Tama (Palauan Fried Dough Balls)
In short: Bite-sized vanilla-scented dough balls fried until crisp outside and soft inside, a popular Palauan snack and breakfast treat. It takes about 35 min in total and makes 8 servings.
- Prep
- 15 min
- Cook
- 20 min
- Total
- 35 min
- Servings
- 8
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Calories
- 280 kcal
Tama are Palau's fried dough balls, small as doughnut holes and usually scented with vanilla. They came with Japanese influence and stayed as an everyday snack, often eaten at breakfast or with a cup of coffee. The batter is quick to mix, and the balls puff up crisp outside and soft inside. A banana version is called tama tuu.
Instructions
- Whisk the flour, baking powder, sugar and salt in a large bowl.
- Beat the egg, milk, melted butter and vanilla together. Pour into the dry ingredients and stir until you have a thick, sticky batter with no dry flour.
- Heat the oil to 175°C (350°F) in a deep, heavy pot.
- Scoop level tablespoons of batter and slide them into the oil, using a second spoon to push them off. Fry 6 to 8 balls at a time for 4 to 5 minutes, turning, until deep golden and cooked through.
- Lift out with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Roll in sugar while warm if you like, and serve warm.
Tips
- Keep the oil near 175°C (350°F). If it is too cool, the balls turn greasy, and if it is too hot, they brown before the centers cook. Cut one open to check. Never leave hot oil unattended.
- For a banana version, fold 1 mashed ripe banana into the batter and reduce the milk to 80 ml (1/3 cup).
Questions and answers
What are tama?
Tama are Palauan fried dough balls, similar to doughnut holes and usually flavored with vanilla. They are eaten as a snack or at breakfast, often with coffee.
What is tama tuu?
Tama tuu is the banana version of tama, made by adding mashed ripe banana to the batter.
Can I make the batter ahead?
Mix the dry and wet ingredients separately up to 2 hours ahead, then combine just before frying so the baking powder stays active.
How long does it take to make Tama (Palauan Fried Dough Balls)?
About 35 min in total: 15 min of preparation and 20 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Tama (Palauan Fried Dough Balls)?
About 280 kcal per serving, with 5 g of protein, 37 g of carbohydrates and 12 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 280 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 5 g |
| Carbohydrates | 37 g |
| Fat | 12 g |
| Fiber | 1 g |
| Sugar | 8 g |
| Sodium | 180 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
