Recipe

Panikeke (Samoan Pancakes)

Golden, pillowy fried dough — the sweet comfort food found at every Samoan gathering. Simple to make, impossible to eat just one.

By admin
Prep time
15 min
Cook time
20 min
Servings
8

Ingredients

  • 3 cups all-purpose flour
  • 1/2 cup sugar
  • 1 tsp baking powder
  • 1/2 tsp salt
  • 2 eggs
  • 1 cup milk
  • 1 tsp vanilla extract
  • Vegetable oil for frying

Method

  1. In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, sugar, baking powder, and salt.
  2. In a separate bowl, beat the eggs, then add the milk and vanilla.
  3. Pour the wet ingredients into the dry and stir until just combined. The batter should be thick and scoopable — thicker than American pancake batter.
  4. Heat 2 inches of oil in a deep pot to 350°F (175°C).
  5. Using two spoons, carefully drop rounded tablespoons of batter into the hot oil. Do not overcrowd the pot.
  6. Fry for 3-4 minutes, turning occasionally, until golden brown on all sides.
  7. Remove with a slotted spoon and drain on paper towels.
  8. Serve warm, ideally dusted with sugar or drizzled with syrup. At a Samoan gathering, they disappear fast.