Bake with Neetu
Introduction
Craving that soft, melt-in-the-mouth Soft Dahi Vada Recipe that bursts with flavor? You’re in the right place!
This Soft Dahi Vada Recipe is an all-time favorite during festivals, family gatherings, or when you want a refreshing Indian chaat in summer. Made from urad dal and moong dal, soaked in spiced water, and served with creamy yogurt, tangy chutneys, and crispy garnishes — it’s the ultimate Indian comfort food.
Whether you call them Dahi Vada, Dahi Bhalla, or Dahi Baray, this dish is loved across India and Pakistan, especially during Holi, Diwali, Ramadan, and hot summer days.
Let’s dive into the most foolproof, softest Dahi Baray recipe ever!
🛒 Ingredients for Soft Dahi Vada;
For the Vada Batter:
- ½ cup whole urad dal
- ¼ cup yellow moong dal
- 4 tablespoons water (for grinding)
- ¼ teaspoon hing (asafoetida)
- 1 finely chopped green chili
- 1 inch ginger, finely chopped
- ½ teaspoon salt
- Oil for frying
For Soaking Water:
- ½ liter warm water
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- ¼ teaspoon hing
For the Dahi (Curd Mixture):
- 1.5 cups fresh curd (yogurt)
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons sugar
For the Green Chutney:
- ½ cup pudina (mint leaves)
- ¼ cup dhaniya (coriander leaves)
- 2 green chilies
- ½ teaspoon jeera (cumin seeds)
- 2 tablespoons peanut powder
- ¼ teaspoon salt
- 2 tablespoons water
For Garnishing:
- Khatti-meethi tamarind chutney
- Red chili powder
- Chaat masala
- Sev (crispy chickpea noodles)
- Fresh anardana (pomegranate seeds)
🧑🍳 Step-by-Step Instructions to Make Soft Dahi Vada Recipe
✅ Step 1: Soak & Prepare the Vada Batter
- Wash and soak ½ cup urad dal and ¼ cup moong dal for at least 6 hours or overnight.
- Drain and grind urad dal with 2 tbsp water to form a smooth paste.
- Repeat with moong dal.
- Combine both pastes and whisk for 6–7 minutes until light and fluffy.
- Mix in hing, green chili, ginger, and salt.
🧪 Float Test: Drop a bit of batter in water — it should float!
✅ Step 2: Fry the Vadas
- Heat oil on medium flame.
- Drop spoonfuls of batter into the hot oil.
- Fry till golden brown and crisp.
- Drain on paper towels.
✅ Step 3: Soak the Vadas
- In a bowl, mix ½ liter warm water, ¼ tsp salt, and ¼ tsp hing.
- Soak the fried vadas in this water for 30 minutes.
- Gently squeeze out the water before serving.
💡 This soaking step is key to ultra-soft Dahi Vadas!
✅ Step 4: Prepare Curd & Green Chutney
For the Dahi:
- Whisk together curd, salt, and sugar until smooth and creamy.
- Keep chilled in the fridge.
For the Green Chutney:
- Blend mint, coriander, green chilies, cumin, peanut powder, salt, and water into a smooth paste.
- Refrigerate until use.
✅ Step 5: Assemble the Dahi Baray
- Place the soaked vadas on a plate.
- Pour chilled curd generously.
- Drizzle green chutney and tamarind chutney.
- Sprinkle red chili powder, chaat masala, sev, and pomegranate seeds.
🎨 The colors and flavors make this dish irresistible!
🥗 Health Benefits of Dahi Baray
You might think of Dahi Baray as just a delicious Indian chaat, but it’s also a nutrient-rich, digestion-friendly dish when made at home:
🥣 1. High in Plant Protein
The combination of urad dal and moong dal makes the vadas a great source of vegetarian protein, helping with:
- Muscle repair
- Energy levels
- Satiety (feeling full for longer)
🍶 2. Packed with Probiotics
The curd (yogurt) used in this recipe is rich in live cultures, which:
- Support healthy gut bacteria
- Improve digestion
- Boost immunity
🌿 3. Cooling and Hydrating
This dish is ideal for hot weather and summer parties:
- Yogurt cools the body
- Mint and coriander have natural cooling properties
- Tamarind aids digestion after heavy meals
🥜 4. Heart-Healthy Fats & Fiber
- Peanuts in the chutney provide healthy fats and protein.
- Spices like hing, cumin, and ginger aid digestion and reduce bloating.
💚 A delicious way to eat mindfully — flavor and wellness in every bite!
🌟 Why This Dahi Baray Recipe Works
- ✅ Super soft texture with the perfect dal ratio
- ✅ Balanced sweet, spicy, tangy flavor profile
- ✅ Homemade chutneys mean zero preservatives
- ✅ Easy to make ahead for parties or festivals
- ✅ Refreshing and good for gut health
🍽️ Perfect Occasions to Serve Dahi Vada
- 🥳 Festivals like Holi, Diwali, Eid
- 🕌 Ramadan iftar platters
- ☀️ Summer snacks
- 🍴 Family get-togethers or potlucks
- 🍢 Street food night at home
🧂 Serving & Storage Tips
- Keep the curd and chutneys chilled before serving.
- Assemble just before eating to keep the sev crispy.
- Store vadas in soaked form in the fridge for up to 2 days.
- Freeze extra vadas and re-soak before use.
📹 Watch the Recipe Video
🎥 Watch the step-by-step video on our YouTube channel [Bake With Neetu]
❤️ Final Thoughts
Homemade Dahi Baray is not only simple to prepare, but also healthier and more flavorful than store-bought or street versions. With its soft vadas, creamy curd, zesty chutneys, and crunchy garnishes — this dish is a celebration on a plate.
Perfect for all ages and occasions, Dahi Vada brings people together. Try it once, and it’ll become a staple in your family’s festive and summer menu.
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💬 Let us know your favorite way to garnish your Dahi Baray!
