Sabudana Vada Recipe

Updated: June 10, 2023, By Swasthi

Sabudana Vada is a popular crisp fried Indian snack made with tapioca pearls (sago), roasted peanuts, boiled potatoes and herbs. These gluten-free and vegan snack are immensely popular as a fasting food among the Indian Hindu community. Sabudana vada are also served as a street food & tea-time snack in many parts of India, especially in Maharashtra.

sabudana vada

Recipe Comments

Learn all the secrets to make these delicious, crisp and fluffy sabudana vada at home with my easy recipe guide. For a healthier option you can also Air fry or bake them, instructions included below.

About Sabudana

Sabudana also known as sago, are starch balls that are obtained by processing the tuberous roots of cassava plants. Also known as Tapioca pearls, these are very commonly used in India and across several Asian countries.

“Sabudana” is a Hindi word for tapioca pearls. These are also known as Javvarisi in Tamil, Sagibiyyam in Telugu and sabakki in Kannada. In India, mostly these are used to prepare festive and fasting foods like Sabudana khichdi, vada and Sabudana kheer.

Sabudana is a highly processed, carb laden ingredient with low essential nutrients like vitamins and proteins. Yet they are consumed widely during vrat/upvas/ fastings in the belief that high carbs will keep us full and provide a boost of energy throughout the day.

As per the tradition, many Hindus fast during Ekadashi & Navratri. Some people consume only milk, some only fruits, while some consume a single meal per day. Apart from Sabudana khichdi and Sabudana kheer, these crisp vadas are a special food eaten during the Navratri & Ekadashi fastings.

What is Sabudana Vada?

Sabudana Vada is a traditional Maharashtrian snack, where patties made of soaked tapioca pearls, mashed potatoes, roasted peanuts, spices and herbs are deep fried until crisp and golden.

During the fasting days, based on the region a lot of ingredients like lentils, certain spices, garlic and onions are not consumed. So the fasting foods like this sabudana vada are made without using any of these ingredients.

Since sabudana is a pure starch, peanuts are used here to add some nutrition. Potatoes bind all of these together.

Many people prefer to eat these with yogurt, Coriander chutney or Green chutney (without garlic). These are best served hot & also go well with hot tea/chai.

This fail proof recipe will give you not only delicious but also crisp sabudana vada that do not soak up much oil. If you are a beginner, do read all my tips and make these like a pro.

Making these is simple and straight forward and you can also prepare these ahead so you can straight away shape and fry them. This saves some time on the day you prepare these vadas. You can prepare ahead the following:

Prepare ahead

  • Soak sabudana overnight, drain and refrigerate for 2 to 3 days.
  • Roast peanuts and crush them coarsely. Store in an air tight jar upto a week.
  • Boil and cool the potatoes. Make sure your boiled potatoes are just cooked and not mushy otherwise sabudana vada will soak up lot of oil.
sabudana vada recipe

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Photo Guide

How To Make Sabudana Vada (Stepwise Photos)

Soak sabudana

1. Add half cup sabudana to a wide bowl and rinse them at least twice. While you rinse, rub them well and rinse. Using a wide bowl is very important as it makes a difference to the soaked sabudana.

Drain the water completely and soak them in half cup water for about 4 to 6 hours or overnight. Soaking time depends on the kind of sabudana. Some get soaked quickly some take longer time to soak.

soak sabudana in water

2. Cover and keep them in a cool place.

cover and rest

3. Once they are soaked, they double in size and become fluffy. They will soak up all of the water.

soaked sabudana ready for vada

4. It is important to check if the sabudana is soaked correctly and are ready to fry. Any negligence at this step may lead to burst of sabudana in the oil while frying the vadas. So gently press down the soaked sabudana to ensure they are not hard inside and soaked well. When you press down they should ideally get mashed fully and be like flour. It should not have a hard center which will likely burst the pearls while frying.

mash sabudana to check if it is ready to make vada

5. Drain up the water completely. To ensure there is no excess moisture in the pearls, drain to a colander and set aside. If there is any moisture left in the sabudana the vada will become soggy and will soak up oil.

