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    Home » Appetizers & Snacks » Crispy Moong Dal Pakora

    Published: Mar 31, 2020 · Modified: Dec 5, 2020 by Priya * This post may contain affiliate links.

    Crispy Moong Dal Pakora

    Recipe Print
    a hand holding a serving platter which has a bowl of Crispy Moong Dal Pakora and a bowl of green chutney next to it and text at the top
    Crispy Moong Dal Pakora served n a round bowl with green chutney on the side and text at the top
    Crispy Moong Dal Pakora in a round platter with a bowl of chutney in the middle and next to it and text at the top

    Moong dal pakora is one of the most popular high protein vegan snacks! Easy vegan appetizers like this crispy pakora recipe are delicious!

    They pair well with your evening tea/coffee. Moong dal Wada is one of those high protein vegan snacks that will leave you craving for more. 

    a hand holding a serving platter which has a bowl of Crispy Moong Dal Pakora (one of the popular easy vegan appetizers) and a bowl of green chutney next to it.

    Table of Contents

    • What is Pakora?
    • Where did I have it first?
    • Trending now
    • You can make it at home
    • Ingredients needed
    • Detailed Pakora recipe
    • Serving suggestions
    • Best tips to make Indian Pakora
    • Some easy vegan appetizers that you can try
    •  Crispy Moong Dal Pakora

    What is Pakora?

    It is a popular street food from India! It's crispy on the outside and soft inside.

    These fried battered golden balls are made with moong dal lentils and that is how it gets its name - Moong dal Pakora!

    It's an extremely appetizing fried snack that is quick and easy to make. We Indians indulge in a plate of pakodas every once a while as an evening snack along with our dose of tea or coffee. 

    It is also known as Pakoda, Wada, Vada, or Bhajiyas. There are many variations to pakora and all of them are delicious!

    a bowl filled with Crispy Moong Dal Pakora (one of the popular easy vegan appetizers)

    Where did I have it first?

    There is a famous goddess Mahalakshmi temple in Bombay which was built in 1831. It's one of the most iconic spots of the city also because of its picturesque location.

    It's by the sea overlooking a beautiful mosque called Haji Ali. I have been visiting that temple ever since I can remember.

    Mom would want us to begin the new year on an auspicious note by visiting this temple along with some others around the city.

    Dad would work the logistics and off we would go. That was how we spent the 1st of January for 23 years! 

    While she was thinking about that, we as kids were looking forward to all the great food we were going to have that day. Nearly every temple location had some unique street food snacks to offer.

    Trending now

    There is a small restaurant behind that Mahalakshmi temple, by the sea where they still serve the world's best Moong Dal Bhajia.

    It's a small family-run restaurant that's not an upscale place but serves food clean and tasty. We would always make a pit-stop here to enjoy this yummy bhajiyas.

    It's funny that as a child I associated this temple visit with this delicacy. Guess, my mind was tuned to food from a very young age!

    Crispy Moong Dal Pakora (one of the popular easy vegan appetizers) served n a round bowl with green chutney on the side

    You can make it at home

    Thankfully, making easy vegan appetizers like this one at home is very easy.

    Plus, these Lentil Fritters are perfect for large group gatherings or just for yourself on a rainy day or if you in the mood to have an impromptu make-Indian-at-home night!

    • Simple and easy
    • Crispy
    • Mildly spiced
    • Needs basic pantry staples
    • Vegan
    • And of course very delicious

    Ingredients needed

    All the ingredients needed to make Crispy Moong Dal Pakora (one of the popular easy vegan appetizers) placed next to one another

    Like I mentioned before, the moong dal pakora recipe is very easy and simple to make. You need basic pantry staples to make it. 

    • Moong dal - This is the hero ingredient in this recipe. Also known as petite yellow lentils, they are low in calories, rich in iron and protein plus they are very easy to cook with. 
    • Rice - Adding little rice along with the moon dal will ensure crispy pakoras.
    • Cilantro, dried red chilies, and onions give it a very delicious taste.
    • Asafoetida or hing aids in digestion. You can skip it if you are following a gluten-free diet.
    • Vegetable oil for frying. 

    Detailed Pakora recipe

    6 image collage showing the steps to make Crispy Moong Dal Pakora (one of the popular easy vegan appetizers)

    If you have been looking for some easy vegan appetizers, then give this recipe a try.

    This recipe is perfect for parties or family brunches because using just a few ingredients, you can prepare this dish for a large group. 

    1. You need to soak moong dal and rice for at least 2 hours. Drain and grind it to a smooth paste along with dried red chilies, salt, and asafoetida. Add a few tablespoons of water if needed. 
    2. Add onions and turmeric.
    3. Followed by chopped cilantro.
    4. Transfer the ground lentil paste to the mixing bowl. Add salt.
    5. Mix it well. No need to ferment the batter. They can be fried immediately.
    6. Heat the frying oil in a pan. Using a small spoon, drop the batter into the hot oil. Fry them till they turn golden brown on medium flame. Take them out in paper towels to soak the excess oil. 

