Bánh rế (Vietnamese sweet potato fritters) will instantly transport you to the vibrant streets of Vietnam. This article will provide an in-depth look at these fritters, about what they are, the necessary tools, and the ingredients.
The most important part is step-by-step instructions to make these potato fritters to help you master this treat with several valuable tips. The article will also suggest what to serve with your bánh rế and how to store leftovers.
Ready to bring the vibrant Vietnamese flavor to your home? Keep reading!
The Overview of Vietnamese Sweet Potato Fritters
Vietnamese sweet potato fritters, or bánh rế, are a popular traditional snack in street food stalls in southern regions of Vietnam.
Tracing the exact origin of bánh rế is difficult. Many believe it comes from rural Vietnam, where sweet potatoes were a staple crop. They are also a specialty of many regions, such as Soc Trang, Phan Rang, and Phan Thiet.
Moreover, bánh rế in Vietnam are available in two colors: red, made from Dương Ngọc sweet potatoes, and golden, made from regular sweet potatoes and cassava. The red variety is more expensive and originates from Phan Thiet and Phan Rang, while the golden variety is known for its honey-like color and intertwined strands.
Overall, these fritters are a common snack during gatherings or casual meet-ups.
Which Ingredients Do Vietnamese Bánh Rế Contain?
Vietnamese sweet potato fritters mainly contain natural ingredients, including:
Which Equipment to Make Bánh Rế?
Cooking tools for bánh rế are simple, and you can easily find them right in your kitchen.
How to Make Bánh Rế
Vietnamese sweet potato fritters require only 5 simple steps with the below details.
Step 1: Prepare The Ingredients
Peel the sweet potato. If your sweet potato is too long, slice it in half to avoid over-lengthy strands.
Use the julienne peeler to peel this potato into small strands.
Step 2: Mix Flour With Sweet Potato
Combine wheat flour with sweet potatoes until well-mixed. Then, add water and keep whisking until everything sticks together.
Step 3: Fry Sweet Potato Fritters
Heat olive oil in a hot pan.
Quickly shape the sweet potato fritters, each about the size of your palm.
Fry these fritters. Flip them so they are evenly cooked and crispy.
Once your sweet potato fritters are done, transfer them to a plate lined with oil-absorbing papers to drain the excess oil.
Step 4: Make The Ginger Syrup
Cook palmyra palm sugar with water. Add minced ginger. Simmer the mixture until the syrup gains a beautiful caramel color, keeping the heat low.
Dredge the sweet potato fritters through the syrup and plate them.
Step 5: Present The Dish
When the fritters are soaked with syrup, sprinkle some toasted sesame seeds over them.
Tricks to Master Making Bánh Rế
This section will provide several tricks that ensure the final potato fritters are tastier.
Serving and Storing Bánh Rế
Bánh rế can go with different options, especially drinks. The best option is the Vietnamese iced tea (trà đá), as the tea’s bitterness can boost fritters’ sweetness.
To keep sweet potato fritters fresh, let them cool completely before storing them in airtight containers or Zip bags, and they will last up to a week. Refrigeration extends their life but can make them dry and hard.
Bánh Rế Recipe – A Must-Try Snack
These sweet potato fritters identify Vietnam’s culinary brilliance within each crunchy bite. And they are not too hard to make them by yourself.
Please like and share this article if you’ve had a wonderful time with these golden treats. Don’t forget to drop a comment below about your making experience with these fritters or other questions. I look forward to hearing your feelings!
Bánh Rế Recipe (Vietnamese Sweet Potato Fritters)
Equipment
- Tongs
- Non-stick frying pan
- Julienne Peeler
- Mixing Bowl
- Oil-Absorbing Paper
Ingredients
- 10.6 ounces sweet potato
- 4.2 ounces palmyra palm sugar
- 3.5 ounces wheat flour
- 0.88 ounces minced ginger
- 1 ½ teaspoons toasted sesame seeds
- ½ cups water
- 1 cup olive oil
Instructions
- Peel the sweet potato. And use a julienne peeler to turn it into thin strips.
- Combine the potato strips with wheat flour.Add water and mix until all ingredients blend together.
- Heat olive oil in your pan.Quickly shape the sweet potato fritters and fry them in hot oil.
- Flip the fritters when halfway through so they are evenly cooked.
- Transfer the fried fritters to a plate lined with oil-absorbing paper.
- Combine water with palmyra palm sugar. Season it with minced ginger.Stir at low heat until well mixed.
- Soak each sweet potato fritter in the syrup.
- Serve these fritters with some toasted sesame seeds sprinkled on top.
Video
Notes
- If your sweet potato is too long, cut it in half before julienne peeling it to avoid overly lengthy strands.
- Lightly coat your hands with flour before peeling the sweet potato to prevent its sap from sticking to your hands.
- Sprinkle some salt into the oil before frying. This way, the oil won’t splatter afterward.
Richie
Content Writer
Expertise
Home Cooking, Meal Planning, Food Styling, Food Photography, Cooking-video Maker, Beverage Evaluation Expert
Education
Saigon Culinary Arts Centre, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Vietnam Australia Vocational School (VAAC), Hanoi, Vietnam
Richie, based in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, is a dynamic Content Writer with a talent for capturing the essence of culinary art.
Richie specializes in creating visually appealing and tasty content, offering a new angle on Vietnamese and other culinary traditions. With a background in graphic design and a love for food styling and photography, he expertly combines beauty with food narratives, encouraging his audience to discover the culinary world through his imaginative perspective.