Vetkoek, Air-Fried: A Tasty, Quick Treat

Vetkoek, also known as fat cake, is a traditional South African fried bread that can be filled with various savoury and sweet ingredients. It is typically deep-fried, but can you make it in an air fryer? The answer is yes! Air frying vetkoek offers a healthier alternative to the traditional method, reducing the amount of oil needed without compromising on taste or texture. The air fryer circulates hot air around the dough, cooking it evenly and quickly, resulting in a crispy exterior and soft, fluffy interior.

Vetkoek dough preparation

Vetkoek is a traditional South African fried bread, sometimes called fat cakes. They are a versatile treat that can be served as a snack or as part of a meal, and can be filled with a variety of sweet or savoury ingredients.

To prepare the dough, you will need the following ingredients:

• Flour
• Salt
• Sugar
• Yeast
• Lukewarm water
• Oil

First, sift the flour and salt together in a large bowl. Add the sugar and yeast, and mix to combine. Next, add the lukewarm water and oil, and mix until a soft, sticky dough forms. You may need to add a little more water if the mixture is too dry.

Turn the dough out onto a lightly floured surface and knead for 5-10 minutes, or until the dough is smooth and elastic. Place the dough in a large, lightly oiled bowl, cover it, and leave it to rise in a warm place for about 30 minutes, or until it has doubled in size.

Once the dough has risen, knock it down on a lightly floured surface and knead until smooth. You are now ready to shape the dough into balls or circles, depending on your preferred method.

If you are making vetkoek in an air fryer, roll the dough out to about 2 cm thick and cut out circles using a cookie cutter or the top of a glass. Place the cut dough onto a baking sheet brushed with oil, cover, and allow to rest for about 30 minutes. Preheat your air fryer to 180°C and brush the basket with oil before carefully placing the dough inside. Brush the top of the dough with oil and air fry for 10 minutes, turning halfway through, until golden brown.

For deep-frying, heat oil in a deep-fryer or large saucepan to 350°F (175°C). Fry the dough in batches of 2-3 pieces at a time, for about 3 minutes per side, or until golden brown.

Vetkoek can be served hot or cold and filled with a variety of sweet or savoury fillings, such as meat, tuna, cheese, jam, syrup, or curried minced meat.

Air fryer settings

To make vetkoek in an air fryer, you will need to preheat your appliance and cook the dough at a specific temperature. The exact settings will depend on the type of dough you are using and your personal preferences for the vetkoek's texture and colour.

If you are using a simple dough made from flour, water, yeast, and salt, follow these air fryer settings:

• Preheat the air fryer to 350°F (175°C) if your model requires preheating. This temperature ensures even cooking and a golden colour.
• Lightly spray the air fryer basket with cooking oil or brush it with melted butter to prevent sticking. You can also use parchment paper with holes in it to line the basket.
• Place the flattened dough into the air fryer basket in a single layer, ensuring the pieces do not overlap. Depending on the size of your air fryer, you may need to cook in batches.
• Set the air fryer to cook at 350°F (175°C) for about 5 minutes.
• After 5 minutes, flip the dough and continue air frying for an additional 3-5 minutes or until it is golden brown and puffed up.

If you are using an aniseed yeast dough, try the following settings:

• Preheat the air fryer on the "air fry" setting at 180°C.
• Once warm, brush the basket with oil and carefully place the dough in the basket, brushing the top with oil as well.
• Air fry for 10 minutes, turning the dough after 6 minutes and brushing with oil again. The total cooking time may vary depending on the size of your vetkoek and the make of your air fryer.

Oil usage

Vetkoek is a traditional South African fried bread that is typically deep-fried in oil. However, when making vetkoek in an air fryer, the amount of oil used is significantly reduced, offering a healthier alternative to the traditional method.

To make vetkoek in an air fryer, you will need to brush the air fryer basket with oil before placing the dough inside. This step ensures that the dough doesn't stick to the basket and helps to create a crispy exterior. Additionally, you can brush the top of the dough with a small amount of oil to enhance the colour and texture.

The type of oil used is not specified, but common options for frying include vegetable, canola, or peanut oil. It is important to use an oil with a high smoke point, as the air fryer will be set to a high temperature.

When deep-frying vetkoek, a large amount of oil is required to completely submerge the dough. In contrast, the air fryer only requires a light coating of oil, reducing the overall oil content of the dish. This makes the air-fried vetkoek a lighter and healthier option without compromising on taste or texture.

It is worth noting that the amount of oil used in the air fryer may vary depending on the size and number of vetkoek being prepared. For a larger batch, you may need to add a small amount of additional oil to the air fryer basket between batches to ensure consistent results.

Vetkoek size

Vetkoek can be made in any size you wish. They can be made larger, about the size of your palm, or small as a snack for a party. You can also make them into small balls. The size of your air fryer may also determine the size of your vetkoek, as you may need to cook them in batches to avoid overcrowding.

To make vetkoek, roll out the dough to a thickness of about 1 inch. Then, cut the dough into your desired shape or use a 3-inch or larger cookie cutter. For smaller vetkoek, you can use a scone cutter.

Vetkoek fillings

Vetkoek is a versatile treat that can be served as a snack, for breakfast, or lunch. It is often paired with sweet fillings, like apricot jam, golden syrup, or strawberry jam, or savoury fillings, like cheese, minced curry, or leftover veggie curry.

Sweet fillings:

• Apricot jam
• Golden syrup
• Strawberry jam
• Powdered sugar
• Cinnamon sugar
• Honey
• Chocolate sauce
• Fruit sauce

Savoury fillings:

• Cheese
• Minced curry
• Leftover veggie curry
• Butter
• Mince filling

Vetkoek can be enjoyed with a variety of fillings, making it a delicious and versatile treat.

Frequently asked questions