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Kwek-Kwek in bamboo skewers with dipping sauce on the side
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4.70 from 13 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 Time15 minutes
Cook Time15 minutes
Total Time25 minutes
Course: Appetizer, Snack
Cuisine: Filipino
Servings: 12 Servings
Calories: 275kcal

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
  • 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

  • In a deep pan over medium heat, heat about 2-inch of oil to 350 F.
  • 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.
  • Add water and stir until thick, smooth, and evenly colored.
  • 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.
  • Carefully place the battered egg in the hot oil. Repeat with remaining eggs.
  • Deep-fry for about 2 to 4 minutes or until golden brown and crisp, turning on sides as needed.
  • 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

  • In a saucepan, combine vinegar, ketchup, brown sugar, soy sauce, and chili peppers.
  • 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

  • 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.

  • 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.

Video

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

Calories: 275kcal | Carbohydrates: 8g | Protein: 2g | Fat: 27g | Saturated Fat: 2g | Cholesterol: 25mg | Sodium: 222mg | Potassium: 15mg | Fiber: 1g | Sugar: 1g | Vitamin A: 15IU | Calcium: 4mg | Iron: 0.6mg