Recipes / Breakfast / Vetkoek, South African fried dough

Vetkoek, South African fried dough

Name: Vetkoek, South African fried dough
Prep time: 12 min
Cook time: 28 min
Total time: 40 min
Yield: 8 servings
Cuisine: South Africa
Ingredients: 400 g bread flour; 7 g instant yeast; 1 tbsp sugar; 1 tsp salt; 240 ml warm water; 500 ml neutral oil (for frying); 4 tbsp apricot jam and butter (to serve)

Yeast-risen dough fried golden and served split with butter and apricot jam. South Africa's beloved fat bread, at its best when still warm.

Published June 18, 2026 · 4 min read · Braffess Kitchen

Prep

12 min

Cook

28 min

Serves

Level

Easy

Vetkoek, South African fried dough - South Africa breakfast recipe

Method

Make the dough.

Combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt. Add warm water and mix to a smooth dough. Knead for 8 minutes until elastic and slightly tacky. Cover and prove in a warm place for 1 hour until doubled.

Shape.

Knock back the dough. Divide into 8 equal pieces and shape each into a smooth ball. Rest 15 minutes uncovered.

Fry.

Heat oil in a deep pan to 170°C. Fry vetkoek in batches — 3 at a time — for 3–4 minutes per side until deep golden brown all over. They will puff as they fry. Drain on kitchen paper.

Note. Keep oil temperature consistent — too hot burns the outside before the inside cooks through.

Serve.

Split each vetkoek while still warm. Fill with butter and apricot jam for a sweet version, or a savoury mince for a full meal.

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