Too much moisture in the sabudana can burst them so it is important to drain off any excess moisture and let them air dry for a while until you prepare the peanuts.

drain to a colander

Roast Peanuts

6. Add 1/4 cup peanuts to a heavy pan and begin to roast them on a medium heat until golden & aromatic.

roast peanuts

7. When they turn aromatic and done, you will see the skin loosens on its own. Turn off and cool them.

roasted peanuts cooling in a pan

8. Rub them gently and peel off the skin if possible. Then add them to a grinder jar. I did not remove the skin. It is optional.

peanuts to crush for sabudana vada

9. Make a coarse powder. Just pulse them once in a blender. We want a coarse powder.

crushed peanuts for sabudana vada

Boil Potatoes

10. Boil 2 medium potatoes in whatever way you like. You can boil the whole potatoes in a cooker for 2 to 3 whistles with 1 cup water or cube them and boil in a pot, by covering the cubes with water. The potatoes must be just fork tender and not mushy. We don’t want soggy potatoes here so don’t overcook them. To check insert a fork , it should easily go in, meaning it is cooked.

fork tender boiled potatoes

11. Cool and mash them well.

mashed potatoes

Make Vada Mixture

12. To the bowl of mashed potatoes, add sabudana and mix well.

mixing sabudana and potatoes to make vada

13. Add crushed peanuts, half teaspoon jeera, 1 to 2 chopped green chilies, 1 tablespoon chopped coriander leaves, 1½ teaspoon lemon juice (optional) and ½ teaspoon powdered rock salt. If you want you can also add 1 teaspoon of grated ginger.

peanuts, spices and chilies

14. Mix everything well. If sticky, then just grease your finger lightly. Mixing well helps in binding the dough well and prevents the sabudana vada from breaking while frying.

sabudana vada mixture waiting to shape

15. Make 10 to 12 equal sized balls from the dough.

balls in a bowl

16. Grease your palm and flatten the balls gently to give the shape of a vada. If they break towards the edges, you can just stick them back. Place them in a plate or foil. Do not make them too thick or too thin. The vadas will puff up after frying. Very thick vadas don’t cook inside and very thin vadas may break.

making sabudana vada on a foil

Fry Sabudana Vada

17. Heat oil in a pan until oil turns hot enough. Check by dropping a small portion of the dough to the hot oil. The dough must rise and not sink. This is the right temperature.

Next, take 1 tsp of the dough and shape to a small vada or ball and drop in the hot oil. In case the vada doesn’t break then you can go ahead and fry all of them

If the ball disintegrates in the oil, then add 1 tablespoon flour to the mixture and mix well. If you are fasting then add kuttu ka atta otherwise you can add rice flour. This step is optional only to ensure the vadas don’t get disintegrated in oil.

Shape the mixture to vadas. Gently slide 2 to 3 sabudana vadas to hot oil. Let them fry on a medium heat for a few minutes and firm up. Do not touch them or disturb them until they firm up & become golden. Otherwise they may break. Deep fry them in batches of 2 to 3 on a medium heat.

frying sabudana vada in oil

18. When one side of the vada turns firm and golden then flip them to the other side. Fry until golden & crisp on both the sides. Before you fry the next batch, ensure the oil is moderately hot enough again and not very hot.

crisp fried sabudana vada

Serve sabudana vada with green chutney or farali chutney.

sabudana vada recipe

Pro Tips

1. Soaking sabudana : There are different kinds of sabudana available in the market, some soak up well in just 2 hours while some need 5 to 8 hours of soaking time. Adjust the soaking time as needed until the sabudana turns soft, without any hardness inside.

2. Checking sabudana: After the soaking time, press few sabudana pearls in between your thumb and forefinger. They must get mashed easily. Sabudana if not soaked well can burst in oil. So make sure they are soaked well and not hard from inside.

3. Potatoes : Using old potatoes is essential to make perfect sabudana vada. Using newly harvested potatoes often cook up to a mushy texture which can ruin the vadas.

Boiled potatoes help in binding the mixture. So boil them with care without making mushy or soggy. Soggy potatoes often break up the sabudana vada while frying due to excess moisture.