    Serving suggestions

    These lentil fritters are best served hot. Like I said earlier, serve them with any chutney/ketchup. High protein vegan snacks like these are a crowd favorite!

    It’s also really fun to toss the cooked pakoras in chaat masala just before serving. 

    Crispy Moong Dal Pakora which is one of the easy vegan appetizers is placed in a round platter with a bowl of chutney in the middle and next to it

    Best tips to make Indian Pakora

    Add ginger and green chilies while grinding moong dal for more flavor. Also, ensure that it's a smooth and thick paste after grinding.

    Only add water if needed, while grinding. The consistency of the batter is very important, otherwise while deep frying may absorb more oil.

    Some like to add a teaspoon of baking soda as well to make it more light and fluffy. Besides cilantro, you can also add spinach or fenugreek leaves for a different flavor. 

    You can prepare the batter and store it in the fridge. Then fry them just before your guests arrive. That way, they will stay hot, fresh, and crisp. I would recommend you eat them also when fresh. 

    Keep the flame lower to medium when frying and stir occasionally to ensure that it's evenly cooked.

    If you fry them in very hot oil, it will turn golden on the outside very quickly but the insides will be raw. You can make them in an Appe pan or try baking it if you don't want to have fried food. 

    Some easy vegan appetizers that you can try

    • Dill Flavored Lentil Fritters
    • Bafauri
    • Semolina Veggie Bites
    • Moong Dal Toast

    a hand dunking one Crispy Moong Dal Pakora (one of the popular easy vegan appetizers) into a bowl of green chutney

    If you’ve tried this Crispy Moong Dal Pakora or any other recipe on the blog please let me know how it went by commenting below, I love hearing from you!

    You can also FOLLOW ME on FACEBOOK, TWITTER, INSTAGRAM, and PINTEREST to see more delicious vegetarian and vegan recipes and what I’m getting up to.

    Crispy Moong Dal Pakora served n a round bowl with green chutney on the side

     Crispy Moong Dal Pakora

    Moong dal pakora is one of the most popular moong dal recipes! These fried and crispy lentil fritters are easy vegan appetizers that pair well with your evening tea/coffee. Moong dal wada is one of those high protein vegan snacks that will leave you craving for more. 
    4.38 from 8 votes
    Print Pin Rate
    Course: Appetizer, Snack
    Cuisine: Indian
    Prep Time: 10 minutes
    Cook Time: 15 minutes
    Soaking time: 2 hours
    Servings: 8 people
    Calories: 278.96kcal
    Author: Priya Lakshminarayan

    Ingredients 

    • 2 cups Moong dal
    • 1/4 cup Rice
    • 3 dried red chillies
    • 1/4 tsp Asafoetida
    • 1 onion finely chopped
    • 1 tsp turmeric powder
    • 1/3 cup Cilantro chopped
    • 3 cups Vegetable oil for frying
    • salt

    Instructions

    • You need to soak moong dal and rice for at least 2 hours. Drain and grind it to a smooth paste along with dried red chillies, salt, and asafoetida. Add a few tablespoons of water if needed.
    • Add onions and turmeric.
    • Followed by chopped cilantro.
    • Transfer the ground lentil paste to the mixing bowl. Add salt.
    • Mix it well. No need to ferment the batter. They can be fried immediately.
    • Heat the frying oil in a pan. Using a small spoon, drop the batter into the hot oil. Fry them till they turn golden brown on medium flame. Take them out in paper towels to soak the excess oil.
    • These lentil fritters are best served hot. Like I said earlier, serve them with any chutney/ketchup.

    Notes

    Add ginger and green chillies while grinding moong dal for more flavor. Also, ensure that its a smooth and thick paste after grinding. Only add water if needed, while grinding. The consistency of the batter is very important, otherwise while deep frying it may absorb more oil.
    Some like to add a teaspoon of baking soda as well to make it more light and fluffy. Besides cilantro, you can also add spinach or fenugreek leaves for a different flavor.
    You can prepare the batter and store it in the fridge. Then fry them just before your guests arrive. That way, they will stay hot, fresh and crisp. I would recommend you eat them also when fresh.
    Keep the flame in lower to medium when frying and stir occasionally to ensure that it's evenly cooked. If you fry them in very hot oil, it will turn golden on the outside very quickly but the insides will be raw.
    It’s also really fun to toss the cooked pakoras in chaat masala just before serving. 
    You can make them in an Appe pan or try baking it if you don't want to have fried food.

    Nutrition

    Calories: 278.96kcal | Carbohydrates: 37.27g | Protein: 13.62g | Fat: 8.78g | Saturated Fat: 6.69g | Sodium: 16.44mg | Potassium: 33.04mg | Fiber: 5.41g | Sugar: 1.69g | Vitamin A: 194.61IU | Vitamin C: 1.2mg | Calcium: 24.78mg | Iron: 1.98mg
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    Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links. For more information on my Affiliate and Advertising Policy, please click here.

     

     

     

     

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    Comments

    1. Suman says

      May 19, 2020 at 11:03 pm

      Thanks Priya for such an easy, simple & delicious recipe. We enjoyed it very much!!

