Masala vada or chana dal vada is a traditional fritter originating from Tamil Nadu. Although there are variations, this tea-time snack is usually made with a combination of chana dal, onions, ginger, curry leaves, fennel seeds, dried red hot peppers, vegetable oil, and salt.

The chana dal, fennel seeds, and dried hot peppers are soaked in water for two hours, drained, and the mixture is processed into a coarse paste. The paste is mixed with onions, ginger, curry leaves, and some of the reserved chana dal. The mixture is seasoned with salt and formed into round patties.