4. Peanuts : Crushed peanuts help in absorbing the excess moisture if any. So I prefer to powder it. However you can just crush them coarsely in a mortar pestle if you prefer crunchy peanuts in the sabudana vada.

How to prevent them from breaking

1. Using flour : Earlier I had never used flour to make my sabudana vada. It is only a optional ingredient. But lately I have made them many times with flour and felt they are less greasy and more crisp with little flour added.

If your vadas break then you can fix it by adding 1 to 2 tbsps of flour to absorb excess moisture. If making the vadas on fasting days, then you can add some kuttu ka atta or rajgira flour.

2. Temperature of oil : Sabudana vada can break while frying if the oil is not hot enough. Always check if the oil is moderately hot enough to fry. Also fry on a medium high flame. Frying them on a very high flame will brown them too quickly. Frying on a low flame will make them oily.

Faqs – Your Questions Answered

Is sabudana vada good for health?

No not at all! Sabudana vada is high in carbs and is also deep fried which makes it a not so healthy food. So try baking or air frying it for low calorie options.

How long should I soak sabudana?

Soaking time for sabudana varies on the type used. While most kinds of sabudana take 5 to 6 hours to soak well, some are hard and need an overnight soak. So experiment and check what works for you.

Why do sabudana vada burst while frying?

If sabudana is not soaked well, any unsoaked pearls may burst in oil while frying. Also too much moisture in sabudana can cause them to burst and splatter oil while frying. To avoid this always ensure sabudana is soaked well, mash it to ensure it is soft from inside like flour.

Why did sabudana vada break in oil?

Lack of enough binding can cause the vadas to break. So use good amount of boiled mashed potatoes so they bind the mixture well.

What to do if sabudana vada is breaking?

Add more boiled potatoes or some buckwheat flour (kuttu ka atta) or amaranth flour or rice flour for more binding. This will bind the vada mixture better and prevents your vadas from breaking.

Can I air fry sabudana vada?

Yes you can air fry them at 360 F or 180 C for 14 to 16 minutes, turning after 10 minutes. Shape them flat and thin so they come out perfect.

Can I bake sabudana vada?

Yes you can!. Place them on a greased parchment paper and bake at 390 F or 190 C for 30 to 35 minutes or a little longer until crisp.

Variations

  • For a healthier option, sometimes I make these with whole grain flour. If you are fasting, then you can easily add some buckwheat flour (kuttu ka atta), amaranth flour or even millet flour like sama flour. You can make these pretty much with any healthy flour like ragi flour, jowar flour or bajra flour. I use about ¼ fine flour in this recipe. Though you can add more, sabudana vadas will pick up the flavor of the flour. I basically use whatever whole grain flour I have at home.
  • Potatoes can be easily swapped with sweet potatoes or raw banana. Whatever you use ensure you don’t overcook this binding ingredient. Also with raw banana, you have to mash the mixture very well and knead it a bit so there is enough binding.
  • Stuffed sabudana vadas: You can also make stuffed sabudana vadas by stuffing your favorite ingredients. At home we love stuffing some fine chopped cashews and raisins. This only adds some sweetness to the vadas but also adds nutrition.

Related Recipes

Recipe Card

sabudana vada

Sabudana Vada Recipe

5 from 154 votes
Sabudana Vada are a deep fried snack made with tapioca pearls, peanuts and potatoes. These are usually made during religious Hindu fastings. Serve them for a evening snack with green chutney.
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For best results follow the step-by-step photos above the recipe card

Prep Time2 hours
Cook Time20 minutes
Total Time2 hours 20 minutes
Servings12 vada
AuthorSwasthi

Ingredients (US cup = 240ml )

  • ½ cup sabudana (tapioca pearls, sagu)
  • 1 cup potatoes (heaped cup) cubed (2 medium sized)
  • ¼ cup peanuts
  • 1 tablespoon coriander leaves chopped
  • ½ teaspoon cumin seeds (jeera)
  • 1 to 2 green chilies chopped (adjust to taste)
  • teaspoon rock salt powdered (or regular salt if not fasting)
  • teaspoons lemon juice (optional)
  • 1½ to 2 tablespoon flour (optional) kuttu ka atta if fasting
  • 1 teaspoon grated ginger (optional)