      Reply
      • Priya says

        May 20, 2020 at 12:27 am

        so happy to hear that! Thank you

        Reply
    2. sanjana says

      April 21, 2020 at 4:36 am

      wow it looks beautiful and delicious ,cant wait to try.

      Reply
      • Priya says

        April 21, 2020 at 10:42 am

        yes, do try it..thank you

        Reply
    3. Zim says

      April 02, 2020 at 4:31 am

      What is binding the paste together when frying (seeing that there is no egg, or flour?). I'd love to try it.

      Reply
      • Priya says

        April 02, 2020 at 11:15 am

        The smooth and creamy moong dal paste is enough to bind it. You don't need to add any flour or egg.

        Reply
    4. Scarlet | Family Focus Blog says

      April 01, 2020 at 12:25 pm

      These moong dal fritters sound amazing. I can't wait to try this recipe. They will be excellent appetizers.

      Reply
      • Priya says

        April 01, 2020 at 5:48 pm

        yes they are really good. 🙂 Thank you

        Reply
    5. Veena Azmanov says

      March 31, 2020 at 2:30 pm

      5 stars
      My Tea Time menu is ready for tomorrow. Crunchy and delicious and best snack for the family time.

      Reply
      • Priya says

        March 31, 2020 at 3:53 pm

        Yay for that! Garam chai and pakora..best combo!

        Reply
    6. Emily Liao says

      March 31, 2020 at 2:09 pm

      5 stars
      I've never had these until now! I love lentils so this recipe was a no brainer for me- and the texture and flavors were so delicious.

      Reply
      • Priya says

        March 31, 2020 at 3:52 pm

        you must try it..its very delicious 🙂

        Reply
    7. Angela Allison says

      March 31, 2020 at 2:04 pm

      5 stars
      My mouth is watering just looking at these! One of my absolute favorite Indian food treats. YUM!

      Reply
      • Priya says

        March 31, 2020 at 3:35 pm

        do give it a try. Thank you.

        Reply
    8. Katherine says

      March 31, 2020 at 1:31 pm

      This look amazing, your post is so complete and I love it!!

      Reply
      • Priya says

        March 31, 2020 at 3:34 pm

        Glad you found it useful.

        Reply
    9. Jill says

      March 31, 2020 at 1:23 pm

      5 stars
      These look amazingly delicious. I'm drooling on my keyboard 🙂

      Reply
      • Priya says

        March 31, 2020 at 1:27 pm

        haha..thank you so much

        Reply
    10. Kacey Perez says

      March 31, 2020 at 1:20 pm

      Oh my gosh this looks amazing and totally unique to anything that we have tried and made as a family. Saving this one for when we are feeling adventurous!

      Reply
      • Priya says

        March 31, 2020 at 1:28 pm

        Yes, do try it..its something everyone at home will enjoy!

        Reply
    11. jennifer bradley says

      June 21, 2016 at 11:18 am

      Okay I am intrigued but I am surprised that no one has asked what asafetida is. Please do tell : )

      Reply
      • Chef@Cookilicious says

        June 21, 2016 at 12:21 pm

        This spice is used as a digestive aid, in food as a condiment, and in pickling. It typically works as a flavour enhancer and, used along with turmeric, is a standard component of Indian cuisine. A pinch of asafoetida is all a dish needs. 🙂

        Reply
    12. Cassie @ Southeast by Midwest says

      April 24, 2016 at 8:50 am

      I've never heard of these before. They look absolutely delicious. Thanks for sharing with the Tips and Tricks Link Party

      Reply
    13. CJ Huang | Morsels of Life says

      April 21, 2016 at 3:40 pm

      Loving this recipe and the stories you share! The chutney looks like it goes perfectly with those fritters. 🙂

      Reply
    14. Helen Fern says

      April 21, 2016 at 7:16 am

      This looks like a great party snack!! And I love spicy! Thanks for sharing on the "What's for Dinner" link up.

      Reply
    15. Teresa says

      April 20, 2016 at 5:32 am

      I never cooked (or ate, for that matter) anything similar. Do the red chillies make it too spicy? Can they be replaced by something else? I would love to try this, nut I'm not really a fan of spicy food.

      Anyway, thank you for sharing at The Really Crafty Link Party! Pinned!

      Reply
      • Chef@Cookilicious says

        April 20, 2016 at 9:19 am

        Thank you so much..you can substitute it with pepper powder/green chillies and tone the quantity down a bit to keep it less spicy 🙂

        Reply
    16. Marissa DiPietro says

      April 19, 2016 at 1:59 pm

      Oh. My Goodness. YUM!

      Reply
    17. smiling notes says

      April 19, 2016 at 8:35 am

      Yum! Moong dal bhajiya are one of my fav!

      Reply
    18. Danita Carr says

      April 18, 2016 at 11:33 pm

      I've never tried anything quite like this, but it sounds good, and I'm always up for fried food! 😉 Thanks for sharing! #SmallVictories

      Reply
    19. sanchita says

      April 18, 2016 at 12:45 pm

      Yummyyyyyy

      Reply

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