to sneak in veggies (even the ones kids usually avoid!)
- 💚 Steamed cabbage cakes are nutritious and flavorful
- 🔥 Fried cabbage fritters are a crispy, crowd-pleasing treat
Ingredients needed
Cabbage - You can use any variety of cabbage or patta gobi. Just make sure to chop it finely. They are a good source of vitamins and dietary fiber.
Spices - turmeric, garam masala, asafoetida, cumin, and sesame seeds.
Flour - chickpea flour or besan is the main flour here. Rice flour helps to make these fritters crisp. You may also add 2 tablespoons of jowar flour in you want. Chickpea flour is rich in protein and carbs.
Ginger, green chilies, and cilantro are added to give them more flavor and spice.
How to make it
This vegan cabbage recipe is so yummy that you will be making them on repeat!
- In a mixing bowl, add chickpea flour and rice flour.
- Then add dry spices like turmeric, garam masala, and asafoetida.
- Add sesame seeds and cumin seeds, next.
- Chopped cilantro, minced green chilies, and ginger paste go in next.
- Then add shredded cabbage to the bowl.
- Add salt and make a very thick batter by adding enough water. Can add Eno (fruit salt) at this point if needed.
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Now you will need a steamer for the next step. I use my Idli cooker as a steamer that comes with a dhokla plate. You can also steam them in the Instant Pot.
- Pour the batter into a greased steaming dish and steam it for 10-15 minutes.
- You can test if it's done by inserting a knife in the batter. It should come out clean. Let it cool down a bit once done.
- Then cut them into squares. You can enjoy them right away. They will be soft yet delicious to taste.
- Or you can fry or shallow fry them in oil till they turn golden, for a more crispy flavor.
Serving Suggestions
Serve the steamed Kobichi Vadi or fried Cabbage Fritters warm with some chutney/ketchup on the side. You can also serve it like a Dhokla, temper oil with mustard seeds, cumin seeds, asafoetida, and curry leaves.
Spread it all over the steamed cabbage cakes and garnish with coriander and/or grated coconut. They can be served for breakfast or as an evening snack along with Masala Chai, Filter Coffee, or Dalgona Coffee. Pack them in lunchboxes or serve them as an after-school snack. You can also serve this Maharashtrian snack at any party or get-together.
At home, Maharashtrian snacks are a regular part of our meals, especially for breakfast or tea-time. Along with Kobichi Vadi, we love classics like Kanda Poha, Sabudana Khichdi, Fodnicha Bhat, Patra, and of course, Misal Pav on weekends.
Top recipe tips
You can also use the coleslaw mix to make these cabbage fritters. Any variety of cabbage can be used here. Just make sure to chop it finely. Can also add grated carrots, chopped spinach, fenugreek leaves, or any other greens to make this Kobichi Vadi even more nourishing. Feel free to give it any shape you want.
FAQs 📖
These steamed cabbage cakes can be frozen or refrigerated in advance. Then you can fry or shallow fry them as and when needed. I would suggest that the fried ones be consumed when hot or warm.
There are many ways to serve it once they are steamed. You can also bake these cabbage cakes in the oven, air fry them, or even shallow fry them.
Yes. You can follow this same recipe to make Kothimbir Vadi. Skip cabbage and add cilantro instead. Rest everything remains the same.
Some Steamed Recipes
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Recipe 📖
Kobichi Vadi | Vegan Cabbage Fritters
Equipment
Ingredients
- 1 cup chickpea flour
- 2 tablespoon rice flour
- 1 teaspoon turmeric powder
- 1 teaspoon garam masala
- ¼ teaspoon asafoetida
- 1 tsp sesame seeds
- 1 teaspoon cumin seeds
- 3 tablespoon cilantro chopped
- 3 green chilies
- 1 tablespoon ginger paste
- 1 cup cabbage shredded
- Salt
- Water as needed
- Oil for greasing/frying
Instructions
- In a mixing bowl, add chickpea flour and rice flour.
- Then add dry spices like turmeric, garam masala, asafoetida.
- Add sesame seeds and cumin seeds, next.
- Chopped cilantro, minced green chilies, and ginger paste go in next.
- Then add shredded cabbage to the bowl.
- Add salt and make a very thick batter by adding enough water. Can add Eno (fruit salt) at this point if needed.
- Pour the batter in a greased steaming dish and steam it for 10-15 minutes.
- You can test if it's done by inserting a knife in the batter. It should come out clean. Let it cool down a bit once done.
- Then cut them in squares. You can enjoy them right away. They will be soft yet delicious to taste.
- Or you can fry or shallow fry them in oil till they turn golden, for a more crispy flavor.
- Alternatively, you can also bake them at 350 degrees F for 15 minutes.
S says
We love these and always look forward to making them! Such a great recipe. Thank you!
Priya says
Thank you so much. Glad you like it. 🙂
Sara Welch says
What a fun and tasty little cake! Can practically smell all the aromas through my computer; looking forward to enjoying these later this week!
Priya says
🙂 Thank you so much
Emily says
So many flavors packed into each bite, and vegetarian to boot!
Priya says
Thank you
Tania | Fit Foodie Nutter says
I love Indian recipes but have never heard of this one before! I can't wait to give it a try this weekend! Thank you x
Priya says
Yes, its a hidden treasure! 🙂 Thank you
Carrie Robinson says
I hadn't heard of these before, but they look and sound delicious! 🙂
Priya says
Thank you so much 🙂
Kelli says
These look delicious! I'm always looking for new ways to incorporate veggies into appetizers and I know these will be a hit! Just need to buy the flours!
Priya says
That's great! Glad you liked it
Nathan says
Wow, these look absolutely delicious. I like that there's the option to stick with steaming them. I have to admit I'm a sucker for fried food though, so I love that I can fry them up too!
Priya says
I know right! Even I love fried food but even the steamed ones taste so good 🙂
Anita says
Love it! It's great to make a big batch, then just fry as needed. 🙂
Priya says
Yes, that is why I love this recipe 🙂
Bintu | Recipes From A Pantry says
These sound like such a delicious and healthy snack!
Priya says
Thank you so much
Christian Guzman says
What a delicious treat! I can't wait to give it a try. Do you have any substitute suggestions for the asafoetida?
Priya says
Thank you. You can skip adding it or add mustard powder instead.
Yale Rosenblatt says
I know this is a simplistic question. But how do you steam a semi liquid in a steamer. Since most steamers have holes in them for the steam to come up from the water boiling below it. How does the food product not fill up and them not fall into the holes right below them into the water?
Yale
Priya says
You can place a banana leaf at the base. But even otherwise, the steamer holes are not that big for food to escape. Hope this helps.
Sarah says
What can you substitute for rice flour?
Priya says
You can add corn flour or all-purpose flour
sangeeta Sethi says
Fabulous delicious healthy preparation..
Sarah says
Hi,
How do you steam something like this without a steamer? Recipe looks great but I feel this info is crucial...?
Many thanks
Priya says
You can use any kind of steamer. You can even boil it in an Instant Pot.
Katelyn Lindsey says
What is a steamer? or how do you steam something like this?
Ann S says
Hi Priya, this recipe looks so good! I don't own an idli cooker. Would this recipe work if I cooked it in a small cake pan set on a steaming rack in my stock pot?
Priya says
Thanks. All you need is a steamer..use any appliance..it will work.