Instructions

Soak Sabudana

  • Add ½ cup sabudana to a wide bowl. You can optionally rinse them well twice.
  • Then pour ½ cup water and soak sabudana for 4 to 6 hours depending on the kind. You can also soak overnight.
  • Some need only 2 hours of soaking while some need at least 5 hours.
  • Once they are soaked, take few pearls in between your thumb and forefinger.
  • Press down to check if they have softened. The pearls must get mashed well.
  • Make sure they are soaked well & softened otherwise unsoaked sabudana may burst in oil.
  • You can also bite and check. It should not be hard from inside. If you feel they are hard, soak them for a little longer.
  • Drain them completely to a colander and set aside.

Other preparation

  • Meanwhile roast peanuts until golden and aromatic. Cool completely.
  • Pulse them in a blender only once to get coarsely crushed peanuts. Keep aside.
  • Wash and peel potatoes. Boil them just until done and not too mushy or soggy.
  • Mash them. If the potatoes are mushy then the vadas may break. So cook them just al dente.
  • Mix together sabudana, mashed potato, peanuts, green chili, ginger, salt, cumin and coriander leaves. Add lemon juice (optional) and mix well.
  • If the dough turns sticky, then just grease your finger lightly.
  • Mixing well helps in binding the dough well and prevents the sabudana vada from breaking while frying.

How To Make Sabudana Vada

  • Make 10 to 12 balls and then slightly flatten to make the patties or vada.
  • Do not make them too thin as they may break. Making then too thick will not cook them from inside.
  • Heat oil in a kadai until hot enough on a medium flame. 
  • Drop a small portion of the dough to check if the oil is hot enough. The dough has to rise without browning quickly.
  • Next take 1 tsp of the mixture in your hand and roll it to a small vada.
  • Slide it to the hot oil to check if it doesn't disintegrate.
  • If the ball breaks, then add 1 tablespoon flour to the  mixture and mix it well. Then shape them to vadas.
  • Slide the sabudana vada to hot oil one after the other. Do not crowd them all at one time. Slide only 2 to 3 depending on the size of your pan.
  • After adding the vadas, let them deep fry on a medium flame for a few minutes. Do not disturb them or touch them as they may break. When they firm up and become slightly golden, flip to the other side. Fry until golden and crisp.
  • The vadas will puff well and turn golden & crisp on the outside.
  • Drain them to a kitchen tissue or colander.  Serve sabudana vada with green chutney.

Air Fry

  • I prefer to shape our sabudana vada thinner so they won't remain chewy and undercooked inside. Shape the mixture to not very thin or very thick patties.
  • Place them in the air fryer basket. Air fry at 360 F or 180 C for 14 to 16 minutes, turning after 10 minutes or until crisp and golden. Adjust the timing depending on your air fryer.
  • I brush them with ghee as soon as they are out of the air fryer.

To Bake in Oven

  • Place them on a prepared tray with parchment paper and preheat your oven for at least 20 mins. Bake at 390 F or 190 C for 30 to 35 minutes or a little longer until crisp.


Notes

Notes: Unsoaked sabudana can be hazardous. They can burst in oil if not soaked well. Please ensure they are well soaked before you make the vada. Too much moisture in the sabudana can also burst them. So ensure you drain the excess water if any before cooking.
  • Avoid overcooking the potatoes. If overcooked they will hold up lot of moisture and make the sabudana vadas soggy.
  • Drain the soaked sabudana completely otherwise the excess moisture will make the vadas soggy.
  • Fry them only a medium heat otherwise they will brown from outside and remain soggy inside.
  • You can double fry them to keep them crisp for a little longer.
Flour: Using flour is optional but
  • I have felt adding atleast 2 tbsps of flour makes the sabudana vada more crisp and less greasy.
  • If you are fasting, then use kuttu ka atta or buckwheat flour. If not fasting then you can use rice flour or corn starch.

