Pampoenkoekies (Pumpkin Fritters with Cinnamon Sugar)
In short: Spoonfuls of spiced pumpkin batter fried until golden and rolled in cinnamon sugar, a South African side for roast meat or a simple dessert. It takes about 1 h in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 45 min
- Total
- 1 h
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 215 kcal
Pampoenkoekies are pumpkin fritters, a South African treat that works both as a sweet side dish and as a dessert. Cooked pumpkin is mashed into a thick batter, fried in spoonfuls until golden and rolled in cinnamon sugar while still hot. They often appear next to Sunday roast lamb or chicken, and they are just as good with caramel sauce or ice cream. The key is to drain the pumpkin well.
Instructions
- Boil or steam the pumpkin for about 15 minutes until very soft. Drain it very well, mash until smooth and let it steam off for 10 minutes. Squeeze out extra moisture in a clean towel if it still looks wet.
- Whisk the flour, baking powder, salt, sugar and 1/2 teaspoon of cinnamon in a bowl. Mix the 300 g (1 1/4 cups) of pumpkin mash with the egg and milk.
- Stir the pumpkin mixture into the dry ingredients until just combined. The batter should be thick and fall from a spoon in a heavy dollop.
- Heat about 1 cm (1/2 inch) of oil in a wide skillet over medium heat to 170°C (340°F). Drop in tablespoons of batter and flatten each slightly.
- Fry for 2 to 3 minutes per side, until deep golden and cooked through. Drain on paper towels.
- Mix the rolling sugar with the 1 1/2 teaspoons of cinnamon on a plate and roll the warm fritters in it. Serve warm.
Tips
- Drain the pumpkin well. Wet pumpkin makes soggy fritters, so add a spoonful of extra flour if the batter looks loose.
- For a savory side, skip the sugar in the batter and the cinnamon sugar. Serve with roast lamb or chicken. For dessert, add caramel sauce.
Questions and answers
Are pampoenkoekies a dessert or a side dish?
Both. South Africans serve them as a sweet side with roast meat, or as a dessert with caramel sauce or ice cream.
Can I use canned pumpkin?
Yes. Use 300 g (1 1/4 cups) of unsweetened canned pumpkin purée, well drained, and add an extra tablespoon of flour.
Can I make the batter ahead of time?
Mix it just before frying, because baking powder loses its power as it sits. The pumpkin mash can be made a day ahead and refrigerated.
How long does it take to make Pampoenkoekies (Pumpkin Fritters with Cinnamon Sugar)?
About 1 h in total: 15 min of preparation and 45 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Pampoenkoekies (Pumpkin Fritters with Cinnamon Sugar)?
About 215 kcal per serving, with 4 g of protein, 35 g of carbohydrates and 6 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 215 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 4 g |
| Carbohydrates | 35 g |
| Fat | 6 g |
| Fiber | 2 g |
| Sugar | 17 g |
| Sodium | 260 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
