Ouma's Ingredients
- 3 cups (360g) cake flour
- 2 tsp instant yeast
- 1 tsp salt
- 2 tbsp sugar
- 1 cup lukewarm water
- 1 tbsp vegetable oil
- Extra oil for brushing (optional - for low calorie avoid this step)
Ouma's Instructions
- Mix: Combine flour, yeast, sugar, and salt in a large bowl.
- Knead: Add water and oil, knead 8–10 minutes until smooth.
- Proof: Cover and let dough rise 45–60 minutes until doubled.
- Shape: Divide into golf-ball sized pieces and form rounds.
- Preheat: Preheat air fryer to 180°C for 3 minutes.
- Airfry: Cook 8–10 minutes, flipping halfway. Amagwinya Vetkoek is ready when golden and hollow-sounding.
Chunky Vegatable And Mince Vetkoek Recipe Idea
Serving Ideas and Healthy Tips
Tip: Serve with savoury mince or curried beans for a traditional snack.
Tip: Sweet fillings like jam or cheese work for dessert-style treats.
Tip: Airfryer vetkoek amagwinya uses low calorie minimal oil, making it a healthier option than deep-fried versions.
Air Fryer Vetkoek Recipe Easy and Healthy
- Is this an easy airfryer vetkoek recipe?
- Yes, this recipe is simple and beginner-friendly, taking under 10 minutes of cooking time.
- Can I make healthy vetkoek in an air fryer?
- Absolutely, low calorie using minimal oil in the air fryer keeps your vet koek lighter and healthier than traditional deep-fried versions.
- How long does it take to make quick vetkoek?
- From start to finish, this quick air fryer vetkoek recipe takes about 60–75 minutes including proofing.
- How do I know when South African vetkoek is ready?
- Vetkoek is ready when golden, puffed, and hollow-sounding underneath when tapped gently.
- Can I use aluminium foil in the airfryer?
- Yes, but only in the basket and never covering the vents to ensure proper airflow.
Watch How to Make Airfryer Vetkoek Amagwinya
More South African Recipes
Ouma Se Vetkoek Recipe
A new phenomia is happening in SA. Ouma se vetkoek is so good that people are literally using ouma se vetkoek as a pillow, you don't have to get out of bed for a snack, you simply nibble on your vetkoek pillow.
History of South African Vetkoek Recisp
Vetkoek, meaning "fat cake" in Afrikaans, is more than a fried dough snack, it is a traditional South African food loved for generations. Its origins trace back to Dutch settlers who fried dough for quick, portable meals. Quick fingers on the internet "vetkeok recisp", when you mean vetkoek recisp in Afrikaans. It's true, google has made up bad spellers over the years.
The Best Vetkoek Recipe Ever
If the kids are enjoying it, you know you have struck gold, as to them, it will be the best vetkoek recipe "Ever"
Over time, vetkoak (remember to spell it correctly) spread across communities " amagwinya ", becoming a staple in townships and markets. Recipes vary, some slightly sweetened, others plain. It is now a versatile snack served with savory or sweet fillings.
Modern air fryers allow for a quick, easy, and healthier version. Using minimal oil, the air fryer keeps vet koek amagwinya golden, crispy outside, and soft inside, perfect for family meals or a quick snack.
Vetkeok (intentional) remains a cultural touchstone, connecting generations and communities. Each bite tells the story of South Africa's culinary heritage, adapted for today's healthy, quick kitchen methods.
Amagwinya The African Adaptation
In Zulu and Xhosa kitchens, they're amagwinya (one is igwinya). To Afrikaans tongues, it's vetkoek, a blunt label that translates to "grease cake." Either way, it's a fist-sized orb of fried bread: crackling shell, cloud-like center.
You'll smell it before you see it—oil popping at a township gate or a farmstall on the N1.
Vetkoek Recipe Without Yeast or Baking Powder
Sometimes you can enjoy a vetkoek just on it's own, without yeast, baking powder or filling. Maybe put some jam or peanut butter on it, and have it as breakfast with a coffee. Make yourself a wonderful dessert vetkoek."
Amagwinya went viral on the internet as "African doughnuts," with Gen Z recreating grandma's recipes – proof this 300-year-old snack is still evolving.
Amagwinya started as a settler's survival food, got remixed in the townships, and now unites South Africans across race, class, and region – one golden, fluffy bite at a time.