Video

Watch Sabudana Vada Video

NUTRITION INFO (estimation only)

Nutrition Facts
Sabudana Vada Recipe
Amount Per Serving
Calories 55 Calories from Fat 18
% Daily Value*
Fat 2g3%
Saturated Fat 1g6%
Sodium 64mg3%
Potassium 102mg3%
Carbohydrates 9g3%
Fiber 1g4%
Sugar 1g1%
Protein 1g2%
Vitamin A 10IU0%
Vitamin C 3.5mg4%
Calcium 12mg1%
Iron 1mg6%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.
Tried this recipe?Mention @SwasthisRecipes or tag #swasthisrecipes!

© Swasthi’s Recipes

Sabudana Vada recipe first published in September 2015. Updated and republished in June 2022.

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About Swasthi

I’m Swasthi Shreekanth, the recipe developer, food photographer & food writer behind Swasthi’s Recipes. My aim is to help you cook great Indian food with my time-tested recipes. After 2 decades of experience in practical Indian cooking I started this blog to help people cook better & more often at home. Whether you are a novice or an experienced cook I am sure Swasthi’s Recipes will assist you to enhance your cooking skills. More about me

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5 stars
Great recipe! I made a large batch of dough to make them on 3 different days. The first day I fried them and the next 2 days used my air fryer. Both the ways they tasted great. Your coriander chutney is delicious too. Thank you and keep posting

5 stars
I added soaked channa dal too like in masala Vada

5 stars
You’re recipes are awesome. They just turn perfect.Simply amazing .I have almost tried all your recipes and every recipe has turn out best.
Thanks to you

5 stars
Made it for the first time… everyone loved it 🙂 I’m a big fan of your recipes… Your site is the first place I check when I have to try out a new recipe.. Thank You ❤

5 stars
First time making and they were perfect and Delicious!

5 stars
Baked them in the oven, they came out delicious. I think they are the best sabudana vada I made.

5 stars
The sabudana wada turns awesome…!! Thank you for simple recipe with great tips. My family enjoyed it a lot.

5 stars
Beautiful recipe and so clearly written. I made these sabudana vada a lot of times with great success but sometimes I don’t know if I’m choosing the right kind of potatoes. How do you identify new potatoes?

Can I refrigerate soaked Sabudana for 3 to 4 days? Will they vadas turn out good. TIA

5 stars
My family loves sabudana vada. I usually make a large batch and refrigerate the dough. We air fry through the week for snack. They taste delicious with coriander chutney.

5 stars
Love this sabudana vada recipe. Baked them in the oven. They took longer around 45 mins & did not brown much but tasted delicious and were crisp. Thank you

5 stars
You made the entire process so simple. Your tips are so practical. I made and the vadas turned out very good. Thank you for the wonderful recipe.

5 stars
Excellent receipe

5 stars
I tried to make this Sabudana vada at home yesterday. This is the best recipe in my whole life I’ve tried. The crispiness in this vada remained perfect even after so many hours and my husband just loved it! I’m so much addicted to your recipes that Google shows me only your recipes when i search for any dish

5 stars
Thanks for this amazing recipe. My sabudana vada turned out very good this time. Using old potatoes seem to be the right thing

Hi your recipes are great. However I would suggest giving the measurements in grams or ml for greater accuracy. Cup sizes can vary – 240 ml doesnt always make sense -how do you measure one third cup peanuts for instance? WEIGhing ingredients is best and INDian households who have access to internetcan afford a set of kitchen scales.

5 stars
Followed your sabudana vada recipe. Turned out perfect. Thank you.

Very well explained! Appreciate it!

Thanks a lot. Many times I tried making sabudana vada. It spoiled. But after going through this recepi, I was able to make prper vada. Thanks.

Hi Swasthi, do these vada become hollow after frying? Im i doing something wrong..

5 stars
Thanks a lot Swasthi for taking the time to reply.. Yes you are right.. They were light.. Actually this time i doubled the recipe.. May be i should take old potato.. Because i took care in boiling the potatoes. They were not overcooked..

Thanks once again.. Tske care

can we freeze the sabudana wada and fry them at a later date.
should we thaw before frying.