Deep-Fried Kwek-Kwek with Spiced Vinegar Dipping Sauce

By AislePrompt Editorial · Published 2026-05-21 · Updated 2026-05-21

How this recipe was made — this recipe was drafted by AislePrompt's AI-assisted pipeline from technique templates and USDA-sourced nutrition data, and published by AislePrompt Editorial — see how AislePrompt recipes are drafted and published.

Quail eggs coated in bright orange batter, deep-fried to a golden crisp, served with a tangy, spicy vinegar dipping sauce. This Filipino-inspired street-food recipe, ready in about 30 minutes, pairs quail eggs, all-purpose flour, cornstarch for a weeknight-friendly dinner that comes together with one pan and minimal cleanup. Each serving lands at about 250 calories and feeds 4, so it slots cleanly into a weekly meal plan and pairs well with a quick salad or grain on the side. Tap "Plan a meal with the AI" below to drop this recipe into your week and send the ingredients straight to Instacart. Nutrition values are approximate, calculated from USDA FoodData Central (fdc.nal.usda.gov) — verify against ingredient labels for any health-driven dietary plan.

Prep: 15 min Cook: 15 min Serves 4 Filipino cuisine 250 cal/serving

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Ingredients

20 pieces quail eggs
1 cup all-purpose flour
1/2 cup cornstarch
3/4 cup water
1 tbsp annatto powder
1 tsp salt
enough for deep frying vegetable oil for frying
1/2 cup white vinegar
1 tsp sugar
1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes
1 clove minced garlic

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Instructions

Step 1: Boil 20 quail eggs in water for 4 minutes, then transfer to cold water and peel carefully.
Step 2: In a mixing bowl, combine 1 cup all-purpose flour, 1/2 cup cornstarch, 1 tbsp annatto powder, and 1 tsp salt. Gradually whisk in 3/4 cup water until the batter is smooth and vibrant orange.
Step 3: Heat vegetable oil in a deep pan to 350°F. Dip each peeled quail egg into the batter to coat fully, then carefully lower into the hot oil. Fry in batches for 3-4 minutes until the batter is crispy and golden. Drain on paper towels.
Step 4: For the dipping sauce, combine 1/2 cup white vinegar, 1 tsp sugar, 1 tsp crushed red pepper flakes, and 1 clove minced garlic in a small bowl. Stir until sugar dissolves and flavors meld for 5 minutes.
Step 5: Serve the crispy kwek-kwek hot with the spiced vinegar dipping sauce on the side.