Vetkoeks {South-African}

Last updated on April 23rd, 2025

Vetkoek is a traditional South African food—basically a deep-fried bread roll, also known as a “fat cake.” It’s made from a basic batter and the consistency is kind of like a doughnut but without the hole. This recipe doesn’t require yeast but does call for an egg and buttermilk!

You can fill it with all sorts of things, either sweet or savoury. Some favorites are curried mince, cheese, jam, or just a bit of butter. I personally love it with butter and apricot jam! Yummy! They are best eaten fresh when they are hot and crispy!

To make it the traditional South African way, follow this easy recipe and rest assured that your vetkoeks will always be perfect!

Ingredients Needed for Making Vetkoeks:

• cake flour
• baking powder
• salt
• melted butter or cooking oil
• egg
• buttermilk
• cooking oil for deep frying

How do you make Vetkoeks – A Summary:

1. You start by sifting together the dry ingredients – flour, baking powder, and salt.
2. Then, in a separate bowl, you whisk the wet ingredients together – butter, egg, and buttermilk, then mix it into the dry ingredients to make a soft, spongy batter that drips off a spoon.
3. Now it’s just a matter of heating oil in a deep pot until it’s hot and bubbling. Drop spoonfuls of the batter into the oil and fry until golden brown, turning them halfway through.
4. Once cooked, drain on a paper towels and allow to cool. 
5. Then add your favourite topping and eat! The Best Part!!

Vetkoeks

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• Author: Louise - Just Easy Recipes
• Prep Time: 10 minutes
• Cook Time: 5 mins
• Total Time: 15 minutes
• Yield: 12-14 1x

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Description

A deep-fried pastry or bread that can be served with sweet or savoury fillings. A delicious South African treat!

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Ingredients

• 2 cups cake flour
• 4 tsp baking powder
• 1/2 tsp salt
• 1–2 tbsp melted butter or cooking oil
• 1 egg
• 1 cup buttermilk
• cooking oil for deep frying

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Instructions

1. Sift flour, baking powder and salt together.
2. Beat butter, egg and buttermilk together.
3. Now add this to the flour mixture and stir. The dough should have a spongy texture that drips easily off a spoon.
4. Half fill a large pot with cooking oil and heat until it bubbles.
5. Place spoonfuls of dough into the hot oil.
6. Deep fry for a few minutes and then turn and fry them until golden brown. Remove when cooked and drain on paper toweling.
7. Allow to cool slightly before eating.