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4.7 from 39 votes

Kwek-kwek

Kwek-Kwek is a classic Filipino street food made of quail eggs dipped in orange-colored batter and deep-fried to golden perfection. These fun appetizers are served with spicy vinegar or special dipping sauce.

Prep Time
15 mins
Cook Time
15 mins
Total Time
25 mins
Servings: 12 Servings
Calories: 275 kcal
Course: Appetizer , Snacks
Cuisine: Filipino

Ingredients

  • 36 pieces quail eggs, hard-boiled and peeled
  • 1 ¼ cup flour
  • 1 packet (8 grams or about 1 ½ teaspoons) Magic Sarap seasoning powder
  • 1 teaspoon orange food coloring powder or annnato powder
  • 1 teaspoon baking powder
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper
  • 1 cup cold water
  • canola oil
For the Vinegar Sauce
  • ½ cup vinegar
  • ½ cup ketchup
  • ¼ cup brown sugar
  • 1 tablespoon soy sauce
  • 4 Thai chili peppers, stemmed and chopped
For the Special Sauce
  • 2 cups water
  • ⅓ cup soy sauce
  • 1 cup brown sugar
  • 1 head garlic, peeled and minced
  • ¼ cup shallots, peeled and chopped
  • 4 Thai chili peppers, stemmed and chopped
  • 1 tablespoon flour
  • 1 tablespoon cornstarch
  • ½ teaspoon salt
  • ½ teaspoon pepper

Instructions

    Cup of Yum
  1. In a deep pan over medium heat, heat about 2-inch of oil to 350 F.
  2. In a large bowl, combine 1 cup of the flour, Magic Sarap seasoning, orange food coloring, baking powder, salt, and pepper. Stir until well distributed.
  3. Add water and stir until thick, smooth, and evenly colored.
  4. In a shallow dish, place the remaining ¼ cup flour. Individually dredge the egg in flour and then dip using a fork in the orange batter to fully coat.
  5. Carefully place the battered egg in the hot oil. Repeat with remaining eggs.
  6. Deep-fry for about 2 to 4 minutes or until golden brown and crisp, turning on sides as needed.
  7. With a slotted spoon, remove eggs from the pan and drain on a wire rack set over a baking sheet. Serve immediately with choice of dipping sauce.
For the Vinegar Sauce
  1. In a saucepan, combine vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, and chili peppers.
  2. Over medium heat, bring to a simmer, stirring occasionally, and cook for about 3 to 5 minutes or until sugar is dissolved.
For the Special Sauce
  1. In a saucepan, combine water, soy sauce, garlic, shallots, chili pepper, brown sugar, flour, cornstarch, salt, and pepper. Stir well until well blended and smooth.
  2. Over medium heat, bring to a boil, stirring regularly, for about 3 to 5 minute or until thickened. The sauce will thicken more as it cools.

Notes

  • Use a fork to batter the eggs to allow any excess batter to drip.
  • Nutritional info provided is for three pieces of kwek-kwek and does not include the dipping sauce.

Nutrition Information

Calories 275kcal (14%) Carbohydrates 8g (3%) Protein 2g (4%) Fat 27g (42%) Saturated Fat 2g (10%) Cholesterol 25mg (8%) Sodium 222mg (9%) Potassium 15mg (0%) Fiber 1g (4%) Sugar 1g (2%) Vitamin A 15IU (0%) Calcium 4mg (0%) Iron 0.6mg (3%)

Nutrition Facts

Serving: 12Servings

Amount Per Serving

Calories 275

% Daily Value*

Calories 275kcal 14%
Carbohydrates 8g 3%
Protein 2g 4%
Fat 27g 42%
Saturated Fat 2g 10%
Cholesterol 25mg 8%
Sodium 222mg 9%
Potassium 15mg 0%
Fiber 1g 4%
Sugar 1g 2%
Vitamin A 15IU 0%
Calcium 4mg 0%
Iron 0.6mg 3%

* Percent Daily Values are based on a 2,000 calorie diet.