Vetkoek (South African Fried Bread with Curried Mince)
In short: Fluffy yeast dough balls fried until golden, split open and filled with curried beef mince, a South African snack for markets and roadside stalls. It takes about 1 h 30 min in total and makes 6 servings.
- Prep
- 40 min
- Cook
- 50 min
- Resting
- 1 h
- Total
- 1 h 30 min
- Servings
- 6
- Difficulty
- Medium
- Calories
- 615 kcal
Vetkoek, Afrikaans for fat cake, is a ball of yeast dough fried until puffed and golden, with a soft, steamy middle. South Africans eat it at markets, school fundraisers and roadside stalls, split and stuffed with curried mince, or with butter, jam and cheese. It is a filling meal that costs very little to make. The dough is forgiving, but the oil temperature matters, so the centers cook before the outside darkens.
Instructions
- Mix the flour, salt, sugar and yeast in a large bowl. Add the water and 1 tablespoon of oil and knead for 8 to 10 minutes until smooth and elastic. Cover and leave to rise for 1 hour, until doubled.
- For the mince, heat the oil in a large pan and cook the onion for 6 minutes until soft. Add the garlic, curry powder and coriander and cook for 1 minute.
- Add the beef and cook for 8 minutes, breaking it up, until browned and no longer pink (71°C / 160°F). Add the carrot, tomato, tomato paste, water, chutney and salt.
- Simmer the mince for 15 to 20 minutes, until thick and almost dry. Keep warm.
- Punch down the dough and divide it into 12 balls of about 70 g (2 1/2 oz). Rest them for 15 minutes while you heat 5 to 6 cm (2 inches) of oil in a deep pot to 170°C (340°F).
- Flatten each ball slightly to about 1.5 cm (1/2 inch) thick. Fry in batches of 3 or 4 for 3 to 4 minutes per side, until deep golden, puffed and cooked through.
- Drain on paper towels. Split each vetkoek open or cut a deep slit across the top and fill with the mince.
Tips
- Keep the oil near 170°C (340°F) and test with one vetkoek first. If it browns in under 2 minutes per side, the oil is too hot and the center will stay doughy.
- Not just for mince: stuff vetkoek with cheese and apricot jam, chakalaka, golden syrup or just butter.
Questions and answers
What is the difference between vetkoek and magwinya?
They are very close, since both are deep-fried yeast dough balls. Magwinya, or fat cakes, is the name used in several Southern African languages.
Can I make the dough ahead of time?
Yes. After kneading, cover the dough and let it rise in the fridge overnight. Bring it to room temperature before shaping and frying.
Can I bake vetkoek instead of frying them?
You can. Bake the flattened balls at 200°C (400°F) for 15 to 18 minutes. They will be more like bread rolls than classic vetkoek.
How long does it take to make Vetkoek (South African Fried Bread with Curried Mince)?
About 1 h 30 min in total: 40 min of preparation and 50 min of cooking.
How many calories are in Vetkoek (South African Fried Bread with Curried Mince)?
About 615 kcal per serving, with 24 g of protein, 74 g of carbohydrates and 24 g of fat. These values are estimates.
Nutrition per serving
| Calories | 615 kcal |
|---|---|
| Protein | 24 g |
| Carbohydrates | 74 g |
| Fat | 24 g |
| Fiber | 4 g |
| Sugar | 9 g |
| Sodium | 780 mg |
Estimated values, calculated from the ingredients.
