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Home / Types / African / African Breakfast

Vetkoek

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Author: Imma Published:2/06/2015Updated:4/14/2021
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South African Vetkoek aka Fat Cake, crispy outside and warm and fluffy inside filled with minced curry.

Vetkoek

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!

 Vetkoek

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 .

 vetkoek

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. 

vetkoek

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

 

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Vetkoek
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Vetkoek

 South African Vetkoek aka Fat Cake, crispy outside and warm and fluffy inside filled with minced curry
4.95 from 19 votes
Prep: 20 mins
Cook: 40 mins
Total: 1 hr
African
Servings 7

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:

Calories: 491kcal (25%)| Carbohydrates: 62g (21%)| Protein: 21g (42%)| Fat: 16g (25%)| Saturated Fat: 5g (31%)| Cholesterol: 46mg (15%)| Sodium: 741mg (32%)| Potassium: 459mg (13%)| Fiber: 4g (17%)| Sugar: 2g (2%)| Vitamin A: 1980IU (40%)| Vitamin C: 7.8mg (9%)| Calcium: 50mg (5%)| Iron: 3.4mg (19%)
Author: Imma
Course: Snacks
Cuisine: African
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Nutrition Facts
Vetkoek
Amount Per Serving
Calories 491 Calories from Fat 144
% Daily Value*
Fat 16g25%
Saturated Fat 5g31%
Cholesterol 46mg15%
Sodium 741mg32%
Potassium 459mg13%
Carbohydrates 62g21%
Fiber 4g17%
Sugar 2g2%
Protein 21g42%
Vitamin A 1980IU40%
Vitamin C 7.8mg9%
Calcium 50mg5%
Iron 3.4mg19%
* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2000 calorie diet.

 

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FATCAKE

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Comments & Reviews
  1. Rumbie says

    Posted on 6/12 at 1:46AM

    5 stars
    I loved this recipe so much and many of your other recipes! This site honestly my favourite go to place for any cooking occasion!

    Reply
    • Imma says

      Posted on 6/13 at 11:42AM

      Aww, thank you so much! You made my day and actually, your words are genuinely a reward for my all efforts. Much love

      Reply
  2. Megan Balouza says

    Posted on 3/2 at 4:30AM

    5 stars
    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

    Reply
    • imma africanbites says

      Posted on 3/2 at 7:34AM

      Thank you, Megan, for taking the time to comment. Glad it turned out amazing for you.

      Reply
  3. Kevin says

    Posted on 10/8 at 7:52PM

    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??

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 10/11 at 5:55PM

      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.

      Reply
  4. Gratian says

    Posted on 6/24 at 10:59AM

    5 stars
    Everything was just wow. My family loved every bite. Thank you so much.

    Reply
    • Immaculate Bites says

      Posted on 6/24 at 10:28PM

      Glad to know your family loved this. Thanks for trying, Gratian! 🙂

      Reply
  5. Phanuel Ngwenya says

    Posted on 6/3 at 6:59PM

    5 stars
    This is the best recipe I have seen and thank you mmmmmm my family will enjoy this.

    Reply
    • Immaculate Bites says

      Posted on 6/3 at 9:24PM

      Thank you, Phanuel! 🙂

      Reply
  6. Jill says

    Posted on 5/2 at 9:13AM

    5 stars
    I have been looking for a vetkoek recipe for ages this one sounds great. I will give it a try.

    Reply
    • Immaculate Bites says

      Posted on 5/3 at 12:15AM

      Thank you, Jill! Share with us how it goes. Enjoy! 🙂

      Reply
  7. Magda Grundling says

    Posted on 2/7 at 4:45AM

    Live verkoek and curry mince

    Reply
  8. Zinzi Gordon says

    Posted on 11/23 at 9:55PM

    For the first time I made fat cakes and they were perfect! Thank you so much!

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 11/24 at 12:17PM

      WOOHOO! Thanks so much.

      Reply
  9. Charmaine says

    Posted on 6/2 at 12:02PM

    I made the vetkoek absolutely the Best

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 6/2 at 7:45PM

      Glad you loved them, Charmaine 🙂 !

      Reply
  10. Nonkululeko says

    Posted on 6/1 at 4:22PM

    5 stars
    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!

    Reply
    • imma africanbites says

      Posted on 6/2 at 1:37AM

      So happy to hear that! And I’m glad to have you here.

      Reply
  11. Riana says

    Posted on 5/3 at 12:05PM

    Hello!

    Your recipe looks delicious. Does the dough need kneading?

    Many thanks

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 5/4 at 4:37AM

      Hi Riana. Knead the dough for 5-8 minutes. Do let me know how it works out for you 🙂 !

      Reply
  12. Mike in Aspen says

    Posted on 3/1 at 10:24AM

    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!

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 3/8 at 3:56PM

      Thats amazing Mike !!! So happy these vetkoek worked out well.
      Happy Cooking!!

      Reply
  13. Suzanne says

    Posted on 1/7 at 12:36PM

    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?

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 1/9 at 12:49AM

      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. 🙂

      Reply
  14. Jessica says

    Posted on 8/24 at 3:15PM

    5 stars
    Hi how many ‘ vetkoek ‘ comes out in this recipe?

    Reply
    • ImmaculateBites says

      Posted on 8/31 at 5:35AM

      Hi Jessica,
      About 10 or more depending on desired size.

      Reply
  15. Larry says

    Posted on 6/15 at 10:37AM

    What kind of meat is best? Beef? Pork?

    Reply
    • imma africanbites says

      Posted on 6/18 at 4:13AM

      I’d go with beef, but either of those three would be fine.

      Reply
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