South African Vetkoek aka Fat Cake, crispy outside and warm and fluffy inside filled with minced curry.
Have you have been cutting back on calories? Well, It is about time to take a break and try out this South African, Iconic Street food, Vetkoek, also known as fat cake
Vetkoek in a nutshell is deep fried yeast buns that can be served as a snack, for breakfast or lunch. It is usually paired with apricot jam, cheese or with minced curry
I guess since it is February I can safely post a fried recipe without any one throwing stones at me right? Are we cool? Ok, thanks for putting up with my crazy food obsessions. I so hope you am enjoying it too!
This is one of those recipes that, I have been meaning to try out, for a long time- since the beginning of this year but decided against making it. For obvious reasons; it was January and everyone was looking for healthy recipes to kick off the New Year .
Whew! I am so glad this came out right only after two tries. If not, I would have been stuffing myself with it and having buyer’s remorse after the deed is done.I do that a lot around here.
I give myself the liberty to indulge on weekends (when am developing recipes). On weekdays, for the most part, I fairly stick to a healthy diet, mostly comprising of salmon, this quick and easy salmon , recipe here is my lifesaver. I eat it at least 2-3 times a week coupled with a salad, in between and other reduced calorie meals. So when the weekend rolls around I am famished and ready to go at it.
This vetkoek is a great, basic recipe for fried dough. A little lighter, than this other African favorite fried dough recipe here. However, they hold their own when filled with minced meat.
You know I thought about making it sweet instead of savory then decided against it… maybe some other time. Vetkoek is usually served with cheese and apricot jam or filled with minced meat. Here, I made super easy minced meat to go with it.
Enjoy!!
Watch How to Make It
Vetkoek
Ingredients
Vetkoek Recipe
- 5 ½ cups cake flour plus more
- 2 teaspoons of Salt
- 2-3 tablespoons sugar
- 1 packet yeast 2 1/4 teaspoon or .25 ounce
- 2 cups lukewarm water
Minced curry recipe
- 1 pound minced meat
- 2 tablespoons canola oil
- 1 whole onion sliced
- 1- teaspoon ground ginger
- 11/2 teaspoon minced garlic
- 2- teaspoon curry powder
- 2 -3 to matoes chopped
- ½ teaspoon paprika
- 2 cups diced potatoes
- 1- cup peas and carrots
- ½ teaspoon white pepper
- ½ teaspoon hot sauce or cayenne pepper optional
- 2-3 tablespoons parsley or cilantro
- Salt to taste
Instructions
Minced curry instructions
- In a medium-large skillet, add oil, onions, garlic, ginger, curry, paprika and sauté, for about 2-3 minutes, stirring constantly to prevent any burns. Followed by tomatoes continue cooking for about 3 minutes then add potatoes and minced meat, cayenne pepper, white pepper, mix until ingredients have been thoroughly combined. Cook for about 15 minutes or more until potatoes are tender.
- Finally throw in peas, cook for another minute or two, add parsley, and adjust the seasoning, to taste. Remove from the heat and let it cool. You may prepare this a day in advance.
Vetkoek Instructions
- In a large bowl, mix salt, sugar, water, and yeast. Set aside for 5 minutes. Add flour then mix dough until everything has come together.
- Covers loosely with a clean clothe and let rise in a warm, draft-free place for 1 to 2 hours or until doubled.
- Turn dough on a floured surface, flatten to knock out air bubbles and knead to make firm, you may add flour as needed
- • Roll out dough in to 1 inch thick, cut into desired shapes or use 3 inch or larger cookie cutter to cut dough.
- • In a large, sauce pan pour vegetable oil, until it is at least 3 inches (or about 5 centimeters) high (too little will result in flatter vetkoeks and place on medium heat until oil is 350 degrees.
- Fry until golden brown about 3-5 minutes depending on size. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper napkin. Let it cool
- Split in half and fill with mince meat. Serve warm
Nutrition Information:
Rumbie says
I loved this recipe so much and many of your other recipes! This site honestly my favourite go to place for any cooking occasion!
Imma says
Aww, thank you so much! You made my day and actually, your words are genuinely a reward for my all efforts. Much love
Megan Balouza says
Fantastic! I used this recipe to make vetkoek for the very first time and they turned out amazing! I will definitely use this recipe again
imma africanbites says
Thank you, Megan, for taking the time to comment. Glad it turned out amazing for you.
Kevin says
This recipe looks amazing! I certainly want to make it at some point! I’m curious though, could you make the vetkoeks in an air fryer instead??
ImmaculateBites says
You can . However, it would not be as crisp.
Please let us know how it works out for you, if you do try it out.
Gratian says
Everything was just wow. My family loved every bite. Thank you so much.
Immaculate Bites says
Glad to know your family loved this. Thanks for trying, Gratian! 🙂
Phanuel Ngwenya says
This is the best recipe I have seen and thank you mmmmmm my family will enjoy this.
Immaculate Bites says
Thank you, Phanuel! 🙂
Jill says
I have been looking for a vetkoek recipe for ages this one sounds great. I will give it a try.
Immaculate Bites says
Thank you, Jill! Share with us how it goes. Enjoy! 🙂
Magda Grundling says
Live verkoek and curry mince
Zinzi Gordon says
For the first time I made fat cakes and they were perfect! Thank you so much!
ImmaculateBites says
WOOHOO! Thanks so much.
Charmaine says
I made the vetkoek absolutely the Best
ImmaculateBites says
Glad you loved them, Charmaine 🙂 !
Nonkululeko says
Tried this for supper tonight and it was absolutely delicious, the whole family loved it. I grew up eating vetkoek or amagwinya as we call them in isiZulu but had never tried making them before because I usually buy them. So glad I found your page when I couldn’t get hold of my mom to get the recipe. My first attempt was a great success and I’m looking forward to trying more of your recipes thank you!
imma africanbites says
So happy to hear that! And I’m glad to have you here.
Riana says
Hello!
Your recipe looks delicious. Does the dough need kneading?
Many thanks
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Riana. Knead the dough for 5-8 minutes. Do let me know how it works out for you 🙂 !
Mike in Aspen says
Imma, Freaking incredible recipe! I added a little garam masala for a little more spice. These knocked the owners of the restaurant over when I tested this and it’s going on the menu. Tremendous work!
ImmaculateBites says
Thats amazing Mike !!! So happy these vetkoek worked out well.
Happy Cooking!!
Suzanne says
Hi there, thanks for the recipe. I’m a South African living in the USA and was wondering about the portion size… It says 7 servings at the top of the recipe, is a serving size considered to be 1 vetkoek? I’m planning on cooking this next Thursday for 17 people, so I’m trying to figure out exactly how much I should make for everybody to get at least 2 decent sized vetkoek? Can you help me out?
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Suzanne. Yes, it is 7 fairly large vetkoeks, but this recipe could also give you about 10 decent sized vetkoeks. It all depends on the size of your cutter. For 17 people, I suggest you double the recipe and you will do just fine. 🙂
Jessica says
Hi how many ‘ vetkoek ‘ comes out in this recipe?
ImmaculateBites says
Hi Jessica,
About 10 or more depending on desired size.
Larry says
What kind of meat is best? Beef? Pork?
imma africanbites says
I’d go with beef, but either of those three would be fine.