Crispy Okoy (Vegetable Fritters with Shrimp)
Crispy okoy are Filipino shrimp and vegetable fritters made with shredded kalabasa, sweet potato, carrots, and a light cornstarch batter. They fry up golden, lacy, and crunchy around the edges, especially with cold water and hot oil doing their little kitchen magic.
Servings: 10
Calories: 240kcal
Equipment
- shredding peeler
- large mixing bowl
- deep skillet
- Wire rack
Ingredients
- 2 cup shredded kalabasa
- 2 cup shredded sweet potato
- 2 cup shredded carrots
- 1 yellow onion thinly sliced
- 1 pound small shrimp peeled and chopped if large
Batter
- 1 cup cornstarch or potato starch
- ¼ cup all-purpose flour
- 1 teaspoon black pepper
- ¼ teaspoon salt or to taste
- 1 teaspoon annatto powder
- 1 teaspoon beef powder
- 1 cup cold water
- Cooking oil for deep frying
For the Sawsawan
- ½ cup white cane vinegar or coconut vinegar
- 2 garlic cloves minced
- 1 small red chili sliced
- Salt to taste
- 1 tablespoon fish sauce optional
Instructions
- Peel and shred the kalabasa, sweet potato, and carrots. Thinly slice the onion. Pat or squeeze the vegetables dry with paper towels.
- In a large bowl, whisk together cornstarch, flour, black pepper, salt, annatto powder, and beef powder.
- Pour in the cold water and whisk until smooth. The batter should be thin and loose.
- Add the shredded vegetables, onion, and shrimp. Toss until everything is evenly coated.
- Heat oil in a deep pan to 350°F.
- Scoop ¼ to ⅓ cup of the mixture with a ladle. Carefully lower into the hot oil and gently flatten.
- Fry for 3 to 4 minutes per side, or until golden, crisp, and cooked through.
- Transfer to a wire rack to drain. Repeat with the remaining mixture.
- Mix the sawsawan ingredients in a small bowl and let sit for 10 minutes.
- Serve okoy hot with the vinegar dipping sauce.
Notes
- Use cold water for a crispier batter.
- Dry the shredded vegetables well so the fritters don’t turn soggy.
- Don’t crowd the pan or the oil temperature will drop.
- A wire rack keeps the bottoms crisp better than paper towels alone.
- Best served fresh, but leftovers can be reheated in the air fryer at 375°F for 4 to 5 minutes.
- Do not microwave leftovers unless you enjoy sadness and soft fritters.
Nutrition
Calories: 240kcal | Carbohydrates: 23g | Protein: 12g | Fat: 12g | Sodium: 180mg | Fiber: 2g | Sugar: 4g
